EU and Nigeria Launch Negotiations on Science and Technology Agreement – New Impetus for Bavaria-Africa Cooperation

The European Commission, on behalf of the European Union and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has launched negotiations on a bilateral agreement for cooperation in science and technology. The aim is to strategically strengthen and politically anchor collaboration in research and innovation.

Political Framework for a Long-Term Innovation Partnership

The planned agreement will establish a structured political framework to systematically review existing cooperation, assess lessons learned, and define future joint actions. It will be aligned with the priority areas of bilateral cooperation as well as the African Union (AU)–EU 10-Year Innovation Agenda (2023–2033).

With this agreement, Nigeria would join the group of African countries that have formalized science and technology cooperation agreements with the EU. To date, such bilateral agreements are in place with Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, and Tunisia.

Successful Cooperation under Horizon Europe

Cooperation between the EU and Nigeria in science, technology, and innovation has steadily intensified in recent years. It builds on the joint EU-Nigeria Roadmap adopted following the 7th EU-Nigeria Ministerial Meeting in 2020.

Nigeria is increasingly active in the EU Framework Programme Horizon Europe as well as in the Global Health EDCTP3 partnership (European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership).

So far, 55 projects with Nigerian participation have been funded under Horizon Europe, particularly in the areas of health, food, agriculture, and environment. A total of 65 Nigerian organizations are involved, benefiting from approximately €20 million in funding.

In addition, Nigeria participates in 12 EDCTP3 projects with a total volume of around €75 million. Fifteen Nigeria-based organizations receive approximately €9 million from these projects.

Background

The European Union has concluded bilateral science and technology agreements with 20 countries worldwide. These agreements are based on shared interests and strategic priorities and aim to deepen cooperation in research and innovation.

Relevance for Bavaria

The intensified EU-Nigeria cooperation opens up new opportunities for Bavaria in terms of scientific partnerships, joint research projects, and innovation cooperation in future-oriented fields such as health research, sustainable agriculture, environmental technologies, and digitalization.

Within the framework of WKS Bavaria-Africa activities, the forthcoming agreement provides a strategic basis to expand existing networks, initiate new project partnerships, and further strengthen the international visibility of Bavarian stakeholders within Africa’s innovation landscape.

By launching these negotiations, the EU sends a clear signal for a long-term, partnership-based, and innovation-driven cooperation with Nigeria – one of Africa’s key science and technology hubs.

M. Sc. Melanie Schulte
Team Coordinator and Scientific Coordinator WKS Bavaria-Africa
Phone: +49 89 9901 888-124
Email: schulte@no-spam-pleasebayfor.org