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MAPREN - Market Access Policy Research Network

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

ADMINISTRATION

Coordinate the day-to-day activities of the research network

TRAINING

Developing and strengthening the capacity and capability of all economic agents for improved activities, governance, regulations, support, and investments.

RESEARCH

Conduct evidence-based and policy-oriented empirical research that will stimulate and enhance the extensiveness and intensiveness of market access to goods and services at the national, regional, and global levels

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).