Vision

Our vision was to provide R&IID actors with a comprehensive and smooth Route-to-Market pathway to support increased market uptake of applied research and digital transformation solutions.

Funded by the European Union (Horizon Europe programme), SEADE provided fundamental and tangible support services to the Research and Innovation (R&I) ecosystems of Europe (EU) and Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), undertaking human-centred research, programme development, and pilot actions in Ghana, South Africa Kenya and Senegal. The human-centred approach fostered collaboration, addresses market barriers, and catalyses innovation and entrepreneurship in research and innovation ecosystems.

What we aimed to achieve.

  • Understand the needs of the EU and SSA R&IID stakeholders through a reciprocity-based approach.

    Jan Ertmann - STEINBEIS EUROPA ZENTRUM

  • Review and evaluate the stakeholder needs, alongside the mapping of the wider ecosystem, to propose and deliver further services to increase R&I support and impacts.

    Ninon Duval - BOND’INNOV

  • To valuate the existing research and digital innovation strategies, policies, funding actions, and legacy opportunities for this ecosystem, generating digital dialogue opportunities between the EU and SSA.

    Gideon Brefo-HAPA FOUNDATION

  • Bring a selection of identified EU-funded legacy opportunities together to provide tangible benefits and sustainability for the outcomes, delivered from the beginning of SEADE.

    Abdur Rahim - WAZIUP

  • Safeguard EU research interests in an increasingly internationalised market, by adopting the Team Europe approach to service development and delivery and aligning with the Global Gateway principles

    Charlie Guerin - BOND’INNOV

  • Draw out success stories from across the EU and SSA R&IID ecosystems to explore success criteria and utilise this knowledge to strengthen strategic partnerships through the delivery of pilot actions within four key regions of SSA (Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, South Africa)

    Agyemang Okyere Darko- ASSOCIATION OF AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES

Project Pillars

  • This pillar aims to understand the needs of Research, Innovation, and Industrial Development (R&IID) actors using User Experience Research (UXR), Affinity Mapping, and Network Effects Mapping (NEM). It gathers data to identify themes and analyze relational bonds through interviews, workshops, and surveys. Landscape mapping and stakeholder engagement will also provide contextual insights, leveraging the consortium's expertise to enhance cooperation between Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa and improve European Commission initiatives.

  • This pillar leverages the existing EiAC platform to support actors in the ‘Route-to-Market’ stages by integrating relevant legacy tools and expanding its services. The platform, which currently serves incubators, accelerators, and entrepreneurs, will include a new registration environment for R&I actors called the SEADE Digital Environment. This will provide targeted activities, toolkits, resources, and programmes. Additional content like a jobs board, technology offers, and R&I funding opportunities will enhance collaboration and knowledge exchange. The platform will continuously analyze user engagement to improve its offerings and strengthen cooperation opportunities for R&IID actors.

  • This pillar aims to bridge market knowledge gaps for R&I actors through a structured pathway methodology. Based on EiA project insights, it offers stepped learning to build knowledge, confidence, and networks. Support tools include access to investor funding via EuroQuity and public funding opportunities like INNOWWIDE. The ‘Route-to-Market’ program consists of four steps: bootcamp trainings, webinars, and workshops; short-term Learning Expeditions for initial market exposure; longer-term Soft-Landing Programs for deeper engagement; and a Twinning Program connecting EU and SSA R&I peers. A Digital Innovation Youth Training Programme will also help young entrepreneurs transition their research into market solutions, with findings shared to support new curricula in higher education institutions.

  • This pillar focuses on evaluating and expanding services for R&IID actors in the EU and SSA ecosystems. Based on previous activities and the 'Route-to-Market' program, new criteria and evaluation methods will be developed to enhance service design and implementation. Success stories from R&I cooperation between the EU and SSA will be collected and promoted, with an award for the best story. New and legacy services will be piloted in four SSA regions—West Africa (Senegal and Ghana), East Africa (Kenya), and Southern Africa (South Africa)—to assess impact and gather insights for future exploitation. These efforts aim to meet identified needs and maximize the project's reach and effectiveness.