The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in South Africa has strengthened its academic expertise with the appointment of Prof. Afees Adebare Salisu as an Extraordinary Professor in the Department of Economics at the Faculty of Economics and Finance, reinforcing its commitment to research excellence, international collaboration and policy-relevant scholarship.
Recognised globally for his academic impact, Prof. Salisu ranks among the top one per cent of economists in Africa and has consistently featured among the world’s top two per cent of scientists over the past five years.
Originally from Nigeria, Salisu is the Executive Director of the Centre for Econometrics and Applied Research (CEAR) in Ibadan, Nigeria.
He completed his academic training in Economics with Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degrees, and later undertook a Graduate Research Fellowship at University College London in the United Kingdom.
Salisu has built a strong international academic profile, serving as a Visiting and Research Professor at several institutions across the globe, including Eduardo Mondlane University in Mozambique, the University of Economics in Ho Chi Minh City, Ton Duc Thang University in Vietnam, and the Global Humanistic University in Curaçao. He also holds an appointment as Extraordinary Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Pretoria.
Describing the appointment as a significant milestone, Salisu said the new role would further enhance his contributions to higher education and research in South Africa.
According to him, the position aligns with his commitment to advancing Africa’s development through research, teaching, mentorship and policy engagement.
Welcoming the appointment, Head of the Department of Economics at TUT, Prof. Mulatu Zerihun, said the move would enhance the department’s research capacity and support its internationalisation agenda.
He noted that Salisu’s expertise in econometrics and applied economics would strengthen postgraduate teaching, research collaboration and policy engagement, particularly within the African context.
Salisu’s research focuses on critical global and regional economic issues, including climate change, energy transitions, financial stability, geopolitical developments and technological transformation. His work also addresses challenges such as unemployment, inequality, economic resilience and inclusive growth across Africa.
He explained that his research aims to support policymakers, businesses and institutions in tackling pressing economic challenges while promoting sustainable and inclusive development. He also reaffirmed his commitment to mentoring emerging researchers and fostering research that provides practical solutions to real-world problems.
(The Whistler)
