The Aga Khan University (AKU) Research Office in Kenya has been awarded Platinum certification under the Good Financial Grant Practice (GFGP) Standard (ARS 1651)—the highest level of compliance in financial governance and grant management.
The certification follows an 18-month audit process led by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), a recognized GFGP certification body, approved by the African Academy of Sciences (AAS). The audit assessed the University’s compliance across four key areas: Financial Management, Human Resources, Procurement, and Governance.
AKU is now among only four organizations in Africa to achieve the Platinum Tier, placing the University among a select group of institutions worldwide recognized for excellence in financial stewardship and accountability.
“This Platinum certification reflects AKU’s unwavering commitment to accountability, transparency, and operational excellence,” said Professor Salim Virani, Vice Provost, Research. “It demonstrates to our partners and funders that AKU meets—and exceeds—the highest global standards of financial governance in research management. This milestone epitomizes what outcomes we can have when all support functions work towards common goals and sets the bar for continued innovation and institutional strengthening across all our research entities.”
Developed and published in 2018 by the African Organization for Standardization and implemented by more than 500 organizations in 64 countries globally, the GFGP Standard outlines over 300 requirements that define best practice in the governance and management of grant funding.
AKU hosts one of the Developing Excellence in Leadership, Training, and Science in Africa (DELTAS Africa II) initiative hubs – the African Leadership for Measuring Brain Health in Children and Adolescents (ALMA) Consortium. DELTAS Africa II is an initiative of the Science for Africa (SFA) Foundation, which, along with Wellcome and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), supported the GFGP certification process for AKU.
“At SFA Foundation, we believe that strong institutions build strong science ecosystems. The GFGP Certification affirms AKU’s capability to manage research grants that deliver real impact for society,” said Allen Mukhwana, Head of Programs, Science for Africa Foundation.
The certification strengthens AKU’s capacity to manage complex, multi-donor grants and fosters a culture of continuous improvement in compliance, governance, and risk management across its campuses.
“This success proves that nothing is impossible,” said Veronica Robi, Director of Research, AKU Kenya. “With teamwork, the right mindset, and drive, we can move mountains.”
The certification is valid for two years and further enhances AKU’s standing within the international research community as a model of good financial grant practice.
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