The Africa Strategy 2014-2018 - Africa as a Partner in Education and Research
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The Africa Strategy 2014–2018 Africa as a Partner in Education and Research
1 Contents Cooperation with Africa 4 Contributions made by German educational, research and intermediary organisations 8 Why an Africa Strategy? 11 Principles of cooperation 13 Objectives 15 Priority topics 17 Tools 25 Our goals for the next five years 26 List of planned measures 27 Sources 32 Imprint 33
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4 THE AFRICA STRATEGY 2014–2018
Cooperation with Africa
The groundwork for the cooperation between the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and its partners
in Africa was laid more than thirty years ago. Intergovernmental agreements on bilateral cooperation in science and
technology have been in place with the priority countries Egypt and South Africa since 1979 and 1996 respectively.
Measures such as the establishment of the German-Egyptian Research Fund were implemented on the basis of these
agreements. The partnership with South Africa focussed on the continuing development of cooperation through
research projects on topics such as integrated water resources management (IWRM). Since 2000, positive political
developments and the increased interest of African partners in science and research have led to collaborations in more
and more African countries.
The Federal Government’s Strategy for the Internatio II. Education: the established priority topics and specif
nalisation of Science and Research, which was launched ic individual initiatives target the postgraduate tertiary
in 2008, provided further impetus for cooperation with sector and initial and continuing vocational training in
Africa. It declared the strengthening of cooperation with order to
developing countries a new priority. react promptly and adequately to changes in the
transition countries in North Africa;
The funding provided for activities with Africa by the intensify cooperation with our priority countries
BMBF and other educational, research and intermedi Egypt and South Africa;
ary organisations also clearly reflects these trends. support the move towards modernisation of
individual countries to become knowledge-driven
The BMBF has a positive record of cooperation with economies;
African countries throughout the implementation of reinforce our cooperation in vocational education
the Internationalisation Strategy. Its successes include and training with emerging economies.
the expansion of its activities to include 39 of the
54 countries in Africa, with 62% of the cooperative A number of approaches to develop beacons of
projects originating in the past nine years; excellence have emerged as a result of the Internatio
the establishment of two pillars as a basis for its nalisation Strategy. These beacon projects serve as role
cooperation. models because they establish structures, are regionally
focussed and address global and regional challenges in
science and research.
Development of expenditure for Africa
Education and science are also
2005 2009 2013 crucial to societal transformation
in m € in m € in m €
approx. approx. approx.
processes such as those taking place
in North Africa. Funding scientific
BMBF 11.9 17.1 50.8 support for transformation processes
and capacity building in research and technology help
Educational, Research, 24.8 68.1 102.9 promote the shift in society towards democratisa
Intermediary Organisations tion and knowledge-based development. The Federal
Government’s “Transformation Partnership Program
mes” include measures to promote education, voca
I. Research: Expansion of the existing research focus on tional education and training, and research.
the environment to include other research priorities:
bioeconomy, health, societal development, resource This is in addition to consultations on Africa policy
management, transformation and the cross-cutting with the Group of Eight (G8) and the Group of Twenty
topic of innovation. (G20), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD), the United Nations (UN), in par
5
Examples of BMBF Africa initiatives since 2008
The BMBF’s funding calls for sub-Saharan Africa sup
port bilateral and multilateral research partnerships
and study opportunities. 74 projects in 29 countries
have received or receive funding.
Support for cooperation between the Network of
African Science Academies and the German National
Academy of Sciences Leopoldina to raise the profile
of science and research started in 2012.
Participation in multilateral initiatives on the research
policy dialogue and the further development of
research systems and strategic partnerships in the
Mediterranean region (e.g. in the Euro-Mediterranean
ticular with the United Nations Educational, Scientifi
Group of Senior Officials in Research and Innovation
cand Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and its UNEVOC
– EU-Med GSO)
Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and
Training, and the United Nations University (UNU). The German-South African Year of Science 2012/2013
addressed the following global challenges: climate
The BMBF provides important stimulus within the EU change, increasing urbanisation, the scarcity of re
and uses synergies between national and European sources, global food security and global health prob
level initiatives to shape multilateral initiatives1 in in lems. It made it possible to intensify existing coopera
ternational organisations in coordination with strategic tion and establish long-term collaborations.
partners. The BMBF is involved in a broad range of EU
initiatives, including the High Level Policy Dialogue Support for social and political research
(HPLD), an institution of the EU-Africa policy dia on regional integration processes between
logue on science, technology and innovation. It is a the West Africa Institute of the Economic
permanent member of the European-African Secre Community of West African States and the German
tariat, which prepares the biennial HPLD. Center for European Integration Studies (since 2013)
The BMBF signed a declaration of intent on coopera
tion in vocational education and training (VET) with
South Africa’s Department of Higher Education and
Training in 2013. The aim is to make VET in South
Africa more practice-oriented along the lines of
Germany’s dual system.
