African Union and European Union formally adopt new Innovation Agenda

On July 19, the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) adopted the new AU-EU Innovation Agenda, which aims to increase the capacities and achievements of European and African researchers and innovators and transform them into tangible results such as products, services, businesses, and jobs.

This is one of the main initiatives of the Global Gateway strategy and includes four objectives (with short-, medium-, and long-term actions), grouped according to the priority areas of AU-EU cooperation in Research and Innovation (R&I): Public Health, Green Transition, Innovation and Technology, and Capacities for Science, in addition to cross-cutting issues.

The AU-EU Innovation Agenda is accompanied by an action plan, which will be continuously updated and provides an overview of the governance and coordination of the Agenda, as well as implementation initiatives. Initiatives that will contribute to the implementation of this Agenda include European Commission programs such as Horizon Europe and the Africa-Europe Global Gateway Investment Package, the AU Commission, EU and AU Member States, and other organizations.

The AU-EU Innovation Interface has also been made available, which integrates the Innovation Talent Platform and provides information on initiatives and opportunities for innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and investors generated during the implementation of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda. Among other resources, it will provide access to a new "AU-EU Advanced Technology Transformation Training Program" for innovators and entrepreneurs, with the first edition expected to take place in 2023.

A summit of AU and EU ministers of R&I is planned for 2024 to assess progress in implementing the agenda.

From the 6th EU-Africa Summit to the new Innovation Agenda

The AU-EU Innovation Agenda stems from the conclusions ofthe 6th EU-Africa Summit, which took place on February 17 and 18, 2022, and was prepared by AU and EU Member States within the framework of multilateral cooperation.

The agenda was first published in February 2022 as a working document discussed with stakeholders through an online public consultation and other outreach events. The new agenda culminated in a stakeholder event in Nairobi in November 2022. The final report was also made available by the European Commission on July 19.