UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA

Their core work

The University of Zambia is Zambia's flagship public university, contributing African research perspectives to EU-funded projects focused on food systems, renewable energy, and healthcare. Their H2020 involvement centers on sustainable agriculture and food security in sub-Saharan Africa, water-energy-food nexus modeling, and neonatal care practices. They serve as a key African research node, bringing local knowledge on smallholder farming, post-harvest losses, and community health challenges to large international consortia.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

UNZA's early H2020 work (2016–2020) concentrated on food security, climate adaptation, and natural resource management — topics like smallholder livelihoods, aquaculture, post-harvest technology, and the water-energy-food nexus. In the later period (2020–2025), their scope broadened into renewable energy partnerships and, unexpectedly, neonatal healthcare and family-integrated care. This diversification suggests growing institutional capacity to participate in EU research beyond their agricultural core.

UNZA is expanding from a food-and-agriculture specialist into a broader African research partner, now engaging in energy and health — expect continued diversification as EU-Africa research ties deepen.

How they like to work

UNZA exclusively participates as a partner or third party — they have never coordinated an H2020 project. They operate in large consortia (123 unique partners across 40 countries), indicating a role as a regional knowledge contributor rather than a project driver. This makes them a reliable consortium member for projects needing a Zambian or Southern African research presence, but they are unlikely to take the lead on proposal writing or project management.

UNZA has collaborated with 123 unique partners across 40 countries, reflecting involvement in large multi-continental consortia rather than deep bilateral ties. Their network spans Europe and Africa, with strong connections through food security and EU-Africa energy research programs.

What sets them apart

UNZA is one of very few Zambian universities active in H2020, making them the natural entry point for any consortium needing a research partner in Zambia or the wider Southern African region. Their combination of agricultural field knowledge, local community access, and growing experience with EU project requirements is difficult to replicate. For projects requiring on-the-ground research in sub-Saharan Africa — whether in food systems, energy access, or health — UNZA provides both academic credibility and practical reach.

Highlights from their portfolio

• HealthyFoodAfrica
  Largest funded project (EUR 188,750), directly aligned with UNZA's core strength in African food systems, smallholder agriculture, and climate adaptation.
• DAFNE
  Early entry into H2020 (2016), addressing the complex water-energy-food nexus in transboundary settings — demonstrates systems-level analytical capacity.
• LEAP-RE
  Part of a flagship EU-Africa renewable energy partnership, signaling UNZA's expansion beyond food and agriculture into the energy sector.