By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Ethiopia, 17 June 2026 – Five Ethiopian public universities have signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a consortium to advance research, education and sustainable development in the country’s pastoral and agro-pastoral regions.
The presidents of Jigjiga, Samara, Borana, Gambella and Bonga universities signed the agreement during a ceremony held at Jigjiga University, according to statements issued by the institutions on Tuesday.
The new partnership, known as the Pastoral Area Universities Consortium, or PAUC, will provide a platform for joint research, postgraduate training, community engagement, policy dialogue and resource mobilisation.
The universities said the consortium would focus on pastoral livelihoods, climate-change adaptation, disaster-risk reduction, natural-resource governance and livestock development.
Other priority areas include peacebuilding, borderland studies, indigenous knowledge systems, healthcare, education, entrepreneurship and social inclusion.
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The institutions said the initiative was intended to produce evidence-based research, strengthen human capital and promote resilience, peace and inclusive economic development in pastoral areas.
The consortium is also expected to increase academic cooperation and innovation while helping universities develop research-based responses to social, economic and environmental challenges affecting pastoralist and agro-pastoralist communities.
Ethiopia’s lowlands cover about 60% of the country and are home to an estimated 18 million pastoralists, according to the World Bank. The figures underline the economic and social importance of research and development programmes targeting pastoral regions.
The universities did not disclose the duration of the agreement, its budget or a timetable for launching the first joint projects.