Continental and regional research, education, extension organisations, development partners, policymakers, and agricultural stakeholders from across Africa convened in Kampala, Uganda, for a high-level Multistakeholder Workshop on Strengthening Research, Education, Extension,and Development (R-E-D) from 21 to 23 December 2025. The workshop was anchored in the World Bank–funded Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP) and convened by the African Union Commission (AUC).

Opening the workshop, Dr Lilian Lihasi, Executive Directorof the Africa Forum for Agricultural Advisory Service (AFAAS), underscored the urgency of collective action to transform Africa’s food systems. She emphasised that the workshop provided a unique multi-stakeholder platform for shared learning, dialogue, and joint problem-solving, noting that meaningful engagement among continental, regional, and national actors is essential to deliver the change Africa urgently requires.

Speaking on behalf of the CAADP-XP4 Programme, Dr Aggrey Agumya reflected on Africa’s persistent challenge of translating commitments into action, observing that nearly 93 per cent of continental declarations remain unimplemented. He explained that the African Union has resolved to change this trajectory by ensuring that future declarations are grounded in realistic and attainable targets. He affirmed that CAADP-XP4 represents a progressive shift toward results-oriented implementation and stressed that the effective deployment of science, technology, and innovation is a prerequisite for achieving FSRP objectives.

Dr Agumya highlighted CAADP-XP4’s role in strengthening agricultural research for development through enhanced institutional collaboration and the establishment of the African Agricultural Research, Innovation and Education Institutions (AARIEIs). He cautioned, however, that knowledge systems alone are insufficient to drive transformation at scale, emphasising the need to work closely with farmers, academia, extension services, education institutions, and the private sector to translate research into practical solutions. He commended the AUC for convening the meeting and urged XP4 partners to align more deliberately with the FSRP, while thanking AFAAS and ASARECA for hosting.

The Executive Director of ASARECA, Dr Sylvester Dickson Baguma, reinforced the critical role of Subregional Research Organisations (SROs) as institutions closest to countries and communities. He described SROs as “down-to-earth” actors who operate where implementation occurs. He emphasised that strengthening partnerships across research, extension, and education is central to achieving Agenda 2063 and the CAADP Kampala Declaration. He reaffirmed ASARECA’s commitment to working with the AUC through the RECs, as well as fellow SROs, to deliver a measurable impact, noting that the actions taken today will determine how far Africa progresses.

Delivering a keynote address on behalf of AUC Commissioner H.E. Moses Vilakati, Mr Kennedy Ayason, FSRP Programme Coordinator at the AUC, highlighted the immense pressures facing Africa’s food systems, including conflict, climate change, droughts, and market disruptions. He also pointed to the opportunities presented by rapidly advancing digital technologies. He explained that the World Bank-funded FSRP, a USD 3 billion programme launched in 2024 across Eastern, Southern, and Western Africa, offers a strategic vehicle for aligning continental, regional, and national efforts.

Mr Ayason outlined three imperatives underpinning the FSRP approach: recognising SROs as the backbone of implementation, ensuring research outputs reach farmers and extension systems rather than remaining on shelves, and mainstreaming artificial intelligence, interoperable digital systems, and modern data platforms as essential tools. He further explained that FSRP focuses on building resilience, mitigating post-harvest loss, conducting research and development, integrating markets through harmonised seed systems and trade, and enhancing trade-related capacities, while also supporting deeper continental integration and the implementation of the CAADP Kampala Declaration (to 2035).

During plenary discussions, Ms Beatrice Egulu of the AUC called on AARIEI partners to move beyond general discussions and clearly demonstrate what they expect to contribute to the implementation of the FSRP and CAADP Kampala Declaration. She emphasised that clarity of roles, practical demonstrations, and accountability are essential for translating continental frameworks into measurable national and regional impact. Participants raised candid concerns around visibility, coordination, and accountability, calling for clearer frameworks to track who is doing what, where, and with what results. Executive Directors and representatives from RUFORUM, FARA, CCARDESA, CORAF, and partner organisations agreed on the need to move away from fragmented, project-driven approaches toward coherent, systems-based models that deliver sustained impact.

