Justice Adjei calls for equitable Canada-Africa research partnerships beyond aid

Justice Dennis Dominic Adjei, a Supreme Court Justice and member of the African Court of Human and Peoples’ Rights, has advocated for equitable research partnerships between Canada and Africa that extend beyond traditional aid. Adjei argued that international collaborations should grant African institutions authority over research subjects, funding, data ownership, authorship, and intellectual property, rather than positioning them as aid recipients.

This call for partnership was made during the Third Conference on Economic Growth in Atlantic Canada, organized by the City Institute of Higher Learning in Moncton, New Brunswick, from September 10 to 11, 2026.

The conference centered on economic growth and partnerships, prompting Adjei to urge stakeholders to view research relationships as enforceable partnerships rather than goodwill-driven arrangements. Adjei emphasized the importance of distinguishing between beneficiaries and partners, stating that beneficiaries have limited ability to demand continued support, consultation, or benefits from donors.

He likened a contractual partnership to one that provides both parties with a claim, a forum, and a remedy, allowing partnerships to endure changes in government, ministries, and policies.

Adjei highlighted that Canada has maintained research relations with African countries for over 70 years; however, these relationships require stronger instruments to ensure equitable distribution of research benefits and responsibilities. He pointed out that African institutions are often treated as sub-grantees, which controls how research funds are managed, research questions are set, and intellectual recognition is obtained.

A systematic review of infectious disease research in Africa from 1980 to 2016 revealed that while over 90% of publications included at least one Africa-based author, only 49.8% had an African first author. This disparity was attributed not only to recognition but also to its impact on academic promotion, eligibility for research grants, and the development of research leadership in Africa.

Addressing data issues, Adjei emphasized that data generated from African populations often remains stored outside African jurisdictions and can be utilized under foreign laws without considering local legal requirements. He urged Canadian institutions working in Africa to consider African data protection laws and ensure agreements clearly address data custody, transfer, reuse, and repatriation.

Additionally, concerns were raised about intellectual property and genetic resources, citing the Nagoya Protocol and the necessity for fair and equitable benefit-sharing arrangements when African biological and genetic resources are employed in research.

Adjei stressed that capacity building should yield enduring benefits within African institutions, including trained researchers, operational laboratories, locally controlled data repositories, and publication records that support the careers of young academics. To achieve equitable partnerships, Adjei proposed comprehensive agreements covering governing law, direct access to research funds, authorship, data custody, intellectual property, publication rights, and the capacity of African institutions to maintain operations after project completion.

He called on Canadian governments, universities, and research funders to offer direct-award opportunities for African institutions, ensure fair funding of indirect costs, and enhance partnerships between institutions instead of primarily relying on individual researchers.

Moreover, Adjei encouraged African governments to expedite the ratification and implementation of relevant continental instruments, such as the African Continental Free Trade Area's intellectual property protocol, and to strengthen harmonized legal frameworks to minimize the costs associated with research collaboration. Adjei viewed equitable partnerships in areas such as ocean and coastal science, agriculture, health systems, energy transition, and artificial intelligence governance as a competitive strategy for Atlantic Canada, rather than a concession.