Strategic partnership with RUFORUM (175 universities, 40 countries) to support entrepreneurship in Africa

COLEAD and the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 21 April 2026, marking a new step in their collaboration. This five-year partnership aims to support innovation, entrepreneurship and skills development in Africa’s agrifood sector.

RUFORUM, which brings together 175 universities across 40 African countries, works to strengthen capacities in agricultural innovation and agribusiness. This collaboration seeks to better connect research, skills development, entrepreneurship support and market-oriented initiatives.

The MoU provides a framework for joint projects and resource mobilisation. It focuses on developing agripreneurship, improving market access for young entrepreneurs, promoting research valorisation, and strengthening skills through training and e-learning programmes.

The partnership also covers key areas such as start-up incubation, digital agriculture, sustainable value chain development, and the inclusion of youth and women.

Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, this collaboration paves the way for concrete actions to support agrifood innovation ecosystems across Africa.