KfW supports Pan-African University

• EUR 20 million for building renovations and equipment for the Institute of Water and Energy Sciences in Algeria
• Training of specialists and managers in the areas of water, energy and climate change
• Currently 74 students from 17 African countries
• More access for African researchers to international exchange of knowledge

On behalf of the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), KfW is funding an institute of Pan-African University (PAU) in Tlemcen, Algeria. KfW Development Bank will provide the Institute of Water and Energy Sciences (including Climate Change) with EUR 20 million for the renovation of the university building and upgrading of its energy efficiency, equipping laboratories with cutting-edge technology as well as for information and communication technology and grants for master's and PhD students. So far, 74 water and energy science students from 17 African countries have already begun studying in Tlemcen.

“Universities are an indispensable partner when it comes to tackling global and regional challenges such as securing a sustainable water and energy supply in Africa and adapting to climate change. Pan-African University closes a gap in Africa by offering high-quality graduate and PhD programmes in line with international standards as well as applied research on energy, water and climate change. This also gives African scientists access to international knowledge networks,” said Dr Norbert Kloppenburg, member of the Executive Board of KfW Group.

The African Union made the decision to establish Pan-African University in 2008. Its claim to excellence is its model character. It will consist of five institutes at locations in northern, western, eastern, southern and central Africa and serve as a place of education for application-oriented scientists from Africa. The aim is to bring an African perspective as well as local and contextual expertise to international knowledge networks.

The African Union Commission (AUC), headquartered in Addis Ababa, is KfW's contract partner within the scope of Financial Cooperation. The AUC assumes responsibility for the PAU in the areas of Human Resources, Science and Technology (HRST) and its Division for Education. The Algerian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MESRS) bears political responsibility.

The funding is provided in close cooperation with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

More information about KfW Development Bank is available at our website

www.kfw-entwicklungsbank.de