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Strengthening the people and institutions behind African science

Scientific progress depends on more than individual discoveries. It requires skilled researchers, well-equipped institutions, opportunities to collaborate and systems that allow knowledge to inform decisions. Through the Capacities for Science pillar of Africa-EU cooperation, the African Union (AU) and European Union (EU) are working to strengthen these foundations, supporting researchers throughout their careers and helping African institutions build lasting research capacity.

Scientific Showcasing Event - Malawi
© EU

The AU-EU High-Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD) on Science, Technology and Innovation provides a forum for setting shared priorities and advancing cooperation. The Joint AU-EU Innovation Agenda, adopted in July 2023, translates these priorities into actions for 2023–2033. Under Capacities for Science, it calls for stronger research and higher education systems, new and strengthened centres of excellence, and closer links between research and innovation. Watch the video here

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Supporting researchers and strengthening institutions

The African Research Initiative for Scientific Excellence (ARISE) illustrates how this cooperation can strengthen scientific capacity. Implemented by the African Academy of Sciences in partnership with the AU and EU, with co-funding from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the programme supports 47 principal investigators across 38 African countries. Each receives a research grant of up to €500,000 over five years, enabling them to lead research while developing their teams and careers within African institutions.

Dr Edem Mahu Equipment

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The benefits extend beyond the principal investigators. More than 400 students and early-career researchers have received support at undergraduate, master’s, doctoral and postdoctoral levels, exceeding the programme’s original target of 300. Participating teams have also reported €2.17 million in equipment expenditure, strengthening the facilities available for research. Meanwhile, 29 grantees report career promotions, and 33 report awards, recognition or leadership roles. These developments help build the expertise, facilities and scientific leadership that institutions need to sustain research over time. 

Making research count beyond academia

Strong research systems must also enable knowledge to circulate and inform decisions. ARISE-supported teams have produced 216 publications and other knowledge products, with approximately 88% marked as open access, making findings available to a wider audience. Twenty-two grantees report contributions or pathways to policy and practice, while around 200 engagement events have created opportunities to share research with policymakers, communities and other stakeholders.

ARISE is part of a wider effort to strengthen scientific careers and collaboration. Programmes such as the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, Erasmus+ and the African Regional Centres of Excellence (ArcX) support researcher mobility, training and institutional cooperation. Together, these efforts contribute to stronger research communities and more opportunities for African and European researchers to work together.

Scientific Showcasing Event - Malawi

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Building capacity for the future

As the ARISE pilot approaches its scheduled completion in June 2027, its results offer an indication of how support for researchers can extend across teams, institutions and careers. The second AU-EU Research and Innovation Ministerial Meeting, postponed to 2027, will provide an opportunity to take stock of progress under the Innovation Agenda and consider how cooperation can further strengthen Africa’s research and higher education systems.

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