The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) have renewed their partnership through a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during a virtual ceremony attended by senior officials from both institutions. This renewed five-year collaboration reinforces their shared commitment to advancing agricultural education, research, and innovation across Africa to drive the transformation of agrifood systems.
The partnership aims to strengthen institutional and technical capacities, promote knowledge sharing, and encourage innovation to build sustainable and climate-resilient food systems. Abebe Haile-Gabriel, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa, emphasized that the collaboration underscores the essential role of academia in achieving agricultural transformation. He noted that the initiative aligns with the FAO Strategic Framework 2022–2031 and its “Four Betters” — better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for all.
RUFORUM Executive Secretary Professor Patrick Okori highlighted that the partnership brings together FAO’s technical expertise and RUFORUM’s extensive academic network of 175 universities in 40 countries. This collaboration creates a strong platform to nurture innovation, empower youth, and strengthen rural economies through research and education.
Under the renewed MoU, FAO and RUFORUM will cooperate on several fronts, including facilitating South–South and Triangular Cooperation, promoting joint resource mobilization, advancing knowledge generation on food security and sustainable agriculture, and strengthening policy dialogues to support agrifood systems transformation. These efforts align with the African Union’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
By aligning FAO’s Strategic Framework 2022–2031 with RUFORUM’s Vision 2030, the partnership aims to equip the next generation of African scientists, researchers, and policymakers with the tools and knowledge needed to transform agriculture and achieve a more resilient and sustainable future for the continent.
