Background Information

The need for regional and cross-continental coordination and collaboration in addressing global poly-crises related to public health, climate change, food security, energy, water, and other development challenges is crucial. By leveraging economies of scale through such partnerships, development and economic gains can be accelerated and amplified. In July 2023, the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) adopted a joint AU-EU Innovation Agenda to strengthen Research and Innovation (R&I) cooperation between the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) as a key priority.

The Agenda aims to transform and increase the innovative capacities and achievements of European and African researchers and innovators into tangible outputs, such as products, services, businesses and jobs. The AU-EU Innovation Agenda represents the key strategic document serving as an important platform to strengthen cooperation in Science, Technology and Innovation between Africa and Europe, for the next decade.