A UNESCO toolkit charts a practical, inclusive route for Africa to access world-class synchrotron science: a dedicated African beamline at SESAME in Jordan, bridging the synchrotron divide while advancing science diplomacy and regional integration.
SHORT SUMMARYBridging the synchrotron divide
Synchrotron light sources are critical tools for addressing development challenges in health, agriculture, energy, materials and cultural preservation. While more than 60 synchrotron facilities operate worldwide, Africa remains the only inhabited continent without one, and African scientists currently account for less than 1% of global synchrotron usage.
This toolkit proposes a practical and inclusive solution: the development of a dedicated African beamline at SESAME, a UNESCO-supported synchrotron facility in Jordan. The initiative would give African countries cost-effective access to cutting-edge infrastructure while simultaneously advancing science diplomacy and regional integration.
THE PROPOSALA dedicated African beamline at SESAME
For an investment of $6–10 million over 3–5 years, the proposed beamline could deliver outsized returns for African science and cooperation:
- Train 200+ scientists annually.
- Serve as a neutral platform for international cooperation.
- Enable African research across health, food security and clean energy.
- Strengthen Africa’s voice in global scientific governance.
A graduated pathway to participation
The publication offers actionable guidance for African Member States to engage at multiple levels, from entry-tier participation through to full governance roles, supported by national and regional science diplomacy frameworks.
PUBLICATIONAbout this toolkit
Authored by Amal Kasry and published by UNESCO, this 20-page guide (Empowering Africa through Synchrotron Science) is a practical handbook for policymakers and science administrators. It is catalogued by UNESCO and issued under the Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO licence, which permits sharing and adaptation with attribution.
- Title
- Empowering Africa through Synchrotron Science: Toolkit
- Author
- Amal Kasry (UNESCO)
- Publisher / imprint
- UNESCO Publishing
- Year
- 2025
- Country of publication
- France
- Language
- English
- Length
- 20 pages (electronic)
- Nature of contents
- Guides, manuals and handbooks
- ISBN
- 978-92-3-100780-4
- DOI
- 10.54677/IQPB5821
- Document code
- SC-2025/PBS/RIE/PI/QST/2
- Catalogue number
- 0000394941
- Licence
- CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO
Subjects
Main topics: scientific facilities; scientific cooperation; scientific innovations. Geographic focus: Africa. Subject body: International Centre for Synchrotron Light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME). Source: UNESCO.
How to cite
- APA
- Kasry, A., & UNESCO. (2025). Empowering Africa through Synchrotron Science. UNESCO Publishing.
- MLA
- Kasry, Amal, and UNESCO. Empowering Africa through Synchrotron Science. UNESCO Publishing, 1 Aug. 2025.
- Chicago
- Kasry, Amal, and UNESCO. 2025. Empowering Africa through Synchrotron Science. UNESCO Publishing.