13th Africa–Europe Science Collaboration Forum: Empowering Innovation for a Sustainable Shared Future

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The Africa–Europe Science Collaboration Platform (AERAP) will convene its 13th Annual Forum in Brussels from 20 to 22 April 2026, bringing together policymakers, scientists, investors, and international organisations to strengthen the strategic partnership between Africa and Europe through science, technology, and innovation.

The 2026 Forum takes place as the European Union prepares its Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034)—a critical moment to align research, development, and investment priorities across continents. Under the theme “Science Collaboration for Shared Futures”, AERAP will showcase how collaborative research and innovation can advance global goals, drive sustainable growth, and foster equitable partnerships between Africa and Europe.

The programme will feature high-level sessions on key strategic areas, including:

• AI, Digital Public Infrastructure, and Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) – exploring how digital science ecosystems can empower African and European researchers.
• European Parliament AERAP Hearing – focusing on policy alignment for science, technology, and innovation within the Global Gateway and Agenda 2063.
• Capital Markets for Science and Technology for Africa – highlighting innovative financing instruments to unlock private and institutional capital for R&I.
• Global Health (EDCTP3/IHI) – advancing equitable health research partnerships.
• Agriculture and Food Security, and Quantum Computing with Africa – addressing frontier technologies and sustainable development.

The AERAP Forum 2026 will reaffirm science as a cornerstone of Africa–Europe cooperation—linking the EU’s Global Gateway, Horizon Europe, and Agenda 2063 to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

By mobilising capital, talent, and policy coherence, AERAP continues to serve as a trusted platform for turning dialogue into action—ensuring that science drives resilience, prosperity, and peace across both continents.

Programme

Monday 20 April 2026

Venue: Africa-Europe Foundation, Square de Meeus 5-6, 1000 Ixelles, Brussels

09:00 – 09:30 | Welcome and Opening

• Ms Eudy Mabuza, Senior Science and Innovation Representative, Dept of Science and Technology, South Africa Embassy, Brussels
• Mr Declan Kirrane AERAP
• Dr Lidia Borrell-Damián Science Europe
• Ms Holy Ranaivozanany Africa Europe Foundation, Brussels
• Michael Hörig German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

09:30 – 09:45 | Keynote Address: Prof Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector, United Nations University

09:45 – 11:15 | Advancing Shared Research Capacity for Science
This session will focus on strengthening Africa–Europe collaboration to build shared research capacity as a foundation for long-term scientific leadership, economic resilience, and sustainable development. Within the AERAP framework, it will explore how joint investments and coordinated policies can support the development of connected and inclusive research ecosystems across both continents.

Particular attention will be given to emerging strategic domains such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, where Africa–Europe partnerships can play a defining role in shaping global standards, talent development, and innovation pathways.

A central pillar of the session will be the role of research infrastructures—both physical and digital—in underpinning scientific excellence and equitable participation. This includes examining how existing and new infrastructures can be better aligned, networked, and financed to support joint research agendas, mobility of researchers, and access to cutting-edge tools and data.

The discussion will also address the importance of digital public infrastructure as an enabler of research collaboration, data sharing, and scalable innovation, especially in low-resource and rapidly evolving environments and a more integrated and strategic approach to research cooperation – one that strengthens shared capabilities, supports innovation ecosystems, and positions Africa and Europe as partners in shaping the future of global science and technology.

• Mr Declan Kirrane AERAP (Moderator)
• Dr Kenny Tenza, Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI)
• Dr Rawdat Awuku Larbi EU-OPENSCREEN ERIC
• Ms Habtamu Abera, Ministry of Innovation and Technology, Ethiopia
• Dr Pontsho Maruping South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO)
• Prof Deresh Ramjugernath, Vice Chancellor, Stellenbosch University
• Mr Eugenio Longo, Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative (GeSI)/TCS
• Dr Eliah Aranoff Spencer, Lancet Commission on Resilience

11:15 – 11:30 | Coffee Break

11:30 – 13:00 | Science and Research Data
The session will explore the newly agreed area of cooperation namely AU-EU Artificial Intelligence in Science. This focal area is expected to support AI-driven science and health research, positioning Africa–Europe collaboration as a key pillar in building secure, equitable, and globally aligned research systems under the EU’s evolving policy and investment frameworks.

