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Building Africa’s First Synchrotron: A Leap for Science and Innovation

By Mwaniki Justin

The Common Pulse | August 2025 


For decades, African scientists have relied on overseas facilities to carry out advanced experiments in fields such as structural biology, energy research, and materials science. But that dependence may soon change. African leaders, researchers, and international partners are advancing plans to build the continent’s first synchrotron light source, a facility that would mark a turning point in Africa’s scientific independence.

What Is a Synchrotron and Why Does It Matter?

A synchrotron is a type of particle accelerator that generates ultra-bright beams of X-rays, ultraviolet, and infrared light. These powerful beams allow scientists to peer into the structure of materials at the molecular and atomic level. Applications range from mapping protein structures for new medicines to developing stronger materials, designing clean energy technologies, and even preserving cultural heritage artifacts.

At present, Africa is the only continent without such a facility. Researchers must travel abroad, often facing long waiting lists, high costs, and limited access to beamtime. A homegrown synchrotron would bridge this infrastructure gap, keeping African scientists on the cutting edge of global research.

Unlocking Innovation Across Sectors

The African Light Source (AfLS) would serve as a continental hub for innovation, with benefits reaching far beyond the laboratory:

  • Health and Medicine: Supporting drug discovery, vaccine research, and cancer treatment through structural biology.

  • Agriculture: Developing drought-resistant crops and studying soil chemistry to boost food security.

  • Energy: Exploring new solar materials, battery technologies, and clean fuel solutions.

  • Cultural Heritage: Analyzing ancient manuscripts, fossils, and artworks without damaging them.

In short, the synchrotron’s impact would ripple through science, industry, and society.

A Pan-African Effort

The push for an African synchrotron is not new, it has been discussed since the early 2000s. But in recent years, momentum has grown through the African Light Source Foundation, which is working with the African Union, UNESCO, and a growing network of scientists worldwide. The project envisions a truly pan-African facility, shared across borders and accessible to researchers from all regions.

Challenges Ahead

Building a synchrotron is no small feat. Such facilities can cost billions of dollars and require highly skilled personnel for construction and operation. Securing funding, training expertise, and ensuring equitable access across countries are all major hurdles. Yet, as Africa has shown with the recent launch of the African Space Agency, bold continental science projects are possible when leaders commit to long-term collaboration.

Looking to the Future

The African Light Source would be more than just a scientific instrument, it would be a symbol of Africa’s growing self-reliance in research and innovation. By investing in cutting-edge infrastructure, the continent could empower its scientists to ask, and answer, the big questions of our time, from climate change to human health.



As planning moves forward, the world is watching. If realized, the AfLS will not only transform African science but also reshape the global scientific landscape by bringing new voices, perspectives, and discoveries to the forefront.


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