ITB infoservice – Special Edition No. 12 "Science and Innovation in Africa: International Funding and Cooperation"

The introductory chapter examines the evolution of research and innovation in Africa so far as well as international, European and German development and cooperation strategies. In the subsequent first section, the authors present different national funding approaches from Norway, Switzerland, China, France and Germany. Another article puts the spotlight on the South African National Research Foundation (NRF), which maintains numerous bi- and multilateral partnerships.

The second section showcases a number of initiatives that aim to establish cross-country research institutes, universities and academies with a view to creating networks and mutual support structures. African universities are, e.g., working towards the improvement of technical studies and the further education of specialists for vocational training. Part of the dynamic development of Africa is the establishment of a new African funding platform which is taking over the management of major funding programmes from foundations such as, e.g., the Wellcome Trust.

In the final section, European and German funding initiatives are presented which are setting up cross-country cooperations in Africa in order to tackle global challenges such as climate change, food security and health on site.