Forging Strategic Synergies: The Bogotá Dialogue as a Catalyst for Interregional Higher Education
Collaboration
The 16th AAU General Conference recorded an important discussion on the Bogotá Dialogue—an initiative
poised to redefine global higher education partnerships. Chaired by Prof. Abiodun Humphrey Adebayo
(outgoing AAU Board Member and former Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University, Nigeria), the session
unveiled the third Interregional Dialogue on Education and Development, scheduled for November 3–7,
2025, in Bogotá, Colombia.
Dr. Nicolás Patrici, Director of Strategy and Development at OBREAL, framed the Dialogue as a
transformative platform uniting Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe through shared
historical and developmental imperatives. Jointly organized by OBREAL, AAU, the Colombian Association of
Universities (ASCUN), the African Union Commission (AUC), and CELAC, the initiative builds on the legacy
of past dialogues in Buenos Aires and Addis Ababa—which laid the groundwork for enduring partnerships
and mutual understanding and catalyzed tangible outcomes.
Mr. Emmanuel Okonkwo, representing the African Union Commission, heralded the dialogue as a key platform
emphasizing its strategic importance and the shared values it promotes across regions. Speaking on
behalf of the Commission, Mr. Okonkwo commended the initiative, describing it as one that the AU is
“particularly proud of.”
UNAM’s VC Elected AAU President, Champions Knowledge Sovereignty and Youth-Led Academic Renaissance
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. In his
acceptance speech, Prof. Matengu passionately recounted his humble upbringing as the son of rural
subsistence farmers, using his story as a testament to Africa’s promise and potential.
“Africa is a land of opportunity and equity,” he declared. “Your past should not limit your purpose.” He
further emphasized, “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.”
Renewal of Prof. Olusola Oyewole’s Mandate as Secretary General of the Association of African
Universities
– Renewed Leadership to Advance African Higher Education’s Strategic Priorities
The Association of African Universities (AAU) is pleased to announce the Governing Board’s unanimous
renewal of Professor Olusola Bandele Oyewole’s mandate as Secretary General for a second
four-year
term
(2025-2029). This decisive endorsement reflects Prof. Oyewole’s transformative leadership in advancing
AAU’s mission to enhance the quality and relevance of higher education in Africa and strengthen its
contribution to Africa’s development.
Under his visionary stewardship, the AAU has made remarkable strides in the research ecosystems,
launching
cutting-edge digital platforms and empowering Communities of Practice. As a renowned global advocate for
African higher education, Prof. Oyewole has catapulted the AAU to the forefront of global discourse,
representing Africa at major platforms and amplifying the voice of Africa’s higher education community.
His exceptional leadership in organizing key statutory meetings, including the Conference of Rectors,
Vice
Chancellors, and Presidents of African Universities, and the General Conference, has ensured the
Association’s effective governance, deepened ownership by its members and ensured its effective
operations.
Redefining Global Research Partnerships – The Africa Charter for Transformative Research Collaborations
Takes Centre Stage at the AAU General Conference
The opening of the 16th General Conference of the Association of African Universities (AAU) on July 21
in Rabat, Morocco, highlighted a landmark initiative—the Africa Charter for Transformative Research
Collaborations. The Charter represents a roadmap for research collaborations rooted in African agency
and equity, and it promises to shift the axis of global research power.
Launched in 2023 at the Conference of Rectors, Vice-Chancellors, and Presidents of African Higher
Education Institutions in Windhoek, Namibia, the Charter is not just another policy document. It is a
timely response to Africa’s collective demand for a new research order—one that firmly rejects
extractive, top-down research and instead prescribes equitable, Africa-centered collaborations.
Advancing Africa’s Higher Education Through Impactful Initiatives: The Transformative Contributions of
the Africa Centres of Excellence Program
From 21st–25th July 2025, the city of Rabat, Morocco, became a hub of vision, dialogue, and
collaboration as the Association of African Universities (AAU) convened its 16th Quadrennial General
Conference. Held under the inspiring theme “Shaping the Future of Higher Education for Innovation and
Sustainable Development in Africa,” the conference brought together a diverse community of educators,
researchers, development partners, and policymakers committed to strengthening higher education across
the continent.
Africa’s future lies in investing in collaborative research, innovation, and knowledge hubs that solve
local and regional challenges
Among the most impactful moments of the conference was a high-level panel session that examined
initiatives reshaping African higher education, with a particular focus on the Africa Higher
Education
Centres of Excellence (ACE) program – a transformative, multi-phase initiative that has elevated
the
quality and relevance of postgraduate education in Sub-Saharan Africa. The session, chaired by Prof.
Theresia Kimbeng Nkuo-Akenji (AAU Vice-President for Central Africa and Vice Chancellor of the
University of Bamenda), featured prominent panelists who shared insights on the program’s progress,
achievements, and strategic direction. These included Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, Vice Chancellor of
the
University of Lagos, Nigeria; Prof. El Hadji Bamba Diaw, Director General of 2iE, Burkina Faso;
and Prof. Richard Buamah, Centre Leader of RWESCK, Ghana. University of Lagos and 2iE both hosts
Centres of
Excellence.
Rethinking Global Academic Partnerships: China and Africa Build a Shared Future in Higher Education
The China-Africa higher education collaboration is entering a new era, one defined not by unilateral
support or knowledge transfer, but by co-creation, mutual leadership, and strategic alignment. This was
the clear message from the parallel session held during the Association of African Universities’ (AAU)
16th General Conference in Rabat, Morocco, titled Annual Meeting of the China-Africa Consortium of
Universities Exchange Mechanism (2025) and China-Africa Higher Education Exchanges and Cooperation.
