The African Academy of Sciences (AAS) and the European Research Council (ERC) have today signed a landmark Implementing Arrangement at the European Commission’s Berlaymont Building in Brussels, marking a new phase of Africa–Europe collaboration in frontier science and innovation.

The agreement was signed by Professor Lise Korsten, President of the African Academy of Sciences, and Professor Maria Leptin, President of the European Research Council, in the presence of EU Commissioner Zaharieva, Director-General Marc Lemaitre of DG Research and Innovation, Deputy Director-General Myriam Ferran of DG INTPA, and Professor Gaspard Banyankimbona, AU Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation. The AAS delegation also included Professor Jane Catherine Ngila, Acting Executive Director of the Academy.

The Implementing Arrangement formalises collaboration between the ERC and AAS following the success of the African Research Initiative for Scientific Excellence (ARISE), launched in 2020. ARISE has supported nearly 600 early and midcareer researchers across 38 African countries, fostering cutting-edge research in health, agriculture, climate, and digital transformation.

“This partnership is a powerful affirmation that Africa’s scientific excellence is not a promise but a reality,” said Professor Lise Korsten during the signing ceremony. “Through ARISE and now ARISE 2.0, we are building a future where African and European scientists co-create knowledge and innovation that drives global solutions and shared prosperity.”

Under the new arrangement, the ERC and AAS will strengthen collaboration on research excellence, mobility, and scientific networking within the framework of the AU–EU Innovation Agenda and the High-Level Policy Dialogue on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI). The partnership will also promote open science, gender equity, and ethical research practices aligned with global standards.

The signing sets the stage for the ARISE 2.0 programme, a new Team Europe and Team Africa initiative, which will expand support for young African scientists and deepen cooperation between research institutions across continents.

The partnership will be showcased at the Senior Officials Meeting of the AU–EU High-Level Policy Dialogue on STI on 24 October 2025, where it will be presented as a model of equitable, high-impact scientific collaboration.