FA(ST)2Africa
Africa is rich in natural resources, but faces major challenges from the consequences of climate change and the associated extreme weather events. At the same time, the continent's population will grow rapidly by 2050. Residents need secure access to education, energy, clean water, food and medicine.
With the start of the FA(ST)2Africa project, Africa-related research and scientific activities at KIT are intended to be made visible and expanded. KIT's strategy is to gain sustainable insights through interdisciplinary approaches and close collaboration with local partners that contribute to overcoming the challenges.
FA(ST)2Africa is an association of KIT institutes that carry out Africa-related research and scientific activities. The network aims to coordinate and further develop activities through its work. Especially in the research areas of energy, water, raw materials and climate, there are collaborations and work at KIT that provide a basis for innovative research approaches.
The aim of FA(ST)2Africa is to increase the impact of research and teaching and to encourage other actors to undertake projects and collaboration. Interdisciplinary debates on current scientific topics should be organized, and national and international networking and cooperation should be initiated. In this way, FA(ST)2-Africa not only creates funding and career opportunities but also contributes to the scientific profile of KIT.
Participants of the FA(ST)2Africa Networking Meeting in Nairobi draw a positive conclusion. They agree that global challenges can only be addressed through global collaboration.
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A second FA(ST)2Africa networking workshop in Nairobi brought together partners from East Africa and KIT in December 2025 to discuss new perspectives for scientific collaboration.
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In December 2025, project coordinator Dr. Marlon Maranan traveled to West Africa to further strengthen scientific partnerships and academic training in the field of climate adaptation. His visit included the partner university in Akure, Nigeria, and a strategic NetCDA workshop in Lomé, Togo. The focus was on teaching, early-career researcher support, and long-term capacity building. The trip highlights how climate research, education, and international cooperation come together on the ground.
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With the FA(ST)2Africa short-term fellowships, KIT promotes research stays and exchanges with partner institutions in sub-Saharan Africa. Excellent scientists and administrative staff can be invited for stays of up to three months. The aim is to initiate or expand joint projects in research, teaching and strategic cooperation. The next submission date is 16 February 2026.
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From October 6 to 8, 2025, representatives of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) met with partners from southern Africa in Stellenbosch to discuss joint research priorities and future cooperation strategies.
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TECH4Transition is a KIT project within the framework of FA(ST)2Africa. The aim is to promote technology-oriented start-ups in Africa and strengthen their visibility in international markets. The focus is on establishing transnational innovation networks, sustainable partnerships and the development of sustainable solutions at the interface between science, business and society.
MoreProject team
| Fink, Andreas | Project lead | andreas fink ∂does-not-exist.kit edu |
| Helmschrot, Jörg | Project coordinator | joerg helmschrot ∂does-not-exist.kit edu |
| Kohler, Pascale | Project lead | pascale kohler ∂does-not-exist.kit edu |
| Maranan, Marlon | Project coordinator | marlon maranan ∂does-not-exist.kit edu |
| Marburger, Heike | Communication | heike marburger ∂does-not-exist.kit edu |
| Nyarige, Justine | Project coordinator | justine nyarige ∂does-not-exist.kit edu |
| Shopitan, Mary | Student research assistant | mary shopitan ∂does-not-exist.kit edu |
| Vanzo, Davide | Project coordinator | davide vanzo ∂does-not-exist.kit edu |