Alongside several academic institutions, as well as the Swiss Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, EXAF is participating in an initiative aimed at establishing a Swiss Research and Innovation Centre in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The aim of this project is to establish a sustainable platform for scientific cooperation between the two countries in order to carry out high-level research into key issues relating to health, the environment, innovation and sustainable development.At a time when the energy and digital transitions are reshaping the global balance of power, the DRC occupies a strategic position within international value chains. The country supplies a vital proportion of the mineral resources needed for the technologies of tomorrow, whilst facing significant health, environmental and scientific challenges. Against this backdrop, strengthening collaboration between Switzerland and the DRC presents an opportunity to generate knowledge, develop solutions tailored to local circumstances and build research capacity in a sustainable manner.The future Centre is intended to become a platform of excellence bringing together universities, polytechnics, research institutes, public authorities and private partners to address issues such as infectious and non-communicable diseases, public health, the environmental impacts of mining activities, the energy transition, digital innovation and sustainable governance.Based on a balanced partnership between Swiss and Congolese institutions, the project aims to promote research developed in collaboration with local stakeholders, by harnessing the scientific expertise available in the DRC and developing sustainable collaborations for the benefit of both countries.Initial exploratory missionIn February 2026, an initial exploratory mission led by the Swiss Embassy in the DRC brought together Hugues Abriel (UNIBE), Jérôme Chenal (EPFL), Didier Péclard (UNIGE), Elisabeth Reus and Juerg Utzinger (Swiss TPH).Travelling from Kinshasa to Lubumbashi and then on to Kolwezi, the delegation met with the country’s key academic, institutional and economic stakeholders. Discussions took place in particular with the University of Kinshasa (UNIKIN), the University of Lubumbashi (UNILU) and the National Institute for Biomedical Research (INRB), as well as with several Swiss companies operating in the DRC.The mission also included several ministerial meetings, confirming the shared interest in long-term scientific cooperation and enabling the identification of initial avenues for collaboration.Next stepsThe coming months will be devoted to finalising the Centre’s concept, undertaking a further field mission and structuring the project with all interested academic, institutional and economic partners.Exploratory mission to Kinshasa © 2026 EXAF / EPFLExploratory mission to Kinshasa © 2026 EXAF / EPFL