1 A few high-profile EU projects are referred to in the following pages.
6 THE AFRICA STRATEGY 2014–2018
Tunisia
Morocco
Algeria
Libya
Egypt
Western
Sahara
Mauritania
Mali
Cape Verde
Senegal Niger
Chad Eritrea
Gambia The Sudan
Guinea Burkina Faso
Bissau Guinea
Benin Djibouti
Ghana
Sierra
Leone Nigeria
Côte d'Ivoire
Liberia South Sudan
The Central Ethiopia
Togo African Republic
Cameroon
Somalia
Equatorial Guinea
Uganda
Congo
Gabon Kenya
Rwanda
D.R. Congo
Burundi
Tanzania
Angola
Malawi Mozambique
Zambia
Madagascar
Zimbabwe
Namibia
Botswana
Swaziland
Lesotho
BMBF activities with African South Africa
countries, April 2014
Two highlights of our Africa activities were the BMBF’s The “German-African Cooperation in Education and
Africa Days and the EU-Africa Summit. Both events Research – BMBF Africa Days” took place in Berlin
generated a great deal of dynamic development. from 16–18 March 2014. The event was attended by a
total of 650 participants, nearly 180 of whom repre
sented 38 countries in Africa. On the first two days,
about 450 German and African scientists, government
representatives and other experts came together in
workshops to discuss some of the BMBF’s research
programmes. The workshops were devoted to specific
science and education-related issues and to network
Deutsch-Afrikanische Zusammenarbeit ing among the experts. In addition to specialist dis
in Bildung und Forschung
cussions, the workshops also addressed cross-cutting
Afrika-Tage des BMBF
issues. The resulting final document with recommen
German-African Cooperation
in Education and Research dations was presented to Federal Minister Prof. Dr.
Africa Days of the BMBF Johanna Wanka during the final plenary session on
Coopération germano-africaine 18 March 2014. The results of the workshops and the
en éducation et recherche recommendations of the experts from Germany and
Journées africaines du BMBF
Africa will be taken up in this Africa Strategy.
COOPERATION WITH AFRICA 7
The high level of interest is proof that education participation in the High Level Policy Dialogue and its
and research are a high priority in German-African cooperation with the Federal Foreign Office. In addi
cooperation. tion to their political implications, these activities may
The approach adopted by the BMBF has proven also influence the possibility of receiving funds from
to be on target: previous and current priorities in Europe:
education and research were reaffirmed and defined Typically ‘BMBF’ issues are also issues shared by
in greater detail. the African Union: the joint summit declarations en
Partnership in the truest sense: the strategy was dorsed a roadmap that sets out science, technology
developed with the participation of partners on and innovation as a strategic priority and establishes
both sides and considers both German and African it as a cross-cutting issue.
interests. German expertise in the priority area ‘food security’:
the BMBF actively supported the selection of the
The EU-Africa Summit of European and African heads future first priority topic “Food security and sustain
of state and government took place on 2/3 April 2014 able agriculture” in the framework of European-
in Brussels. The BMBF was strongly involved in the African research collaboration.
preparation of the summit documents through its
Dr. Paul-Martial Ikounga, Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology of the African Union, Former Federal President Prof. Dr. Horst
Köhler and Federal Minister for Education and Research Prof. Dr. Johanna Wanka at the Africa Days of the BMBF
8 THE AFRICA STRATEGY 2014–2018
Contributions made by German educational,
research and intermediary organisations
German educational, research and intermediary organisations have been active on the African continent for many
years, some for more than five decades.
The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH) The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD),
promotes scientific cooperation between outstanding whose first office abroad was established in Cairo
international and German researchers. The AvH has 52 years ago, and another in sub-Saharan Africa (Nai
provided funding to more than 1,200 researchers from robi) in 1973, provides broad-based scholarships and
Africa so far. Kenya and Ethiopia were named as priority cooperation programmes in Africa with funding from
countries for tapping new potential for the expansion of a number of different Federal Ministries. The DAAD
the AvH network in Africa; however, Egypt, Nigeria and also operates four information centres, one each in
South Africa continue to be the strongest partners in the Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana and South Africa. The
exchange of scientists with Africa. The AvH considers DAAD defined three courses of action in its Strategy
scientific quality to be the highest priority for coopera 2020, which will also provide orientation for future
tion with Africa. www.avh.de Africa activities: Scholarships for the Best, Structures of
Internationality and Expertise for Academic Collabora
tions. www.daad.de
The Federal Institute for Vocational Education and The core responsibility of the German Research Asso
Training (BIBB), which is the centre of excellence for ciation (DFG) is to award and provide research funding
vocational research and for the progressive develop to top-class projects led by researchers at universities
ment of vocational education and training in Germany, and research institutions in a competitive procedure.
supports international cooperation primarily through The two most important DFG cooperation programmes
two initiatives. The Central Office for International Vo in Africa to date were launched in 2007 in close cooper
cational Education and Training Cooperation (GOVET) ation with the Volkswagen Foundation: the funding
coordinates the activities of German stakeholders in VET initiative to support German-African collaborative
cooperation abroad on behalf of the Federal Govern projects in infectology and the “Programme Point Sud”
ment. The GOVET is a key factor in the implementation (a workshop series to support North-South and South-
of the strategy paper on the establishment of a one-stop South cooperation). In the area of the humanities and
shop for international vocational training coopera social sciences, one of the priority cooperation program
tion, which the Federal Cabinet adopted in July 2013, mes is “Adaptation and Creativity in Africa - Technolo
under the leadership of the BMBF. Furthermore, the gies and Significations in the Production of Order and
aim of the iMOVE initiative is to promote international Disorder”. In Africa, the DFG has so far signed coopera
cooperation and to facilitate collaborations and business tion agreements with Egypt (1976), Morocco (1986) and
relations in the area of initial and continuing vocational South Africa (1995/1999). www.dfg.de
training. www.bibb.deCONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY GERMAN EDUCATIONAL, RESEARCH AND INTERMEDIARY ORGANISATIONS 9
The FraunhoferGesellschaft (FhG), the largest re The Leibniz Association is a network of 89 indepen
search organisation for application-oriented research dent research institutions. The Leibniz institutes cover
in Europe, employs Senior Advisors who support the the entire range of topics from the natural sciences,
Fraunhofer institutes and their partners in launching engineering and environmental sciences to economics,
cooperation projects in Africa. The FhG’s involvement the spatial and social sciences and the humanities.
consists of contract research, scientific collaboration Some of these institutes collaborate with African
and capacity building and upgrading. The current research partners under cooperation agreements and/
priority countries of Fraunhofer activities in Africa are or projects.
