Islamabad : On the occasion of African Day, ,COMSTECH, the OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation, extends its heartfelt solidarity and congratulations to African nations and reaffirms its deep commitment to strengthening science, technology, and innovation across the African continent.
Since its establishment, COMSTECH has played a pivotal role in promoting scientific collaboration among OIC member states, with Africa as a key focus. Under the leadership of Coordinator General Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, during the last five years, COMSTECH has launched a wide array of initiatives aimed at building capacity, supporting research, enhancing health systems, and empowering youth and women throughout Africa.
In his special message for African Day, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary stated:
“Africa is not only a continent of vast potential and rich heritage. It is the future of global innovation. At COMSTECH, we are committed to harnessing the power of science and technology to enable sustainable development, nurture local talent, and build resilient communities throughout Africa.”
COMSTECH’s efforts have included hands-on training workshops in renewable energy, biotechnology, information and communication technologies, and environmental sciences. Through partnerships with institutions like TWAS, the University of Lahore, ICCBS, and HUCM, hundreds of African scholars have been awarded fully funded research fellowships, technical training, and academic degrees in Pakistan.
In addition to academic support, COMSTECH has strengthened scientific research across Africa by funding collaborative projects that unite African universities with counterparts across the OIC. These projects tackle pressing challenges such as food security, public health, and climate resilience. Scientific conferences and seminars held in Nigeria, Ethiopia, and other countries have facilitated knowledge exchange and fostered long-term institutional partnerships.
COMSTECH has also taken significant steps to improve health systems in African nations. A comprehensive five-year action plan includes disease surveillance training, health policy workshops, and virtual health networks. In cooperation with the Islamic Development Bank and LRBT, COMSTECH has organized cataract surgery camps in Niger, Chad, and Somalia, trained ophthalmologists in managing diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, and conducted specialized workshops on topics including leishmaniasis, neurology, and histopathology in cities such as Addis Ababa, Kampala, and Mogadishu.
Efforts to support infrastructure development have led to the establishment of centres of excellence and Halal authentication laboratories, most notably at the Islamic University in Uganda and the provision of advanced scientific instruments in Mauritania and Chad. COMSTECH’s expert missions have also helped restore and operationalize critical laboratory equipment.
Women and youth are at the heart of COMSTECH’s programs. Through mentorship schemes, scholarships, and the COMSTECH Youth Leadership Training initiative, young African professionals are brought to Islamabad to work on science and technology policy solutions. In Nigeria, a COMSTECH-IsDB initiative has advanced citrus processing technologies, while in The Gambia, a partnership with the Al-Khwarizmi Institute has resulted in the launch of a Master’s in Computer Science curriculum and an ICT vocational training center.
Between 2022 and 2024 alone, more than 70 African awardees benefited from fellowships and targeted programs, including those for Least Developed Countries (LDCs). To date, over 161 individuals from OIC and non-OIC African states have been supported through COMSTECH’s diverse educational and training initiatives. Moreover, COMSTECH has covered travel costs for over 40 African scholars to participate in major conferences on topics such as neglected tropical diseases, precision agriculture, natural product chemistry, and water resource management. Under the COMSTECH-Gourmet Industrial Internship Program, young researchers from African countries were placed in various departments of the leading food industry of Pakistan, and more would be placed on a yearly basis.
These wide-ranging and impactful initiatives reflect COMSTECH’s unwavering commitment to advancing scientific capacity, fostering innovation, and enabling sustainable development across Africa through dedicated cooperation and strategic support.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
