From Research to Real Impact: Building Strategic Partnerships for Sustainable Innovation in Africa

As global challenges intensify, Africa is emerging as a vital partner in shaping a more sustainable, inclusive future. Climate change, energy access, and innovation are no longer separate agendas — they form the foundation of a shared transition. In this context, LGI has chosen to engage in Africa through a collaborative approach: supporting research, building bridges, and turning knowledge into action.

At the heart of this engagement is our co-coordination of LEAP-RE — the Long-term EU-AU Research and Innovation Partnership on Renewable Energy — alongside South Africa’s Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI). This programme is a powerful example of science diplomacy: since 2020, it has brought together more than 250+ partners across both continents, with the aim of advancing research and development in sustainable energy.

LEAP-RE supports projects in key areas such as smart energy systems, renewable integration, clean cooking, green hydrogen and cold chains. These projects are designed to generate knowledge, foster collaboration, and strengthen capacities between Europe and Africa.

But as important as research is, it rarely speaks for itself. There remains a structural gap between scientific results and their uptake by industry, institutions, or local communities. Bridging that gap — connecting R&D with implementation — is where we believe we bring real added value.

A Partner that Connects Research with the Real Economy

As a company with long-standing experience in European and international R&D programmes, our strength lies in our ability to accompany innovation from early-stage research to market relevance. Within LEAP-RE, we contribute in several key areas:

• Coordinating joint activities and co-leading strategic governance
• Acting as a delegated funding agency to operationalize cooperation mechanisms
• Leading the exploitation of project results and identifying opportunities for venture-building & scaling
• Facilitating market dialogue and brokerage, linking researchers, industrial players and policy stakeholders
• Supporting capacity building and stakeholder engagement across diverse contexts

These are not add-on services — they are part of our core mission: to make innovation more impactful by connecting it with those who can implement and invest in it.
Looking ahead, the 4th LEAP-RE Call for Projects, expected at the end of 2025, will provide new opportunities to strengthen this dynamic. With a solid track record and an extensive network, we aim to support future consortia in unlocking the full potential of their research efforts.

Beyond Energy: Building Synergies for Long-Term Sustainability

Our activities in Africa extend beyond the energy sector. We are also involved in R&D and innovation projects that address other major sustainability challenges, including:

• Sustainable value chains for critical raw materials — helping to develop transparent, localised models aligned with global transition needs
• Climate services and adaptation strategies — supporting evidence-based decision-making and territorial resilience
• Nature-based and inclusive solutions — exploring how ecosystems and communities can co-benefit from well-designed projects
  Through our participation in platforms such as the African Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Forum (Kampala, 7-8 April 2025), we continue to learn, share, and stay connected to evolving priorities on the continent.

Acting with Purpose, Delivering with Precision

Our engagement is guided by both conviction and competence. We believe that strong partnerships begin with listening, mutual respect, and long-term commitment — but they are sustained by clarity of purpose, operational excellence, and a shared focus on impact.
Africa is not just a region where we work — it is a region we choose to engage with, strategically and respectfully, as part of a broader ambition: to support innovation that matters, and to build bridges between ideas and implementation.

LEAP-RE in numbers