Representing the CCARDESA Executive Director, Dr Majola Mabuza, FSRP Programme Coordinator for Southern Africa, emphasised the shift from fragmented knowledge to structured, accessible systems capable of driving scale and accountability. He highlighted efforts to develop a continental digital technology catalogue and standardised scorecards to track technology performance, adoption, and impact, noting that these tools will strengthen evidence-based decision-making and mutual accountability across institutions. AFAAS Executive Director Dr Lilian Lihasi urged participants to focus on strengthening system functions rather than isolated projects, stressing that without effective extension and coordination, policies cannot be translated into practice or scaled.

Mr Emmanuel Okalany of RUFORUM called for a structured framework that clarifies responsibilities and aligns institutional mandates. He highlighted RUFORUM’s commitment to ensuring student research responds to continental priorities and emphasised the importance of accountability to the African Union, alongside enterprise and entrepreneurship training to translate research into agribusiness solutions. CORAF’s Senior Scaling Specialist,Dr Caroline Sobgui, stressed the need to move away from siloed approaches and embed CAADP achievements fully within the FSRP to ensure continuity and scale. Mr Paul Ochuna of the Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC) emphasised the importance of harmonised information platforms, scaled-up partnerships, and market-focused platforms, such as agribusiness expos, to link researchers, seed companies, and farmers while facilitating trade.

A dedicated session on knowledge systems and digitisation under CAADP-XP4 showcased platforms and tools used by FARA, ASARECA, CCARDESA, CORAF, and AFAAS, highlighting digital advisory services, interoperable knowledge platforms, communities of practice, and virtual learning systems. Discussions emphasised that digitisation and knowledge management must be treated as core system functions, supported by shared standards and strong governance, to ensure seamless integration into FSRP implementation. Mr Anselme Vodounhessi, Coordinator of the Common African Agro-Parks (CAAPs) Programme and Monitoring & Evaluation Expert at FARA, introduced the AfricAgriTradeLink Programme, examined resource mobilisation and investment pathways, and identified anchor pipelines and public–private partnership opportunities to sustain R-E-D initiatives beyond project cycles.

The workshop concluded with the presentation of key outputs and the endorsement of the R-E-D Communiqué to the African Union. Participants reaffirmed their collective commitment to transparency, accountability, and coordinated action, agreeing that Africa’s agricultural transformation will depend on integrated systems that connect research, extension, education, markets, policy, and farmers at scale.

The post Africa’s Food Systems Take Centre Stage as AUC Convenes Regional Actors to Strengthen Research, Education, Extension and Development appeared first on FARA Africa.

May 5, 2025 – Johannesburg, South Africa

Today, at the Radisson Hotel in Johannesburg, African leaders, stakeholders, and development partners celebrated a significant milestone in the continent’s agricultural journey with the official launch of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Strategy and Action Plan (2026–2035) alongside the Kampala Declaration. The high-profile event was organised by the African Union Commission’s Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (DARBE) and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD).

This continental gathering attracted broad and diverse participation from AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), civil society organisations, farmer groups, parliamentarians, youth and women’s networks, private sector actors, and development partners. Among the notable attendees were leaders of the AARIEI Partnership, including Dr. Aggrey Agumya, Executive Director of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA); Prof. Cliff Dlamini, Executive Director of CCARDESA; and Ms. Elizabeth Nsimadala, President of the East African Farmers Federation (EAFF) and Board Member of both FARA and the Pan-African Farmers’ Organisation (PAFO). Also present were the African Food Systems Parliamentary Network, Women Farmers’ Associations, representatives of non-state actors, and other senior staff and board members of the AARIEI consortium institutions.

