The Center for Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience (CCAN) is a multidisciplinary hub dedicated to advancing understanding of the human brain, behavior, and emotion in Africa. Rooted in cutting-edge research and real-world impact, CCAN bridges science, innovation, and compassion to transform lives — particularly in low-resource and diverse cultural contexts.
Our Vission is to be a leading center of excellence in cognitive and affective neuroscience research, education, and translational innovation — enhancing mental wellbeing, learning, and neurodiversity inclusion in Africa across the lifespan.
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represent an innovative strand of the Child Functioning Studies, focusing on how emerging technologies can enhance assessment, intervention, and support for children’s cognitive and socio-emotional development. This work explores the use of artificial intelligence (AI), virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), and digital health interventions to create adaptive, engaging, and accessible tools for learning and mental health.
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We examine Cognitive Skills Functioning i.e. the core mental abilities that support learning, problem-solving, and everyday functioning. Key domains we work with include working memory, which enables children to hold and use information in the moment; executive functions, which involve planning, organization, and self-regulation;
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This research area investigates neurodevelopmental and affective disorders such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and anxiety, using tools like EEG/ERP, eye-tracking, neuropsychological testing, and emerging digital technologies to identify early biomarkers and risk factors. By translating these findings into accessible, evidence-based interventions.
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The Center for Cognitive and Advanced Neuroscience (CCAN) actively partners with leading academic institutions, research organizations, and industry experts across the globe to undertake innovative and cutting-edge research projects.
Read MoreLanguage, Reading, and Numeracy Skill Acquisition are central areas of focus in Child Functioning Studies, as they form the building blocks of learning and academic achievement. We follow language development beginning with listening and speaking and progress to vocabulary growth, comprehension, and the social use of language, all of which provide the foundation for reading and writing.
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form a key focus of the Child Functioning Studies, examining how children experience, regulate, and express emotions, and how these processes influence their overall development and wellbeing. By integrating neuroscience methods with psychological assessments,
Read MoreTo be Africa’s premier center of excellence in cognitive and affective neuroscience, driving transformative research, innovation, and interventions that unlock human potential, promote mental wellbeing, and foster inclusive societies across the continent and beyond.