Newsroom

EU and Nigeria Open Negotiations on Bilateral Science & Technology Cooperation Agreement

On 23 February 2026, the European Commission and the Federal Republic of Nigeria officially opened negotiations for a bilateral Science & Technology Cooperation Agreement.

The agreement aims to strengthen research and innovation collaboration in line with the 2023 EU–Nigeria Strategic Dialogue and the AU–EU Innovation Agenda (2023–2033).

Nigeria’s participation in Horizon Europe continues to grow, with:

• 55 funded Horizon Europe projects
• 65 Nigerian participations
• ~€20 million secured
• 12 EDCTP3 projects (~€75 million total value)

Key thematic areas include:

✔ Global health
✔ Food systems
✔ Agriculture
✔ Environment

This aligns strongly with Horizon Europe Cluster 6 priorities and the Global Gateway strategy.

Why This Matters for the EU R&I Ecosystem

A bilateral S&T Agreement is not symbolic — it is strategic.

It enables:

• Long-term co-design of research agendas
• Stronger African participation in EU frameworks
• Innovation ecosystems alignment
• Policy-level coordination
• Science diplomacy consolidation

Nigeria becomes the sixth African country with which the EU negotiates such an agreement, joining Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, South Africa and Tunisia.

This signals a clear geopolitical commitment to Africa as a strategic research partner.

The Opportunity Ahead

For European research institutions, SMEs, innovation hubs and policymakers, this development:

• Expands consortium-building opportunities
• Strengthens Africa–EU cooperation under Horizon Europe
• Enhances impact pathways for global challenges
• Creates opportunities under Cluster 6, Global Health, Climate and Governance calls

At SITES, we view EU–Nigeria cooperation as a catalyst for:

• Sustainable food systems transformation
• Circular bioeconomy collaboration
• Climate resilience innovation
• Governance and digital transition partnerships

Science diplomacy is becoming a pillar of sustainable development.

And EU–Nigeria cooperation is entering a new chapter.

SITES Launches Horizon Europe Mapping Service to Empower Global Research & Innovation Collaboration

Sustainable Innovation Technology Services (SITES Ltd) is proud to officially introduce its Horizon Europe Mapping Service 2026, a strategic initiative designed to support organisations, researchers, and innovators worldwide in navigating the European research and innovation funding landscape.

🔗 Discover the service:
https://sinnovations.org/sites-horizon-mapping/?preview_id=7855&preview_nonce=e5710ae340&preview=true

📄 Download
https://sinnovations.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/SITES-HE-Mapping-2026-.pdf

🌍 A Gateway to Horizon Europe Opportunities

With Horizon Europe representing one of the world’s most competitive and impactful funding programmes, SITES aims to simplify access and enhance participation through a structured, data-driven mapping approach.

This service is designed to:

• Identify relevant funding opportunities aligned with organisational strengths
• Support strategic positioning within Horizon Europe priorities
• Facilitate consortium building and partner matchmaking
• Enhance proposal competitiveness and long-term engagement

🤝 Open to Global Collaboration

SITES invites:

• European institutions
• International organisations
• SMEs and startups
• Universities and research centres
• Independent researchers and innovators

to collaborate and benefit from this service.

Whether you are new to Horizon Europe or looking to strengthen your participation, the SITES Horizon Europe Mapping provides a clear pathway from idea to funded project.

👥 Led by SITES Experts

This initiative is developed and delivered by the SITES team, with key contributions from:

• Leonardo Piccinetti – Managing Director, SITES Ltd
• Donatella Santoro – Innovation & Project Management Expert
• Irina Vitchinka – Research & Innovation Specialist

Their combined expertise ensures a high-quality, practical, and impact-driven approach to EU funding engagement.

🚀 From Mapping to Impact

At SITES, we believe that access to funding should not be a barrier—but an opportunity.

Through this service, we aim to:

• Strengthen international research collaboration
• Empower organisations to enter EU ecosystems
• Accelerate innovation and sustainable development globally

📩 Interested in collaborating or accessing the service?
Get in touch with SITES and start your Horizon Europe journey today.

SITES Strengthens Europe–Africa Research Collaboration at Nigerian British University

SITES Ltd continues to expand its international outreach and capacity-building efforts through active engagement with emerging research communities. In this context, Leonardo Piccinetti, Managing Director of SITES Ltd, delivered a comprehensive presentation at Nigerian British University, focusing on funding and collaboration opportunities within the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme.

The event was organised in close collaboration with Dr Trevor Omoruyi (PhD) from Chester College (England), bringing together a highly engaged audience of Master’s and PhD students, Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs), and academic staff interested in strengthening their participation in international research and innovation initiatives.

Advancing Knowledge on Horizon Europe Opportunities

During the session, Leonardo provided a strategic overview of the Horizon Europe framework, highlighting its key priorities and its role in fostering global collaboration. Particular attention was given to the growing importance of Europe–Africa partnerships, emphasizing how African institutions can actively engage in EU-funded projects.

Participants gained practical insights into:

• Building strong and competitive research consortia
• Navigating Horizon Europe funding mechanisms
• Positioning institutions and researchers for successful participation
• Exploring pathways for long-term international collaboration

Leonardo also introduced future cooperation opportunities with SITES Ltd, including participation in projects, internships, and capacity-building initiatives designed to support emerging researchers.

Empowering Early-Career Researchers

A standout moment of the event was the contribution of SITES interns Nasiru Inuwa and Jeny Edward, who shared their personal journeys and experiences working within European-funded projects. Their testimonials offered valuable, real-world perspectives on how early-career researchers can access international opportunities, develop professional skills, and contribute to impactful innovation ecosystems.