Rallying Commitment: High-Level Remarks

H.E. John Steenhuisen, Minister of Agriculture for the Republic of South Africa

Opening the event, H.E. John Steenhuisen, Minister of Agriculture for the Republic of South Africa, delivered a reassuring welcome address. He applauded the appointment of the new AU Commissioner and urged African leaders to unite behind the six strategic objectives of the new CAADP plan. He emphasized intra-African trade, transformative programming for smallholder farmers, knowledge creation and sharing, data-driven planning, and digital technology adoption as cornerstones for agricultural progress.

H.E. Moses Vilakati, AUC Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (DARBE)

H.E. Moses Vilakati, the newly appointed Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment at the AUC, inspired participants with the metaphor: “Let us all put our hands on deck to get the seed into a bountiful harvest.”

H.E. Nardos Bekele, CEO of AUDA-NEPAD delivering her remarks via Zoom

Additional remarks were delivered by: H.E. Nardos Bekele, CEO of AUDA-NEPAD, highlighting the strategic role of partnerships; Hon. Fred Bwino Kyakulaga, Minister of State for Agriculture of Uganda and Chair of the STC Bureau, who called for increased country ownership and alignment; Senior representatives from RECs such as SADC, ECCAS, and UMA; and Odd Eirik Arnesen, Chair of the Development Partners Coordination Group (DPCG), who reaffirmed the commitment of partners to support the strategy’s rollout.

Hon. Fred Bwino Kyakulaga, Minister of State for Agriculture of Uganda and Chair of the STC Bureau

The Strategic Blueprint: CAADP 2026–2035

Odd Eirik Arnesen, Chair of the Development Partners Coordination Group (DPCG)

The new CAADP Strategy and Action Plan was developed in response to the AU Assembly’s 2024 directive for a renewed continental agricultural vision. Building on lessons from Maputo and Malabo, it outlines six strategic objectives designed to address food security, mobilising investment, climate resilience, agro-industrialisation, inclusive growth, and improved governance across Africa’s agri-food systems.

Ms. Panduleni Elago (AUC)

Presented by Dr. Manyewu Mutamba (AUDA-NEPAD) and Ms. Panduleni Elago (AUC), the strategy advocates for evidence-based policies, regional value chain development, social protection, and strong accountability systems. The session featured ministerial interventions and concluded with the formal unveiling of both the Strategy and the Kampala Declaration.

Broader Commitments from Member States and Partners

Further contributions reflected a continental consensus on the necessity for bold, coordinated action. The Minister for Agriculture of the Kingdom of Eswatini, Hon. Jabulani Mabuza, emphasised the importance of removing practical barriers to regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He advocated for reforms such as abolishing travel visa restrictions among African countries, establishing strategic travel hubs to facilitate easier intra-African movement, and developing a common payment platform. He also encouraged the African Union Commission to create an intersectoral forum that would enhance coherence in policy development and implementation at national, regional, and continental levels—bridging the persistent divide between policy and practice.

Babagana Ahmadu, FAO Representative, Pretoria, South Africa

Speaking on behalf of Dr. Abebe Haile-Gabriel, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa, the FAO Representative in Pretoria emphasised the need for the third CAADP to prioritise greater empowerment of youth and women, highlighting that inclusive transformation must be central to the continent’s development strategy.

Additionally, representatives from key stakeholder groups, including the African Food Systems Parliamentary Network, Women Farmers’ Associations, and various non-state actors, publicly reaffirmed their commitment to the successful implementation of the Kampala Declaration. They highlighted the necessity for transparency, inclusive governance, and long-term partnerships to ensure the strategy produces tangible benefits for the people of Africa, particularly its farmers.

FARA and the Role of the AARIEI Partnership

Representing the Knowledge Institutions within the AARIEI Partnership—including FARA, CCARDESA, CORAF, ASARECA, AFAAS, and RUFORUM—as well as the CGIAR, FARA reaffirmed its leadership in supporting evidence-based planning, enhancing agricultural knowledge systems, and driving innovation to transform Africa’s agri-food systems.

