9th meeting of the AU–EU High-Level Policy Dialogue on Science, Technology and Innovation

Senior Officials of over 40 African Union (AU) and European Union (EU) Member States gathered in Brussels for the 9th meeting of the AU–EU High-Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD) on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI). Held under the motto “Together, we have proven that we are more than the sum of our parts,” the meeting marked the Dialogue’s 15th anniversary and provided an opportunity to review achievements, endorse key updates, and set priorities for future cooperation.

Ms Signe Ratso (European Commission, DG Research and Innovation), Professor Gaspard Banyankimbona (Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, African Union Commission), Ms Marjeta Jager (European Commission, DG International Partnerships), Professor Chomora Mikeka (Chair of the AUC Specialised Technical Committee on Education, Science, Technology and Innovation), and Professor Brando Okolo (Head of Science, Technology and Innovation, AUDA-NEPAD) highlighted the achievements of the AU and EU in its cooperation in research and innovation (R&I) and its growing potential to deliver sustainable impact across both continents.

Participants assessed progress under the AU–EU Innovation Agenda (2023–2033) and the HLPD´s main R&I partnerships:

• Global Health (EDCTP3) – delivering the first malaria vaccines and new treatments for malaria, HIV and neglected tropical diseases
• Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) – over 1 billion Euro mobilised for 600+ projects in more than 40 countries, strengthening food systems and reaching over 12,000 farmers
• Climate Change and Sustainable Energy (CCSE) – implementation of the LEAP-RE and LEAP-SE initiatives, building long-term platforms for renewable energy, with dedicated climate action initiatives to be launched from 2026
• Capacities for Science – progress highlighted in mobility and training through African Research Initiative for Scientific Excellence (ARISE), Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, Erasmus+, African Regional Centres of Excellence (ArcX) and the Youth Mobility for Africa programme and the forthcoming ‘Study on Research in Africa Action’

The meeting also reviewed updates to STISA 2034 (Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa) and recent EU R&I policy developments, reaffirming the alignment between continental frameworks and global R&I objectives.

Building on this foundation, Senior Officials explored two new cooperation areas for future AU–EU collaboration, proposed for endorsement at the forthcoming AU–EU R&I Ministerial Meeting in 2026:

• Science Diplomacy, strengthening the policy-science interface for global challenges
• Artificial Intelligence in Science, promoting ethical and sustainable AI research collaboration

More information

International cooperation with Africa