The Association of African Universities (AAU) celebrates a proud and historic moment for African higher education. Two of our most distinguished leaders have ascended to high office within the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), placing the continent’s voice at the very heart of one of the world’s oldest and most influential university networks. This dual achievement highlights the global recognition of the leadership cultivated within the AAU’s membership and underscores our collective commitment to shaping the future of higher education worldwide.
Professor Kenneth Matengu, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Namibia and the elected President of the AAU Governing Board, was elected to the ACU Council in July 2025. He currently serves as a Council Member and Trustee, representing Constituency III – comprising East, West and Southern Africa – for a three-year term from 01 August 2025 to 31 July 2028. In a related recent and prestigious development, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana and the AAU Ambassador for Gender Equity & Social Inclusion, has been elected as the Chair of the ACU Council. She will provide strategic leadership for an initial two-year term, effective 1 January 2026, after having served as a valuable member of the Council since August 2024.
A Powerful Convergence of Governance and Advocacy
These appointments are not just personal accolades; they represent a strategic alignment of the AAU’s core missions on a global platform. Prof. Kenneth Matengu brings to the ACU Council his dynamic vision as the youngest-ever AAU President and his deep commitment to pan-African collaboration. His leadership is instrumental in driving initiatives that strengthen universities across the continent. Upon his election, Prof. Matengu stated his focus would be on “supporting postgraduate education and research, especially as Africa works to produce the next generation of doctoral graduates needed to realise our continent’s vision for the future.”
Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo ascends to the ACU Chairmanship as a proven leader and a powerful voice for the values the AAU champions. Her role as our Ambassador for Gender Equity & Social Inclusion is a testament to her lifelong commitment to these principles. In her new role, she aims to “strengthen collaboration, advance equity and inclusion and ensure that higher education continues to serve as a powerful force for sustainable development and societal transformation.”
A Statement from the AAU Secretariat
The AAU community is immensely proud of Professors Matengu and Amfo. Their elections are a resounding endorsement of African leadership and the relevance of our continental agenda. To have our Board President on the ACU Council and our Ambassador for Gender Equity assuming its Chairmanship creates a unique and powerful synergy. It ensures that Africa’s priorities, from building research capacity to championing inclusive education, will be advocated for at the highest level of Commonwealth dialogue. This is a victory for every AAU member institution.
Celebrating Our Members, Elevating Our Continent
As the apex organisation for higher education in Africa, the AAU exists to connect, support, and celebrate the achievements of its members. The global recognition of Prof. Matengu and Prof. Amfo is a direct reflection of the excellence nurtured within the University of Namibia and the University of Ghana. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to these esteemed institutions for fostering such exemplary leadership.
We look forward to the strengthened partnership between the AAU and the ACU under this joint leadership. Their roles promise to foster greater collaboration, drive innovative solutions to shared challenges, and ensure that African universities continue to play a pivotal role in the global knowledge ecosystem.
Learn more from these resources provided below:
- Read the University of Namibia’s announcement
- Read the University of Ghana’s announcement
- Visit the ACU Council webpage
About the Association of African Universities (AAU):
The AAU is the apex organisation and principal forum for consultation, exchange of information and co-operation among universities in Africa. We champion quality higher education and research and strengthen the contribution of higher education to Africa’s development. Visit our website for more information
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