Prof. Olusola Oyewole, Secretary-General of the Association of African Universities (AAU)，Prof. Yan
Chunhua, Vice President of the Chinese Society of Higher Education (CAHE), and an academician of the
Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Mr. Li Changlin, Chinese Ambassador to Morocco, attended the conference
and delivered high level addresses. More broadly, the session convened a diverse group of stakeholders,
including World Bank officials, African and Chinese university leaders, government officials, scholars,
industry and development partners. It provided a platform to reflect on the progress made through the
Exchange Mechanism, discuss existing challenges, and envision a collaborative future rooted in equity,
innovation, and sustainability.
Leveraging Data to Transform Higher Education Across the Continent – Insights from the Demographics of
African Faculty Project
The 16th AAU General Conference in Rabat, Morocco – a gathering of nearly 500 higher education
leaders, policymakers, and scholars from across Africa and beyond – recorded a defining moment
where participants discussed the priority of building sustainable data ecosystems for
evidence-based governance. The session, chaired by Prof. Wisdom Tettey, President and
Vice-Chancellor of Carleton University, Canada, laid bare both the challenges and opportunities in
harnessing data as a strategic asset for Africa’s academic future.
Prof. Idris A. Rai, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Inter-University Council for East Africa
(IUCEA), delivered a compelling case for institutionalizing robust data management systems across
African universities, with an emphasis on the east African region. He identified fragmentation,
inconsistent standards, and capacity gaps as critical barriers undermining transparency,
accountability and long-term planning. Prof. Rai was supported by Dr. Daniel Omanyo of Education
Sub-Saharan Africa (ESSA), during this presentation.
Strengthening Africa’s Research Ecosystem through Strategic Collaboration: The SANLiC Experience
The 16th Quadrennial General Conference of the Association of African Universities (AAU), held in Rabat,
Morocco, from July 21st to 25th, 2025, featured a compelling discussion focused on “Research Growth in
Africa – The South African National Library and Information Consortium (SANLiC) Experience.” Chaired by
Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, the session brought together
distinguished academic leaders and industry stakeholders to discuss effective practical strategies to
strengthen research capacity across African institutions.
This high-level session underscored the vital role of collaborative partnerships, sustainable funding,
and infrastructure in advancing Africa’s research visibility and impact. It featured an interactive
panel discussion with high-level panelists, including Prof. Olusola Oyewole, Secretary General of the
AAU; Ms. Nitasha Devasar, Managing Director for India and Vice President for the SASSA Region at Taylor
& Francis; and Prof. Daisy Selematsela, Professor of Practice in Information and Knowledge Management at
the University of Johannesburg.
African Union Charts Bold Course for Africa’s Education and Skills Future at AAU General Conference
At the Association of African Universities’ 16th General Conference in Rabat, Morocco, the African
Union Commission, represented by Chigozie Emmanuel Okonkwo, unveiled two landmark frameworks—the
Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA) 2026–2035 and the African Continental TVET
Strategy 2025–2034. The session highlighted how these strategies aim to redefine Africa’s
educational and skills landscape, tackling systemic challenges and fostering human capital
development essential for the continent’s sustainable growth.
Plenary Session III of AAU’s 16th Quadrennial General Conference in Rabat, Morocco, spotlighted
education as the cornerstone of Africa’s sustainable future. With the African Union Commission’s
Chigozie Emmanuel Okonkwo delivering a compelling presentation, participants were introduced to
the ambitious Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA) 2026–2035 and the African
Continental Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Strategy 2025–2034. Together,
these robust frameworks chart a transformative path to empower Africa’s human capital for
prosperity, equity, and innovation.
AAU Ratifies Constitutional Reforms, Unveils Plan of Action for 2025–2029, and Welcomes New Members in
Landmark Governance Session
A key highlight of the 16th General Conference of the Association of African Universities (AAU) in
Rabat, Morocco, was a governance session—aptly dubbed AAU Business Session—which featured changes in the
Association’s leadership, membership, and strategic direction.
Opening the session, AAU Secretary-General Prof. Olusola Oyewole presented the 2021–2025
Secretary-General’s Report and unveiled the Plan of Action for 2025–2029. He emphasized AAU’s continued
resilience despite global uncertainties, highlighting achievements such as expanded institutional
visibility, improved staff morale, and transformative partnerships with global bodies including the
World Bank and the European Union.
“Despite global uncertainties and financial constraints, the AAU has remained resilient,” he declared.
“We have expanded our footprint, strengthened our partnerships, and prioritized relevance in
everything we do. We are not just managing projects; we are shaping the future of Africa’s knowledge
economy.”
Reimagining Higher Education: African Stakeholders Set Bold Agenda for Innovation, Inclusion, and
Sustainable Development
Once every four years, the Association of African Universities (AAU), convenes Africa’s leading
minds in higher education in a general conference to chart the course of the continent’s academic
future. The 16th edition (July 21 to 25, 2025) featured nearly 500 policymakers, scholars,
institutional leaders, and students in the Moroccan city of Rabat.
In a pivotal moment of the week-long event, dubbed Shaping the Future of Higher Education for
Innovation and Sustainable Development in Africa, stakeholders explored nine sub-themes in
parallel sessions on July 23, with a synthesis presented two days later on July 25. These
deliberations revealed both the urgent challenges and immense possibilities facing African
universities as they strive to become engines of inclusive development for the continent’s
transformation.
Policy experts and institutional leaders called for a paradigm shift—from externally imposed
governance models to homegrown frameworks aligned with Africa’s social and political realities.
Discussions emphasized decentralization, regional integration, and equity as pillars for systemic
transformation. With poor funding and digital infrastructure continuing to constrain progress,
participants called for pan-African collaboration to bridge these gaps.
