True to her mandate to catalyse and support accelerated-results driven implementation of Agenda 2063, AUDA-NEPAD is forging new forms of alliances and partnerships. In meetings with Senior Management of the Stellenbosch University and that of the VODACOM-Mezzanine, Dr Ibrahim Mayaki, the AUDA-NEPAD CEO lauded the collaboration, highlighting that partnerships and alliances across vertical and horizontal lines of interest groups and stakeholders is one key condition for success in delivering sustainable development results. 

In the partnership with Stellenbosch-based institutions, AUDA-NEPAD is tapping into one of the globally credible research and knowledge ecosystems. The partnerships brings into national public policy systems high quality home-grown technological and management innovations available to augment policy and investment decisions along national development priorities. Within the service to the continent, AUDA-NEPAD will bring into this alliance relevant Science, Technology and Innovation establishments from across the continent.

On 17 May, Dr Mayaki first met with the VODACOM-Mezzanine team led by the Mr Jacques de Vos, Mezzanine CEO. He was later received into the Stellenbosch University by Prof Wim de Villers, Stellenbosch University’s Rector and Vice Chancellor and Prof Eugene Cloete, Stellenbosch University’s Deputy Vice Chancellor – Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies. Both meetings agreed to clear action points and milestones to jointly deliver on agreed work streams and results

Dr Mayaki was accompanied by Mr Martin Bwalya, Ag Director, Knowledge management and Programme Evaluation; Mr Symerre Gray-Johnson, Director, Technical Cooperation and Resource Mobilisation and Ms Jacinta Ndegwa from the Office of the CEO.