High-level dialogue in Brussels explores advancing open science in Africa
Date: 2025-12-18
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
A
high-level dialogue on Open Science in Africa has been convened by the French
Research Institute for Development (IRD), in collaboration with UNESCO, the
European Commission, and the African Union. The dialogue brought together
leading voices from the research and innovation ecosystem across Africa and
Europe.
The
discussions highlighted the potential of Open Science to strengthen the
excellence, visibility, and accessibility of African research, while addressing
persistent gaps such as limited journal platforms, under-representation in
major indexing databases, and inequalities in access to scientific information.
Key
topics included equitable access to knowledge, improved data sharing, and
stronger scientific cooperation as critical tools for tackling global
challenges ranging from climate disruption to future health crises.
The
event featured a keynote address by Professor Hanae Lrhoul, three panel
sessions examining policies, collaborative models, and funding strategies, and
presentations on European and African initiatives, including the EU-funded
ALMASI project, which aims to support a sustainable, non-profit scholarly
communication ecosystem across Africa, Europe, and Latin America. Participants
emphasized the importance of Diamond Open Access, shared infrastructures, and
the development of African-led research platforms.
Building
on the recent AU–EU Dialogue on Science Diplomacy, the event reaffirmed a joint
commitment to strengthening Europe–Africa cooperation in Open Science, marking
a significant step toward a more inclusive, transparent, and equitable global
scientific ecosystem.
