MAPREN - Market Access Policy Research Network
Transforming National, Regional and Global Economy Through An Improved Market Access.
Towards an informed policy that increases market access in national, regional and global trading systems.
Improving research-oriented and evidence-based policies necessary and sufficient to making informed policy decisions for the tranformation of developing countries’ agricultural and primary sectors.
Market Access Policy Research Network (MAPREN) is a non-profit, non-state actor, and independent Think Tank that specialises in sustainable development-oriented market access training and research. MAPREN is a policy-driven Think Tank that connects and co-integrates town and gown (decision-makers, policy-makers and scholars) to stimulate the implementation of informed and research-oriented policies towards the achievement of sustainable development. The training and research cut across and transcend policy and practice associated with market access at the national, regional and global levels that impact the sustainable development of developing countries, especially Africa.
MAPREN Divisions
Partnerships
The Cluster of research Excellence on Sustainable Food Systems
The Clusters of Research Excellence are the result of a collaboration between the Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities (The Guild) and the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) and represent a new model of university partnership to strengthen collaboration between Africa and Europe in the fields of research, innovation and higher education. The University of Bologna is the European Co-Lead of the Cluster of Research Excellence on “Sustainable Food Systems” (CoRE-SFS) and together with the University of Pretoria (African Co-Lead) is directly responsible for the governance and implementation of the various activities of the Cluster, which currently includes more than 20 African and European universities and research partners.
News from the industry
Strengthening partnerships for sustainable agrifood system development in Africa
Germany’s agrifood systems partnership with Africa should prioritize private sector-led, market-oriented initiatives that focus on trade and investment over aid.
African economies have recorded notable progress in food production, processing and distribution. However, significant challenges and failures persist in its agrifood systems, leading to an alarmingly poor state of food and nutrition security across the continent.1 2The continent’s agrifood systems remain susceptible to various shocks and stressors owing to climate variability, economic volatility, political instability and public health threats, factors which have continued to pose significant risks and challenges to African agrifood systems. Relatedly, there has been growing concern over Africa’s slow progress towards achieving targets set under key continental policy frameworks, such as the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).
The Southern African Society for Plant Pathology (SASPP) has several upcoming events, including the 2024 Biennial Congress and a Soilborne Plant Diseases Interest Group Symposium. The 2024 Congress will be held from 23-26 January 2022. The Soilborne Plant Diseases Interest Group Symposium will be held at the ARC – Plant Health and Protection, Vredenburg Research Centre, Stellenbosch, from 22 – 24 October 2024. Additionally, the NSTF-South32 Awards Gala Event will take place on 31 July 2025, with a hybrid format including simultaneous events in Cape Town and Johannesburg and a live broadcast online.
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