News

Europe’s largest research and innovation programme, Horizon Europe, has officially opened new avenues for Botswana’s researchers following the country’s first National Horizon Europe Information Day, co-hosted by the University of Botswana’s Office of Research and Development (ORD), Ministry of Communications and Innovation (MCI), European Union (EU) Delegation to SADC, EU Delegation to the African Union and EURAXESS Africa.

Held on t ofhe 2nd December 2025 at the UB Conference Centre, the event introduced local researchers, innovators, policymakers, NGOs, companies and SMEs to new opportunities for international funding, collaboration, mobility and capacity development under the EU’s EUR 100-billion research programme.

In welcoming participants, UB Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris, described the occasion as a milestone that reflected Botswana’s ambition to establish itself as a competitive player in global knowledge production.

He noted that the engagement was not only informative but strategic, offering a platform to deepen collaboration, strengthen research output and advance projects that aligned both with national priorities and global development goals.

Assistant Minister of Communications and Innovation, Hon Shawn Nthaile, echoed the same sentiment, stating that Botswana stood at a critical moment in its socio-economic progression where innovation, empirical evidence and cross-border collaboration were essential.

He emphasised that science diplomacy and research partnerships had proven effective in driving innovation, pooling expertise and unlocking additional resources to address complex global challenges.

Deputy Ambassador of the European Union to Botswana, Martin Jornrud, highlighted that Botswana was invited to participate in global research endeavours that pushed the frontiers of science and technology.

He stressed that such collaborations had the potential to catalyse Botswana’s transformation by combining local insights with European expertise to tackle climate change, improve healthcare and advance sustainable development.

Minister-Counsellor for Science, Technology and Innovation at the EU Delegation to the African Union, Dr Laurent Bochereau, elaborated on the structure of Horizon Europe, emphasising its commitment to scientific excellence, global challenges and innovation, and demonstrating how Botswana’s researchers can access its broad range of funding and partnership opportunities.

Closing the event, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Innovation, Mr Cicel Masiga, affirmed that Botswana was actively seeking partners to support its transition into a digital and knowledge-based economy, noting that research and innovation were central to this transformation.

The Horizon Europe Information Day, therefore, marked an important step towards integrating Botswana’s research community into global scientific networks and unlocking new pathways for impactful international collaboration.