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African Union - European Union Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation: Achievements and New Initiatives

The African Union (AU)-European Union (EU) Science, Technology and Innovation (STI)  Partnership is a unique and strategic multi-actor alliance. It has steadily expanded in both scope and ambition. In today's geopolitical context, its political significance is clear. The partnership relies on a collaborative Team Europe/Team Africa approach and actively includes civil society, youth and women's groups, academic institutions, social actors, and the private sector, directly aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063.

 

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This Partnership has delivered concrete impact in research and education opportunities under each one of the priorities jointly decided at the I AU-EU Research and Innovation Ministerial in 2020: public health, green transition, innovation & technology, and capacities for science and higher education. These are supported by joint investments of more than €6 billion since 2020 and led to an increase of African institutions’ participation in Horizon Europe by more than 50%.

Discover more about the achievements under each priority

Addis Ababa will host the second ministerial meeting on 27 October 2026, where these achievements will be reviewed in line with the outcomes of the AU-EU High Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD) on STI Senior Official Meeting held in Brussels in October 2025 and the AU-EU Summit held in Luanda in November 2025. It is expected to endorse new cross-cutting cooperation workstreams on Science Diplomacy and Artificial Intelligence in Science and the launch of a new initiative entitled ‘Study and Research in Africa’. 

Background

In 2010, during the third AU-EU Summit held in Tripoli, Heads of State launched the AU-EU HLPD on STIas key component of the broader AU-EU Partnership. The dialogue serves as a platform for regular exchanges on research and innovation policy and for formulating and implementing long-term priorities to strengthen Africa-Europe cooperation on science, technology and innovation.

AU-EU STI cooperation has been delivering based on shared values and principles. These include academic freedom, research ethics, gender equality, open science, and evidence-based policy. They also demand fairness and reciprocity. Together, these principles protect the integrity, security, and resilience of the entire knowledge chain. 

Various networks and partnerships are active within each priority area, notably:

  • The European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP)
  • Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA)
  • Climate Change and Sustainable Energy (CCSE)
  • Innovation Agenda (2023-2032)