Egypt and South Africa. A Senior Advisor has repre www.leibnizgemeinschaft.de
sented the FhG in Egypt since early 2008. Another
Senior Advisor was appointed in 2013 to look after
the interests of the FhG in South Africa. Exploratory
talks and the first cooperation projects have also been
launched in North and sub-Saharan Africa.
www.fraunhofer.de
Since 2008, the German National Academy of Sciences
(Leopoldina) has represented German science on inter
national academic committees and presents indepen
dent position papers on political and societal issues as
As a national research organisation the Helmholtz part of its science-based policy support activities. The
Association (HGF) develops solutions to the major Leopoldina works in close cooperation with the Acade
challenges facing science, the economy and society. The my of Science of South Africa, the Network of African
Helmholtz Association and its Centres are engaged in Science Academies and other African partners.
many strategic partnerships worldwide. The organisa www.leopoldina.org
tion has been active in African education and research
projects for many years. www.helmholtz.de
The increasingly international outlook adopted by
The 83 Max Planck Institutes of the Max Planck So
Germany’s higher education institutions is also leading
ciety (MPG) carry out basic research in the natural,
to more partnerships with Africa. Subject-specific part
biological and social sciences and humanities in the
nerships are the usual form of partnership, where pro
interest of the general public. The various Max Planck
jects are jointly developed at institute or departmental
Institutes are involved in a large number of projects
level. The German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) stepped
with African partners. www.mpg.de
up collaboration with the South African partner HESA
(Higher Education South Africa) and signed a coopera
tion agreement in 2013. www.hrk.de10
Examples of Africa initiatives
The BMBF’s support for the AvH’s African-German
Network of Excellence in Science (AGNES) is expect
ed to contribute to the debates on educational and
research policy.
The overall number of people in receipt of DAAD sup
port within the framework of German-African coope
ration is rising consistently. In 2014 the number was
10,590 (of whom 6.725 were in sub-Saharan Africa).
Among other things, the BMBF-funded Welcome to
Africa project helps to strengthen the Africa expertise There are 414 university collaborations with sub-
of young German researchers as well as to establish Saharan Africa and 144 with North Africa (source:
and build research collaborations between German Hochschulkompass, February 2014).
and African universities.
In 2012 the Max Planck Society established its first
The Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits re Max Planck research group based in Africa. The new
alised a pioneering project for the entire region with research group of the Max Planck Institute for Infec
the Digital Media Campus radio at the German Univer tion Biology is located at the National Research Insti
sity in Cairo (GUC). tute for Tuberculosis and HIV in Durban, South Africa.
The Helmholtz Centre Potsdam - GFZ German Re The German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina
search Centre for Geosciences is working together with has been cooperating with the Network of African
other Helmholtz Centres and a large number of African Science Academies (NASAC) in a BMBF-funded project
research partners on the INKABA yeAfrica project, since 2011. The main goal of this cooperation is to
which aims to understand Earth system processes and strengthen the African academy network. The coop
their interactions in various spatial and time scales. eration involves the development of knowledge-based
recommendations for policy advice for use by the
Researchers in a BMBF-sponsored pilot project of African academies in their dialogue with national and
the INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials with regional decision-makers. A further goal of the project
Namibia are developing adhesives obtained from nat is to create a network of independent, top-class African
ural resources and using them to produce sustainable scientists in the fields of water, climate research,
building materials. health and life sciences.WHY AN AFRICA STRATEGY? 11
Why an Africa Strategy?
Interest of educational, science and research the advantage of both sides. Countries like China and
institutions in Germany and in Africa other states in Europe are also systematically expand
The experience of recent years has shown that Ger ing their activities in Africa. African scientists are
man higher education institutions, non-university becoming increasingly successful in terms of global
research institutions, intermediary organisations excellence in specialist areas of research and science.
and education providers are very interested in and Many years of trusting cooperation have opened up a
prepared to engage in cooperation with African broad range of possibilities to further develop educa
partners. Their African partners share this sentiment. tion and research for the benefit of both sides.
The “Made in Germany” brand is more than just a
quality seal for German technology products; it also A framework for future initiatives
applies to research, education and German education The BMBF’s cooperation with African countries has
providers working in African countries. developed rapidly, in particular in the last years, and
it now provides a reliable basis for strategic planning.
Taking advantage of opportunities Our aim in introducing the Africa Strategy is to pro
As diverse as the countries on the African continent vide reliable guidance and a framework of reference
are, so too are recent developments. Many countries in not only for ourselves and for the many German
Africa have undergone dynamic societal and economic research, intermediary and other organisations, but
development over the last decade, which is providing also for European and multilateral initiatives and for
ever better conditions for successful cooperation to our African partners.
State Secretary Georg Schütte (front row, centre) visiting the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) in Senegal in 2016.12 THE AFRICA STRATEGY 2014–2018
Visibility, impact and transparency new cooperation areas with emerging countries in
The Federal Government’s 2011 Africa Strategy set Africa by applying and involving new tools and players.
out to raise the visibility of Germany in Africa as a key At the same time, it increases the acceptance and
partner in education and research. The BMBF’s Africa impact of German activities in education and research.