• Dr Liviu Stirbat, Head of Unit, DG Research European Commission
• Dr Sepo Hachigonta, National Research Foundation, South Africa
• Ms Hilary Hanahoe, Secretary General of the Research Data Alliance (RDA)
• Prof Melvin Hoare, Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy (DARA)
• Ms Marcy Collinson, Director, Worldwide Academic Research, Microsoft
• Mr Robert Nyasimi, CEO Rentco East Africa
• Prof. Anicia Peters, National Commission on Research, Science and Technology, Namibia
• Mr Tobi Mzobe, South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions, SACNASP

13:00 – 14:00 | Lunch

14:00 – 15:45 |How to strengthen Africa–Europe Health Research
Strengthening Africa – Europe Health Systems through Science, Policy, and Investment.
This session will examine how to strengthen Africa–Europe health partnerships by moving from fragmented collaboration toward more balanced, long-term, and impact-driven cooperation across research, policy, and investment, with a focus on building resilient and equitable health innovation ecosystems.

• Mr Declan Kirrane AERAP, Co-Moderator
• Dr Rizwana Mia, SAMRC, Co-Moderator
• Prof Ntobeko Ntusi, South African Medical Research Council
• Dr Pilar Aguar Fernandez, Deputy Director-General: Planet, People and Science for Policy, DG Research, European Commission
• Dr Michael Makanga, Global Health EDCTP3
• Dr Gráinne Gorman CEO, Health Research Board, Ireland
• Dr Osamu Kunii, President and CEO, Global Health Innovation Technology Fund, Japan
• Prof Marleen Temmerman, Aga Khan University, Kenya
• Dr Nhlanhla Msomi, University of Cape Town

Discussion

15:45 – 16:00 | Coffee Break

16:30 – 18:00 |How to strengthen Africa–Europe Health Research. Cont.
Strengthening Africa – Europe Health Systems through Science, Policy, and Investment.

• Ms Triona McCormack, Vice-President for Strategy and External Engagement, University College, Dublin, Ireland (C0-Moderator)
• Mr Joao Madeira, Health Emergency Preparedness & Response (HERA), European Commission
• Prof Kurt Zatloukal, Medical University Graz
• Dr Christiana Okyere, Kwame Nkumah University of Science and Technology
• Dr Karim Bendhaou Head of Africa Bureau, Merck Group
• Dr Nicaise Ndembi, International Vaccine Institute
• Dr Jonathan Underwood, Wellcome Trust
• Mr Frederic Destrebecq, Executive Director, European Brain Council

18:00 | Close of Day

Tuesday 21 April 2026

Please note: 2 parallel sessions (different locations)

SESSION 1 By invitation only

Venue: Science Europe, Rue de la Science 14, 1040 Brussels, Belgium

09:00 – 12:30 | Science Europe Session: An Africa–Europe Platform for Cooperation
Theme: Strategic models and instruments for sustained Africa–Europe science cooperation, including research funding architectures and partnerships.

SESSION 2

Venue: South Africa Embassy, Rue Montoyer 19, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

9:00 – 11:00 | Food Security
Theme: Investing in Innovation for Food Security: Catalyzing Scalable Impact Driving Resilient Food Futures through Science and Innovation Investment.

• Dr Litha Magingxa Agriculture Research Council, South Africa
• Mr Leonard Mizzi Senior Advisor, DG International Partnerships, European Commission
• Dr Conrad Rein Secretary General, Global Flagship Initiative for Food Security
• Dr Debisi Araba, CEO Akademia2063
• Dr Petronella Chaminuka Agriculture Research Council, South Africa
• Dr Aline M Mugisho, Country Convener, CGIAR, Nigeria
• Dr Hlupheka Chabalala, Director, African Indigenous Knowledge-Based Technology Innovation, Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, South Africa
• Dr Sylvain Ouedraogo Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS) (Burkina Faso)
• Dr Stefan Schmidt Crop Trust (Germany)
• Mr Tom Arnold, special envoy Irish government for Food Systems
• Ms Robynne Anderson, Emerging AG, Canada
• Dr Carlo Fadda Alliance Bioversity-CIAT, CGIR
• Mr Tobi Mzobe, South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions, SACNASP

