By Chinedu Okafor, African News Correspondent
Kigali-based research powerhouse, AKADEMIYA2063, has announced the appointment of Nigerian public policy expert Dr Debisi Araba as its new Managing Director, effective September 15, 2025.
The organisation, which plays a central role in advancing evidence-driven policymaking under the African Union’s Agenda 2063, said the leadership change reflects its renewed commitment to strengthening Africa’s data and policy systems for sustainable growth and prosperity.
A Strategic Leadership Shift
Dr Araba will work closely with the Executive Chairperson, Dr Ousmane Badiane, and the Board of Trustees to expand technical capacities across AU Member States. His appointment comes at a critical time when African governments are under pressure to align food systems, climate resilience, and economic reforms with long-term continental development goals.
Proven Track Record in Policy and Sustainability
With over 15 years of experience, Dr Araba has built an impressive career spanning agriculture, climate policy, and food systems. He previously served as:
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Senior Consultant at the African Development Bank (AfDB), advising on agriculture and food systems.
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Visiting Research Fellow at Imperial College London’s Centre for Environmental Policy.
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Managing Director of the Africa Green Revolution Forum (now Africa Food Systems Forum).
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Africa Region Director at the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT).
In Nigeria, he made significant contributions as Senior Technical Adviser on Environmental Policy to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, co-authoring the National Agricultural Resilience Framework and spearheading climate-smart agricultural strategies.
“I am honoured to begin this new chapter at the helm of AKADEMIYA2063’s leadership team,” Dr Araba said, pledging to leverage home-grown expertise to drive Africa’s strategic priorities.
Strengthening Africa’s Evidence Architecture
Founded as a pan-African non-profit research institution headquartered in Kigali, Rwanda, with a regional office in Dakar, Senegal, AKADEMIYA2063 serves as a continental hub for knowledge and analytics. Its work is anchored on five strategic pillars:
| Strategic Area | Focus |
|---|---|
| Policy Innovation | Evidence-informed reform frameworks |
| Knowledge Systems | Data-driven analytical tools |
| Capacity Creation & Deployment | Technical expertise across member states |
| Operational Support | Policy execution advisory |
| Data Management & Digital Products | Technology-enabled analytics |
Looking Ahead
Under Dr Araba’s leadership, AKADEMIYA2063 is expected to deepen partnerships, strengthen national data ecosystems, and expand policy support frameworks. The organisation aims to position evidence-based decision-making as a cornerstone of Africa’s long-term economic transformation under Agenda 2063.