The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) has announced a call for exhibitors ahead of its 21st Annual General Meeting (AGM), which will take place from 1–4 December 2025 at the Gaborone International Conference Centre, Botswana.
Hosted under the theme “Positioning Africa’s Universities and the Higher Education Sector to Effectively Impact Development Processes on the Continent”, the high-level gathering is expected to bring together policymakers, academics, researchers, and innovators from across Africa and beyond.
In a new twist, this year’s AGM will feature a dedicated exhibition platform designed to showcase groundbreaking research, student innovations, and collaborative projects driving Africa’s sustainable development agenda.
“The exhibition provides a stage for universities, innovators, and partners to move beyond theory and demonstrate the tangible ways higher education is contributing to Africa’s transformation,” the RUFORUM Secretariat said in a statement.
Founded in 2004, RUFORUM is a network of 163 universities across 40 African countries, dedicated to strengthening capacity in agriculture and higher education. Its AGM has become a premier space for knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, and showcasing Africa’s innovation potential.
The 2025 exhibition will spotlight how universities are shaping innovation ecosystems, strengthening partnerships with government and industry, and nurturing entrepreneurship among students. It will also highlight the contributions of ministries, agencies, and private companies investing in research-led solutions.
Organisers are inviting a diverse pool of participants, including:
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University faculties and research centres delivering cutting-edge projects.
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Student innovators and startups showcasing entrepreneurial solutions.
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Private sector and government agencies are sharing successful models.
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Non-profit organisations and development partners are amplifying community engagement stories.
By featuring student-led innovations alongside established institutions, the exhibition is expected to bridge the gap between research and implementation, while underlining the role of Africa’s youth as problem-solvers in addressing pressing development challenges.
Participation is open through an Expression of Interest (EOI) process, with submissions due by 30 October 2025.
Article by Jed Mwangi
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