This paper presents a framework for understanding university engagement in the context of sub-Saharan African public universities, using the University of Rwanda as a case study and drawing on interviews with 16 university staff and government officials. Building on McCowan’s model of university impact on climate change, the paper develops a comprehensive framework that maps the pathways and mechanisms of engagement between universities and society. The framework distinguishes between direct and indirect paths of engagement, incorporating key ‘bridging’ actors such as government, industry, and communities. It develops the concept of staff circulation as a crucial indirect engagement mechanism, building on Etzkowitz and Dzisah’s triple helix model in the African context. The paper analyses how institutional foundations, external pressures, and individual actions shape engagement activities. It argues that effective engagement requires both relevance to broader development agendas and alignment with specific stakeholder needs. The framework provides a tool for universities, policymakers, and researchers to conceptualise, plan, and evaluate engagement activities in complex development contexts. By offering a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted role of large public universities in national and local development, this paper contributes to ongoing debates about the future of higher education in Africa and its potential to drive societal change.