The European Union should take steps to ensure that its research relationship with Africa is “refreshed and reloaded” in its upcoming Horizon Europe funding programme, two policy analysts have urged.
Mariella Di Clommo and Sanne Thijssen from the European Centre for Development Policy Management in Maastricht, Netherlands, argue in their 17 June discussion paper that Horizon Europe should include a more nuanced approach to Africa-EU collaboration.
They say there are positive signs that more funding will be directed at Africa in Horizon Europe. But this should be accompanied by more insight into the power relationships in EU-Africa research projects. Initiatives should do two things, they write: recognise African excellence while not ignoring the continent’s many development challenges.