African Research University Alliance: “We want to be the African Union’s knowledge hub” (J. Gyapong)

"We want to become the knowledge hub for the African Union, so that when the African Union needs information, it refers to us", states John Gyapong, Secretary General of the African Research University Alliance (Arua), to News Tank on 30/06/2025.

The organisation that regroups 23 universities across the African continent celebrated its tenth anniversary in April 2025.

In their first ten years of existence, Arua has been able "to engage with the academic community within the African space and to become the most relevant grouping of universities in terms of research and higher education", says the Secretary General.

The organisation aims to further African interests in science-related decision-making at home and abroad, as well as help researchers through access to grants and fellowships in their Centers of excellence.

"A university hosting a Center of excellence receives excellent “brainpower”. Centers attract the best brains from around the continent to have discussions with you in your institution. Hosting the center is a privilege: it makes you a center of attraction as far as the…