Future Africa Launches UNU REACH-AFRICA Hub: A Historic Milestone
Future Africa is thrilled to establish the United Nations University (UNU) Hub on Resilient Environment, Agriculture, Climate, and Health for Africa (REACH-AFRICA), which officially launched on July 23, 2025. This significant milestone represents the first UNU Hub in Africa and the Global South, marking a pivotal moment in UNU’s 50-year history.
The Hub is located at the University of Pretoria (UP), functioning as a pan-African platform for collaborative research through Future Africa. Partnering with the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment, and Health (UNU-INWEH), REACH-AFRICA aims to enhance the synergy between science, policy, and society, focusing on African-led solutions to urgent global issues including climate change, food insecurity, and public health challenges.
A Pivotal Moment in History
“This Hub is not only the first in Africa; it represents a defining moment in the United Nations University’s journey over the past 50 years,” stated Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, UNU Rector and UN Under-Secretary-General. He emphasized the pride in launching this initiative in South Africa, an institution recognized for scientific excellence and leadership across the continent.
REACH-AFRICA is designed to offer a platform for African-led initiatives addressing local challenges, fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and capacity building throughout the Global South. With UP now being the fifth university in the world to host a UNU Hub, it joins others established at leading institutions like the University of Calgary (Canada) and Lund University (Sweden).
Promoting African Expertise
Professor Francis Petersen, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Pretoria, described the Hub as embodying the principle of “By Africa, in Africa, for Africa.” He highlighted its role in amplifying African science and forming partnerships that can create solutions for a just and robust future.
The launch event gathered senior executives from UNU, UNU-INWEH, and the University of Pretoria. Key speakers included Professor Sunil Maharaj (Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation, and Postgraduate Education) and Professor Wanda Markotter (Director of Future Africa). The leadership of Professor Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, Director of the Lancet Countdown Africa Regional Centre, was also acknowledged.
Recognizing Contributions
Professor Kaveh Madani, Director of UNU-INWEH, received recognition for initiating the partnership and for his efforts in building an international coalition to support it. Under his leadership, UNU-INWEH will continue to drive REACH-AFRICA as a vital hub for research, education, and outreach across the continent.
“It is a privilege to embark on this collaborative journey with academics from a nation that has continually inspired many worldwide,” shared Professor Madani. “We look forward to working with scientists in South Africa and beyond to highlight pressing global needs.”
Dr. Thandi Mgwebi, Group Executive for Global Partnerships at the National Research Foundation (NRF), called the launch “a historic moment,” underscoring it as a symbol of Africa’s emerging scientific leadership on the global stage.
A Home for Collaboration
REACH-AFRICA will host the African Academy for Water, Environment, and Health (AA-WEH), a UNU-INWEH initiative set to create a pan-African community aimed at promoting collaborative research and context-specific solutions with a focus on sustainability and gender inclusivity.
The event also expressed appreciation for the Government of Canada and the Government of Japan. Their longstanding support has greatly contributed to UNU’s global mission. Dignitaries from both nations, including H.E. Ambassador Fumio Shimizu (Japan) and Mr. Matt Loken (Canada), were acknowledged for their significant contributions.
A Timely Launch
The timing of REACH-AFRICA’s launch aligns with South Africa’s G20 Presidency for 2025, themed “Fostering Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainable Development.” Given its focus on Africa’s developmental priorities, the UNU Hub is poised to influence policy, spark dialogue, and catalyze transformative actions on both regional and global scales.
The event concluded with a collective call to action, emphasizing the need to empower the next generation of African scientists, researchers, and leaders to collaboratively create a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future.
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