11:00 – 11:30 | Coffee Break

11:30 – 13:00 | Capital Markets for Science and Technology for Africa
Leveraging Public and Private Investment for Research, Innovation and Infrastructure. This session aims to reposition STI investment as a cornerstone of development finance in the Global South—mobilising capital markets through market-based mechanisms to deliver long-term value, resilience, and inclusive growth.

• Mr Kenny Tenza, Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, South Africa
• Mr Lucky Pane, Public Investment Cooperation (PIC), South Africa
• Dr Sabine Kayser, European Investment Bank, Brussels
• Dr Pontsho Maruping South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO)
• Dr Ntobeko Ntusi, South Africa Medical Research Council
• Dr Litha Magingxa, Agriculture Research Council South Africa
• Dr Raul Rosales, Kings College London
• Mr Erik Wandrag Founder and CEO of Oceans Finance Company
• Ms Holy Ranaivozanany Africa Europe Foundation, Brussels
• Dr Nhlanhla Msomi, University of Cape Town
• Ms Diane Mievis, Cisco
• Mr Robert Nyasimi, CEO Rentco East Africa
• Mr David Mathu, National Housing Corporation Kenya

13:00 – 14:00 | Lunch

14:00 – 15:30 | Science for the Global Gateway: Aligning Africa–Europe Science Cooperation with Global Priorities and Investment. An opportunity for policy alignment, co-investment, and shared global solutions

• Ms Vinny Pillay, Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, South Africa
• Dr Mosaka Papa Fallah, Africa CDC, Addis Ababa
• Dr Ntobeko Ntusi South Africa Medical Research Council
• Mr Lucky Pane Public Investment Cooperation
• Prof Johann Mouton, Centre of Excellence for Scientometrics and STI Policy (CREST), Stellenbosch University
• Jaoko Oburu Odinga, Special Advisor to the President of Kenya on Economic Empowerment & Sustainable Livelihoods
• Mr Michael Hörig, Head, Brussels Office, German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
• Mr Rawdat Awuku Larbi, EU-OPENSCREEN ERIC
• Marthie van Niekerk, Stellenbosch University

15:30 – 16:00 | Coffee Break

16:00 – 17:00 | Science for the Global Gateway: focus on Raw Materials

• Ms Inga Navardauskiene, DG INTPA Critical Raw Materials & Space Cooperation
• Mr Frank Mugyenyi, Minerals Africa Development Institution (online)

17:00 | Network Reception co-hosted by the South African Embassy and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

All participants registered invited.

Wednesday, 22 April 2026

Venue: South African Embassy, Rue Montoyer 19, 1000 Brussels

09:00 – 11:00 | Talent Mobility for Africa

The session explores innovative initiatives advancing talent mobility, research capacity, and higher education collaboration in Africa, offering insights in good practices and inspiration. It highlights the South Africa Presidential PhD Initiative, a transformative national program designed to modernize South Africa’s research landscape by training a new generation of “top-tier” doctoral candidates capable of bridging the gap between academic research and real-world industrial or social impact. The EU Youth Mobility Flagship demonstrates cross-continental student and skills exchanges, and the potential of its initiatives to fostering Africa-Europe cooperation and promoting Africa as a study destination.

The Africa–Europe Clusters of Research Excellence (CoRE) illustrate equitable, sustainable research partnerships connecting African and European researchers to address UN Sustainable Development Goals through research, education, capacity building, and mobility. The East African Community Student Mobility Scheme will complement the session with a more targeted, regional initiative. Finally, the Nascere Scholarship Programme serves as a platform to demonstrate the model’s insights regarding PhD supervision and skill-building.

