Project

Overview

DIGITAfrica is a Horizon Europe Coordination and Support Action (HORIZON-CSA) project that aims to lay the foundations for a comprehensive pan-African research infrastructure (RI) in Digital Sciences. The project, officially named “DIGITAfrica, Towards a comprehensive pan-African research infrastructure in Digital Sciences” and also referred to by its acronym DIGITAfrica, has the project number 101187966.

The project is driven by the recognition of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) as a critical priority sector for Africa’s socio-economic development and growth, as outlined in the African Union’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA-2024). STISA-2024 emphasises the need to strengthen research infrastructures, enhance professional and technical competencies, and promote entrepreneurship and innovation. DIGITAfrica directly responds to the objective of fostering EU-Africa cooperation in Research Infrastructures within the domain of ICT. The project seeks to prepare the transformation of this partnership into a sustained research initiative in common strategic fields.

DIGITAfrica brings together a consortium of partners from five African Union (AU) countries, seven countries from the European Union (EU) and one partner from Switzerland. The African partners are Strathmore University (Kenya), Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar (Senegal), Université de la Manouba (Tunisia), Université de Ngaoundéré (Cameroon), and University of Cape Town (South Africa). These partners represent diverse African contexts and have strong backgrounds. The EU partners include Sorbonne Université (France), Barcelona Supercomputing Center (Spain), Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (Italy), Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et Automatique (France), Université de Thessalie (Greece), Technische Universität Berlin (Germany), and Universiteit van Amsterdam (Netherlands). Notably, the EU partners coordinate the first two ESFRI DIGIT RIs dedicated to Digital Sciences (SLICES and SoBigData), and DIGITAfrica aims to exchange experiences with them. Additionally, Mandat International (Switzerland) is an associated partner.

The project’s objectives include co-constructing a comprehensive strategy for a pan-African RI in Digital Sciences, enhancing community building in Digital Sciences, developing capacity building in Digital Sciences, enhancing female and young researchers’ learning and participation, creating a BluePrint cooperation platform, and defining a sustainable path for the DIGITAfrica RI. To achieve these objectives, DIGITAfrica is structured into seven work packages (WPs):

WP1: Needs and Gaps. This WP aims to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the African environment to identify relevant communities, existing capacities, and opportunities.
WP2: Initial design and deployment. This WP focuses on gathering information to define an initial design and deployment recommendation for the RI.
WP3: African RI BluePrint. This WP aims to establish the foundation for robust services and develop the BluePrint of an African RI. As discussed in our previous conversation, the BluePrint is a central concept that will be developed iteratively.
WP4: Capacity building and education. This WP focuses on developing a competence-based approach to capacity building in Digital Sciences.
WP5: Sustainability. This WP aims to identify the conditions, requirements, and opportunities to sustain the project’s work and define a pathway towards a pan-African DIGIT RI.
WP6: Dissemination, Exploitation and Communication. This WP is responsible for raising awareness, including stakeholders, and disseminating the project’s potential and value. This WP also includes the development of the Data Management Plan (DMP), which, as we discussed previously, has a deadline of month 6.
WP7: Management. This WP ensures the efficient and smooth management of the DIGITAfrica project.

The expected impact of DIGITAfrica includes contributing to a digitally transformed African continent for prosperity and inclusivity and moving with Europe towards a shared twin green and digital transition agenda. The project anticipates enhancing Digital Sciences skills, research capacities in Africa, and Euro-African cooperation in R&I. Ultimately, DIGITAfrica aims to serve as a cornerstone of Euro-African cooperation in Research and Innovation within the Digital Sciences domain.

Objectives

#1

Co-construct a comprehensive strategy to structure a Pan-African RI in digital sciences

This objective focuses on creating the foundation for a pan-African research infrastructure (RI) in digital sciences. It aims to establish a strategic dialogue with representatives from African, European, and national institutions and industries to build partnerships. Leveraging existing cooperation among EU and AU partners, DIGITAfrica aims to be a cornerstone for Euro-African collaboration in digital research and innovation.

#2

Enhance community building in digital sciences

This objective aims to strengthen research communities across Africa in the field of digital sciences. By building on existing African Union initiatives, it will foster connections between African researchers and European Research Infrastructures, creating opportunities for collaboration in education and innovation. It will also set up regional expertise centres that will connect with corresponding EU hubs.

#3

Develop capacity building in digital sciences

This objective aims to create a tailored approach to developing digital skills and competences in Africa, particularly focusing on AI, data, and digital literacy. Using European best practices and resources, the project will promote educational initiatives designed to meet the unique needs of African researchers and students.

#4

Enhance female and young researchers’ learning and participation

DIGITAfrica is committed to increasing the participation of women and young researchers in Africa’s digital research landscape. This objective includes promoting innovative educational programs and digital literacy initiatives at an early age to empower the next generation of researchers and innovators.

#5

Set up a playground and demonstrate the Proof of Concept (PoC)

This objective aims to establish a digital playground where African and European researchers can collaborate on technical projects. The platform will provide tools and environments for research and serve as a space to test the concept of a shared research infrastructure between Europe and Africa.

#6

Define a sustainable path for DIGITAfrica RI

Sustainability is key for the success of any research infrastructure. This objective will outline a long-term strategy for maintaining and evolving the pan-African research infrastructure, including governance, joint investment strategies, and policy dialogues with stakeholders.

Expected Outcomes

#1

Enhanced Learning, Knowledge, and Skills in Digital Sciences

The project will contribute to increasing digital skills in Africa by improving access to digital infrastructure and promoting digital literacy, with a particular focus on young and female researchers. It aims to enhance education in digital sciences through both initial and lifelong learning, and to address key sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and education through digital solutions.

#2

Enhanced Research Capacities in Africa

The project aims to strengthen research infrastructure and human capacity in Africa by creating a network of regional expertise centres and promoting joint research initiatives between Africa and Europe. Open access to research outputs and collaboration across borders will be a key feature.

#3

Strengthened Euro-African Cooperation in Research and Innovation (R&I)

DIGITAfrica will facilitate dialogue between key EU-AU stakeholders to develop joint strategies and investment plans. It will promote cross-continental research collaborations and integrate African institutions into broader EU networks.