The "Academia Partnerships Africa-France" (PeA) program

The aim of the “Academia Partnerships Africa-France” (PeA) program is to forge long-term academia partnerships based on mutually beneficial relationships, knowledge- and experience-sharing, mobility in both directions, and common training pathways that help enhance the national, regional and international outreach of African and French higher education institutions.

The program

The PeA is a program of academic partnerships between Africa and France, financed by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) via Agence Française de Développement (AFD). Its implementation is being supported by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESR), the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR) and Campus France.

Launched in 2020, this program aims to support projects run jointly by African and French higher education institutions. Together, they are working to:

Create professional Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate programs delivered in Africa, to develop the sustainable development skills required in these countries,
Forge closer links between universities and companies to create employment for students and develop socioeconomic sectors that are a priority for the countries concerned,
Promote access and academic achievement for young women and those most alienated from higher education.

On the ground, the PeA supports the creation of new academic programs, the installation of technical facilities, two-way exchanges between teaching and research staff, support for innovation and student entrepreneurship, as well as the development of partnerships with companies and professionals.

THE CREATION OF A HIGHER EDUCATION ECOSYSTEM...

The PeA connects academic communities in Africa and France, along with stakeholders from the economy and civil society. The circulation of knowledge, ideas, and talent fosters mutual enrichment while strengthening the national, regional, and international reach of higher education institutions.

...TO SERVE THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGs)

The PeA program is contributing to all of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Among the program’s key objectives: ensuring quality education (SDG 4), providing access to training that leads to decent employment (SDG 8), reducing inequalities in access to higher education (SDG 10), achieving gender equality (SDG 5) and establishing effective, inclusive partnerships built on shared values and principles (SDG 17). All of the other SDGs are also covered as a result of the diverse range of socioeconomic sectors being developed by these projects, and the young people who receive training will develop the solutions of tomorrow.

The projects selected

With three editions to date, the PeA supports 18 projects across 11 African countries (Benin, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Chad, and Togo). By the end of the program, more than 5,700 students will be enrolled each year in the supported training programs.