This week, the TRANS-SAHARA team attended the 13th Annual Forum of the Africa–Europe Science Collaboration Platform (AERAP). Under the theme “Science Collaboration for Shared Futures,” the Forum provided a timely and strategic platform to reinforce Africa–Europe cooperation through science, technology, and innovation, particularly as the European Union prepares its next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034).
TRANS-SAHARA attended Day 2 of the Forum, hosted at the South African Embassy in Brussels, where discussions focused on some of the most pressing global challenges, such as: food security, innovation financing, and the structural transformation of Africa’s science and technology ecosystem. The 2026 Forum was timely, considering that the EU’s long-term budget cycle is approaching, stakeholders are increasingly focused on aligning research, development, and the investment priorities between Africa and Europe. AERAP has positioned itself as a key facilitator of this alignment, linking flagship frameworks such as the Global Gateway, Horizon Europe, and Africa’s Agenda 2063 to the broader ambition of achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Throughout the event, a consistent message emerged: science is not merely a tool for discover, rather it is a cornerstone of resilience, economic growth, and equitable partnership. However, unlocking its full potential requires more than funding. It demands policy coherence, empowerment of peoples, and a shift toward integrated, scalable solutions.
One of the most compelling discussions of the day centred on food security, 2026 is the International Year of the Woman Farmer and this session highlighted stark inequalities and structural vulnerabilities that continue to define food systems across the African continent. The speakers pointed to deeply entrenched disparities. A sobering example pointed out by Dr. Hlupheka Chabalala, is that in countries such as Nigeria, women farmers, who form a significant portion of the agricultural workforce, are often paid half as much as men, and even then, much of their income is redirected within household structures. On a larger scale, only around 5% of farmers across Africa earn a minimum wage, which serves to underscore the economic fragility of the sector.
Food security, each speaker stressed, is not a standalone issue. It is intimately connected to poverty, education, health, and climate change. Shifting rainfall patterns, such as in the Sahel region, where rains are now arriving as early as April, are disrupting traditional agricultural cycles. Meanwhile, insufficient investment and fragmented food systems continue to limit productivity and resilience. A particularly urgent concern raised during the session was the impact of malnutrition on Africa’s young population. With the continent poised to host the world’s largest future workforce, the consequences of food insecurity extend far beyond agriculture. Poor nutrition affects cognitive development, educational outcomes, and ultimately economic productivity, creating a cycle that reinforces inequality.
Dr Sylvain Ouedraogo of the Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS) highlighted the importance of African knowledge systems. Rooted in storytelling, lived experience, and intergenerational wisdom, these systems represent an often-underutilised resource in addressing contemporary challenges. He made clear that to continue to ignore the knowledge already held by African people groups is to continue down an already degenerative path. Furthermore. Dr. Ouedraogo made clear that Africa is not using more than 65% of its landmass effectively. This underutilisation, combined with persistent poverty, represents both a challenge and an opportunity. “Poverty is the real crime,” he stated, underscoring the need to unlock local knowledge and capacity as part of the solution. This perspective was echoed by Dr Carlo Fadda, who emphasised Africa’s status as a megadiverse continent, and the importance of identifying it as such. He highlighted the importance of recognising the interconnectedness of food systems, health, and environmental sustainability. According to Fadda, effective solutions must move beyond isolated interventions and instead embrace holistic, integrated approaches.
Tom Arnold, Special Envoy for Food Systems of the Irish Government, pointed out that despite the existence of frameworks such as the Kampala Declaration on Africa’s agrifood systems, he called out the uneven application of such approaches and recognised the “consistent underperformance” over the past two decades in addressing food security challenges across Africa. He described 2026 as both a year of opportunity and a year of risk. On one hand, there is growing recognition of the importance of food systems at the political level. On the other, funding is diminishing, and the global food price crisis continues to exacerbate vulnerabilities. Arnold emphasised the need for stronger political commitment at the national level, alongside increased investment in capacity building. While Africa and Europe have developed a structured partnership over the past decade, translating this into tangible outcomes requires clearer alignment and more effective implementation of existing regulations.
Finally, the session concluded with a strong emphasis on diversity, not only in crops and agricultural practices, but across entire systems. From fertiliser technologies to renewable energy integration, diversity was framed as a critical factor in building resilient and sustainable food systems. And unsurprisingly, climate resilience emerged as a key priority. As environmental pressures intensify, the ability to adapt agricultural systems will be essential to ensuring long-term food security.
The second session of day 2 was a discussion on the role of capital markets in supporting science and technology in Africa. The speakers examined how innovative financing models can address one of the most persistent challenges in the innovation ecosystem: the “valley of death,” where promising ideas fail to reach commercialisation due to lack of funding. South Africa’s Innovation Fund was presented as a leading example of how public–private partnerships can bridge this gap. Established in 2021 under the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, the Fund operates as a “fund-of-funds,” using public capital to catalyse private investment.
Rather than investing directly in start-ups, the Fund channels resources through professional fund managers and intermediaries such as the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) and the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA). A key feature of this model is the use of public capital as a “first-loss” instrument, reducing risk for private investors and encouraging greater participation. The results have been significant. Government investment of over ZAR 700 million has leveraged approximately ZAR 1.9 billion in private capital, demonstrating the effectiveness of blended finance approaches.
The session also highlighted the example of BioVac, a South African vaccine manufacturer, as a case study in successful Africa–Europe collaboration. Initially supported by grant funding from organisations such as the Gates Foundation and the Wellcome Trust, BioVac was able to develop its R&D capabilities and upgrade its facilities. As risks were reduced, development finance institutions including the European Investment Bank and the International Finance Corporation provided loans to support expansion. This blended financing approach has enabled BioVac to scale production capacity to over 400 million vaccine doses, with regulatory approval expected by 2028. The case illustrates how coordinated investment across different stages of the innovation lifecycle can transform research into real-world impact.
Inclusivity emerged as a central theme in discussions on financing. Investment strategies increasingly prioritise historically disadvantaged groups, including youth, women, and people with disabilities. This reflects a broader recognition that innovation ecosystems must be diverse and inclusive to be effective. At the same time, institutional investors remain cautious, often deterred by perceived risks. Public investment therefore plays a crucial role in de-risking ventures and unlocking private capital. Accelerators, incubators, and early-stage support mechanisms are also essential in bridging the gap between technical innovation and market-ready solutions. While South Africa leads the continent in venture capital activity, followed by countries such as Kenya and Egypt, the overall ecosystem remains relatively nascent. However, growing collaboration with European investors signals a positive trajectory for the future.
Overall, the AERAP Forum 2026 reaffirmed the importance of science as a driver of shared prosperity between Africa and Europe. Throughout each discussion, the participants emphasised the need to move beyond dialogue toward concrete action, the mobilisation of capital, the alignment and coordination of policies and the shift from ‘top-down’, to ‘bottom-up’ empowerment of people groups . For TRANS-SAHARA, the Forum provided valuable insights into both the challenges and opportunities shaping Africa–Europe collaboration.
