African institutions looking to strengthen their financial and grant management systems now have a new resource to turn to.
On July 3, 2025, the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) will officially launch its Good Grant Practice (GGP) Courses, a major milestone in the rollout of the Good Grant Practice Virtual Academy (GGP-VA).
The hybrid launch — set to take place online from 4:00 to 6:00 PM (EAT) — marks the activation of a set of self-paced online courses designed to help research and non-research institutions across the continent build internal capacity for grant compliance, financial governance, and accountability.
What’s Being Rolled Out
Developed through a collaborative process involving experts from across Africa, the GGP courses are housed within the upgraded Virtual Learning Academy (VLA) platform.
The modules were co-created, tested, and validated through regional consultations in early 2025 and would cover:
- Grant management and compliance fundamentals
- Financial controls and risk mitigation
- Budgeting, procurement, and reporting
- Governance systems and HR best practices
These resources are aligned to the Good Financial Grant Practice (GFGP) standard — a globally recognized framework that helps institutions assess and improve their internal systems to meet donor requirements.
A Response to Longstanding Challenges
The official launch follows a broader announcement made by APHRC on March 21, 2025, introducing the GGP-VA as a continent-wide initiative funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The goal is to close institutional capacity gaps that have historically limited access to funding or delayed implementation due to compliance issues.
Many African institutions, including universities, NGOs, and research centers, operate with limited back-office systems, making it difficult to meet evolving expectations from funders around transparency, risk management, and audit readiness.
Through the Virtual Academy, APHRC aims to change this by offering accessible, standards-aligned training and tools that institutions can adopt at their own pace.
What to Expect from the Launch
The July 3 event will feature:
- A live demonstration of the enhanced Virtual Learning Academy
- Reflections from regional partners and APHRC technical leads
- A symbolic course activation moment, officially opening access
- Practical insights on how institutions can get started
Participants who have registered for the platform will receive their access credentials via email. These will allow them to begin learning immediately after the launch.
Looking Ahead: From Training to Certification
Beyond the online modules, the GGP-VA will offer additional support mechanisms, including mentorship, virtual coaching, and institutional diagnostics to guide organizations on their path toward GFGP certification.
Certification is not mandatory to participate, but for institutions that seek it, the courses offer a foundational step toward achieving global compliance and enhancing their standing with both local and international funders.
The initiative also connects users to a growing Community of Practice, a peer-learning environment that encourages shared solutions to financial and operational challenges.
Why This Opportunity Matters
With only a fraction of Africa’s research institutions able to consistently meet stringent grant conditions, the availability of a structured, self-paced training program presents a timely opportunity.
It speaks directly to the region’s need for more equitable, self-driven development financing systems that reward good governance, not just program outcomes.
For institutions navigating multiple donor agreements or seeking to attract new funding streams, building capacity in grant management isn’t optional — it’s strategic.
NB: Interested participants can register using the QR code included in the main image shared alongside this article.
About the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is a global philanthropic organization that works to reduce inequality and improve lives around the world.
Its focus areas include global health, agriculture, education, and financial inclusion, with a strong commitment to strengthening systems and driving innovation in low- and middle-income countries.
In Africa, the foundation supports initiatives that expand access to healthcare, empower women and girls, and improve institutional capacity for sustainable development.
About APHRC
The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) is a leading African research institution headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya.
APHRC conducts policy-relevant research on population, health, education, and development issues affecting sub-Saharan Africa.
Through its work, the Center supports evidence-informed decision-making, capacity strengthening, and systems change across the continent.
APHRC also hosts the Virtual Learning Academy, a platform for scaling knowledge and technical skills in research, governance, and institutional development.
I appreciate this initiative and would like to register and be part of the Good Grants Practice Virtual Academy.
Hello Winfred. Thank you for finding our content useful to you. And on the APHRC Good Grant Practice course registration information can be found within APHRC communicators with the contact information easily accessible via their website. But again you can keep visiting our page for any updates we may get regarding to the same .