Dear AAP Members, Stakeholders, Partners and the Public,   Science, technology, and innovation (STI) are crucial to addressing the complex global challenges facing Africa today, including food insecurity, public health crises, climate change, and promoting sustainable economic growth. Harnessing the power of research, new technologies, and innovative solutions is key to building resilient societies, accelerating development, and positioning Africa as a global leader in knowledge-driven transformation.   Alliance for African Partnership (AAP) has identified Science, Technology, and Innovation as one of its key priority areas. This reflects AAP’s commitment to fostering collaborative, cross-disciplinary approaches that empower African researchers, innovators, and institutions to create homegrown solutions. By prioritizing STI, AAP underscores the importance of leveraging African expertise and partnerships to address pressing challenges and to seize new opportunities for inclusive development.   This focus also aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, and the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA-2034), which places STI at the heart of Africa’s long-term development blueprint. These policy initiatives emphasize that Africa’s transformation depends on strengthening research and innovation capacity, promoting industrialization, and driving digital and technological advancement. By investing in STI, Africa can ensure it not only responds effectively to emerging crises but also proactively shapes a sustainable, prosperous, and equitable future.   In this way, STI as a priority area of AAP is not only about advancing knowledge—it is about enabling Africa to achieve its aspirations, contribute solutions to global challenges, and unlock the full potential of its people for generations to come. This issue of AAP Connect is dedicated to this priority area and will spotlight researchers, programs, and projects that are advancing STI across the continent.