The Horizon Europe – Africa Initiative III launch event drew exceptional interest, with over 900 registered participants and more than 500 attending live. A particularly engaging Q&A session followed the presentations, featuring insightful questions and interventions from Kenyan scientists and institutional representatives. The vibrant exchange underscored not only the relevance of the topics discussed but also the strong and growing interest of Kenya’s research community in deepening collaboration with the European Union.
Held on Monday, 30 June 2025, the high-level online event was co-organised by the Delegation of the European Union to Kenya, the Embassy of Kenya to the Kingdom of Belgium and the EU, and EURAXESS Africa. The session introduced the Horizon Europe - Africa Initiative III, with a dedicated focus on Kenya’s role as a strategic partner in the EU-Africa research and innovation agenda.
The event opened with remarks by Mr. Ondrej Šimek, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Kenya; H.E. Dr. Bitange Ndemo, Ambassador of Kenya to the Kingdom of Belgium and the EU; and Ms. Nienke Buisman, Head of Unit for International Cooperation Policy at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD). Their addresses highlighted the critical importance of global scientific partnerships in tackling shared challenges and promoting sustainable development.
At the core of the programme was the unveiling of Africa Initiative III, which introduces 24 new call topics within Horizon Europe specifically targeted at fostering EU-Africa collaboration. With a total indicative budget of €500 million, these calls represent a significant opportunity for African researchers and institutions to engage in cutting-edge, impact-driven research partnerships. Mr. Jens Hoegel, Senior Policy Officer at DG RTD, presented the initiative and outlined the strategic vision behind this renewed EU commitment to Africa.
Further support mechanisms were explored through a detailed presentation of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) by Ms. Dora Czifra, Policy Officer at DG Education and Culture. She highlighted the diverse training, mobility, and career development opportunities available for African researchers across disciplines and career stages.
Dr. Ahmed Maalel, Regional Representative for EURAXESS Africa, introduced the EURAXESS platform, showcasing its services for researcher mobility, institutional cooperation, and knowledge exchange. He also delivered a live demonstration of the EU Funding & Tenders Portal (FTOP), guiding participants step-by-step through the process of identifying and applying for relevant Horizon Europe calls, including those under Africa Initiative III.
One of the highlights of the event was the “Kenyan Scientists Talk” session, where seasoned researchers shared their personal experiences with EU-funded projects under Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe. Their testimonials offered concrete insights into the application process, project implementation, and the transformative potential of international collaboration.
The event concluded with remarks from H.E. Dr. Bitange Ndemo, who reaffirmed Kenya’s strong commitment to international science cooperation and encouraged broader African participation in Horizon Europe. He emphasized the importance of inclusive and co-owned research agendas that reflect Africa’s priorities and build lasting scientific partnerships.
With its high-level speakers, rich programme content, and strong participation, the event marked a pivotal moment in strengthening EU-Africa research cooperation — and a clear signal of Kenya’s readiness to lead and innovate on the global stage.
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