The Government of Portugal and the Ismaili Imamat signed a new Protocol for Scientific and Technological Collaboration at the Ismaili Centre in Lisbon. The agreement was formalized by Helena Canhão, Secretary of State for Science and Innovation, and Nazim Ahmad, the Diplomatic Representative of the Ismaili Imamat. This new accord introduces a financial package of approximately €5 million to bolster research initiatives in Portugal and Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP), reinforcing a decade-long partnership aimed at improving global quality of life through knowledge.
This week Secretary of State for Science and Innovation, Helena Canhão, and Diplomatic Representative of the Ismaili Imamat, Nazim Ahmad, signed a Protocol for Scientific and Technological Collaboration between the Government of Portugal and the Ismaili Imamat at the Ismaili… pic.twitter.com/kIO6JpvhTj
— Aga Khan Development Network (@akdn) February 13, 2026
This 2026 protocol builds upon the success of a landmark 2016 agreement, which provided €10 million in funding over ten years for projects in fields such as food security, biodiversity, and sustainable energy. The renewed collaboration focuses on empowering researchers and connecting academic institutions to solve shared global challenges. Nazim Ahmad highlighted that the partnership is a manifestation of the “strong will” to deepen ties between the Republic and the Imamat, while Secretary Canhão emphasized that investing in research is essential for developing “solutions rooted in excellence.”
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The funding will be managed through joint calls for proposals, similar to the goPortugal initiative, which has already supported dozens of projects involving institutions across Africa. By leveraging the Aga Khan Development Network’s (AKDN) ethical framework and Portugal’s scientific infrastructure, the protocol aims to transform innovation into practical, high-impact social benefits for vulnerable communities worldwide.
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