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Partnering for Africa's digital entrepreneurship
The relationship between the African Union Commission (AUC) and Unisa has a long history, dating back many years. The first official Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two institutions was signed in 2016 under the leadership of Prof Raphael Mpofu, the then Deputy Executive Dean of the College of Economic and Management Sciences (CEMS) at Unisa. Since then, the MOU has been renewed, and the collaboration between different units within Unisa and the AUC has continued to grow.
From left: Dr Yerasework Hailu, Unisa Ethiopia Regional Office; Dr Tapiwa Muzata, Project Manager, Inhlanyelo Hub; Prof Annemarie Davis, Project Leader, Inhlanyelo Hub; Dr Mihret Woodmatas, Senior ICT Specialist, AUC; Dr Tsige Aberra, Acting Director, Unisa Ethiopia Regional Office; Mseseret Tefera, Unisa Ethiopia Regional Office; Nomsa Nkabinde, Executive Assistant, Inhlanyelo Hub; and Phumelele Mokoena, Business Development Manager, Inhlaneylo Hub.
A team from Unisa's Inhlanyelo Hub recently visited the African Union (AU) Compound in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The team was led by Dr Tapiwa Muzata, Project Manager at Inhlanyelo Hub, and Dr Tsige Aberra, Acting Director of Unisa's Ethiopia Regional Office. They met with the Department of Infrastructure and Energy representatives at the AU.
During the visit, the team experienced some challenges navigating the AU Compound. At one point, they got lost and found themselves in the Nelson Mandela Plenary Hall. One team member humorously remarked: "Getting lost in the Nelson Mandela Plenary Hall is a great place to get lost in!" Eventually, they were guided to a caucus room, where they met with Mihret Woodmatas, a Senior ICT Expert in the Department of Infrastructure and Energy.
The discussions focused on the potential benefits of collaboration between Unisa and the AUC. Mpofu provided an overview of the existing relationship between the two institutions, and the team introduced the work of the Inhlanyelo Hub. The conversation then turned to specific plans leading up to a Summit scheduled for October 2025. One key topic was the importance of incorporating student voices across Africa through Unisa's extensive network. The meeting concluded with commitments to develop concept notes that will form the basis for future collaborations.
The AU aims to engage various stakeholders, including universities, to contribute expertise on market needs, co-create educational curricula, and establish new programmes focusing on digital skills. Innovation and entrepreneurship are critical for Africa to stay competitive globally and benefit from digital transformation as part of Agenda 2063. The innovation ecosystem in Africa is growing rapidly, with digital entrepreneurship playing a significant role. African countries need more incubators, technology parks, and innovation centres at both national and regional levels to support this.
The partnership between Inhlanyelo Hub and the AUC is poised to greatly benefit Unisa by broadening its continental reach and influence. By incorporating the voices of African students into crucial discussions and expanding opportunities in infrastructure and energy sectors, Unisa strengthens its role as a leader in shaping Africa's future through education and collaboration.
* By Inhlanyelo Hub
Publish date: 2024/09/05
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