Strategy makes practical recommendations on how to The Africa Strategy lends transparency to our values,
achieve this aim. In addition to development coopera goals and plans in the spirit of open communication
tion in the conventional sense, the Strategy establishes between German and African players in research.
Facts and figures
The average annual GDP growth for Africa as a whole Workshop held by the German-Egyptian Research Fund (GERF) in
Goslar, Germany.
is 4.4%. (African Economic Outlook 2016)
Africa accounts for just 2% of scientific publica
tions published worldwide (2015 figures) despite a The enrolment ratio in higher education was at 8.5
significant increase of 70% in the thirteen years from percent in sub-Saharan Africa and at 32 percent in
2002 to 2015 (source: Scimago Journal&Country Rank North Africa (figures as of 2014, UNESCO Institute of
2016). Statistics).
According to the UNESCO’s Science Report (UNESCO Africa plays a very insignificant role as a place to
Science Report: Towards 2030, 2015), Germany is one study for German students (source: DAAD/DZHW,
of the strongest partner countries for science and 2016).
research cooperation with Africa.
Although the proportion of funded stays in Africa un
The African Union has set an average target of 1% of dertaken by German researchers and academics rose
GDP for expenditure on research and development. steadily from 2.5% in 2005 to 6.7% in 2014 (DAAD/
Most African countries are still a very long way from DZHW, 2016), it is still very low overall.
achieving this.
African students accounted for 9.7% of all foreign
The Association of African Universities lists 362 students attending German universities in 2015.
members in 46 countries (source: AAU, December Among these, the largest groups are from Cameroon
2016). and Morocco (DAAD/DZHW, 2016).PRINCIPLES OF COOPERATION 13
Principles of cooperation
National and international agreements and priorities the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and the
provide the basis for the German-African partnership Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy) are
in education and research. On the German side, this created through interdepartmental coordination on
includes the Federal Government’s Strategy for the African issues, for example the preparation of bilateral
Internationalisation of Science and Research (2008), consultations. Furthermore, all BMBF research and
the BMBF’s High-Tech Strategy 2020 (2010) and its development projects with a total volume in excess of
further development in 2014, the Strategy of the Fe €300,000 are coordinated with other Federal Ministries
deral and Länder Ministers of Science for the Interna from an early stage.
tionalisation of the Higher Education Institutions in
Germany (2013), the Federal Government’s Strategy In the area of research, the BMBF’s main focus is
for Africa (2011), and the guidelines of the Federal on the jointly defined research objectives. However,
Government’s policy on Africa (2014). The Strategy support for capacity building and development in
takes account of specifically African interests in its our partner countries is also a key accompanying
orientation towards developments that occur in the factor, especially because structural weaknesses are
course of the strategic partnership between Europe endemic in African research and innovation systems.
and Africa and under the Consolidated Plan of Action These weaknesses include: low levels of funding for
(CPA, 2005) and its follow-up plan “Science, Technol research, a lack of qualified manpower, widespread
ogy and Innovation Strategy for Africa” (STISA-2024). bureaucracy, poorly developed demand-oriented re
All the African states2 reached agreement on com search, challenges faced in the transfer of knowledge
mon priorities in science policy under the CPA and and technology, and little regional and transnational
STISA-2024. Other pan-African strategies such as the cooperation.
Africa Health Strategy or the Comprehensive Africa
Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) were
also taken into consideration. The BMBF gears re Example of cooperation between German Federal
gional and bilateral cooperation towards the research Ministries: research linked to development
policies and interests of the respective regions and cooperation
countries. In addition, a ‘bottom-up’ flow of sugges
tions, ideas and recommendations from the German Securing the global food supply is a central aim of the
and African researchers – the latest example being the National Research Strategy BioEconomy 2030. The
above-mentioned BMBF Africa Days in March 2014 – BMBF launched the funding initiative “Securing the
helps to fine-tune the cooperation. Global Food Supply” (GlobE) to support the global
development of sustainable, high-output agriculture.
In its Strategy for Africa of 2011, the Federal Govern 30 German research institutions and 70 African
ment attaches special importance to education and partner organisations in 10 countries are involved
research with regard to development-related, technical in GlobE. The instruments of the Federal Ministry
and financial cooperation. A joint agreement signed in for Economic Cooperation and Development are
2008 provided a solid foundation for collaboration with additionally available to support the infrastructure at
the development activities of the Federal Ministry for the international agricultural research centres. This
Economic Cooperation and Development. Links with provides optimal linkages between new and existing
other policy areas and Federal Ministries (in particu German Federal Government activities in the area of
lar the Federal Foreign Office, the Federal Ministry global food supply.
for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building
and Nuclear Safety, the Federal Ministry of Health,
2 With the exception of Morocco, which is not a member of the Afri
can Union.14 THE AFRICA STRATEGY 2014–2018
In the area of education, the BMBF is focussing on to the administrative and financial costs of project
networking with the world’s (future) best. This is why execution and a willingness to take on some coordi
our initiatives attach special importance to promoting nation tasks. Initiatives that aim to make structural
promising researchers and supporting the creation changes in particular must already include a sustain
of excellence hubs. The focus of vocational education able finance plan in the planning phase.
and training is on the provision of well-founded policy
advice which is adapted to local structures. To sum up, the Africa Strategy of the BMBF is based on
the following four principles:
Autonomy and mutual respect are core values of a Creation of added value on both sides through high
reliable partnership. Partnership3 means acceptance quality cooperation and a focus on jointly defined
of different interests when coordinating common topics
objectives. The BMBF grants preference to initiatives Consideration of country-specific African and Ger
that are developed in joint efforts and planned for the man interests
long term. We expect of our partners a commitment Partnership and autonomy in cooperation
to shared responsibility, an appropriate contribution Continuity and reliability in cooperation
The first graduating class of the Pan African University Institute of Water and Energy Sciences (PAUWES) celebrating their degrees in 2016.