Dr. Aggrey Agumya, Executive Director of FARA

Speaking at the launch, FARA’s Executive Director, Dr. Aggrey Agumya, emphasised the institution’s readiness to align its strategies and business plans with the aspirations of the Kampala Declaration. He highlighted the significance of science, innovation, education, and capacity development in facilitating implementation. Dr. Agumya assured the African Union Commission of the consortium’s unwavering commitment to delivery.

Prof. Cliff Dlamini, Executive Director of CCARDESA

In addition, Prof. Cliff Dlamini, Executive Director of CCARDESA, urged all stakeholders to make the third CAADP a decade of scaling innovation, both scaling up and scaling deep, to catalyze accelerated and inclusive growth.

From the farmers’ perspective, Ms. Elizabeth Nsimadala, a Board Member of FARA and PAFO and President of the EAFF, spoke on behalf of over 80 million farmers across 50 African countries. She expressed gratitude to the AUC for involving farmers throughout the development of the Kampala Declaration and reaffirmed their commitment to its execution. She urged a supportive policy environment, enhanced investment flows, stronger extension systems, and deeper farmer engagement at the national level.

“We don’t wish to be summoned to eat when the food is already ready,” she emphasised. “We request all partners to be truthful, commit to transparency, and concentrate on what is achievable.”

A Decade of Transformation Begins

The launch of the CAADP Strategy and Action Plan 2026–2035, along with the Kampala Declaration, signifies a crucial turning point in Africa’s pursuit of agricultural transformation. With the full support of member states, technical institutions, development partners, parliamentarians, women and youth networks, and non-state actors, Africa is set to enter a new era of inclusive, resilient, and knowledge-driven agricultural development.

For More Information:

The CAADP Strategy and Action Plan 2026–2035 and the Kampala Declaration are available in the following languages in the AARIEIspace:

Strategy and Action Plan 2026–2035: English | French | Portuguese | Arabic | Swahili

Kampala Declaration: English | French | Portuguese | Arabic | Swahili

The post Africa Charts a New Path to Agri-Food Transformation with the Launch of the CAADP Strategy (2026–2035) and the Kampala Declaration appeared first on FARA Africa.

The high-level launch brought together ministers of agriculture, development partners, regional economic communities, civil society, farmer organisations, women and youth networks, and private sector representatives.

Key highlights:

• New strategic blueprint: The CAADP 2026–2035 strategy focuses on six strategic objectives, including food security, climate resilience, inclusive growth, and agro-industrialisation.
• Unified commitment: Officials from AU Member States and development partners called for bold reforms, improved intra-African trade, and increased investments in smallholder farmers.
• Voices from the field: Farmer leaders, including Ms. Elizabeth Nsimadala (EAFF), emphasized the importance of meaningful farmer inclusion, transparency, and local ownership in policy implementation.
• Science and innovation front and centre: The AARIEI Knowledge Institutions, led by FARA, pledged continued support for evidence-based planning, technology adoption, and scaling of innovations.

The launch signals the start of a transformative decade for African agriculture, driven by collective leadership, shared accountability, and a firm commitment to inclusive development.

The full CAADP Strategy and the Kampala Declaration will soon be available in English, French, Portuguese, Arabic, and Swahili.

Media Contact:

Benjamin Abugri (FARA) – babugri@faraafrica.org

Daniel Obloni Kweistu (FARA) – dkweitsu@faraafrica.org

Bridget Kakuwa (CCARDESA) – bkakuwa@ccardesa.org

Alida Nadinga (CORAF) – a.nadinga@coraf.org

Ben Ilakut (ASARECA) – b.ilakut@asareca.org

Grace Musimami (AFAAS) – Gmusimami@afaas-africa.org

The post Africa Launches Bold CAADP Strategy (2026–2035) and Kampala Declaration to Drive Agri-Food Transformation appeared first on FARA Africa.

