The group of six high-level experts will work until October 2021 and advise the European Commission on how to best tap the potential of research and innovation for a renewed Africa-Europe partnership.

Launched on 4 May 2021 by Jean-Eric Paquet, Director-General at DG Research and Innovation, together with Marjeta Jager, Deputy Director General at DG International Partnerships (European Comission), the Advisory Group is tasked with producing four evidence-based policy papers to guide EU research and innovation cooperation efforts with African countries.

The experts, from both continents, will cover the following four priority areas for collaborative R&I actions:

• EU-Africa stepped-up cooperation in research and innovation for empowered public health systems;
• How to strengthen research and innovation capacities in Africa focusing on both regional and bilateral cooperation;
• Innovation and technology revolution;
• Green transition in Africa.

The common objective of these collaborative activities is to accelerate the translation of scientific advances into tangible impacts.

This work is in line with the long-standing EU cooperation with the African Union under the High-Level Policy Dialogue on Science, Technology and Innovation.