Livestock and animal production are crucial to the livelihoods, food security, and economic development in East Africa. However, these sectors are facing increasing pressure from challenges such as climate change, land degradation, disease burden, and population growth. The project ‘Advancing Sustainable Animal Production and Biodiversity through Equitable African-Danish Universities’ (ASAP-Bio) addresses these challenges by investing in the people, knowledge, and institutions that East African universities need to train the next generation of researchers and practitioners in this field.

Center for Quantitative Genomics and Genetics (QGG) at Aarhus University, together with Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences (ANIVET), is launching the new partnership with four East African universities – one in Ethiopia, one in Uganda and two in Kenya.

The project is based on the idea to unite the complementary strengths of the Danish and African universities. The African universities often operate in seclusion which results in limited cooperation with other universities in the region, along with a relatively low level of student mobility. Additionally, many curricula in agricultural and animal sciences struggle to keep pace with the rapid developments in areas such as genomics, data science and One Health approaches. Conversely, European universities, while strong in advanced technologies such as precision breeding, phenomics, and AI, often have limited exposure to the realities of smallholder farming systems and the complex socio-economic conditions in which livestock production takes place. 

This partnership enables for the different strengths to be united with African partners contributing deep knowledge of low-input systems, climate adaptation and community-based livestock management, while Danish partners contribute expertise in data-driven and technology-enabled production systems. 

The project runs from 2026 to 2032 and aims to train the next generation of scientists within the fields of livestock and sustainability. The project is focused on creating a fair research environment, where at least 50% of the participants are female – this is not only an ambition but also a requirement stated in the legal agreement. 

The project is funded by DANIDA under Denmark’s Knowledge and Innovation Programme (KIP). KIP is a key part of the Danish government’s ‘Africa’s Century’ strategy aimed at strengthening engagement with African countries. 

By awarding 28 East African students Master Scholarships at Aarhus University, the ambition is to develop a new generation equipped to tackle the region’s challenges. The scholarship course modules are jointly designed between the African and Danish project leaders. The first Master students will be arriving at Aarhus University in 2027.

The project’s main coordinator, tenure track assistant professor Grum Gebreyesus from QGG, is excited about the project:

“What excites me most about ASAP-Bio is the opportunity to build genuine partnerships where we learn as much from our African colleagues as they do from us. Combining advanced tools like genomics and AI with deep, practical knowledge of livestock systems on the ground creates a unique space for innovation and for training students who can truly make a difference.”

Besides scholarships, the project also includes faculty exchanges, academic workshops, research stays, and summer schools. 

The budget is DKK 36 million, and the project’s long-term goal is to build a durable Danish-African academic partnership of equals that will last well beyond the project’s lifetime. The project aims to build lasting academic capacity in Integrated Sustainable Animal Production Systems (ISAPS) across East Africa.

ISAPS covers five interconnected fields: genomics and molecular tools, phenomics and precision livestock farming, nutrition and feed systems, animal health and disease management, and sustainable livestock systems and biodiversity conservation.

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Contact: Tenure track assistant professor Grum Gebreyesus