The EU has launched the fourth phase of its Horizon Europe Africa Initiative, reinforcing research and innovation cooperation with African partners under the 2026–2027 work programme. The initiative focuses on areas where shared challenges demand joint solutions, including public health, climate resilience, digital transformation, food systems, and sustainable infrastructure. By aligning European research funding with African priorities, the programme aims to move beyond donor-recipient dynamics toward more balanced, long-term scientific partnerships.
For Germany, this matters on several levels. German universities, research institutes, and companies are among the most active participants in Horizon Europe, and stronger Africa-focused programmes open new pathways for collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange. At the same time, the initiative reflects Berlin’s broader foreign policy emphasis on Africa as a strategic partner rather than a peripheral actor, linking research cooperation to development policy, economic engagement, and global competitiveness. For readers of Diplomacy Berlin, this story was chosen because it shows how science and innovation are becoming tools of diplomacy, shaping Europe–Africa relations in ways that extend well beyond traditional aid frameworks.
Read more about the initiative on the European External Action Service website.