In a landmark commitment to continental agricultural progress, leading African institutions have signed the African Agricultural Research Innovation and Education Institutions (AARIEI) Partnership Engagement Framework (APEF). This instrument formalises and deepens collaboration between FARA, AFAAS, RUFORUM, CORAF, CCARDESA and ASARECA in partnership with One CGIAR, and sets the stage for a unified approach to scaling agricultural innovations, transforming food systems, and empowering rural communities, particularly women and youth.

This milestone arrives at a crucial moment when African governments and stakeholders are preparing to implement the Kampala Declaration on Agricultural Research and Innovation, a declaration designed to reposition science, research, and education as central pillars for transforming agricultural and food systems across the continent.

Why the AARIEI Instrument Matters

The AARIEI instrument is not simply another framework; it is a dynamic response to Africa’s ongoing fragmentation in agricultural research, advisory services, and capacity building. By recognising their overlapping mandates and strategic orientations, the institutions have chosen to institutionalise a partnership that leverages their individual strengths and maximises collective impact.

Key features of the signed AARIEI instrument include:

• A Unified Partnership Vision: “Africa in which all people have food and nutrition security and are prosperous.”
• Shared Mission: Accelerating the application of science to agriculture to ensure sustainable and decent livelihoods for Africa’s smallholder farmers, women, and youth.
• Joint Institutional Systems: Including an AARIEI Board Partnership Forum, an Advisory Committee, a Technical Committee, and a Secretariat hosted by FARA.
• Shared Platforms and Marketplaces: To promote the exchange of knowledge, enhance capacity development, and support the co-creation and dissemination of innovations and technologies.
• Collaborative Resource Mobilization: With a joint funding approach to attract investment from governments, donors, and the private sector.

A Strategic Step Toward the Kampala Declaration

The Kampala Declaration, adopted in 2023, calls for enhanced coordination and investment in agricultural research and innovation to achieve Africa’s food security and development objectives. The AARIEI instrument supports this by offering a concrete mechanism for collaborative action, integrated planning, and strengthened partnerships.

Through the APEF, Africa’s key institutions are not only speaking with one voice but are also pooling technical expertise, networks, and resources. This is expected to accelerate the implementation of transformative initiatives such as:

1. The Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa (S3A)
2. Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT)
3. The Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP)
4. And various capacity development platforms supported by RUFORUM and AFAAS

Strengthening the African Knowledge Ecosystem

Each partner in the AARIEI has assumed a leadership role within the framework:

• FARA leads continental observatory systems and science-policy interfaces.
• AFAAS fosters the scaling of innovations and bolsters the advisory services ecosystem.
• RUFORUM spearheads capacity building and human capital development.
• CORAF, CCARDESA, and ASARECA lead regional research coordination for West, Central, South, and East and facilitate the uptake of innovations.

Alongside One CGIAR, they form a formidable alliance that bridges research, education, and extension in unprecedented ways.

A Call to Action for Stakeholders

As Africa’s food security challenges become increasingly complex due to climate change, youth unemployment, and evolving global markets, the AARIEI partnership represents a beacon of hope. Its success now depends on ongoing commitment, inclusive engagement, and strong support from governments, development partners, and the private sector.

We urge all stakeholders, including policymakers, investors, donors, farmer organisations, and innovators, to align with the AARIEI agenda and support the institutional, financial, and policy mechanisms necessary to put this framework into operation.

Key References

Explore the Full AARIEI Instrument by staying in touch with the AR4D Community

Learn More About the Kampala Declaration

Stay Updated on the Partnership:

• FARA
• RUFORUM
• AFAAS
• CORAF
• ASARECA
• CCARDESA
• CGIAR

The post A New Era of Collaboration: African Agricultural Institutions Sign AARIEI Instrument to Accelerate the Continent’s Agricultural Transformation appeared first on FARA Africa.