Why Internationalization Is Now Essential for African Universities

As global collaboration continues to reshape higher education, African universities must move beyond borders to remain relevant, competitive, and development-focused. Universities can no longer afford to operate in isolation; knowledge creation, talent development, research, and innovation increasingly transcend national boundaries, reshaping how institutions teach, collaborate, and compete. For African universities, this global reality presents both an urgent challenge and a powerful opportunity, internationalization is no longer optional; it is a strategic imperative.

This reality was clearly affirmed when KCA University had the honour of hosting the kick-off meeting of the Strengthening Higher Education Internationalization Ecosystems (SHINE) Project, a transformative initiative that brings together nine institutions from Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Italy, and Bulgaria. The meeting convened Vice Chancellors, faculty leaders, and strategic partners, all united by a shared ambition: to reimagine internationalization in African higher education in ways that are relevant, inclusive and development-oriented.

Internationalization as a Strategic Imperative

We now operate within an interconnected global ecosystem where ideas, innovation and talent flow seamlessly across borders. Yet many African universities continue to face structural, strategic and capacity-related limitations that constrain meaningful global engagement. Without deliberate investment in internationalization, institutions risk remaining spectators rather than active contributors to the global knowledge economy.

The SHINE Project responds directly to this gap. Over the next three years, the initiative will support participating institutions, including the University of National and World Economy, Kabale University, Soroti University, Tharaka University, Upper Nile University, the University of Sannio, and others to develop sustainable, context-sensitive internationalization frameworks that reflect African realities, priorities, and aspirations.

What the SHINE Project Seeks to Achieve

Through collaborative action, capacity building, and shared learning, the SHINE Project aims to:

• Develop tailored internationalization strategies for each partner institution
• Train nearly 650 academic and administrative staff in international engagement and cooperation
• Establish dedicated internationalization units staffed by skilled coordinator
• Promote virtual exchanges and global learning experiences that nurture global citizenship among students