These African research services companies are primarily universities and national research institutions, many of which were founded in the mid-20th century. Notable examples include Addis Ababa University, a leading university in Ethiopia; the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Pretoria, focused on innovation and technology localization; and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, which conducts research to address hunger and malnutrition.
The data shows a strong presence of agricultural and health research, with organizations like the Agricultural Research Council and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) playing significant roles. Geographically, there is a concentration of these larger research bodies in South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Nigeria.
| # | Company | Employees | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Addis Ababa Universityaau.edu.et
Leading university in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, managed by the Office of External Relations, Partnerships, and Communications Official page providing updates |
8,656 | |||
| 2 |
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasiknust.edu.gh
A leading university in Ghana providing high-quality education in science and technology to support industrial and socio-economic development in Africa |
5,578 | |||
| 3 |
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)csir.co.za
Accelerating socio-economic prosperity in South Africa through innovation and technology localization, providing knowledge solutions for inclusive and sustainable industry and society advancement |
4,802 | |||
| 4 |
University of Ibadanedu.ng
Found in 1948, the organization began at a temporary site in Ibadan before moving to a permanent location on a spacious leased land |
4,495 | |||
| 5 |
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)iita.org
An Africa-based international non-profit organization that conducts research to address challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation in Africa |
3,710 | |||
| 6 |
Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)kemri.go.ke
A national research body in Kenya focused on health research, established to conduct scientific studies and promote innovation in the healthcare sector |
3,645 | |||
| 7 |
Bahir Dar Universitybdu.edu.et
A leading university in Ethiopia offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, focused on high quality education, research and community service |
3,063 | |||
| 8 |
Agricultural Research Councilarc.agric.za
A leading science institution conducting research, developing human capital, and fostering innovation to support and advance the agricultural sector |
2,370 | |||
| 9 |
National Research Centrenrc.sci.eg
An organization conducting research in science and technology to advance knowledge, improve technology, and provide solutions to societal challenges |
1,931 | |||
| 10 |
National Research Centre (NRC)nrc.sci.eg
A multidisciplinary R&D center in Egypt conducting scientific research, supporting various industries, disseminating knowledge, and training new researchers |
1,685 | |||
| 11 |
Wits Health Consortiumwitshealth.co.za
A research and service provider supporting academic objectives, commercializing clinical research, and reinvesting surpluses in operational and academic infrastructures |
1,629 | |||
| 12 |
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)ilri.org
An organization conducting research on livestock to improve food security and alleviate poverty in developing countries through global partnerships |
1,466 | |||
| 13 |
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeriaoauife.edu.ng
A first generation university located in Nigeria, offering education in Computer Science and Engineering through teaching and research |
1,425 | |||
| 14 |
KEMRI - Wellcome Trustkemri-wellcome.org
The company conducts research on malaria and infectious diseases, focusing on basic, epidemiological, and clinical studies to inform health policy |
1,407 | |||
| 15 |
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Researcheiar.gov.et
A leading African agricultural research institute focused on developing and promoting market-competitive technologies to enhance productivity, sustainability, and livelihoods in Ethiopia |
1,184 | |||
| 16 |
HSRC (Human Sciences Research Council)hsrc.ac.za
The Human Sciences Research Council conducts social-scientific projects in partnership globally, with a focus on Africa, to support development and policy-making |
1,177 | |||
| 17 |
Wits RHIwrhi.ac.za
A leading research institute focused on addressing Africa's health challenges through multidisciplinary approaches, evidence-based interventions, and policy translation |
1,177 | |||
| 18 |
Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)kalro.org
A research institute under KALRO focusing on livestock diseases, vaccines, One Health, zoonoses, public health, and AMR among other subjects |
1,102 | |||
| 19 |
South African Medical Research Councilsamrc.ac.za
Driving health research and innovation in South Africa to improve the population's well-being and quality of life through relevant studies and technology transfer |
1,041 | |||
| 20 |
ICIPE - International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecologyicipe.org
icipe conducts research on insect physiology and ecology to develop eco-friendly pest management strategies and improve health and agriculture in Africa |
943 | |||
| 21 |
Ghana Atomic Energy Commissiongaec.gov.gh
The company promotes nuclear and biotechnological techniques for Ghana's economic and social advancement through research activities at its Institutes and Centres |
858 | |||
| 22 |
Mintekmintek.co.za
A leading technology organization specializing in mineral processing and extractive metallurgy, providing services, consulting, and innovative products to clients worldwide |
845 | |||
| 23 |
National Bureau of Statistics Nigerianigerianstat.gov.ng
This organization in Nigeria conducts research and provides high-quality data to inform policy decisions and support researchers in their work |
817 | |||
| 24 |
Landscape Alliance | CIFOR & ICRAFcifor-icraf.org
A leading organization with over 75 years of experience in using trees and agroforestry to tackle global challenges such as climate change and food security |
772 | |||
| 25 |
CDC/KEMRIgalotop1.com
