Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — The African Union Commission (AUC) and the African and Malagasy Council for Higher Education (CAMES) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at advancing education, research, and innovation across the African continent. The signing ceremony took place on Tuesday 11^th February 2025 at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, on the eve of the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council scheduled for February 12-13, 2025.

This landmark agreement, signed by the African Union Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, H.E. Prof. Mohamed BELHOCINE, and the Secretary General of CAMES, Prof. Souleymane KONATÉ, marks a new chapter in advancing higher education, research, and innovation across Africa.

The MOU establishes a framework for collaboration between the two organizations to improve the quality of higher education, science, technology, and innovation across Africa. This partnership combines the AU's continental leadership in policy coordination with CAMES' experience in harmonizing higher education standards across its 19 member states in West Africa, Central Africa, the Great Lakes region, and the Indian Ocean region.

The partnership will focus on harmonizing higher education and research policies, ensuring consistent standards across African nations. A key component of this collaboration is the implementation of comprehensive quality assurance and accreditation systems in higher education institutions throughout the continent.

The agreement also provides specific support for the Pan-African University's development, particularly in strengthening its training and research programs and facilitating the accreditation process of its academic offerings. This support aligns with the broader objective of promoting knowledge-based development across AU Member States and establishing stronger links between educational institutions.

Through this three-year partnership, the AUC and CAMES will engage in joint initiatives including technical assistance programs, capacity-building workshops, and regular information exchange. The collaboration will facilitate the sharing of expertise within each organization's structures to strengthen educational and research outcomes. Both parties will work together to conduct studies that address challenges in higher education and develop solutions to revitalize the sector.

The partnership emphasizes the development of specialized knowledge and skills through various capacity-building programs. It includes provisions for organizing seminars, workshops, and training sessions for African experts in fields covered by the MOU. The agreement also establishes channels for sharing relevant documents and information about objectives, programs, and development strategies to ensure coordinated implementation of joint activities.

The signing of this MOU reaffirms the African Union’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with regional and international partners to promote educational excellence and innovation across the continent.