The African Materials Degradation Society (AMDS) held its highly anticipated inaugural meeting Friday April 18, 2025, drawing participation from researchers, engineers, policymakers, and professionals from across Africa and the diaspora. The event marks a historic step toward building a continent-wide response to the silent but costly threat of materials degradation.
The meeting opened with a rousing address from Prof. Emeka E. Oguzie, Convener of AMDS and Centre Leader of the Africa Centre of Excellence for Future Energies & Electrochemical Systems (ACE-FUELS) at the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria, who welcomed over 120 attendees to the first-ever assembly of the Society. “AMDS is not just a network, it is a movement. This is a call to preserve what we build and protect what we invest in—through the power of science, innovation, and collaboration,” Prof. Oguzie declared. “AMDS must lead the charge: to innovate locally, monitor intelligently, and collaborate regionally for a resilient Africa.”
Key highlights of the meeting included a keynote address on “Resilience Through Innovation: Addressing Materials Degradation to Secure Africa’s Infrastructure Future,” spotlight presentations on international collaborations, and an outline of the AMDS vision, thematic areas, and organizational structure.
One of the most impactful moments was the special engagement session with the NEU International Laboratory for Corrosion and Prevention, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China. Representatives of the Lab extended an open invitation to African researchers and young scientists to engage in collaborative research on corrosion science and infrastructure durability. In addition, the Representative of the Chinese Society for Corrosion and Protection, Prof. Bowei Zhang, called for the creation of a global alliance on materials degradation, and invited AMDS to play a central role in the formation of an International Materials Degradation Society (IMDS).
Throughout the meeting, participants echoed the urgent need for the collation and digitization of historical data and technical information on corrosion and materials degradation in Africa, as has been done in other regions. This was identified as a critical step toward improving regional understanding, policy formulation, and infrastructure design tailored to local conditions.
AMDS leadership used the platform to launch a Call for Broad-Based Participation in its Interim Executive Committee (IEC) and five strategic Working Groups:
– Infrastructure Durability & Corrosion Control
– Environmental and Biological Degradation
– Advanced Materials & Sustainable Protection
– Diagnostics, Monitoring & Standards
– Education, Policy & Capacity Building
Researchers, professionals, and institutions from all parts of Africa and the diaspora are invited to take an active role in the leadership and operations of the Society. Expressions of interest are open through early May 2025.
The meeting concluded with a strong message of unity, collaboration and action. AMDS will immediately begin work on its African Union engagement, including alignment with AU’s Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA) and integration into the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as well as meaningful engagements within the framework of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The association is also planning for its first technical symposium.
With AMDS now officially launched, Africa has taken a bold and collaborative step toward preserving its infrastructure, empowering its scientists, and asserting its leadership in the global materials science arena.