3 We comply with the Guide for Transboundary Research Partnerships
of the Swiss Commission for Research Partnerships with Developing
Countries, KFPE.OBJECTIVES 15
Objectives
Objective 1: overcoming global
challenges through joint effort
As the conditions of life in Africa pose great challenges
to the world as a whole, the BMBF is helping to find
sustainable, global solutions that are of mutual benefit.
Global population is on the rise, and so is the demand
for food, energy, water and other resources. Political
systems are in a state of transition. Climate change
calls for adaptation worldwide. The BMBF’s research
and development projects, scientific dialogues, capacity
building measures (e.g. to create human resources or
structures in education and research management),
and networking with regional, continental and global
partners and other initiatives in education, science
from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
and research are helping to develop solutions to global
and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH),
challenges.
through its specialist funding programmes or as part of
scientific and technological cooperation.
Objective 2: creating high-quality and
sustainable, scientific cooperative Objective 3: strengthening regional
structures and continental cooperation
By funding promising young researchers and develop Regional alliances foster the cohesion of societies.
ing structures, Germany is establishing its position as BMBF measures support the continued development
a partner of future new science and industry centres in of regional alliances in Africa and thereby increase the
developing countries and emerging economies in Africa.4 impact of joint initiatives.
High-quality support networks in science and indus The countries of Africa founded the African Union (AU)
try automatically form around centres of excellence. in 2002 to strengthen unity and development on the
Investment in these hubs entails not only strengthe continent. The Regional Economic Communities (REC)
ning their potential and self-help capacities but act as important links between the AU and the African
also building bridges for sustainable cooperation in member states. The AU implements its programmes
research and teaching. The promotion of excellence through the REC. The BMBF supports the development
also advances quality assurance in Africa. The BMBF of regional alliances in Africa by funding regional
supports outstanding scientists at all stages of their initiatives in education and research that demonstrate
careers, the collaboration of excellent research teams, above-average effectiveness and greater visibility. In
institutional networking between German and African addition to support for regional alliances, African part
universities and research institutions as well as the ners are also interested in networking with partners in
joint establishment and expansion of research struc other African countries (South-South cooperation and
tures. This may occur in the form of individual support South-South-North cooperation).
4 In keeping with the Strategy of the Federal Government for the
Internationalisation of Science and Research, 2008, p. 24.16 THE AFRICA STRATEGY 2014–2018
Objective 4: strengthening innovative Objective 5: raising Germany’s
potential and developing markets visibility in Africa as a key partner
in education and research
We want to contribute to prosperity and economic
growth in Germany and in our partner countries in Education and research are significant driving forces of
Africa. economic and societal development in Germany and Af
rica. Germany will position itself as a reliable and visible
Pre-competitive developments are an important basis
partner in the emerging African research and innovation
for innovative products, services and processes in Af
area.
rica; they must be promoted and supported. The con
tinued political stability and steady economic growth This objective is also contained in the Federal
in many African countries will also open new oppor Government’s Strategy for Africa of 2011. The BMBF
tunities for Germany’s industry to further develop its provides funding to measures that showcase German
trade and investment relations. Economic prosperity education and research institutions under the um
will also lead to security and stability on the African brella of the “Germany - Land of Ideas” brand. Many
continent. The BMBF applies various formats of scien research institutions, higher education institutions and
tific and technical cooperation, including cooperation businesses are already representing Germany under
in the sustainable use of raw materials and natural this brand in Africa. Joint marketing campaigns by the
resources, to support the technological development BMBF and stakeholders in education, research and
and establishment of emerging markets. innovation in Germany will be expanded in the future.
These initiatives will cover the areas of research and
innovation, higher education and vocational education
and training.PRIORITY TOPICS 17
Priority topics
The topic ‘environment’ in its many facets in the area The topic of transition has emerged in the course of the
of research is the longest standing subject of coop transformations occurring in North Africa since 2011.
eration between the BMBF and Africa, dating back to Research results supply important services to policy
the mid-1970s. The tradition of strengthening and makers and can strengthen scientific policy advice capa
building human capacities in African partner countries cities in Africa. Scientific policy advice will help in efforts
is just as old. to find solutions to social and economic problems that
are developed and implemented at local level.
Three further joint priority focus areas were developed
based on the Federal Government’s Strategy for the High-quality capacity building is an important part of
Internationalisation of Science and Research (2008) the majority of BMBF initiatives with Africa. In addi
and in keeping with the African Union’s Consolidated tion to individual measures, the BMBF and its African
Plan of Action for Science and Technology (CPA, 2005). partners place special emphasis on structural capacity
They are: health, food security and social development. building and development in order to enable long-term
The topic ‘resource management’ and the cross-cut cooperation. The measures also include cooperation
ting issues of ‘innovation’ and ‘transition’ have been in the use of research infrastructure and the use of
added. The first two topics are based on the Federal non-university research institutions for teaching and
Government’s Strategy for Africa (2011), the German research.