Their participation added a dynamic and relatable dimension to the session, inspiring attendees to actively pursue cross-border collaboration and research excellence.

Fostering Dialogue and Future Collaboration

The presentation sparked an engaging discussion, with participants raising thoughtful questions on funding access, partnership development, and career pathways in international research. This interactive exchange highlighted the strong interest and readiness of African researchers to engage more deeply with European programmes.

Building Bridges for Sustainable Impact

This initiative marks another important step in strengthening research and innovation bridges between Europe and Africa. Through such activities, SITES Ltd reinforces its commitment to:

• Capacity building and skills development
• Knowledge exchange across regions
• Empowering the next generation of researchers
• Promoting inclusive and sustainable innovation ecosystems

SITES remains dedicated to supporting global collaboration and enabling researchers and institutions to unlock new opportunities within the European research landscape.

SITES Welcomes Jeny Edward as New Internship Trainee

(SITES) is pleased to welcome Jeny Edward as our newest internship trainee, joining us from the University of Chester (United Kingdom).

Jeny is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Management of Information Systems and Digital Innovation within the Faculty of Computer and Engineering Sciences. Her academic background reflects a strong interdisciplinary profile, combining technology, innovation strategy, and digital transformation.

During her internship period (February 2026 – September 2026), Jeny will contribute across several strategic areas, including:

• Research & Analysis
• Project Management
• Communication & Dissemination
• EU Funding & Horizon Europe
• Sustainability & Circular Economy
• Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Jeny describes herself as:

“Creative problem-solver with roots in architecture, product design, and digital strategy. I bring technology, data, and human-centred design to craft ethical, meaningful experiences. During my placement at SITES, I contribute to EU projects, proposal development, and innovation research while exploring emerging technologies and digital transformation.”

Her interdisciplinary mindset and strong interest in EU-funded innovation projects align perfectly with SITES’ mission to bridge research, sustainability, and impact-driven innovation.

Through our SITES Future Talents Programme, we continue to host international trainees who actively contribute to Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, and innovation-driven initiatives while gaining hands-on experience in European project management.

We warmly welcome Jeny to the SITES team and look forward to her contributions to our growing innovation ecosystem.

SITES Delivers SMART4ENV Capacity Building Webinar Series to Strengthen Project Management & Innovation Skills

SITES has successfully completed a comprehensive capacity building webinar series within the SMART4ENV Horizon Europe project, supporting researchers and project managers at TÜBİTAK MAM in strengthening their skills in project management, technology transfer, industry collaboration, and intellectual property management.

Delivered under WP4 – Task 4.3, the training programme was designed to provide practical, hands-on knowledge that can be immediately applied to research and innovation activities.

📚 What we delivered

Over the course of the programme:

• 6 online sessions were conducted
• 38 unique participants from TÜBİTAK MAM engaged
• Sessions combined practical tools, real-life case studies, and guided exercises
• Training materials were shared to ensure long-term institutional impact

The series covered:

• How to read and interpret Horizon Europe calls
• Building competitive, call-based consortia
• Technology Transfer Office (TTO) functions
• Industry collaboration strategies
• Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) case studies
• Financial management and AMGA vs CA essentials

🎯 Building sustainable capacity

The objective was not only to transfer knowledge but to empower participants with actionable skills — enabling stronger proposal preparation, improved research exploitation, and more effective collaboration with industry partners.

By combining theory with applied exercises and real scenarios, the sessions helped participants translate Horizon Europe rules into day-to-day practice.

🤝 Our role

The programme was delivered by Irina Vitchinka, Capacity Building Specialist at SITES, who guided participants through interactive discussions and tailored examples directly relevant to their work environment.

This activity reinforces SITES’ commitment to supporting research excellence, knowledge transfer, and sustainable innovation ecosystems across Europe.

We are proud to contribute to strengthening SMART4ENV’s scientific and institutional capacity for tackling climate and environmental challenges.

Sustainable Innovation Technology Services (SITES) is proud to announce its scientific contribution to the newly released international book Industry 4.0 and Sustainability – Integrating Digital Technologies and Circular Models for a Sustainable Future, published by Elsevier.

Chapter 22, titled “Barriers, Best Practices, and Guidelines for Implementation,” features Leonardo Piccinetti (CEO, SITES) among the contributing authors, highlighting SITES’ expertise in translating digital innovation into real-world sustainable impact.

The chapter addresses one of today’s most critical challenges:
How organizations can successfully implement Industry 4.0 technologies while overcoming technical, organizational, and sustainability barriers.

It provides:

• Practical implementation guidelines
• Proven best practices
• Real-world case studies
• Strategies to bridge innovation and sustainability

This contribution reflects SITES’ long-standing commitment to:

• Sustainable digital transformation
• Industry 4.0 adoption
• Circular economy integration
• Innovation management for SMEs and research ecosystems

By sharing applied knowledge and implementation frameworks, SITES continues to support companies, researchers, and policymakers in moving from strategy to action.

This publication strengthens SITES’ growing scientific footprint and reinforces its role as a trusted partner for sustainable innovation across Europe and beyond.

📘 Publication: Industry 4.0 and Sustainability (Elsevier, 2026)
👤 CO-Author: Dr. Leonardo Piccinetti – CEO-SITES
🔬 Chapter 22: Barriers, Best Practices, and Guidelines for Implementation

👉 Learn more about SITES Library: https://sinnovations.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Khan-ISS-IS-1635428.pdf