Angola: a new stage for the Francophonie in science with the AUF
The Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) continues its expansion in Southern Africa with a key mission to Angola. Led by Prof. Aïssatou Sy-Wonyu, AUF Regional Director for Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean (DRAAOI), the visit strengthened relations with Angolan authorities and opened up new prospects for Francophone university cooperation in this fast-developing Portuguese-speaking country.
For several years now, the AUF has been pursuing an active policy of cooperation with Portuguese-speaking African countries. After opening a Centre d'Employabilité Francophone (CEF) in Cape Verde, the organization inaugurated a new CEF in Angola in 2024, during the international finals of the "Mon idée-Mon entreprise" competition. One year on, Prof. Sy-Wonyu's visit was intended to consolidate this presence, open up new prospects and strengthen regional scientific cooperation.
A mission at the heart of regional strategy
" The aim of the visit to Angola was to exchange views with the Minister of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, and explore avenues for collaboration. The aim was to strengthen the AUF's legal base in the country, to consolidate the foundations of the young Centre d'Employabilité Francophone (CEF) and toexpand the AUF network by bringing in new institutions ", explains the Regional Director. The challenge is to build a space for Francophone scientific collaboration and cooperation in a region undergoing rapid change.
Three days of strategic exchanges and meetings
From May 28 to 30, 2025, the Director of the DRAAOI held a series of institutional and academic meetings.
On the first day, a high-level meeting was held at the Ministry, attended by His Excellency Professor Albano Vicente Lopes Ferreira and his colleagues from the legal department, as well as the Rector of theUniversité Agostinho Neto de Luanda, Professor Pedro Magalhaes, and Dr. Oumar Diallo, AUF Representative for Lusophone Africa. On the same day, participation in a cocktail party in honor of the daughter of Alioune Blondin Bèye, a key figure in the negotiations that led to the peace agreement putting an end to the Angolan civil war, served as a reminder of the importance of dialogue for peace and cooperation.
On May 29, exchanges with the Association Institut Piaget d'Angola and the Institut Supérieur des Sciences de l'Education de Luanda (ISCED) resulted in a strong expression of interest on the part of the two organizations. a strong expression of interest on their part to join the AUF network, paving the way for new memberships. Finally, on May 30, a visit to Benguela's Katyavala Buila University initiated promising exchanges with its steering committee.
A promising future for the Francophonie in science
The outlook is very encouraging. " We have received a very warm welcome fromall our contacts, who are delighted with the launch of the AUF's activities in Angola, as well as our participation in thefestivitiesmarking the fiftieth anniversary of Angola's independence.s fiftieth anniversary of the country's independence, notably through the co-organization of a skills-building workshop foryoungresearchers ", stresses Prof. Aïssatou Sy-Wonyu. This new initiative illustrates the AUF's strong commitment to young local scientists.
For the DRAAOI and the entire French-speaking network in Southern Africa, this dynamic promises to have great spin-offs, in the service of innovation, employability and the influence of the scientific Francophonie.
Source: www.auf.org/
