Bridging Continents through Innovation: African and European stakeholders chart a shared future in Brussels
Brussels, 22 October 2025 – More than 150 innovation stakeholders from across Africa and Europe gathered in the European Quarter in Brussels to confront a shared question: how can two continents turn dialogue into durable innovation partnerships?
Organised by the Africa-Europe Innovation Platform (AEIP), “Bridging Continents through Innovation: Africa-Europe Innovation Dialogues” brought together a broad range of stakeholders to reflect on achievements, exchange lessons learned, and explore how the AEIP can serve as a permanent bridge for collaboration.
Setting the tone for collaboration
The opening remarks by AEIP Project Coordinator Francie Sadeski (Technopolis Africa) and Tendai Pasipamire (EiAC) underscored the AEIP’s vision: a long-term structure designed to unify the diverse Africa–Europe innovation landscape, rather than replace or duplicate it.
Institutional greetings from Francesca Doria (EISMEA) and Dr. Brando Okolo (AUDA–NEPAD) reinforced that message, underlining that this collaboration is not only desirable but essential. Okolo highlighted the complementarity of Europe’s research capacity and Africa’s entrepreneurial dynamism. Together, they form complementary forces for sustainable growth.
In a keynote that framed the day, Dr. Vincenzo Lorusso (DG RTD) and Lukovi Seke (AUDA-NEPAD), co-chairs of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda, shared recent progress under the joint strategy and positioned the AEIP as an operational backbone to turn the policy vision into reality, linking policy alignment, investment, and mutual learning between Africa and Europe.
“ “We can do more — to connect initiatives, to bring them together, to connect the dots and the people behind them. The AEIP is the opportunity to do so within this multilateral agenda.” „
Unveiling the Africa-Europe Innovation Platform
Building on this momentum, Francie Sadeski took the stage to outline the rationale for the Africa-Europe Innovation Platform. Building on years of collaboration through the Africa-Europe Innovation Partnership and ENRICH in Africa, the AEIP emerged from stakeholder consultations calling for a single, enduring structure to connect innovation communities across the continents.
The AEIP, she explained, is a “network of networks” designed to make collaboration more accessible.
That concept became concrete during the first panel, moderated by Silvi Serreqi (EISMEA). Attendees were given their first look at the AEIP’s digital component, a one-stop-shop platform for innovation collaboration that centralises innovation resources and expands visibility. Tendai Pasipamire demonstrated how users can onboard on the Platform and outlined the upcoming features aimed at bridging Africa-Europe collaboration gaps.
Building on this introduction, the AEIP consortium partners explored the AEIP’s core activities, illustrating how each contributes to the broader innovation ecosystem. Covadonga Rayon (EBN) spoke about Training Programmes that strengthen innovation intermediaries. Dr Agyemang Okyere Darko (AAU) elaborated on Communities of Practice that turn thematic dialogue into joint action. Tegan George (VC4A) introduced start-ups de-risking tools, while Stephan Kreutzer (Technopolis Germany) unveiled the Thematic Challenges — cross-continental calls for innovation that unite innovators to tackle shared societal challenges.
Whilst some of these activities have already been launched, others will be rolled out in the coming months. Stay tuned via the AEIP website and subscribe to the newsletter to know when activities are launched.
Sister initiatives and accelerating innovation together
After a networking coffee break, the conversation widened to include sister initiatives already contributing to Africa-Europe cooperation. Moderator Stephan Kreutzer led a discussion that connected a mosaic of networks such as DG INTPA, LEAP-RE, Global Health EDCTP3, SEADE, Youthmakers Hub (AU–EU Youth Voices Lab) and Innowwide.
Each highlighted a unique dimension of partnership, from research and health innovation to youth empowerment and sustainable enterprise. Collectively showcasing the richness and diversity of the Africa-Europe innovation landscape.
A subsequent panel, moderated by Dr Agyemang Okyere Darko, gathered innovators from across the value chain. Efe Ukala (ImpactHER) discussed supporting women entrepreneurs; Joana Afonso (IPN) shared insights from the European BSO perspective; Dr Ann Kingiri (ACTS) reflected on academic collaboration, and Ali Mnif (Digital Africa) spoke on investment trends.
Their message was clear: Africa-Europe collaboration must evolve from project-based interactions to sustained partnerships. The AEIP was recognised as the framework that can potentially sustain such collaboration.
Nano pitches: one minute, one idea
In the afternoon nano-pitches moderated by Hannah Hayes (Arctik) challenged participants to distil their organisation, project, or idea in just 60 seconds. The rapid-fire format turned the room into a bustling marketplace of ideas.
Participants shared visions ranging from climate tech and health innovation to digital skills and sustainable food systems.
We invite you to rewatch the livestream from 5:40:00 to hear all their pitches.
Diaspora as a bridge of innovation
A panel on the diaspora’s role in Africa-Europe innovation broadened the scope of partnership and inclusion. Moderated by Abu Cassim (VC4A), panellists Ninon Duval (Bond’Innov), Maureen Duru (The Food Bridge), Michelle Amoakoh (AiDiA), and Mirana Rajoharison (ALEFA Diaspora) shared how diaspora communities bridge talent, capital, and ideas across continents.
Speakers agreed that diaspora professionals and entrepreneurs are already innovation connectors. Ninon Duval underlined that the diaspora’s dual identity gives it a unique advantage, allowing them to navigate both European and African innovation environments.
The conversation also touched on the economic weight of the diaspora, noting that remittances and diaspora investments now surpass traditional aid flows, representing a significant engine for innovation-led development.
Key takeaways
Several lessons emerged from the AEIP’s first event:
- Visibility and access drive inclusion: Innovation thrives when ecosystems are visible, connected, and easy to navigate. AEIP’s digital platform aims to make this possible by linking innovators in one digital space.
- Co-ownership is key: Lasting partnerships require mutual benefit. Both African and European actors must shape the agenda to ensure that innovation policies respond to local realities while maintaining global relevance.
- Continuity counts: Africa-Europe innovation collaboration needs permanent homes, not temporary projects. Sustainable structures like AEIP ensure that partnerships continue to grow beyond project cycles.
- Human networks matter: Innovation is powered by people and its success depends on its ability to connect people: policy-makers with entrepreneurs, researchers with investors, and youth innovators with mentors.
- Youth and diaspora as catalysts: Young innovators and diaspora play a pivotal role in bridging knowledge and investment gaps.
AEIP stands as a living platform, one designed to grow with its community, strengthening Africa–Europe ties through continuous collaboration, learning, and innovation. We welcome you all to onboard now that registrations are open for the digital platform.
The next AEIP event will take place in 2026 in Africa. Details will follow soon. We hope to see you all there.
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