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The African Centre for Crop Improvement (ACCI) was started in 2002 with the ambitious goal of becoming a world-class training centre for African plant breeders.

Based at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, its PhD graduates are part of a new generation of African scientists who are highly trained global experts on the continent’s food security crops.

Latest News

High hopes for new groundnut variety

The humble peanut is set to shine in Malawi, thanks in part to a graduate of the African Centura for Crop Improvement. Dr Justus Chintu (pictured left), who graduated in 2013 from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, co-led the development and recent release of a promising new groundnut variety with Dr James Mwololo from the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT).

UKZN’s Philanthropy Magazine, published this month by UKZN Foundation, features the pioneering work of the African Centre for Crop Improvement (ACCI) to tackle food insecurity and advance the science and business of plant breeding in Africa through demand-led approaches.

Congratulations to the ACCI heroes for your dedication and diligent contributions, which are widely recognised on the continent.

Thank you to the ACCI funders and partners: The Rockefeller Foundation, The Gates Foundation, The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa and The Demand-led Plant Breeding Project.

Promising findings in Maize streak virus study

A field of maize streaked with white may be a colourful sight, but for smallholder farmers it signals a disaster. The white streaks are the mark of Maize streak virus, a deadly disease that limits maize production and economic development of households every year in Africa.

Mutation breeding for forage and grain tef

Before starting his PhD, Rakau completed a junior degree in Agricultural Management, an Honours degree in Pasture Science and an MSc in Pasture Science at the University of Limpopo. The title of Rakau’s research is “Response of Ethyl Methane Sulphonate-Mutagenized Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] for Dual-Purpose Traits”.

UKZN AUTUMN GRADUATION 2025

Congratulations to our two new PhD graduates, Emeline Dossa from Benin and Rodreck Gunundu from Zimbabwe, who graduated on the 16th of May!

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) hosted its 2025 autumn graduation ceremonies from 6 to 16 May 2025. Over 8,000 students, including 247 PhD graduates, celebrated their achievements.

Thesis on Developing Stronger Hybrids for Africa Earns PhD for Maize Breeder

Dr Rodreck Gunundu’s PhD study through the African Centre for Crop Improvement (ACCI) aimed to identify promising maize inbred lines and experimental hybrids to address Africa’s persistently low yields of a staple crop vital for food and nutrition security.

Advanced Plant Breeding Facilities Enable Research on Striga-Resistant Maize

Dr Nanou Emeline Dossa’s PhD research through the African Centre for Crop Improvement (ACCI) at UKZN was a significant study to uncover novel genetic resources, markers and genes in maize associated with resistance to the parasitic witchweed, Striga hermonthica and Striga asiatica.

ACCI

African Centre for Crop Improvement