The African Academy of Sciences (AAS) is a pan-African organisation headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, that recognises individuals who have reached the highest level of excellence in their field of expertise and have made contributions to the advancement of the field in the continent. These individuals are recognised on merit and designated as Fellows of the Academy.  There are about 340 AAS Fellows and Associate Fellows who are proven science, technology and innovation leaders, policy advisors and thinkers most of whom live and work throughout the continent. The Academy also gives prizes, funds research that is relevant to Africa’s challenges, and works with policymakers to develop science strategies in line with its three focal areas: recognising excellence; implementing science, technology and innovation programmes and providing think-tank functions. The AAS’ six priority science, technology and innovation areas are climate change; health and Wellbeing; STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics); water and sanitation; food security and nutritional wellbeing and sustainable energy.