Introduction
The suspension of funding from USAID has sparked global debates, highlighting the critical role of this financial support for development research in Africa. For years, USAID has funded transformative projects that empower communities and address issues like poverty, health, and education. This crisis reveals Africa's reliance on foreign aid, yet it also offers a chance to reassess and build more self-sufficient research frameworks for the continent's future.
Rethinking Research Sovereignty in a Changing Landscape
Development research is the foundation of Africa’s socio-economic transformation. It informs governance, underpins healthcare innovation, and enables educational advancement. Agencies like the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have been pivotal in this ecosystem. USAID support to African countries differs and serves diverse purposes, ranging from operating expenses, HIV/AIDS, basic and general health, education, agriculture, emergency responses, to businesses and other services (USAID, 2025).
USAID funding in 2024 amounted to over $790 million in Nigeria and over $340million in South Africa. In Nigeria, the funds have contributed to emergency responses ($251.7M), HIV/AIDs ($189.9m), basic health ($105.6m) and maternal and childcare ($90.09m), agriculture (21.01m), basic education ($14.77m), water supply and sanitation ($11.02m) among others. In South Africa, the funding is mainly spent on HIV/AIDS ($251.5m), operating expenses ($35.46m), basic health ($24.89m), trade policy and regulations ($6.73m), government and civil society ($4.75m), education ($3.04m) agriculture ($2.63m) amongst others (USAID, 2025). In the research ecosystem, this support has empowered institutions to implement context-specific solutions, train future researchers, and bridge gaps between knowledge and policy.
However, recent political uncertainties in the United States have cast doubt on continued funding. The implications are significant—the suspension not only leaves a financial void but also constrains the strategic and intellectual capacity of African nations to chart development paths informed by robust, evidence-based research. Countries like Nigeria and South Africa, with long-standing USAID-supported programs, face particularly stark consequences.
Disrupted Progress: Consequences and Disparities
The USAID suspension has immediate and uneven repercussions. In Nigeria, where development research directly informs social policy, the consequences are deeply felt. Institutions that rely on consistent donor funding to conduct high-impact research on poverty dynamics, electoral violence, and educational disparities. Without these resources, time-sensitive studies will stall, interventions will be delayed, and the visibility of vulnerable populations in policymaking may diminish. In South Africa, though the research landscape is more structurally developed, it remains enmeshed in global partnerships. USAID-supported programs have been instrumental in HIV/AIDS research, gender equity initiatives, and community resilience strategies. The withdrawal of such funding threatens to disrupt well-established research networks and reduce postgraduate training opportunities—particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Moreover, USAID’s exit risks leaving behind knowledge vacuums. Donor-driven research often supports the creation of large data sets, community-driven pilot programs, and policy evaluations. When funding ceases, these initiatives may be abandoned midstream, resulting in incomplete outputs, demoralized researchers, and disengaged communities. This undercuts the credibility of the research process and fosters public mistrust.
From Dependency to Resilience: Seizing the Moment
Despite the disruptions, this moment could serve as a turning point. The pause in foreign aid should compel African countries to reassess how they fund, prioritize, and institutionalize research. One of the greatest barriers to research resilience in Africa is the mismatch between political rhetoric and budgetary allocations. While African leaders often emphasize the value of evidence-based development, national budgets disproportionately favor infrastructure projects at the expense of knowledge production. Yet, without solid research, those very infrastructure projects may not address citizens' real needs.
Now is the time to foster domestic alternatives. Governments must expand budgetary allocations for research and development (R&D) and encourage public-private partnerships that leverage corporate social responsibility investments. Equally, the philanthropic potential of high-net-worth Africans remains largely untapped. Establishing national research endowments—independently managed but publicly accountable—could provide consistent funding and shield research from political cycles.
The broader vision must include the creation of a continental African Research Fund. This initiative, co-financed by governments, regional blocs like the African Union, and private sector actors, could empower African institutions to set their research agendas without external interference. With flexible, multi-year grants, such a fund would enable long-term projects that align with local priorities, from climate resilience to digital innovation.
USAID’s funding suspension for Nigeria presents an opportunity for action. With one of Africa’s largest populations and a burgeoning academic sector, Nigeria should enhance its research framework. Strengthening institutions like the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and improving access for grassroots organizations and early-career researchers is essential. The private sector's role is vital, particularly in the thriving fintech and telecom industries, where tax incentives can promote research investments. Additionally, involving diaspora scholars can bridge expertise gaps. Research should be viewed as a national necessity, not a luxury, to address pressing challenges like public health and youth unemployment.
Similarly, South Africa, while more buffered from donor shocks, is not immune. The country has long positioned itself as a research leader in Africa. Its institutions rank among the continent’s best, and its research outputs are widely cited. Yet, USAID-supported programs—particularly in public health—remain vital, especially for vulnerable and underserved communities.
Now is the time for South Africa to deepen its commitment to research autonomy. This means building sustainable funding models that draw on government support, private philanthropy, and regional collaborations. The National Research Foundation (NRF) should be further empowered to support long-term, multidisciplinary projects and incentivize collaboration with other African institutions.
South Africa can also lead efforts to “decolonize” development research—by asserting African priorities, challenging donor-defined agendas, and ensuring that research speaks first to local needs. In doing so, it can serve as a model for the continent, demonstrating that excellence and sovereignty are not mutually exclusive.
Cecy Edijala Balogun is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Centre for the Study of Race, Gender and Class, University of Johannesburg. She holds a PhD in Agriculture (Rural Sociology), University of Ibadan, Nigeria. With a focus on intersectional research, Cecy explores the complexities of race and gender dynamics in contemporary society. Her research aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of social inequalities and promote inclusive dialogues. Cecy holds a strong academic background and is dedicated to advancing knowledge in her field. She can be reached via email at cbalogun@uj.ac.za or olusanjo2019@gmail.com for further inquiries or collaboration opportunities.