Scifest Africa was established in 1996 to promote the public awareness, understanding and appreciation of science, technology and innovation (STI). The project is supported by South Africa’s National Department of Science and Technology and various other cash and in kind sponsors.

The project consists of two components, namely the National Science Festival held in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown), Eastern Cape in March every year, as well as regional and national outreach programmes implemented throughout the rest of the year. Scifest Africa identifies and designs unique interactive events and educational resources with scientific integrity to advance science, facilitate learning in an informal and non-threatening way, and provide learners with a great opportunity to discover science outside the classroom.