A delegation from the University of Malawi – Centre for Resilience in Agri-Food Systems (CRAFS), comprising the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Samson Sajidu; CRAFS Director, Prof. Cosmo Ngongondo; CRAFS Deputy Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator, Dr. Elias Mwakilama; and CRAFS Deputy Academic Leader (IC), Dr. Chipo Kanjo, participated in the 10-year anniversary celebrations of the African Higher Education Centers of Excellence (ACE@10) initiative, held at Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, Ghana, from 7th to 9th April 2025.

The celebrations were organized by the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA,

Uganda) and the Association of African Universities (AAU, Ghana), with support from the

World Bank Group, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD).

The ACE@10 event featured presentations on ACE achievements, testimonies from

beneficiaries, sector-focused panel discussions, and dialogues with vice-chancellors, government officials, private sector representatives, experts, and World Bank management. It also included breakout sessions for knowledge-sharing and exhibitions showcasing ACE results.

The UNIMA–CRAFS exhibition was led by Dr. Mwakilama and Dr. Kanjo, who showcased

various innovations, including biscuits made from pumpkin and bambara seeds, juices, and dried mushrooms, all developed and packaged by CRAFS researchers and partners. They also

highlighted CRAFS’s two-year achievements through roll-up banners.

Among the Malawian government officials who attended the event and visited the

UNIMA–CRAFS exhibition were the Minister of Higher Education, Hon. Dr. Jessie Kabwila;

the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Higher Education, Dr. Levis Eneya; and the Secretary

for the Association of African Universities, Dr. Sylivia Mkandawire.