The annual AYGS Conference, held from 4 to 6 March 2025, is a research capacity-building initiative established in 2005 to foster a body of knowledge and amplify the African voice in global discussions. It also aims to bridge the expertise gap in knowledge production on African affairs by nurturing a generation of young scholars and researchers.
Held under the theme Enabling Africa's Inclusive and Sustainable Development: Challenges and Opportunities, the conference brought together 100 young and emerging scholars, policymakers, and practitioners from across 15 African countries to share research-based insights and collaborate on solutions to the continent's most pressing challenges.
In her opening remarks, UMP Vice-Chancellor Professor Thoko Mayekiso emphasised the significance of hosting the conference in Mpumalanga, known as the "Place of the Rising Sun."
She noted that the University’s symbol of the sun’s rays represents life, warmth, and energy – values that align with UMP’s vision of being an African university leading in creating opportunities for sustainable development through innovation and research. She reflected on the importance of research-driven innovation as a cornerstone for addressing Africa’s challenges.
“The conference reinforces the University’s commitment to excellence, integrity, diversity, collaboration, adaptability, relevance, and inspiration.”
Professor Mayekiso also highlighted UMP’s strategic focus on capacity building, particularly through investing in the next generation of researchers and scholars.
“I encourage participants to engage deeply with the conference discussions, which are critical for shaping Africa’s inclusive and sustainable development,” she said.
Conference attendees shared knowledge and engaged in discussions.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Tolullah Oni, Clinical Professor of Global Public Health and Sustainable Urban Development at the University of Cambridge and Founder/CEO of UrbanBetter, provided practical career advice and critical insights for early-career researchers across Africa.
Sharing her journey, Professor Oni noted that she never intended to become an academic, describing how a chance conversation while asking for a lift in Cape Town led to a PhD opportunity.
“My research journey was not planned; it was shaped by embracing serendipity and finding my community. In 20 minutes, I had my next five years mapped out. I thought I was staying in Cape Town for a year, but I stayed for 12. That’s the power of saying yes to unexpected opportunities.”
She also reflected on the challenges of funding and rejection, stating that she did not secure PhD funding in the initial rounds.
“I worked full-time, studied full-time, and specialised all at once. It wasn’t easy, but the setbacks taught me resilience.”
Professor Oni encouraged researchers to embrace transdisciplinarity, emphasising that solutions to public health, climate change, and development challenges lie beyond traditional academic silos.
“Find your people in your academic family. Communities are how you survive and thrive. Every opportunity I have today stems from relationships I built along the way.
Don’t just follow the funding – define your questions. If you’re only chasing grants, you will miss the chance to create knowledge that truly serves your communities,” she said, stressing that societal disruption can be fertile ground for innovation.
“Disruption is uncomfortable, but it creates openings for collective action and transformative change. We must learn to see disruption as opportunity.”
Discussions were led by emerging scholars and policymakers.
Professor Oni concluded her speech with a powerful call to action, urging scholars to elevate knowledge capital to the same level as financial capital to unlock the potential of Africa’s young population.
“We don’t have time. Embrace those moments when the conditions are just right for change. The time is now, and the people we’ve been waiting for are us.”
The three-day conference attracted scholars from over 15 countries, including Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Presentations covered key topics such as:
- Advancing Agricultural Sustainability and Food Security
- Governance, Peace, and Security in Enabling Africa’s Inclusive and Sustainable Development
- Climate Change Action and Just Transition
- Resilience and Adaptation in Agriculture
- Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Drive Africa’s Development Priorities
Notable speakers included Professor Vusi Gumede, Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Development, and Business Sciences at UMP; Dr Mbulelo Ncango, Senior Manager at the NRF of South Africa; and Dr Toyosi Craig, an accomplished energy professional specialising in energy within the mining sector.
The conference commenced on 4 March 2024 with a pre-conference training workshop, setting the stage for robust discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions.
Director of Research Management at UMP, Dr Naledi Nthite, underscored the conference's role in addressing Africa’s inclusive and sustainable development challenges and opportunities.
“As one of South Africa’s youngest universities, UMP recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. The University now offers 78 qualifications, including 16 master’s degrees, and continues to champion innovation and sustainable development, aligning with the key themes of this year’s conference.”
Story by Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures @ChrisplPhoto.