Windhoek: The University of Namibia (UNAM) launched the third phase of the Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) Future for Rural Africa project at its Katima Mulilo campus on Thursday.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the Future Rural Africa project partnership is a £3 million German-Namibian initiative that officially launched its next funding phase on Thursday, running through 2029. Funded primarily by the German Research Foundation (DFG), this collaborative effort brings together German universities, chiefly the University of Bonn and the University of Cologne, and African partners to drive major research in rural development, climate change, and food security among others.
Zambezi Governor Dorothy Kabula-Simushi commended UNAM for launching the third phase of the Collaborative Research Centre in the region. In a speech delivered on her behalf, Kabula-Simushi noted that the programme's core focus-how African rural futures are created-is highly relevant to the Zambezi Region and Namibia. She stressed that the future is shaped by choices made today regarding agriculture, conservation, infrastructure, tourism, and resource management. Consequently, development should balance conservation with economic progress.
"We need agriculture that improves food security while protecting our natural resources. Conservation must provide meaningful benefits to communities, and tourism should create jobs for young people and women," she said. The governor said research should offer practical solutions for local communities, adding that studies about Namibia should be conducted with Namibia, respecting local knowledge, involving traditional leadership, and actively engaging communities throughout the process.
Highlighting the region's strategic position within the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA), Kabula-Simushi stated that the research should help KAZA member nations learn from each other and address the pressures of social-ecological transformation. "The UNAM Katima Mulilo Campus can become an important research and learning hub for KAZA, connecting science, policy, communities, and practical resource management across national boundaries," she emphasised.
Director of the Katima Mulilo Campus, Professor Dr Samuel Mafwila, encouraged stakeholders to remain committed to nurturing young researchers. He emphasised that the future of rural Africa relies on the skills and creativity of the next generation. "By providing opportunities for mentorship, academic exchange, and field-based learning, we can help cultivate researchers who are both academically excellent and socially responsive," Mafwila said.
He thanked all participating institutions, funding partners, and local communities for their dedication, reaffirming UNAM's commitment to the project. Mafwila highlighted that Phase III should be defined by innovative thinking and measurable outcomes that highlight the agency and potential of rural Africa.