Launch of the Third Edition of the Executive Master’s in CBRNE Risk and Threat Management

The growing use and circulation of CBRN materials — driven by rapid industrialisation, globalised trade, and technological development — has intensified risks worldwide, whether natural, accidental, or deliberate. Recent devastating events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Beirut port explosion, and industrial accidents, underline the critical need for preparedness. African partner countries are not exempt, regularly facing CBRN-related emergencies, from epidemics to chemical accidents, with nuclear development also becoming a pressing concern in some regions. Training is therefore a decisive tool for prevention and effective crisis response.  

Across the African Atlantic Façade region, strengthening national and regional capacities to manage chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) risks remains a key priority. Partner countries identified a significant need to improve CBRN knowledge and specialised skills among professionals in public administrations, security services, and critical sectors. Against this backdrop, the third edition of the Mastère Spécialisé en gestion des risques et menaces NRBCE (Master’s in CBRNE Risk and Threat Management) was officially launched today under the framework of the European Union (EU) Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Centres of Excellence (CoE) Initiative, Project 107 – MANA 2. 

The opening ceremony was hosted at the Université Internationale de Rabat, with welcoming remarks delivered by: 

• Mr. Hakim Tazi, Director General of Continuing Education, Université Internationale de Rabat
• Mr. Antonio Casado Ortega, Security and Counter-Terrorism Counsellor, Delegation of the European Union to Morocco     
• Mr. Alain Dieterlen, Vice-President for Education and Student Life, Université de Haute-Alsace
• Colonel Hafid Messaoudi, Head of the African Atlantic Façade CBRN Regional Secretariat

This was followed by a presentation of the programme by Colonel Denis Giordan, academic coordinator of the Master’s, and an introduction of the participants representing their respective countries. 

A unique regional initiative

This year’s intake follows the same rigorous selection process as previous editions, with candidates completing an online preparatory phase and written and oral exams. This year, 25 candidates from 11 African countries were admitted. 
A key feature of this third edition is the expansion of participation beyond the African Atlantic Façade region.  

For the first time, candidates from the Eastern and Central Africa (ECA) Secretariat (Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda) and the North Africa and Sahel (NAS) Secretariat (Tunisia) are taking part, strengthening cross-regional collaboration. 
Countries represented in this year’s cohort: 

•    Benin 
•    Burundi 
•    Cameroon 
•    Côte d’Ivoire 
•    Democratic Republic of Congo 
•    Mauritania 
•    Morocco 
•    Rwanda 
•    Senegal 
•    Togo 
•    Tunisia 

Why capacity building matters 

While many EU Member States have established academic programmes in the CBRN field, no equivalent specialised degree existed in Africa until the launch of this Master’s. The programme fills this critical gap by equipping institutional and private sector professionals with a broad, cross-cutting, and specialised vision of CBRN risk management. 

More information about Project 107

P107 (MANA 2), implemented in partnership with the Université de Haute-Alsace within the framework of the European Union (EU) Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE), aims t develop a strong pool of African experts capable of managing, anticipating, mitigating and responding effectively to CBRN threats. The Master’s programme is tailored to address major local challenges and combines the expertise of African and European specialists.

Download Project 107 Factsheet.