Centres of Excellence

Overview
Climate Resilience
Rural Resources and Food Systems
Science and Technology and Innovation Hub
Human Capital and Institutions Development
Supply Chain and Logistics

Overview

African Heads of State and Government endorsed in 2019 the establishment of five Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in the five sub-regions namely: Eastern, Western, Central, Northern and Southern Africa.

Each of the five centres specialise in different interconnecting themes and reflect the diversity and knowledge capacity building needs of the continent. They will make a major contribution to Africa’s growth and development by playing a catalytic role in knowledge management and supporting programme delivery at national and regional levels.

Their core function are to focus on:

Establishing a knowledge-driven link to Member States to better understand their national priorities and align these with strategies on Agenda 2063.
Strengthening of effective delivery mechanisms for AUDA-NEPAD to implement AU continental programmes through projects on the ground.
Creating knowledge nodes and platforms for research.
Harnessing the partnership ecosystem to bring in expertise and best practices for implementation.
Disseminating knowledge such as best practices and proof of concepts.

Climate Resilience

The Centre of Excellence on Climate Resilience anticipates, prepare for, and responds to hazardous events, trends, or disturbances related to climate change and environmental sustainability.

It supports the National Development Plan (NDP) priorities that focus on Science, Technology and Innovation. It also supports the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) and Science Technology Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA) African Union (AU) frameworks.

Rural Resources and Food Systems

The Centre of Excellence on Rural Resources and Food Systems is providing access to a highly developed pool of knowledge (promoting knowledge sharing and transfer) in food systems and rural resources, factoring in actors in land systems, energy, water and trade.

It supports the National Development Plan (NDP) priorities that focus on agriculture and agribusiness development. It also supports the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) and Science Technology Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA) African Union (AU) frameworks.

Science and Technology and Innovation Hub

The Centre of Excellence on Science and Technology and Innovation Hub aims to become a leader in data analytics, innovation and technology towards supporting innovative programme incubation on the continent within the dynamics of the 4th industrial revolution.

It supports the National Development Plan (NDP) priorities that focus on Science, Technology, Innovation and supports the Science Technology Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA) African Union (AU) framework.

Human Capital and Institutions Development

The Centre of Excellence on Human Capital and Institutions Development is partnering with academia, civil society organisations, the private sector, governments and development partners to strengthen human and institutional capacity required to drive the implementation of Agenda 2063.

It supports the National Development Plan (NDP) priorities that focus on Human Capital Development, Job Creation, Social Protection, Women and Youth Empowerment, Good Governance, Culture, Arts and Sports. It also supports the Science Technology Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA) African Union (AU) framework.

Supply Chain and Logistics

The Centre of Excellence on Supply Chain and Logistics is supporting initiatives linked to the 5 additives of economic integration in Member States including Free trade, partial or full abolition of tariffs, common external tariffs, common market implementation via ACFTA, and granting Africa products a competitive advantage in the markets and on the global scene.

It supports the National Development Plan (NDP) priorities that focus on Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Growth, Infrastructural Development, Manufacturing-based Industrialization and Peace and Security. It also supports the following African Union (AU) frameworks: Programme for Infrastructural Development in Africa (PIDA), The African Mining Vision (AMV), Boosting Intra African Trade (BIAT) and Accelerated Industrial Development for Africa (AIDA).