STRATHMORE UNIVERSITY

Their core work

Strathmore University is a Nairobi-based private university that serves as a key East African hub for EU-Africa research collaboration, particularly in ICT for development, renewable energy, and health research. They bring local expertise in deploying digital solutions — from maternal health platforms to IoT and big data systems — tailored to African contexts. More recently, they have expanded into renewable energy research partnerships and sickle cell disease epidemiology, reflecting their growing role as a multi-disciplinary African partner in large EU-AU joint initiatives.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Strathmore's early H2020 involvement (2015-2018) centred on ICT-for-development — mobile health, IoT platforms, and data services for African communities. From 2018 onward, their focus shifted decisively toward renewable energy through the LEAP-RE partnership (their largest funded project) and into health research with the ARISE sickle cell initiative. This evolution suggests a university broadening from applied digital technology into deeper scientific research partnerships with the EU.

Strathmore is transitioning from an ICT-focused participant into a broader scientific research partner, with renewable energy now commanding their largest funding and health research emerging as a new direction.

How they like to work

Strathmore has never coordinated an H2020 project — they consistently join as a participant or third-party partner in large, multi-country consortia. With 153 unique partners across 44 countries, they operate as a well-connected African node rather than a project leader. This makes them a reliable consortium partner for any EU project needing credible East African research presence and local implementation capacity.

Remarkably broad network for a Kenyan university: 153 unique consortium partners spanning 44 countries, reflecting participation in large EU-Africa framework projects. Their geographic reach is genuinely global, bridging European research institutions with African implementation contexts.

What sets them apart

Strathmore is one of very few Kenyan universities with sustained H2020 participation across multiple sectors, making them a proven gateway for EU projects requiring East African research partnerships. Their combination of ICT deployment experience, renewable energy engagement, and health research capacity is unusual for a single African institution. For consortium builders targeting Africa, Strathmore offers an established track record and a massive existing partner network that reduces the risk of first-time collaboration.

Highlights from their portfolio

• LEAP-RE
  Their largest project (EUR 352,689) — the flagship EU-AU renewable energy partnership running until 2026, signalling long-term commitment to energy research.
• ARISE
  Marks a strategic expansion into health research, focused on sickle cell disease in Africa — a completely new domain for the university.
• mHealth4Afrika
  Their earliest H2020 project (2015), establishing their role in deploying community-based ICT solutions for maternal healthcare across Africa.