The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to exacerbate an already alarming food insecurity situation. Before the emergence of the pandemic, food insecurity was already on the rise in the region due to factors such as climatic shocks and livestock pests and diseases. The desert locust outbreak added to the already growing concerns.

The University Executive Board has approved Authorisation to Incur Expenditure (AIE) requests for RESEARCH AND CONSULTANCY GRANTS to move to a new electronic platform.

The e-AIE platform reduces the number of approval steps previously between 12-13, down to 5. 

In addition, without the need to move paper from one office to another, the entire approval process can be completed in 48 hours (assuming all the paperwork is in order).