A prominent collaboration in Kenya conducting public health research, focusing on malaria prevention, treatment, and control with significant growth over 30 years |
767 | |||
Want more companies than this list?This page shows the largest ones only. Connect to Tamtam to see every company that matches, filter by size, industry or growth, and reach their decision-makers. | |||||
| 26 |
Université Mohammed Premier Oujdaump.ma
A group of educational institutions in the Oriental region of Morocco, mainly located in Oujda, ranked 32nd in the 2016 Arab universities ranking |
753 | |||
| 27 |
Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR)noguchi.ug.edu.gh
The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research in Ghana conducts biomedical research, trains students, and supports public health initiatives |
735 | |||
| 28 |
Institut Pasteur de Tunis - معهد باستور تونسpasteur.tn
Public health institution conducting research, analysis, and producing vaccines and antigens for human and animal health, with collaborations with foreign scientific institutions |
678 | |||
| 29 | 
Animal Health Research Institute (AHRI)ahri.gov.eg
A leading institute in agricultural research, specializing in animal health research and veterinary laboratories since 1904 Located in Cairo, Egypt |
677 | |||
| 30 |
The National Research Foundation of South Africa (NRF)nrf.ac.za
Promoting and supporting research through funding, human resource development, and providing facilities for knowledge creation, innovation, and societal improvement. |
675 | |||
| 31 |
Covenant University, Ota, Nigerialcu.edu.ng
Educational institution in Ibadan, Nigeria, offering a wide range of academic programs and is located on Oduduwa road |
654 | |||
| 32 |
World Agroforestrycifor-icraf.org
A global research institution focused on harnessing the benefits of trees for sustainable agriculture, livelihoods, and environmental conservation across developing tropics |
596 | |||
| 33 |
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Ghanacsir.org.gh
A national institution in Ghana conducting scientific and technological research for national development, tracing back to the National Research Council |
572 | |||
| 34 |
African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC)aphrc.org
An Africa-based research institution in Kenya focusing on population, health, education, and urbanization issues while developing African scholars and advocating for policy change |
568 | |||
| 35 |
Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI)ahri.org
A research institute in South Africa focused on improving health and well-being of under-resourced populations through transdisciplinary scientific research and community partnerships |
489 | |||
| 36 |
Kenya Forestry Research Institutekefri.org
A state agency in Kenya, KEFRI leads in addressing forestry and environmental challenges through research and innovative solutions |
475 | |||
| 37 |
Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR)nimr.gov.ng
A company dedicated to conducting research on national health issues |
471 | |||
| 38 |
CAPRISAcaprisa.org
A research organization focused on HIV and TB prevention, conducting globally relevant studies in pathogenesis, vaccines, treatment, microbicides, and epidemiology |
439 | |||
| 39 |
National Water Research Centernwrc.gov.eg
A research organization in Egypt focused on water research and solutions |
434 | |||
| 40 |
Council for Geosciencegeoscience.org.za
National scientific council providing geoscientific research, surveys, mapping, seismology, mineral development, water and environmental management services across South Africa. |
432 | |||
| 41 |
Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority - EAEAeaea.org.eg
Leading peaceful nuclear research and development in Egypt, including operating two research reactors, one from Russia and one from Argentina |
430 | |||
| 42 |
Centre de Développement des Technologies Avancées (CDTA)cdta.dz
The company is a public institution contributing to socio-economic development through research, technological development, skills valorization, training, and information dissemination in various advanced technology fields |
429 | |||
| 43 |
EGYPTIAN PETROLEUM RESEARCH INSTITUTEepri.sci.eg
A governmental research organization in Egypt, under the Ministry of Scientific Research and Technology, focused on developing solutions for technical challenges in the petroleum sector |
426 | |||
| 44 |
Busarabusara.global
A nonprofit organization in Nairobi using social science to address development challenges through research, advisory services, and collaborations worldwide |
426 | |||
| 45 |
CSIR - Food Research Institutefri.csir.org.gh
A research institute under CSIR in Ghana, originally established in 1963, focused on food research with support from UNDP and FAO |
422 | |||
| 46 |
Armauer Hansen Research Instituteahri.gov.et
Biomedical research institute focusing on poverty-related and neglected diseases, supported by Norwegian and Swedish funding agencies, as well as the Ethiopian government |
388 | |||
| 47 |
Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (Maroc)inra.org.ma
The organization conducts agricultural research to enhance development, utilizing strategic planning, regionalization, and collaboration to meet societal demands |
384 | |||
| 48 |
University Mustapha Stambouli of Mascarauniv-mascara.dz
A university offering diverse academic programs across seven faculties, contributing to the cultural and scientific development of the Mascara region |
334 | |||
| 49 | 332 | ||||
| 50 |
iThemba LABStlabs.ac.za
A national research facility with two locations in South Africa housing accelerators and analytical equipment for various scientific research purposes |
331 | |||
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Every company on this list has a Tamtam company profile. The industry is the one the company gives on LinkedIn; categories such as SaaS or fintech are classified by Tamtam's AI from the company's website and LinkedIn page; and the headquarters city must match the company's own address. Companies are ranked by the number of employees on LinkedIn, and the list is refreshed every night. Classifications can be wrong, so treat the list as a starting point rather than an official ranking. Last updated Nov 13, 2026.
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