Redefining Africa-Europe relations: How academic institutions are powering innovation
With substantial resources, attractive regulations and growing demand on a regional level, Africa is on the precipice of transformation within the field of energy. Investment is increasing across the value chain following new hydrocarbon discoveries and project launches and as African governments are prioritising local content and the inclusion of the domestic workforce.
While this opens up new opportunities for skills and technology transfer from global partners, it has also brought into question the role that academic institutions and governments play in supporting capacity building in Africa’s energy sector.
Redefining the Africa-EU partnership
To unlock the full potential of the sector, capacity building deserves newfound focus in Africa. Despite being home to both the youngest and fastest growing population globally, the continent faces education gaps and low participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), leading to an over-reliance on foreign personnel in energy projects.
The Brookings Institute estimates that fewer than 25% of students in sub-Saharan Africa pursue STEM–related career fields. To support national local content agendas, therefore, Africa’s relations with global partners needs to move beyond project development to incorporate collaboration, skills transfer and partnerships within STEM education.
Historically, relations between Africa and Europe have largely centred on development, aid and economic interests, with little to no focus placed on research, innovation or the strengthening of institutional foundations. As relations evolve, a window of opportunity has emerged for both African and European academic institutions to bolster capacity building from the ground up.
From partnering on curriculum development to promoting training programmes, workshops and exchanges, to advocating for mentorships, industry partnerships and inclusion, academic institutions can lay the foundation for a strong and capable workforce.
More than supporting local content in Africa, partnerships with Europe will be integral for the modernisation of Africa’s energy industry. The energy transition, rising demand and industry fluctuations require increased research and innovation to ensure the world is equipped to provide the ‘energy of the future’. Africa is not exempt in this regard, and research and development will form the basis of the continent’s energy transformation.
Supporting capacity building on a national level
The European Union (EU) has demonstrated its commitment to supporting education in Africa. Under the EU–Africa Strategy – initially launched in 2007 and revised in 2022 – the bloc is promoting partnerships in education, skills, research and innovation across the continent, specifically within emerging fields such as digitalisation and green energy.
Through the support of the EU and this strategy, several collaborations have taken effect. Following a series of meetings in 2022, the African Research Universities Alliance and the Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities launched 20 joint Clusters of Research Excellence (CoREs), initiated with the support of the African Union and EU. The CoREs aim to enhance research and higher education, serving as catalysts for innovation in African energy.
African nations are also eager to capitalise on foreign expertise. On the sidelines of the Invest in African Energy forum in Paris in 2023, the foundations were laid for increased collaboration between Namibia and the French tertiary institution, Sciences Po. Namibia’s Minister of Energy and Mines Tom Alweendo held a meeting with representatives from the institutions to advance academic co-operation across the energy sector. Parties agreed to explore new avenues for capacity building by signing a formal partnership on student exchange and training.
Cross-institutional support
More and more, African and European academic institutions are collaborating to support skills and technology development within energy-related fields. The German Academic Exchange Service offers scholarships and funding for African students pursuing energy-related studies, partnering with South Africa’s University of Cape Town – among other African institutions – to support STEM–related education.
The United Kingdom’s Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan; the French Development Agency; Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe, and many more also offer funding and academic support for students in energy.
