The European Commission has officially launched Africa Initiative IV, marking a major new stage in EU-Africa cooperation on research and innovation under the Horizon Europe work program 2026-2027.
With a total budget of approximately €605.45 million, this initiative demonstrates a strong political and financial commitment to advance common scientific priorities and foster long-term partnerships between the European and African research communities.
A new chapter in EU-Africa cooperation
Africa Initiative IV builds on the momentum generated by the first three Africa Initiatives and is already reshaping the way African organizations engage with Horizon Europe.
The latest phase will fund around 30 competitive calls for proposals focused on joint research and innovation activities between the EU and Africa. These calls are designed to foster collaboration from project conception to realization, ensuring mutual benefit and shared ownership of the results.
Importantly, Africa Initiative IV supports the implementation of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda. This collaboration will ensure that funded projects are aligned with jointly agreed short, medium and long term actions, strengthening policy coherence across both continents while addressing real-world challenges.
Four strategic priority areas
Under Africa Initiative IV, funding will be channeled into four key policy areas that reflect pressing global and regional needs.
Public health remains a central pillar, supporting research that strengthens health systems and improves resilience to future crises. The green transition focuses on sustainability, climate action and environmental innovation, areas where cross-continental cooperation is becoming increasingly important.
Innovation and technology is another core priority, with a focus on translating research into practical solutions and enhancing Africa’s role in emerging technologies.
The fourth area, scientific capacity, aims to strengthen research and innovation systems, strengthen skills and infrastructure, and ensure more inclusive participation in international research programmes.
Expanding Africa’s Participation in Horizon Europe
From 2021 onwards, the Africa Initiative framework actively encourages, and in some cases makes mandatory, the participation of African research institutions in the Horizon Europe consortium.
This approach has already produced concrete results, including signed grants involving partners from more than 40 African countries and committed EU funds flowing directly to African organizations.
Africa Initiative IV builds on this proven model and expands its thematic scope to reflect recent policy shifts and technological advances. In doing so, we aim not only to deepen existing partnerships, but also to create new networks and opportunities for African researchers across disciplines.
Part of a broader research ecosystem
The Africa Initiative IV forms part of the 4th Horizon Europe work program for 2026-2027, adopted on 11 December 2025.
It complements flagship institutions such as Marie Skłodowska Curie Action and the European Research Council and further supports mobility, training and research excellence in which African partners participate.
Additional guidance and engagement opportunities will be provided through EURAXESS Africa, which hosts country, regional and thematic webinars to help stakeholders navigate the Africa Initiative IV call and maximize participation.
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