The African Research Initiative for Scientific Excellence (ARISE) convened a series of pre-meeting activities from 1–2 July 2025 in Accra, bringing together African researchers, policymakers, innovation leaders and international partners for technical workshops, networking sessions, and strategic dialogues on strengthening Africa’s science ecosystem. These engagements set the stage for the official High-Level Meeting, which opened on 3 July 2025 under the theme “Unpacking the Pact for the Future: Imperatives for Advancing Scientific Cooperation with Africa.” The opening ceremony—attended by government officials, representatives of the African Union, global research bodies, funding partners, and leading scientists—highlighted the continent’s commitment to advancing research excellence, promoting open science, and accelerating innovation-driven development across Africa.