Malawian appointed into AU-EU research platform

Malawian academic and development planner Professor Richard Mkandawire has been appointed to the external advisory committee of the African Union (AU)–European Union (EU) International Research Consortium on Food and Nutritional Security for Sustainable Agriculture. In a letter confirming the appointment, consortium coordinator Irene Annor-Frempong said Mkandawire’s appointment was “strictly on individual merit” and that his expertise would be invaluable in shaping the consortium’s strategic direction. The seven-member committee, comprising senior experts from Africa and Europe, advises on food and nutrition security for sustainable agriculture under the AU–EU partnership.

Mkandawire brings more than 40 years of experience in development policy and academia and recently retired as regional director for the Alliance for African Partnership at Michigan State University. He also chaired the National Planning Commission from its inception in 2017 and oversaw the launch of Malawi’s long-term development blueprint, Malawi 2063 and its First 10-Year Implementation Plan and also served as vice-president of the African Fertiliser Agribusiness Partnerships. Mkandawire also helped translate the 2003 Maputo Declaration into the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme at the African Union Development Agency, formerly the New Partnership for Africa’s Development. He has since published widely on agricultural transformation, food systems and youth development and founded the Centre for Youth Studies at the University of Venda and in 2024, he received the Afreximbank–Fara Award alongside other international honours.—The Nation