The African Union Commission and the People’s Republic of China have signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation and closer collaboration in various fields of science and technology. The MoU, signed at the AUC headquarters, was concluded between the Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation of the AU Commission and the Ministry of Science and Technology of China. This was among several high-level engagements and activities organised as part of China-Africa Innovation Cooperation Day. 

China and Africa have maintained long-standing cooperation in science and technology, as evidenced by various frameworks and agreements, including the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the China-Africa Innovation Cooperation Centre (CAICC). The MoU seeks to intensify this cooperation through the co-establishment of science and technology platforms, including joint laboratories, research centres, and partner institutes. It also advocates for joint research projects and exchange programs for scientists, researchers and scholars, as well as activities for training and entrepreneurship.

The ten-year Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA 2025-2034) is the policy and strategic blueprint for harnessing science and technology to accelerate the continent’s socio-economic development. According to the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation of the AU Commission, H.E. Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, the MoU with China will contribute towards the implementation of STISA 2025-2034 and the aspirations of Agenda 2063, for the acceleration of Africa’s transition into a knowledge-based and innovation-driven continent. He believes such a transformation will be enabled through the strategic priorities of STISA 2025-2034, including sustainable partnerships and science diplomacy.

Recent years have witnessed the increase and expansion of various cooperative frameworks between China and the African Union Commission. The Chinese Minister of Science and Technology, H.E. YIN Hejun, discussed the significance of closer ties with Africa, for the collective development of the global South through frontier science and emerging technologies. He underlined the AU Commission’s role as a formidable channel of cooperation with Africa and pledged the Chinese government’s eagerness to expand the scope and depth of its collaboration with the continent through multilateral frameworks and intergovernmental mechanisms.

China-Africa Innovation Cooperation Day was a prelude to the 2025 China-Africa Innovation Cooperation and Development Forum in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, from 19–21 November 2025. It was designed to further align the Wuhan Forum with Africa’s development requirements and deepen the collaboration in science, technology and innovation between China and Africa. Graced by the Minister and the State Minister of Innovation and Technology of Ethiopia, the event was marked by panel discussions and roundtables centred on various cooperation themes such as Technology for Sustainable Development, Green and Smart City Construction, New Energy, and Hazard Prevention and Reduction. 

For further information, please contact:

Adiatou Fatty | Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation | African Union Commission | Email: FattyAj@africanunion.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia