Serves as a transformative force in advancing the strategic goals of the Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully Contribute to Africa’s Growth and Development (TAGDev) programme. As a central digital platform under RUFORUM, the Academy is designed to facilitate the delivery of high-quality blended and online learning, virtual laboratories, and custom-tailored learning resources specifically for agricultural education and training. Its establishment supports the shift towards more flexible, scalable, and resilient education systems across Africa’s higher education institutions.

Aligned with TAGDev’s mission to improve the relevance and quality of university training in agriculture and related sciences, the Digital Academy prioritises the development of digital skills for students, out-of-school youths, extensionists and educators. Through regionally curated courses, industry-informed content, and collaborative instructional design with partner universities, the Academy empowers institutions to enhance their curricula while preparing graduates for the demands of a digital, knowledge-driven agricultural sector. This commitment to innovation directly supports Africa’s broader goals for agricultural transformation, employment, and food security.

Beyond course delivery, the Academy fosters regional collaboration by leveraging partnerships among universities, research institutions, and development organizations. These collaborations promote shared resources, harmonised training standards, and co-creation of contextually relevant content. By providing a platform for continuous professional development and innovation in teaching and learning, the Academy also serves as a catalyst for institutional capacity strengthening across the RUFORUM network.

At its core, the Digital Academy is about massification, inclusivity, and access. It expands educational opportunities to traditionally underserved populations, including rural youth and women, through technology-enabled delivery models. By bridging geographical and socio-economic gaps, the Academy contributes to democratising higher education in agriculture and related fields, thereby aligning with TAGDev’s overarching vision of building a new generation of graduates equipped to drive sustainable agricultural development in Africa