Government’s Raw Materials Strategy (2010) and the
African Union’s follow-up strategy to the CPA known as The thematic priorities are founded on the twin pillars
“Science, Technology and Innovation for Africa” (2013). of research and education.18 THE AFRICA STRATEGY 2014–2018
Pillar 1: research
Priority 1: environment
The environment is the focus of many bilateral and
multilateral research projects. The scope of these pro
jects covers many research areas, which include climate
change, ecosystems, water, environmental technologies,
biodiversity, the protection of natural resources, earth
system science, sustainability in megacities, and many Prof. Dr. Johanna Wanka, Federal Minister of Research and Education,
meets participants of the West African Climate Service Centre (WASCAL)
others. As with all environmental issues, they are of ministerial conference.
global relevance. The BMBF’s framework programme
1 Examples of ‘environment’ projects “Research for Sustainable Development” of 2009 gets to
the heart of the matter. We are assuming responsibility
by leading the way in sustainability research in order,
Regional Science Service Centres
among other things, to work together with the rapid
The BMBF has started to establish ly developing region of Africa to develop and realize
Regional Science Service Centres for opportunities that are of a high technical standard and
Climate Change and Adapted Land ecologically responsible. Over the last decade in parti
Management in Africa together with 15 African cular, Africa has developed increasing expertise in basic
partner countries (Angola, Benin, Botswana, research and applied research on many environmental
Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, subjects, which serves an excellent starting point.
Mali, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, South
Africa, Togo and Zambia). The BMBF will invest
the DAAD with BMBF funding and enables young
€120 million in the establishment and operation
scientists in Namibia and South Africa to obtain
of such centres in West Africa (WASCAL) and
relevant specialist training. Furthermore, the
Southern Africa (SASSCAL). One of the most
programme also offers African students training
important tasks is to train young scientists from
trips on German research ships with experienced
African countries. In all, twenty German scientif
scientists.
ic institutions are involved in the projects under
the coordination of the Universities of Bonn and Sustainable water management (NaWaM)
Hamburg.
With its IWRM funding measure, the BMBF aims
SPACES to test, adapt and develop the concept of Inte
grated Water Resource Management (IWRM) and
The aim of the SPACES programme (Science
the necessary transfer of technology and expertise
Partnerships for the Assessment of Complex Earth
in suitable model regions of a manageable size. The
System Processes) is to carry out scientific coopera
aim is to improve living conditions for people in the
tion projects in southern Africa that will contribute
model regions. At the same time, we are promoting
to the formulation of science-based recommenda
international cooperation in resource management
tions for the management of the Earth’s system and
and strengthening cooperation between science,
the sustainable use and protection of the region’s
government authorities and the private sector.
various ecosystem services. 63 German research
The IWRM measure supports research projects in
institutions and 57 African partner organisations are
Namibia (CuveWaters) and South Africa (MOSA) for
involved in SPACES. This research is supplemented
example.
by the “SPACES Scholarships for Post Graduate
www.cuvewaters.net/Home.5.0.html
Studies in Germany” programme, which is run by
www.iwrm-southafrica.dePRIORITY TOPICS 19
Priority 2: health necessary framework. The Africa Health Strategy
Germany has undertaken to increase its international (2007–2015) highlights the importance of health
commitments in the area of health on many occasions. research in Africa.
Cooperation with African countries in health research
will make it possible to use synergies for the sake of The BMBF is investing in science partnerships with
medical progress and, through joint responsibility, to African countries and is helping the partner countries
develop specific solutions in health care in the partner solve major challenges. At the same time, German
countries. The BMBF funding concept for “Neglected research institutions are to be given an opportunity to
and Poverty-Related Diseases” of 2011 provides the engage in joint research with African partner institu
tions on important topical research issues and com
pete with these against the world’s best.
2 Examples of ‘health’ projects
Research networks for innovations in the health
systems of sub-Saharan Africa will be developed or
EDCTP – European and Developing Countries expanded as of 2016.
Clinical Trials Partnership
The BMBF participates in this European-
African initiative, which focuses on the
clinical development of drugs, vaccines
and diagnostics to fight HIV/AIDS, malaria and
tuberculosis. 45 sub-Saharan countries are part
ners on the African side. Up to the end of 2013, the
EDCTP’s total budget was approx. €600 million, of
which Germany contributed €60-€70 million (ap
prox. €40 million via the German ‘contributions’ to
the EU budget and €20-€30 million via co-funding
from the BMBF). The programme is to be continued
until 2014 with an expanded focus on diseases and
significantly increased commitment.
PDPs – Product Development Partnerships
Low spending power in many African countries
and massive underfunding of the health systems
mean that there are few incentives for the private
sector to market products specifically for people
in these countries. As a result, there is a lack of
suitable drugs and vaccines. The BMBF is providing
€20 million in support of Product Development
Partnerships between 2011 and 2014 in order to
specifically promote the development of low-cost
prevention methods, diagnostic procedures and
drugs. PDPs are non-profit organisations. They are
usually organised as a network of public and private
funding providers, research institutions, small and
medium-sized enterprises, pharmaceutical compa
nies and NGOs.20
Priority 3: bioeconomy
Africa has a strong but very traditional basis for bioecon
omy in Africa. That basis is agriculture, forestry and
3 Examples of ‘bioeconomy’ projects
fisheries. The agricultural sector in Africa generates about
40% of GDP and is thus key to its development.5 Becom GlobE – Global Food Security
ing a broad-ranging, science-based bioeconomy that The GlobE funding initiative includes
includes the use of biomass as a material and a source research projects that are tailored to
of energy can help to bring sustainable growth to the local circumstances and which the
continent. Securing the food supply in the long term will regional partners in Africa consider necessary and
remain a major field of action in the realisation of sus sustainable. The initiative is open to all technolo
tainable bioeconomy in Africa. Many African countries gies and supports both existing networks and the
are showing signs of increasing competition between establishment of new partnerships. 30 German
the production of biomass for various types of use. Any research institutions and 70 African partner orga
conflict in this context must be mitigated. In addition, the nisations in 10 countries are involved in GlobE.
