Future Africa Secures Two ARUA Collaborative PhD Programmes to Build Research Capacity in Africa

The University of Pretoria’s Future Africa (FA) has been awarded two Collaborative PhD Programmes by the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA). The PhD programmes, funded by the Mastercard Foundation, are designed to significantly strengthen research capacity in the areas of Sustainable Food Systems and the Politics of Sustainable Development across the African continent.

Starting in January 2026, PhD programmes will provide 85 scholarships each year, prioritising diversity with a target of 70% female enrolment and graduates under 35 years. 

Sustainable Food Systems

The Collaborative PhD Programme in Sustainable Food Systems will be directed by UP’s Future Africa Research Chair in Sustainable Food Systems, Professor Frans Swanepoel in partnership with the University of Cape Town (UCT) and the University of Bologna in Italy as the European Union (EU) partner. This programme aims to address Africa’s pressing food security challenges and promote innovative, resilient food systems. Over the next decade, UP will receive 45 PhD scholarships, and UCT will be allocated 15 scholarships annually.

"This collaborative programme marks a significant leap forward in addressing Africa’s food security issues," said Professor Swanepoel. " By equipping the next generation of researchers with the necessary skills, we are fostering innovation and resilience in our food systems. Therefore, this initiative will not only benefit the academic research but will also have a transformative impact on policy and society across the continent."

Sustainable Development

The second programme, focusing on the Politics of Sustainable Development, will be directed by Professor Maano Ramutsindela, Future Africa Research Chair in Sustainability Transformations, co-hosted by UP and UCT. In partnership with the University of Oslo in Norway, this programme will offer 40 PhD scholarships annually, preparing students to tackle complex global sustainability challenges.

"The launch of this PhD programme underscores the importance of transformative approaches to training a new generation of doctoral graduates in sustainable development," said Professor Ramutsindela. "Our goal is to develop leaders and researchers who can tackle complex global challenges and drive Africa’s development in alignment with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the global Sustainable Development Goals.”

Enhancing Africa’s Research Landscape

These new PhD programmes are part of ARUA’s initiative, which includes 16 Collaborative PhD programmes aimed at enhancing Africa’s research landscape. The goal is to graduate 1 000 PhD holders annually across seven cohorts, over the next decade. 

Professor Wanda Markotter, Interim Director of Future Africa, commented, “These Collaborative PhD Programmes represent a bold step in building Africa’s research capacity, empowering the continent to tackle its most pressing challenges. At Future Africa, we are proud to be part of this transformative journey, shaping a new generation of leaders who will drive the necessary transformations in science and society from within Africa.”

The University of Pretoria has been awarded a total of four Collaborative PhD Programmes, including those focused on Agile and Resilient Engineering for the Future and Health & Identities.