SEADE Twinning Programme – A Recap

The Programme

The Twinning Programme successfully connected eight R&IID actors into five dynamic pairs – each pairing a European and an African organisation. This initiative fostered meaningful partnerships and knowledge exchange across borders.

Diverse and Inclusive Selection

11 Countries were represented: Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Namibia, South Africa, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Germany, Portugal, Spain, and Belgium. 7 sectors were covered: Innovation & Startup Ecosystems, Technology & ICT, Agriculture & AgriTech, Energy & CleanTech, Women’s Economic Empowerment, and Research & Academia.

In-Person Engagement

A standout feature was the funding for on-site visits, enabling deeper engagement and hands-on collaboration. For example, seven twinning participants (the ones on the picture) joined us at the ‘Bridging Continents through Innovation: Africa-Europe Innovation Dialogues’ and the Innovation Fair in Brussels, October 2025.

Positive Feedback

An impressive 92% of participating organisations rated the programme highly for usefulness, relevance, and value. Highlights included: valuable knowledge exchange, strong collaboration with twin institutions, productive, well-structured meetings, significant networking and exposure during visits, clear progress towards joint programmes and future partnerships.