The AU has, in its strategic 2063 Agenda, expressed its commitment to developing an African knowledge society based on research and innovation, and to tackle priorities such as biodiversity, climate resilience, and democracy and governance. The European Union is firmly committed to environmental sustainability and digital transitions, whilst both the AU and EU have agreed to focus jointly on strengthening public health.

To realise the ambitious objectives of the AU and EU a new strategic collaboration programme in the area of research, innovation (R&I), and higher education (HE) is needed.
Africa must be supported to be able to become a more equal partner in tackling the AU’s and EU’s most pressing common challenges, through major sustainable investments in Africa's research capacity, and making sure this enhanced capacity has maximum societal impact. Such investments in research are essential to support social and economic innovation, contribute to a substantial increase in the delivery of high-skilled graduates, and produce knowledge to support evidence-based policy-making. The African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) and The Guild of European Research Intensive Universities call for investing in Centres of Excellence (CoE), built on sustainable partnerships between African research universities, in research and innovation in key areas of common African – European interest. Our proposals are based on our joint position paper published in February 2020, on strengthening African research universities in new, sustainable ways.1 The CoE should be built on strong collaborative networks of universities across Africa, closely linked with European partners. In envisaging these we have a unique opportunity to build on European experience in strengthening institutional capacities through collaborative networks (for instance, Teaming in Horizon 2020 and the European Universities initiative in Erasmus+). Moving away from an over reliance of short term project based funding, to enhance institutional capacities for excellent research and innovation through longterm collaboration, the CoE will be the central knowledge institutions to strengthen key components of the African R&I and HE capacity to deliver on key strategic priorities identified by the AU and the EU.

The recently approved ARUA-Guild Concept Note  can be downloaded by following the link below: