About Us

About Us

The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) was created in 2004 by ten Vice Chancellors of universities in Africa. To date the network has grown to 175 universities across 40 countries in the five regions of eastern, southern, central, west, and north Africa. 

The RUFORUM network collaborates globally with other university networks, development partners, policymakers, and leaders to leverage synergies and work towards shared objectives in delivering science solutions for development, human capital development, and institutional reform in the African Higher Agricultural Education (HAE) system. We recognize that youth are the driving force behind change and are leading the charge for a better Africa. The network is African owned, aligned with country goals, and thrives in multi-stakeholder engagement that promotes equity and implements gender responsive interventions.

RUFORUM is nested within continental and global frameworks, including the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), Africa’s Agenda 2063, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. 

RUFORUM’s current operations are mainly anchored in its continental strategy, “RUFORUM Vision 2030: The African Universities’ Agenda for Agricultural Higher Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (AHESTI).” 

Vision, Mission and Motivation

Vision

Our vision is to have vibrant, transformative universities catalysing sustainable, inclusive agricultural development to feed and create prosperity for Africa. 

Mission

Our mission is to strengthen the capacities of universities to foster innovations that are responsive to the demands of smallholder farmers and further key stakeholders across the evolving agricultural value chain. We aim to achieve this through training researchers for impact-oriented research, and the maintenance of collaborative working relationships among researchers, farmers, market actors, national agricultural research and advocacy institutions, and governments.

Motivation

The transformation of agriculture in Africa requires innovative scientific research, educational and training approaches. The education sector needs to be more connected to the new challenges facing rural communities and must build the capacity of young people to actively participate in the agricultural sector’s transformation. This objective is supported by the Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa.

 

Our Strategic Objectives

Enhancing the relevance, legitimacy, and viability of RUFORUM as a continental HAE network and the effectiveness of its members to collaborate in implementing its programmes and be accountable for results, including the regional nodes.

Building synergy through networks of specialisation to develop the quality human resources and capacity required to intensify and increase Africa’s agricultural productivity and competitiveness.

Facilitating collaboration among RUFORUM member institutions and affiliates, utilising up-to-date information to make substantial structural changes in the organisation and operation of AHESTI.

Ensuring that the products, processes, and knowledge developed through university research directly respond to and are utilised by value chain actors in the agri-food system to catalyse transformation with inclusivity and environmental sustainability.