• Ms Tanja Kreetz, German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Brussels Office
• Ms Refilwe Mashigo, National Research Foundation
• Ms Deirdre Lennan, European Commission
• Mr Sean Rowlands, The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities
• Professor Idris A. Rai, Acting Executive Secretary, IUCEA
• Mr Koen De Koste, Flemish Interuniversity Council – University Cooperation for Development (VLIROUS)
• Mr Tobi Mzobe, South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions, SACNASP

11:00 – 11:30 | Coffee Break

11:30 – 13:00 |Science Diplomacy Session

This session will position science diplomacy as a cornerstone of Agenda 2063 and STISA-2034. We will explore how Africa leverages STI to bolster foreign policy and global governance, specifically targeting technological sovereignty in AI, quantum computing, and vaccine manufacturing. Crucially, this dialogue builds momentum for the inaugural Africa Science Diplomacy Conference in Pretoria. Our goal is to align African and European frameworks (like EU-Global Gateway) to foster multilateralism and ensure diverse voices lead global scientific cooperation.

• Ms Eudy Mabuza,South African Mission to the European Union
• Ms Refilwe Mashigo, National Research Foundation, South Africa
• Mr Jan-Marco Mueller, DG Research European Commission
• Ms Vinny Pillay, Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, South Africa
• Dr Catherine Letcher, German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Germany
• Dr Yaya Sangare, Secretary-General of the Fund for Science, Technology and Innovation (FONSTI), Ivory Coast
• Mr Vincent Fautrel, IRD Representation to the European Union, France
• Ms Antonella Di Trapani, Science Diplomacy with Global South at UNU
• Mr Sean Rowlands, The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities
• Mr Andrzej Dabkowski, Africa Europe Foundation

13:30 – 14:00 | Lunch

14:00 – 15:00 | UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)
This session with the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) will explore how science-based policy advice, data platforms and academic networks can accelerate implementation of the SDGs, strengthen Africa–Europe cooperation, and inform investment priorities under the EU’s MFF 2028–2034 and FP10 in alignment with the UN Pact for the Future.

• Prof. Paul Walsh, SDG Academy and SDSN
• Ms Maria Cortes-Puch, SDSN
• Ms Maria Nakova, Cleanteach
• Ms Isabela Carrozza Joia, SDSN
• Ms Dilyara Nurkhametova, Nuvance
• Mr Nader I. Diab, Head of Programmes, Community Jameel

15:00 – 17:00 | Health for the Global Gateway: Strengthening Africa–Europe Health Systems through Science, Policy, and Investment.
Co-organised with Global Health Connector. This roundtable will advance dialogue on equitable health partnerships, science-driven policy alignment, and innovative investment approaches to strengthen health systems across Africa and Europe.

Convened within the broader context of evolving EU–Africa relations and the development of the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework and FP10, the session will examine how science, innovation, and financing can be more effectively aligned to strengthen health systems and support sustainable development.

Positioned at the intersection of policy, investment, and implementation, the discussion will explore the role of health science as a driver of economic resilience, security, and inclusive growth. Particular attention will be given to advancing equitable access to vaccines and health technologies, strengthening preparedness for future health threats, and leveraging innovation—including digital and data-driven approaches—to improve system performance.

The session will also serve as a platform to connect ongoing EU policy discussions with global health priorities and implementation opportunities in partner countries. By bringing together policymakers, research leaders, and financing institutions, it aims to identify practical pathways for aligning research, financing, and delivery, ensuring that innovation translates into scalable, real-world impact across Africa and Europe.

• Mr Brian O’Connor, CEO Global Health Connector
• Prof Nelson K. Sewankambo Professor Emeritus, Dean of Makerere University Medical School
• Dr Mike Short, CBE, Former Chief Scientific Advisor at Department for International Trade (DIT), UK
• Mr Bleddyn Rees, Global Health Connector
• Mr Andrzej Dabkowski, Africa Europe Foundation
• Dr Rizwana Mia, Medical Research Council South Africa
• Dr Amit N. Thakker, Africa Health Business, Kenya
• Ms Karolina Mackiewicz Global Health Connector

17:00 | Network Reception hosted by the South African Embassy.

Registration is now closed