Africa-EU collaboration
Africa is a continent on the rise. With over a billion people, the youngest population in the world (60 % of Africans are under the age of 25) and vast natural resources, it is brimming with potential. It also has a rapidly growing middle class, which means an increasing demand for resources, infrastructure and energy. By 2040, Africa will need therefore to double its energy supply. At the same time, 600 million people across the continent still do not have access to electricity. The African continent is also highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Droughts, floods and shifting weather patterns are already threatening livelihoods, ecosystems, food security and public health. That is why building climate resilience, protecting natural resources and transitioning to a low-carbon economy are not only environmental imperatives, but also strategic objectives for regional stability and prosperity. As Africa undergoes rapid transformation driven by economic, political, technological and demographic shifts, Europe has a unique opportunity to collaborate with its neighbour to co-create solutions to the challenges of the 21st century. At the heart of the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Partnership is a joint push to build reliable, sustainable and inclusive energy systems, which use clean and renewable sources such as solar power, geothermal, hydropower, bioenergy and wind. These efforts should improve energy efficiency and integrate power across regions for better energy security. Just as crucial is the joint response to climate change. This includes advancing early warning systems, nature-based solutions, climate services, and risk-informed planning across key sectors such as water, agriculture, energy and health. By combining local knowledge with science-based tools, strengthening institutional capacity, supporting community-led action, and enhancing access to climate data, the Partnership aims to build systemic resilience. In this way, a strong Europe-Africa partnership on climate change and sustainable energy can make a real difference, especially for rural communities, whether through new infrastructure, joint investments or knowledge-sharing. By working together, Europe and Africa can shape a greener, fairer and more resilient future for everyone. One of the most powerful tools at their disposal is joint research and innovation to foster climate intelligence, renewable energy and energy efficiency. This new CORDIS Results Pack highlights 14 projects funded under the EU’s Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe research programmes – real-world examples of the Africa–EU partnership in action. They support the African Union[AU]-EU Innovation Agenda(opens in new window) and the Global approach to research and innovation(opens in new window). It highlights how joint R&I initiatives are supporting climate services, early warning systems, clean energy access, and adaptation planning, all while empowering local communities to become agents of change. The Pack will enable policymakers, scientists and stakeholders to gain greater insight into the latest research and innovation, helping them to fine-tune their activities and test new tools and solutions developed via these projects. On the energy side, the LEAP-RE, ONEPlanET and SESA projects involved African policy makers, researchers and citizens in developing the tools and know-how for the transition to sustainable energy. SteamBioAfrica transformed bush and other invasive woody biomass species into coal-like solid biofuel. SophiA developed cooling, heating and clean water solutions for rural clinics powered by solar energy. ENERGICA built innovative nanogrids, low-tech biogas systems and solar-powered e-mobility solutions. On the climate side, KADI worked towards a pan-African climate observation infrastructure to enhance climate services and support adaptation strategies across the continent. TEMBO Africa devised sensor networks to measure rainfall, soil moisture, river flow and discharge. FOCUS-Africa, CONFER and DOWN2EARTH developed community-centred climate services and decision-support tools, focusing on key sectors such as water, energy and food security. HABITABLE studied the link between climate change and migration and displacement patterns, while ENBEL investigated the health risks associated with climate change. Finally, IAM COMPACT assessed climate goals and measures to inform effective climate policies.
