On 12 August 2024, the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) embarked on its second Triennial Conference, a significant event dedicated to revolutionising agriculture across Africa through cutting-edge scientific research, education and training. This year’s conference is being held from 12 to 16 August 2024 in Windhoek, Namibia, under the theme "Operationalising Higher Agricultural Education and Research Ecosystems for Innovation, Industrialisation, and Economic Development in Africa: A Call for Action". The conference is a significant gathering of academics, researchers and policymakers from across Africa and beyond. To engage with the latest trends and findings in agricultural and rural development, areas crucial to addressing many of the challenges facing Africa today, Prof Puleng LenkaBula, the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Unisa, led the university delegation who were to focus on different aspects of the conference.

Revolutionalising African agriculture through innovative research, education and training.

The event, which coincides with RUFORUM’s 20th anniversary, is hosted by the Government of Namibia alongside RUFORUM member universities based in Namibia, the University of Namibia, the International University of Management, the Namibia University of Science and Technology, and the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology. The conference is an important milestone in RUFORUM’s ongoing mission to enhance agricultural education and research across the continent.

Key focus areas

The conference is structured around four critical thematic areas, each designed to address the pressing needs of Africa’s agricultural and economic landscape:

1. Transforming Higher Agricultural Education: This area focuses on reshaping educational frameworks to produce graduates who are skilled, innovative and capable of driving the agricultural sector forward.
2. Sustainable Economic Growth and Food Security: Emphasising strategies to ensure food security, this theme addresses the need for sustainable agricultural practices that can support Africa’s growing population.
3. Inclusive Economic Opportunities: This theme explores how agriculture can catalyse broad-based economic growth, particularly by creating opportunities for marginalised communities.
4. Economic Policy and Best Practices: This area looks at the current economic trends, identifying best practices and policies that can guide future agricultural development in Africa.

Opening ceremony and key highlights

Honourable Dr Itah Kandjii-Murangi, Minister of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation of the Republic of Namibia, officially opened the conference, which saw participation from around 170 universities representing 40 countries. The attendees included various vice-chancellors, university principals, government ministers, deans, AU representatives, development institution leaders, private sector representatives, farmers, emerging researchers and young entrepreneurs.

The inauguration also marked the launch of the second phase of the "Transforming African agricultural universities to meaningfully contribute to Africa’s growth and development" (TAGDev 2.0) initiative. This programme aims to empower Africa’s young people by enhancing university and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems, focusing on inclusive and climate-resilient agricultural practices. Young entrepreneurs had the opportunity to showcase their innovations, products and services through an exhibition. The speakers agreed that African solutions were within Africa; therefore, African institutions should work together to advance solutions for Africa.

RUFORUM celebrates 20 years of agricultural innovation at 2nd Triennial Conference in Namibia

Pre-conference activities

In the lead-up to the main event, several pre-conference activities were organised, including targeted skills enhancement training for post-doctoral fellows. These sessions covered a wide range of topics, such as entrepreneurship, scientific data management, the importance of partnerships and effective communication through social media. These efforts were designed to equip Africa’s next generation of agricultural leaders with the tools they need to succeed.

The conference in Windhoek follows the inaugural Triennial Conference held in Cotonou, Benin, in 2021, which set a superior standard for collaboration and innovation in African agricultural education.

Networking session

The first day concluded with a cocktail dinner, allowing delegates to network and exchange ideas in a relaxed setting. The jovial atmosphere provided an excellent opportunity for attendees to build connections that could lead to future partnerships and collaborations.

As RUFORUM celebrates its 20th anniversary, the 2nd Triennial Conference stands as a testament to the organisation’s enduring commitment to transforming agriculture in Africa, ensuring that the continent’s agricultural universities continue to play a pivotal role in driving innovation, industrialisation and economic development.

* Submitted by the Office of the Vice-Chancellor