The European Commission has officially launched Africa Initiative IV, a major new phase of cooperation between the European Union (EU) and African research and innovation communities under the Horizon Europe Work Programme for 2026–2027. With a total budget of approximately €605.45 million, the initiative signals a strong political and financial commitment to strengthening long-term scientific partnerships and tackling shared societal challenges through collaborative research and innovation.
Africa Initiative IV builds on the foundations laid by the first three Africa Initiatives, which have encouraged and expanded the involvement of African institutions in Horizon Europe consortia and helped align research priorities across continents. It will fund around 30 competitive calls for proposals designed to support joint EU–Africa research and innovation activities from project conception through delivery, reinforcing shared ownership of results and fostering equitable collaboration.
A central element of the initiative is its alignment with the African Union–European Union (AU–EU) Innovation Agenda, ensuring that the funded research activities respond to jointly agreed short-, medium- and long-term actions and address pressing global and regional challenges. By linking policy coherence across Africa and Europe, the initiative advances cooperation in areas of mutual interest and maximises its potential impact.
Under Africa Initiative IV, funding is earmarked for four strategic policy domains that reflect urgent needs on both continents:
- Public Health: Supporting research that strengthens health systems, improves resilience to crises, and develops solutions to health challenges shared by Africa and Europe.
- Green Transition: Focusing on sustainability, climate action and environmental innovation, with an emphasis on joint approaches to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
- Innovation and Technology: Promoting development and application of cutting-edge technologies, and enhancing Africa’s contribution to emerging technological sectors.
- Capacities for Science: Strengthening research and innovation systems, enhancing skills and infrastructure, and broadening participation of African organisations in international research programmes.
By supporting these priority areas, the initiative aims not only to generate scientific advances but also to reinforce research ecosystems on both continents, encouraging African researchers and institutions to play leading roles in Horizon Europe projects.
Since 2021, the Africa Initiative framework has actively encouraged, and in some cases required, the participation of African research institutions in Horizon Europe consortia. This approach has already yielded tangible results: numerous grants have been signed involving partners from more than 40 African countries, with dedicated EU funds flowing directly to African organisations. Africa Initiative IV builds on this experience by incorporating expanded thematic coverage that reflects recent policy shifts and technological advances.
The initiative also aims to create new networks and opportunities for African researchers across disciplines, enhancing mobility, capacity building and research excellence within the Horizon Europe ecosystem and contributing to shared scientific goals.
Africa Initiative IV forms a key part of the fourth Horizon Europe work programme for 2026–2027, which was adopted on 11 December 2025. This work programme encompasses a wide range of funding opportunities designed to address major challenges , from climate change and public health to digital transformation and innovation leadership under a unified research and innovation agenda.
The initiative complements flagship Horizon Europe instruments such as the Marie Sk?odowska-Curie Actions and the European Research Council, which support researcher mobility, excellence in research and the development of global research careers involving African partners.
Photo courtesy / Google
Article by Jed Mwangi
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