Scientists meeting in Burkina Faso say physics must move beyond university laboratories and help solve everyday problems in energy, farming, water management and food security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Researchers, engineers and university students from across West Africa have gathered in Burkina Faso\u2019s capital, Ouagadougou, for the eighth conference of the West African Society of Physics, known as SOAPHYS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The conference opened at Joseph Ki-Zerbo University on 29 July and runs until 1 August 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This year\u2019s theme is: \u201cSupporting access to energy, sustainable agriculture and food security through applied physics.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The event brings together scientists, government officials, private companies and international partners. It includes research presentations, public lectures, workshops and exhibitions of new technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mauritania is taking part through a delegation from the Mauritanian Physical Society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Science outside the laboratory<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The central message of the conference is that scientific research should not remain inside universities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speakers at the opening ceremony said physics could help West African countries deal with some of their most serious development challenges, including unreliable energy supplies, limited access to water, low agricultural productivity and food losses after harvest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Burkina Faso\u2019s authorities called for stronger links between universities, research centres and businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They said scientific findings should be developed into working technologies that can be used by farmers, factories and local communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The aim, according to the organisers, is to move from academic publications to prototypes, then from prototypes to products and businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is a major challenge for scientific research in many African countries. Universities often produce valuable studies, but only a small number of them become commercial products or public services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Researchers say this gap is caused by several problems, including limited funding, a lack of modern laboratory equipment and weak links between universities and industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How physics can support farming<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The connection between physics and agriculture may not always be obvious, but physics is involved in almost every stage of food production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Solar power can be used to pump water and operate irrigation systems in areas that are not connected to national electricity networks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sensors can measure soil moisture, temperature and the amount of water needed by crops. Satellite images and remote-sensing tools can also help experts monitor drought, vegetation and changes in farmland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Physics is also important after crops have been harvested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cooling systems, solar dryers and better storage facilities can help protect fruit, vegetables, grain, milk and meat from damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In many West African countries, a significant part of agricultural production is lost because food cannot be stored, cooled or transported under suitable conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conference organisers say applied research could provide affordable technologies adapted to local climates and economic conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But developing the technology is only the first step. Equipment must also be affordable, easy to maintain and suitable for the people who will use it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Energy as a development issue<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Energy is another major subject at the conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Researchers are discussing solar power, electricity storage, batteries, energy-efficient buildings and technologies for communities without reliable access to electricity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Energy access has a direct effect on agriculture and food security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Electricity is needed to pump water, process crops, operate cold-storage facilities and support small industries. Without it, farmers may be unable to preserve or add value to their products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For conference participants, energy is therefore not a separate issue. It is closely connected to water, agriculture, employment and industrial development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speakers have also linked scientific research to the idea of technological sovereignty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They argue that African countries will remain dependent on expensive imported systems unless they develop the ability to design, produce and maintain some technologies locally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From research to business<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Burkina Faso\u2019s Minister of State responsible for animal resources, Amadou Dicko, urged researchers to help turn scientific work into practical products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He called for greater government investment in laboratories, equipment and the training of young scientists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also said universities should develop long-term partnerships with private companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Such partnerships could help researchers test their ideas, build prototypes and create science-based start-up companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The chairman of the conference\u2019s organising committee, Professor G\u00e9rard B\u00e9la Sigu\u00e9da, said physics should contribute directly to economic and social development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said the field could support renewable energy, modern agriculture, industrial production, healthcare and digital technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The conference also covers artificial intelligence, data science, space science, new materials and scientific education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mauritanian participation<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Mauritanian Physical Society is attending the conference with a delegation of researchers and university academics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Members of the delegation are expected to take part in scientific sessions and workshops on energy, materials science, artificial intelligence, space science, education and innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The participation is intended to strengthen cooperation between Mauritanian researchers and scientific institutions in other West African countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These regional connections could lead to joint research projects, shared supervision of university students and better access to scientific experience and equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The issues discussed in Ouagadougou are also relevant to Mauritania.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The country has strong solar energy potential but also faces challenges linked to water scarcity, desertification, climate monitoring and access to energy in remote areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Research cooperation could support work on solar power, water pumping, desalination, environmental monitoring and the use of satellite data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mauritania is also expected to host the next SOAPHYS conference in 2027, according to the Mauritanian Physical Society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This gives the Mauritanian delegation an opportunity to learn from the organisation of the Ouagadougou conference and build partnerships before the next meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What happens after the conference?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The real test will begin after the conference ends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Organisers plan to issue final recommendations and create a committee to follow up on them. Selected research papers are also expected to be published later in 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But recommendations alone will not be enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The success of the meeting will depend on whether governments, universities and companies create joint projects, provide funding and test new technologies in real conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It will also depend on whether the research reaches the farmers, businesses and communities it is meant to support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For West African physicists, the challenge is no longer simply to show that physics is important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is to prove that scientific knowledge can be turned into electricity, better water management, safer food storage, stronger local industries and new jobs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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