LUANAR’s three Centres of Excellence the Centre of Excellence in Transformative Agriculture Commercialisation (TACE), the Africa Centre of Excellence in Aquaculture and Fisheries Science (AquaFish), and the Africa Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Policy Analysis (ACE II APA) are making a strong impression at the 20th Technical and Advisory Meeting (TAM) and the 26th Regional Steering Committee (RSC) Meeting underway from 8-11 December 2025 at the Munyonyo Commonwealth Speke Resort in Kampala, Uganda.

At the high-level regional gathering, the Centres are showcasing flagship achievements and groundbreaking innovations that continue to position LUANAR as a premier institution for research, innovation, and development excellence in Africa.

One of the standout highlights is TACE’s youth-centred financing innovation the Spark Facility, also known as the Spark Start-Up Fund. Developed in partnership with NBS Bank, the financing model is attracting regional attention for its catalytic impact on youth entrepreneurship. The Spark Facility offers accessible, concessional financing to graduates emerging from LUANAR’s structured incubation programme. This approach has created a steady flow of de-risked, investment-ready youth enterprises, boosting financial institutions’ confidence to support young innovators.

ACE II APA is also drawing admiration for its strides in strengthening data-driven policy-making. The Centre has successfully launched Master’s and PhD programmes in Data Science—an important milestone in advancing evidence-based policy analysis across the agricultural sector in Malawi and the wider region. Additionally, the Deputy Centre Director, Dr Ruth Magreta shared how the centre has made strides in the regional accreditation process of some of programmes supported by the centre.

AquaFish, on the other hand, is showcasing a powerful example of an enterprise/spinoff company that led to the birth of Aquaponics for Life, a youth-led enterprise. The Centre in collaboration with Aquaponics for Life, has nurtured an aquaponics model that has grown from a small idea into a fully sustainable system. The model at Aquaponics for Life now generates its own energy, produces its own feed, builds its own knowledge base, and supports both farmers and students, demonstrating how locally driven innovation can flourish without over-reliance on external support.

Together, these achievements illustrate how the ACE II initiative supported by the World Bank is translating academic excellence into real-world solutions and delivering tangible regional impact.

Beyond presenting innovations, the LUANAR delegation is actively participating in strategic discussions on sustaining Centres of Excellence in Eastern and Southern Africa. These engagements contribute to a broader vision of strengthening the region’s higher education ecosystem.

Speaking on behalf of NBS Bank, Mr. Gomezgani Kakhuta, the Bank’s Food and Agriculture Sector Manager, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to supporting youth empowerment. He highlighted the strong partnership between NBS Bank and TACE, particularly through the Spark revolving fund, capacity-building initiatives, and programmes that enhance graduate employability and entrepreneurship.

As the meetings continue, LUANAR remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing innovation, strengthening regional partnerships, and empowering Africa’s next generation of leaders through transformative research and education.