RUFORUM Vice-Chancellors agree that the strategies, priority actions and targets for monitoring and evaluating progress in food systems transformation in Africa must be co-designed and co-owned. African universities working in partnership with local, national and international partners and civil society, while keeping in mind the ambitions of governments. All citizens must benefit especially smallholder producers, fishers, livestock keepers, SMES, rural communities, women and youth. Geographic isolation, gender, and other inequalities including lack of modern infrastructure that limit access to knowledge, technology, finance and markets, and hinder development must be comprehensively addressed.