Our programs

The Ocean Program at the Real Life Research Institute – Africa Program builds on our work on ocean, blue economy, maritime security, governance, and inclusive economic development. The program focuses on ocean and maritime activities, local, regional, and international ocean policies and law, including aspects of livelihood, coastal development, and resilience.

The program supports contemporary debates and policy action on sustainable ocean resource management, economic development, strengthening environmental protection, and enhancing the resilience of coastal and marine-dependent communities. We contribute to research that advances understanding of ocean ecosystems and ocean health, with a focus on the Gulf of Guinea and beyond.

By generating context-specific knowledge and linking African expertise with international research and policy platforms, the program positions Africa as a critical contributor to global ocean science and governance.

The Climate Adaptation & Resilience program amplifies local and indigenous voices across Africa on climate adaptation. It supports research and policy dialogue on locally grounded adaptation strategies, resilience-building, climate justice, livelihood protection, and the governance systems needed to respond to growing climate risks.

The program also examines the intersection of climate change and conflict, including how environmental stressors such as resource scarcity, displacement, and livelihood disruption can exacerbate existing tensions and undermine stability in vulnerable regions like the Sahel.

By advancing evidence-based and context-sensitive approaches, and by connecting African perspectives to broader global debates, the program contributes to stronger and more inclusive responses to climate change across the continent and beyond.

Africa's health systems are shaped by rapidly evolving demographic, environmental, technological, and socio-political changes that directly influence public health outcomes, social equity, and human security. Persistent inequalities in access to healthcare, the growing impacts of climate change and displacement, recurring epidemic threats such as Ebola and other emerging infectious diseases, and unequal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) continue to expose structural vulnerabilities across the continent.

Our Health Systems, Equity, and Social Transformation program adopts an interdisciplinary and systems-oriented approach to public health, recognizing that health outcomes are deeply interconnected with governance, gender relations, digital transformation, livelihoods, environmental change, conflict dynamics, and social inclusion. The program supports research and policy engagement on health systems strengthening, epidemic preparedness and response, community and primary healthcare systems, SRHR, gender-responsive health governance, digital health and AI-enabled health systems, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), mental health, and equitable access to healthcare for underserved and marginalized populations. It also examines how conflict, displacement, climate-related shocks, and extractive industries affect health systems capacity, service delivery, and community resilience across diverse African contexts.

By connecting African researchers, practitioners, civil society actors, and policymakers with regional and global policy platforms, the program contributes to stronger, more inclusive, and more resilient health systems that are responsive to the realities and priorities of African communities.