PROJECT 102: Provision of specialised equipment to the EU CBRN COE Partner Countries in Africa

Context

The overall scope of the CBRN Centres of Excellence (CoE) initiative is to strengthen the long-term national and regional capabilities of competent authorities and administrative infrastructures and develop a durable cooperation legacy in the fight against the CBRN threats. Lack of detection, analytical equipment, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are limiting factors in preparedness and response to CBRN events which can lead to loss of lives and destruction of the environment, which in turn lead to economic disruption. Since CBRN events are not necessarily accidental, non-state actors can take advantage of a country’s lack of capacity to detect chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons, to cause mass casualties.

Overall objective

To contribute to addressing trans-regional threats to peace, international security, and stability, through enhancing CBRN risk detection and mitigation.

Specific objective

To provide support to the EU CBRN CoE Initiative in the procurement, delivery, and installation of specialised equipment dedicated to CBRN preparedness and response to partner countries in East and Central Africa. Selected equipment to support training exercises will also be delivered to CBRN CoE partner countries in North and West Africa.

Activities

Inception phase (9 months)

1. Determine recipient entities that will receive the proposed CBRN equipment, compilation of the equipment list by entity (including delivery locations).
2. Develop technical specifications and conduct supply chain research to determine estimated equipment costs, import/export regulations, licensing requirements, and existing capacity in operations and maintenance of equipment in partner countries.

Implementation phase (21 months)

1. Site installation surveys, site assessment, design and works contracting (if required)
2. Equipment tendering and contracting, delivery and calibration, handover, operation and maintenance in partner countries.

Achievements

Project started in January 2024