The 21st RUFORUM Annual General Meeting

The 21st RUFORUM Annual General Meeting in Gaborone opened with resolute and unified calls for transformation from the Honorable Minister of Higher Education, Prince Maele, Professor Ketlhatlogile Mosepele the Vice Chancellor of the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN); and Professor Patrick Okori, the Executive Secretary of RUFORUM. In his address, the Minister underscored Africa’s shared and persistent challenges including youth unemployment, climate change, food insecurity, and limited value addition emphasizing the imperative for universities to spearhead innovation, deepen partnerships, and drive both economic and social transformation. He commended RUFORUM’s continued commitment to policy dialogue, inclusion, climate resilience, and human capital development, reaffirming Botswana’s dedication to advancing higher education and inviting more robust collaboration across the continent.

Professor Mosepele highlighted the strength of collective action, invoking proverbs that celebrate unity and shared wisdom. He affirmed that RUFORUM’s network of 175 universities across 40 countries serves as a powerful engine for translating knowledge into meaningful action. He further outlined BUAN’s transition toward becoming a fourth-generation university anchored in research intensity, integration of TVET, and tangible community impact illustrated by the Safflower women’s cooperative, which has regained dignity and opportunity through innovation and institutional support.

Professor Patrick Okori expressed appreciation to the Government of Botswana for hosting the AGM and urged African universities to intensify efforts toward the realization of Agenda 2063. He reiterated the continent’s immense potential, particularly its youthful population, abundant agricultural land, and vast natural resources, while calling for strengthened investment in science, technology, and innovation. He stressed the importance of the CAADP Kampala Declaration, the Agenda 2063 “moonshots,” and the pursuit of inclusive, relevant, and impactful research.

Collectively, the speakers affirmed that Africa’s transformation must be anchored in its universities through shared effort, evidence-based decision-making, and strategic partnerships that translate vision into sustainable progress.