How the European Union partners with South Africa on scientific research

On 13 March 2025, President Ursula von der Leyen and President António Costa attended the eighth bilateral Summit between the European Union and South Africa in Cape Town. The Summit offered an opportunity to reaffirm Europe’s commitment to its unique bilateral relationship with South Africa and reinvigorate the two parties’ strategic partnership in multiple fields, including in scientific research.

Bringing innovative cancer treatments to South African patients

In the context of the Summit, the JRC and the South African Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure (NuMeRI) signed a collaboration agreement that will help South African hospitals accelerate the diagnosis and treatment of cancer through advanced medical imaging, targeted therapies, production of medical radioisotopes, and the organisation of training courses.

The JRC collaborates with the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria since 2017, providing expertise and materials for the treatment of patients with prostate cancer and neuroendocrine tumours with a technique called targeted alpha therapy. Through this collaboration, more than 400 South African cancer patients have been successfully treated, often with life-saving results.

The new agreement broadens the scope of this collaboration, giving new hope to more cancer patients across South Africa.

Collaboration on nuclear research

The EU and South Africa also cooperate on nuclear research for civil uses. An agreement between Euratom and the Government of South Africa to facilitate scientific and industrial cooperation in this field is in place since 2012. The cooperation may include research and development on nuclear energy, nuclear safeguards, nuclear safety, management of radioactive waste and spent fuel, radiation protection including emergency preparedness and response, and nuclear applications in health and agriculture.

Cooperation on sustainable development

The EU and South Africa also work together in the field of science, technology and innovation (STI) to reach sustainable development goals. Within a broader collaborative effort, South Africa backs the European Commission’s work on designing STI roadmaps in five other African countries, tailored on the challenges they are facing - like improving food security, reducing non-communicable diseases, increasing energy efficiency and the uptake of renewable energy sources, and strengthening rural communities’ resilience to climate change. On this front, the European Commission works closely with South Africa’s National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI) and the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI).

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