Last week, the World Bank approved US$150 million to finance 19 university-based Centers of Excellence in seven countries in West and Central Africa. The centers will receive funding for advanced specialized studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-related disciplines, as well as in agriculture and health. The centers are:

• Center for Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment at Federal University of Agriculture, Nigeria;
• Center for training Planet Breeders, Seed Scientists and Technologies at University of Ghana, Ghana;
• Center for the Poultry Sciences at University of Lome, Togo;
• Center for Dryland Agriculture at Bayero University, Nigeria;
• Center for Genomics of Infectious Diseases at Redeemers University, Nigeria;
• Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens at University of Ghana, Ghana;
• Center for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology at Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria;
• Center for Phytomedicine Research and Development at University of Jos, Nigeria;
• Center for Reproductive Health and Innovation at University of Benin, Nigeria;
• Center for Maternal and Infant Health at University Cheikh Anita Diop, Senegal;
• Center for Materials at African University of Science and Technology, Nigeria;
• Center for Applied Mathematics at University d'Abomey, Benin;
• Center for Information and Communication Technologies at University de Yaounde, Cameroon;
• Center for Water, Energy, and Environment Science and Technologies at Institute International d'Ingenierie de l'Eau et de l'Environment;
• Center for Oil Field Chemicals at University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria;
• Center for Water and Environmental Sanitation at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana;
• Center for Science, Technology, and Knowledge at Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria; and
• Center for Mathematics, Informatics, and ICT at University of Gaston Berger, Senegal