effects of climate change are also shrinking arable land The BMBF is making approx. €42 million available
areas. Countries in which the food situation is already for this initiative and is being supported with an
unstable are particularly affected. The African Union additional €2.4 million from the German Federal
declared 2014 as the year of agriculture and food security Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Develop
in order to implement further measures. The “High Level ment (BMZ) to enable the participation of the in
Policy Dialogues”, an institution of dialogue on science, ternational agricultural research centres in Africa.
technology and innovation between European and Thus, GlobE is also an example of how different
African states, identified the topic of food security as the German Federal Government funding instruments
first priority topic of cooperation. The BMBF played a sig work together.
nificant role in establishing this priority. The long-term
objective is to develop an African-European partnership
within the global bioeconomy.
5 cf German Development Institute: Briefing Paper 1/201121
Priority 4: societal development
The humanities and social sciences in particular 4 Examples of ‘societal development’ projects
reflect the development of a society. These disciplines
provide a wealth of knowledge on cultural, econom WAI – West Africa Institute
ic and historical development as well as on social The BMBF supports this initiative of the
structures. They thus make a meaningful contribution Economic Community of West African
to decisions on current problems and challenges. At States (ECOWAS) for research excellence
the same time, the need for well-founded knowledge on regional issues in West Africa. The knowledge
about other regions around the world is rising steadily. based contributions serve as a basis for government
The demand for expertise in the humanities and so policy decisions in West Africa. Germany’s project
cial sciences goes beyond the provision of short-term partner is the Center for European Integration
advice. Germany must systematically build up its ex Studies (ZEI) in Bonn.
pertise in area studies of the world’s different regions
if it is to keep up with the process of globalisation and Strengthening area studies
remain competitive. The BMBF is also supporting this The BMBF supports the methodological and spe
task under its funding initiative “Strengthening and cialist excellence of, for example, the African area
Advancing Area Studies”. studies being drawn up by two specialist centres at
the Universities of Frankfurt and Bayreuth. German
The humanities and social sciences could play a key and African researchers are working together on
role by providing socio-economic supporting research these, addressing humanities and social science
in topics with a focus on the natural sciences (envi issues in comparative, inter- and trans-disciplinary
ronment, health, bioeconomy, resource management/ perspectives.
raw materials). The translation of research results into
practice can only be successful if social, cultural and
economic background environments have been re
searched adequately and are taken into consideration
in the implementation process.22 THE AFRICA STRATEGY 2014–2018
Priority 5: resource management/raw materials and labour conditions as well as in the area of initial and
Africa is a continent rich in raw materials that have continuing vocational training and applied research to
great potential to help achieve economic prosperity help produce solutions, perhaps in the context of raw
in the source countries. Raw materials are one of the materials partnerships.
priority areas of the Federal Government’s Strategy for
Africa: “Broad-ranging cooperation and raw materials Priority 6: cross-cutting issue ‘innovation’
partnerships, as agreed in the German Government’s More and more states in Africa have established
Raw Materials Strategy, can secure Germany’s supply political stability and enjoy high rates of economic
of energy and raw materials while increasing the state growth. Cooperation will grow along with develop
revenues of the countries supplying materials and ment in these states and thus support the positioning
modernising Africa’s infrastructure and economy.”6 We of our programmes. Our African partner countries have
are receiving an increasing number of enquiries from demonstrated a great interest in the commercialisa
our African partner countries about resource efficien tion of research results. Above all else, it is important
cy or innovative ways to use the raw materials locally. to consider society’s interests and how research can
However, there are still many unanswered questions in help to improve living conditions. There are some
this context, especially in the area of applied research. weaknesses in the links between research and indus
A number of pilot projects in this area have been try and in the communication with governments and
carried out with success. The BMBF therefore plans to society. These weaknesses must be overcome through
foster the development of this still new priority area joint initiatives that are adapted to the specific needs
of research in resource management/ raw materials. of the partner country. One means of achieving this is
Germany can draw on its experience in mining as by providing targeted systemic advice on innovation
concerns environmental protection, safety policy or engaging in innovation dialogues. Germany’s
interest in the innovative potential of products and
services that result from joint research projects is based
Example of a ‘resource management/raw
5 materials’ project
on the following central questions: where is there inno
vative potential? In which areas does it make sense to
join forces with German industry and how can coope
EffSAFound: improvement of energy efficiency
ration take shape? Can any links be made to the Federal
and recycling in South African foundries
Government’s High-Tech Strategy 2020?
The aim of this project, which started in 2013, is
to increase the energy and material efficiency of
South African foundries. This will bring consider
able benefits in the areas of climate protection
6 Examples of ‘innovation’ projects
and resource conservation as well as economic
benefits for South African foundries and German Analysis of innovation systems
foundry equipment suppliers. The participating The BMBF in cooperation with its counterpart min
German companies are small or medium-sized istries in Botswana, Namibia and Zambia commissi
and aim to expand their range of products and oned studies of the innovation structures together
services and to add new international markets. with recommendations for action. These were car
The project is being carried out by four compa ried out by VDI/VDE Innovation und Technik GmbH
nies in Germany, led by IfG Institut für Gießerei with partners in Namibia, Botswana and Zambia.
technik gGmbH in cooperation with three South In 2013, an analysis of the Tunisian innovation
African companies and three foundry organisa system was undertaken as part of Germany’s
tions. Transformation Partnership with Tunisia. The DLR
Project Management Agency carried out an analysis
of cluster and network structures in North African
countries as part of the European MED-SPRING
project in 2013.
