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At a historic turning point for African higher education, Professor Kenneth Kamwi Matengu, Vice Chancellor of the University of Namibia, has been elected as the 14th President of the Association of African Universities (AAU). This development took place during the AAU’s 16th General Conference held in Rabat, Morocco, from July 21 to 25, 2025.
The accomplished scholar, innovator, and transformational leader secured 67.1% of the electoral vote in a two-man race, taking over from Prof. Bakri Osman Saeed, of the University of Khartoum who served the Association as its governing board president from 2021 – 2025. In his acceptance speech, Prof. Matengu passionately recounted his humble upbringing as a son of rural subsistence farmers, using his story as a testament to Africa’s promises and potentials. “Africa is a land of opportunity and equity,” he declared. “Your past should not limit your purpose.”
Framing Rabat—a city symbolizing resilience, innovation, and historical liberation—as a metaphor for Africa’s academic renewal, Prof. Matengu set a bold tone for his presidency. He called on African universities to lead a new era of knowledge sovereignty, where African institutions not only consume but produce globally relevant knowledge grounded in local realities.
“We can no longer afford to be consumers of knowledge produced elsewhere. Africa must become a global producer of knowledge that reflects our realities, addresses our challenges, and speaks in our voice.”
“National wealth and prosperity come from the abundance of access to economically viable knowledge and the skills to exploit it. Africa must stop exporting raw resources and importing knowledge—it’s time to change the script,” he charged the multitude of academics.
Prof. Matengu also called on development partners to engage African institutions as equals, not beneficiaries, and to support homegrown African solutions. He emphasized the urgent need to develop a “conversion capability” for Africa—turning knowledge into innovation, education into empowerment, and challenges into opportunities. His goal, according to him, is to foster relevant, responsive, and high-quality education and research across all member universities.
To address systemic challenges with strategic reforms, Prof. Matengu outlined key focus areas for his tenure, including:
- Fast-tracking continental quality assurance and harmonization of education systems.
- Tackling Africa’s learning crisis, in which a whopping 7 in every 10 ten-year-olds in sub-Saharan Africa are functionally illiterate.
- Promoting inter-Africa academic mobility through shared infrastructure and communities of practice.
- Launching leadership fellowships to train mid-career academics for university leadership roles.
- Strengthening strategic partnerships and deepening member engagement with clear benefits.
He stressed that AAU must become a truly transformative engine for Africa’s development, capable of addressing members’ needs while adapting to global trends. Referencing his leadership philosophy, he said, “Inspiration is more important than control. We must lead not with authority alone, but with vision.”
Prof. Matengu expressed deep appreciation to outgoing President Prof. Bakri Saeed, and the former AAU Governing Board for their stewardship. He also lauded the Secretary General Prof. Olusola Oyewole, and the Secretariat team for their dedication to strengthening the Association and delivering impactful projects such as the Africa Centres of Excellence (ACE) project, the Harmonisation of African Higher Education Quality Assurance and Accreditation (HAQAA) Initiative, and, recently, the Climate Change and Health Innovation Hub for West and Central Africa (CHINNOVA).
“I am not assuming a position,” he said, “but a continental responsibility—one that demands collective work, commitment, and the courage to transform.” He challenged Africa’s youth to transcend the constraints of history and forge their own futures. “Find your purpose,” he said. “Africa’s challenges are not curses—they are calls to innovate.”
Prof. Kenneth Matengu’s election marks the dawn of a dynamic new era for the AAU and for African higher education at large. His presidency is poised to usher in transformative leadership anchored in inclusivity, innovation, and accountability. With an ambitious vision for knowledge sovereignty, quality education, and empowered youth, the AAU—under his stewardship—promises to drive Africa’s universities toward a prosperous and self-defined academic future.
Prof. Matengu the new AAU President (left), Prof. Oyewole, Secretary General of the AAU (middle) and Prof. Bakri Osman Saeed (right) past President of the AAU
In his address, outgoing President Prof. Bakri Osman Saeed extended his deep appreciation to the AAU Secretariat, member institutions, and partners for their support. He urged the Association to continue championing inclusive governance, institutional resilience, and academic excellence.
Resources for further information –
- Prof. Kenneth Kamwi Matengu’ acceptance speech to the higher education community on his election as the 14th President of the Association of African Universities’ Governing Board
- Prof. Matengu’s Address to the General Conference, before the elections: Manifesto Presentation
