Future Africa welcomes UKUDLA: New African-German centre for Sustainable Food Systems and Data Science in Africa

The University of Pretoria (UP) has been named co-lead of the African-German Centre for Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems and Applied Agricultural and Food Data Science, known as UKUDLA. Launching in January 2025, UKUDLA will advance research training and knowledge sharing in food systems and data science, addressing Africa’s pressing food security challenges through sustainable and innovative approaches.

Derived from the Nguni word for “food,” UKUDLA embodies a commitment to sustainable nourishment for both people and the planet. Supported by a €6.5 million (R124 million) grant from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and German government ministries, UKUDLA aims to bridge academic research with practical applications, fostering solutions that strengthen resilience and sustainability in Africa’s food systems.

Working with key partners—the University of Hohenheim in Germany, University of the Western Cape (UWC), University of Mpumalanga (UMP) in South Africa, and Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) in Malawi—UP will coordinate UKUDLA’s Post-Graduate Training Centre. This centre will build inter- and transdisciplinary research teams, delivering advanced training programmes that equip young scientists with essential skills in food systems analysis and data science, both crucial for addressing food security through data-driven and technology-enabled solutions.

Graduate Centre with a Pan-African Mission

Under UP’s stewardship, UKUDLA’s programmes will build capacity by training scientists in data science applications within food systems while equipping data scientists with knowledge of agricultural systems. This approach is designed to transform Africa’s food systems by creating a pipeline of skilled professionals capable of adapting to, and innovating within, Africa’s diverse agri-food landscapes.

“The Graduate Centre at UP will not only cultivate technical skills in food systems and data science but will also foster interdisciplinary perspectives essential for tackling Africa’s food security challenges comprehensively,” said Professor Frans Swanepoel, Future Africa Chair in Sustainable Food Systems. “By hosting the doctoral training hub for UKUDLA, we have a unique opportunity to solidify UP’s role as a cornerstone of transformative research and education in food systems on the continent.”

In addition, UKUDLA will serve as a knowledge hub within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), informing and supporting regional food systems policy. Collaborations across academia, government, and civil society will ensure that research is not only regionally relevant but also responsive to the needs of local communities. This approach emphasises co-production of knowledge, with stakeholders involved from the inception of research to its practical application.

“Positioned under the Future Africa Research Chair in Sustainable Food Systems and alongside impactful initiatives like the ARUA Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Food Systems (ARUA-SFS) and the Africa-Europe Cluster of Research Excellence in Sustainable Food Systems (CoRE-SFS), UKUDLA will directly support our mission to train and empower the next generation of African scholars,” added Professor Swanepoel. “This Centre represents a milestone in interdisciplinary collaboration, uniting expertise across Africa and Europe to address food-systems challenges in ways that are sustainable, inclusive, and impactful.”