TAGDEV 2.0 REGIONAL STUDENT LEADERSHIP ELECTION RESULTS
By Hope Kafumbu, Communication, Advocacy and Branding officer – Malawi university of science and technology (MUST)
Following the successful conclusion of the first-ever Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully Contribute to Africa’s Growth and Development (TAGDev) 2.0 Regional Student Leadership Elections, held on 3rd August 2026, a new chapter in scholar-led engagement and representation was ushered in.
The election campaign brought together visionary young and dynamic, TAGDev scholarship beneficiaries from across RUFORUM’s fifteen (15) implementing universities, providing them with a unique opportunity to shape the direction of student leadership and amplify the voices and contributions of their peers. Eight (8) emerging leaders were elected to serve in various leadership capacities, entrusted with the responsibility of representing scholar interests, coordinating regional activities, strengthening collaboration among scholars, and fostering meaningful engagement between the student community and the TAGDev management team.
Spanning 13 implementing countries in 15 universities, the elected leaders become an important bridge between scholars and programme management, creating spaces for dialogue, collaboration, peer learning, and collective action. Their mandate is not only to represent their fellow scholars, but also to champion a spirit of inclusion, nurture leadership, teamwork, innovation, and professional skills among students, and promote the give-back ethos through community engagement and social impact
The eight elected youth leaders are as follows:
| S/N | Name | Position | Institution | Country |
| 1. | Mercy Chirchir | Regional Chairperson | University of Eldoret | Kenya |
| 2. | Adeleke Ogoutchemi | Vice Chairperson | National University of Agriculture | Benin |
| 3. | Maitseo Monau | Secretary General | University of the Free State | South Africa |
| 4. | David Anahomah Asumang | Education & Community Engagement Officer | University of Cape Coast | Ghana |
| 5. | Nwati Nerville | Welfare and Inclusion Officer | University of Bamenda | Cameroon |
| 6. | Alae-Eddine Moumen | Entrepreneurship and Innovations Officer | Mohammed VI Polytechnic University | Morocco |
| 7. | Rosaline Chelangat | Alumni Engagement Officer | Egerton University | Kenya |
| 8. | Hope Kafumbu | Regional Communication, Advocacy and Branding Officer | Malawi University of Science and Technology | Malawi |
Congratulations to all the elected candidates! We look forward to working with you as the inaugural TAGDev 2.0 Student Leaders!
Together, we will advance our shared mission of nurturing scholars who are academically excellent, innovative in solving community challenges, and committed to social responsibility.
We wish you a successful and impactful tenure as you take on this important responsibility.
About TAGDev 2.0
TAGDev 2.0 (2023–2033) is a ten-year programme implemented by RUFORUM with support from the Mastercard Foundation and GCHERA, in partnership with fifteen universities across Africa: Gulu University and Uganda Martyrs University (Uganda); University of Eldoret and Egerton University (Kenya); University of Cape Coast (Ghana); National University of Agriculture (Benin); University of Bamenda (Cameroon); University of the Free State (South Africa); University of Port Harcourt (Nigeria); Malawi University of Science and Technology (Malawi); Mohamed VI Polytechnic University (Morocco); Africa University (Zimbabwe); Sokoine University of Agriculture (Tanzania); Haramaya University (Ethiopia); and Université du Sine Saloum El-Hâdj Ibrahima Niass (USSEIN) (Senegal).
The programme aims to skill and empower Africa’s young people and their institutions to drive inclusive, equitable and climate-resilient transformation of agriculture and agri-food systems. As student cohorts grow, there is a need for a structured and representative student leadership mechanism that gives students a voice, nurtures leadership and a culture of giving back, and strengthens a connected, pan-African TAGDev community.
