Introduction
The Africa-Europe Innovation Platform (AEIP) is a collaborative initiative connecting stakeholders across the innovation value chain in Africa and Europe. It functions as a “network of networks” through which policymakers, researchers, universities, startups, businesses, investors, funders, civil society organizations and business support institutions can form partnerships.
The platform supports the priorities of the African Union–European Union Innovation Agenda. Its services include partnership matchmaking, capacity development, funding-opportunity listings, thematic challenges, communities of practice, research collaboration and support for small and medium-sized enterprises.
The current AEIP builds on the earlier Africa-Europe Innovation Partnership, which operated between 2018 and 2021. While the names are closely related, the present website represents the broader Africa-Europe Innovation Platform.
History and Background
Africa–Europe cooperation in research and innovation has developed through several major policy frameworks. These include the Joint Africa–EU Strategy adopted in 2007, the Joint Vision for 2030 adopted in 2022 and the AU–EU Innovation Agenda adopted in 2023.
The original Africa-Europe Innovation Partnership was funded by the European Commission and operated from 2018 to 2021. It supported innovation and technology incubators and accelerators seeking to enter new markets, find reliable partners and build cross-continental networks.
The ENRICH in Africa project subsequently expanded cooperation among incubators, accelerators, investors, companies and policymakers. Funded under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program, it focused on strengthening African and European innovation ecosystems, supporting social impact and encouraging green enterprise.
Mission and Purpose
AEIP’s mission is to strengthen cooperation between innovation ecosystems in Africa and Europe while supporting the implementation of the AU–EU Innovation Agenda.
Its principal objectives are to improve policy dialogue, build partnerships, expand access to funding, strengthen skills and mobility, and make innovation systems more inclusive.
The platform addresses fragmentation within the Africa–Europe research and innovation landscape. Innovation organizations often operate independently, making it difficult for entrepreneurs, researchers and institutions to identify appropriate partners, finance or technical expertise.
AEIP responds by creating a shared digital and physical meeting space. It brings stakeholders together through online tools, events, training, matchmaking and collaborative programs.
Governance and Structure
The Africa-Europe Innovation Platform is implemented by a consortium of 15 organizations, including seven African and eight European members. Technopolis Africa leads the consortium.
Consortium members represent research institutions, university networks, innovation hubs, business support organizations, youth organizations, consultancies and startup-investment networks. This structure is intended to ensure balanced participation from African and European innovation stakeholders.
African consortium members include the African Centre for Technology Studies, The Youth Café, AfriLabs, the Association of African Universities, the ENRICH in Africa Center, the Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association and Technopolis Africa.
European members include Arctik, the European Business and Innovation Centre Network, Digital Africa, the Institute for Qualifying Innovation Research and Consulting, Technopolis Group offices, Sociedade Portuguesa de Inovação and VC4A.
The platform is funded by the European Union. Its website notes that its content does not necessarily represent the views of the European Union or the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency.
Funding and Grants
AEIP improves access to finance by publishing funding and partnership opportunities relevant to African and European innovators. Its database may include research calls, startup accelerators, scale-up support, joint projects and opportunities from development finance institutions.
The platform is primarily a connector and information hub rather than a conventional grant-making foundation. Most funding calls listed on the website are administered by external organizations, such as the European Commission, research institutions, foundations, development agencies, accelerators and private companies.
Applicants must apply directly to the organization managing each opportunity. Funding amounts, geographic requirements, legal eligibility, deadlines and application procedures vary by program.
The platform includes opportunities associated with Horizon Europe, women’s entrepreneurship, climate innovation, healthcare, digital technology, startup development and international research collaboration.
AEIP warns users that the platform and its consortium cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness or legitimacy of every third-party opportunity. Applicants should independently verify external calls before sharing sensitive information, making payments or entering agreements.
Major Programs and Initiatives
The Network of Networks connects existing innovation communities, initiatives and institutions. Its partner-finding and directory tools help stakeholders identify organizations with relevant expertise, geographic reach or sector experience.
The Twinning Programme matches African and European business support organizations. It facilitates knowledge exchange, capacity strengthening and the development of joint activities. Limited travel support may be available to selected participating organizations, but submitting an application does not guarantee assistance.
The AEIP Scholars Programme brings African and European researchers together for collaborative research. For the 2026–2027 cycle, ten scholars are expected to be matched into five cross-continental pairs. Each pair will conduct a joint activity and produce a collaborative research output, after which three finalist pairs will present their work at an AEIP event.
Communities of Practice provide structured spaces for participants to exchange experience and develop responses to shared innovation challenges. Subjects have included entrepreneurship, innovation systems and urban innovation diplomacy.
AEIP capacity-building activities include training, workshops and webinars for researchers, entrepreneurs and innovation-support organizations. Topics may include Horizon Europe applications, intellectual property, digital education, technology transfer and startup development.
The Africa IP SME Helpdesk helps African and European small businesses understand intellectual property protection and use intellectual property strategies when expanding into new markets.
The Youth Innovation Playbook provides practical guidance for young entrepreneurs and innovators. It addresses subjects such as financing, intellectual property, partnerships, policy support and converting early ideas into sustainable initiatives.
Impact and Examples of Work Supported
AEIP’s impact is primarily reflected in stronger networks, increased visibility for funding opportunities, capacity development and new connections between African and European innovation actors.
In October 2025, more than 150 stakeholders gathered in Brussels for the Africa-Europe Innovation Dialogues. Participants included representatives from government, academia, the private sector, civil society and innovation-support organizations.
The event explored how AEIP could become a long-term bridge between the two continents. It also supported discussions about moving from policy dialogue toward practical research, investment and innovation partnerships.
AEIP launched its Communities of Practice during the 2025 Brussels event. A subsequent five-week Community of Practice on Urban Diplomacy and Innovation involved 30 participants from nine countries. Participants represented local government, academia, civil society, diaspora organizations and businesses.
The platform has also supported knowledge exchange at major innovation events. Its participation in the EBN Congress and the SEADE Research and Innovation Summit contributed to discussions about clean energy, digitalization and Africa–Europe collaboration.
Through the funding-opportunity portal, startups and research institutions can identify calls such as Horizon Europe’s Africa-focused initiatives. Africa Initiative IV under the 2026–2027 Horizon Europe work program reportedly includes approximately €605.45 million across 30 calls addressing health, climate, innovation, technology and scientific capacity.
The platform’s partner network creates additional reach. Consortium members collectively connect hundreds of universities, innovation hubs, incubators, accelerators, startups, investors and research-management professionals across both continents.
Conclusion
The Africa-Europe Innovation Platform is an important mechanism for strengthening collaboration between African and European research and innovation ecosystems. It builds on the original Africa-Europe Innovation Partnership and other European Union-funded initiatives while aligning its work with the AU–EU Innovation Agenda.
Its main value lies in connecting fragmented networks and helping stakeholders find partners, knowledge, training and external funding opportunities. Programs such as the Twinning Programme, Scholars Programme, Communities of Practice and Africa IP SME Helpdesk support practical cross-continental collaboration.
Researchers, startups, SMEs, universities, investors, civil society organizations and business support institutions can join the platform and explore its resources. However, users should remember that most grants displayed on the website are managed by third parties and require independent verification.
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