Agate Project – Building Future Geoscientists in Africa: Nominee for the Change-Maker Award for a Not-For-Profit or Charity Organisation, 2025 Africa Award
By Sarah Siva | 26 August 2025
About the Nominee & their Nomination
- The Agate Project, founded in 2006 as part of WAXI (West African Exploration Initiative), is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to developing geoscience expertise in Africa. Since 2020 the Agate Project has serviced all of Africa, focusing on education and capacity building in earth and planetary sciences. Through grants, scholarships, and applied training, Agate addresses the industry’s talent gap, supporting early-career researchers, students, and industry professionals.
- Since its inception, the project has awarded 148 scholarships and delivered 25 short courses with over 400 attendees, primarily in Africa. Many graduates have secured roles in mining companies, geological surveys, and universities, with some progressing to leadership positions.
- Agate has partnered with 11 companies in its WAXI and EAXI projects, with over 30 industry experts contributing to training and evaluation of research proposals. Industry sponsors help tailor courses, review funding applications, and support scholarships, demonstrating a strong collaborative capacity to enhance geoscience expertise across Africa.
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