Prof. Okori Patrick, Executive Secretary

Dear Esteemed Visitors

It is my pleasure and singular honour to welcome you to the RUFORUM website.

Africa, the world’s youngest continent need to put in place mechanisms to translate its young population into the 21^st century workforce if the continent is to reap a demographic dividend. Numerous studies demonstrate the necessity of putting in place inclusive education programmes that address gender and diversity concerns in order for the continent to reap a demographic dividend. Additionally, the continent must address the imbalances in access to knowledge, skills for research, leadership and entrepreneurship skills, science outputs and policy impacts. This calls for a new strategic vision that involved co-created and impactful partnerships that develop the requisite human capital for Africa’s agrifood systems transformation. Higher education, particularly in agriculture and related fields, plays a crucial role in enhancing production, fostering innovation, promoting entrepreneurship, and adding value. These elements are vital for the continent to attain food and nutrition security, along with driving wealth creation.

The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) has been working since 2004 to strengthen African Universities capacity to implement relevant impact oriented graduate programmes at Masters and Doctoral degrees. It also implements Post-Doctoral fellowships to nurture the next generation of science leaders who will underpin the continent’s transformative agri-food systems and sustainable development agenda. RUFORUM recognizes the pivotal role that strategic partnerships and networking must play in its mission delivery.

RUFORUM enhances networking and collaboration among its 175 member universities in 40 countries in Africa. Additionally, RUFORUM  works with the private sector and farming communities, governments, sub-regional and continental bodies, as well as institutions from the global south and north. These alliances are crucial for addressing critical and in some cases endemic issues such as, but not limited to education and inclusion of; refugees and displaced persons, persons with disability, out-of-school-youth and women’s participation. Additionally, they support the implementation of key continental and global agendas such as, the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), Africa’s Agenda 2063, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2030) among others.

Our strategic vision 2030 of “Vibrant transformative universities catalyzing sustainable inclusive agricultural development to feed and create prosperity for Africa” is being implemented through five-year operational plans, the current one covering the period 2024-2028. Four programmatic areas (Research, Innovations and Development; Skilling and Engagement for Community Development; Strategic Knowledge Management and Strategic Partnerships) work collaboratively to deliver on the RUFORUM Vision 2030 the ‘African Universities Agenda for Agricultural Higher Education, Science, Technology and Development (AHESTI). Through these programmes, RUFORUM has been instrumental in establishing centres of leadership that are pivotal in training the next generation of scientists focused on transformative agri-food systems.

As we commence the third decade of the RUFORUM journey, we continue through the diverse network of universities to nurture highly skilled graduates equipped with 21st century skills. These will generate innovative scientific solutions to impact on the evolving agricultural value-chains, and enhance Africa’s research and innovation landscape