6 Federal Government’s Strategy for Africa, p. 15, 201123
high-ranking group of representatives from the min
istries responsible for education and research in Europe
and Mediterranean states. The BMBF plays an active role
in this initiative.
As a result of the objectives and topics identified above,
the priority topic ‘transformation’ is featured in both
Pillar 1 ‘research’ and in Pillar 2 ‘education’ below.
7 Examples of ‘transformation’ projects
Transformation workshop
One of the first exchanges of project ideas and
thematic fields took place at the transformation
workshop held in Cairo on May 2011. One outcome
was an announcement of a call for proposals under
Priority 7: transformation the German-Egyptian Research Fund (GERF).
In particular against the background of the changes
EU projects
that have been taking place since 2011 in the societies
of countries across North Africa, the BMBF will be The main aim of the BMBF’s involvement in the
expanding and intensifying its activities in educa European Union’s BILAT projects with Egypt and
tion, science and research with partners in the region. Tunisia is to support the transformation processes
The aim is to provide sustainable support for the in those countries.
transformation process and to strengthen civil society.
Transformation Partnerships of the Federal
Education, research and innovation are vital factors for
Government
socio-economic transfomation, for creating sustainable
prospects and for constructive, mutually beneficial part Under the ‘Transformation Partnerships’ that were
nership. Besides topics related to applied research, there launched in 2011, Germany supports socio-political
will be a greater focus and involvement in the huma and cultural transition processes. The BMBF has
nities and social sciences. Joint research on innovation contributed numerous ideas for projects in the field
processes, on the role of information and communica of education and research. It is currently cooper
tion technologies in educational matters as well as on ating with the German Federal Foreign Office via
aspects of regional cooperation can thus contribute to the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) on
the development towards knowledge societies. a general survey of the education market in Tunisia
and a project-based exploratory visit and feasibility
To varying degrees, all the countries in transition in study for a German-Tunisian university.
North Africa have fundamental structural weaknesses in
their respective innovation systems as concerns demand
orientation, governance and infrastructure.
Existing bilateral cooperation instruments will be com
plemented by systemic counselling measures to address
this particular problem. Regional and transnational
activities will be added to those that adopt a bilateral
approach. These activities also occur under EU initia
tives such as the Euro-Mediterranean Group of Senior
Officials in Research and Innovation (EU-Med GSO), a24 THE AFRICA STRATEGY 2014–2018
Pillar 2: education Education and Training. Local centres of expertise
oriented towards the topics “Youth and Skills” and
“Greening TVET” will be developed to link up with
Promoting and supporting talented young people and the potential and needs of local populations. The
excellent young research talent are priorities in educa UNESCO’s global structures also serve to advertise
tion at the tertiary postgraduate level. The aim of the the importance and potential of vocational education
BMBF and the German intermediary organisations and training.
DAAD and AvH is to turn ‘brain drain’ into ‘brain gain’.
One way of achieving this aim is to apply international
standards when German research chairs are established Examples of ‘education’ projects
in Africa. This ensures that renowned African researchers
have an incentive to bring their qualifications – often
AIMS –African Institute for Mathematical
acquired abroad – to bear in their own countries and
thus promote development in the region. Particular
Sciences
attention is devoted to supporting equal opportunities Mathematical skills are one of the key
for African women in science. areas of importance for the BMBF’s colla
boration with Africa. The BMBF supports
The BMBF is part of a political dialogue with countries a research chair at AIMS-Senegal. The AIMS – Next
from all over the world in the Bologna Process with Einstein Initiative plans to set up 15 such institutes
the aim of promoting the modernisation of higher in Africa. They will provide high-level training for
education. It encourages the African states to seek this top African postgraduates in mathematics as well as
dialogue and be an active participant. in statistics and IT. The project is being implemen
ted by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
The BMBF supports the efforts of African states to de (AvH) in cooperation with the German Academic
velop a higher education and research area in Africa. Exchange Service (DAAD). The BMBF is planning
to establish further research chairs under a pilot
scheme entitled German Research Chairs.
Structural capacity building is reflected in regional
and pan-African initiatives, such as the Service Centres Training occupations in Egypt
for Climate Change and Adapted Land Management
One part of Germany’s cooperation with Egypt in the
and their attached graduate schools, the German
area of vocational education and training is a pilot
research chair initiative and “Research Networks for
project at the German-Egyptian University in Cairo.
Health Innovations” . German university study courses
A vocational training course in mechatronics has been
abroad promote local capacity building as well as new
offered there since October 2012. This is linked to the
collaborations in teaching and research, while raising
possibility of gaining a bachelor’s degree in automo
the profile of Germany as a place to study. The most tive mechatronics. The project is being implemented
outstanding example of this is the German University in for the BMBF by the German Office for International
Cairo (GUC). Cooperation in Vocational Education and Training
(GOVET) at the Federal Institute for Vocational Educa
The BMBF is focussing its activities on the integration tion and Training (BIBB).
of practice-oriented training modules in the educa
tion systems of African countries that have the basic Vocational training processes
necessary economic structure. However, there are no The vocational training processes supported by
prospects for a market for German education exports the BMBF in its cooperation with UNEVOC are
in many African countries, even in the longer term. In concerned with sustainability at all the levels of
the meantime, a system of providing systemic advice economic development (“Greening TVET”) and
on vocational education and training at political level serve to promote greener practice.
will be developed. This long-term development goal
is part of the collaboration with UNEVOC, UNESCO’s
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