ICF

12
Dec

AUC Commissioner Calls for the Mainstreaming of Foresight in Africa’s Food Systems and Policy Frameworks

Nairobi, Kenya – 10 December 2025 By Bridget Kakuwa, Benjamin Abugri &  Molalet Tsedeke  Africa has taken a decisive step toward strengthening the resilience and long-term sustainability of its agrifood systems with the official opening of the Africa Continental Foresight Consultations for Resilient Agrifood Systems in Nairobi. The high-level consultations convened policymakers, researchers, development partners, and practitioners from across the

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8
Dec

African Union Launches Continental Foresight Consultations to Shape the Future of Agrifood Systems

By Benjamin Abugri & Bridget Kakuwa The Africa Continental Foresight Consultations for Resilient Agrifood Systems opened today in Nairobi with an atmosphere of optimism, urgency, and shared responsibility. Convened by the African Union Commission (AUC-DARBE) in partnership with FARA, CGIAR/ILRI, AUDA-NEPAD, and a wide network of foresight partners across Africa and the United Kingdom, the workshop marks the beginning of

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30
Oct

Shaping Africa’s Agrifood Future through Strategic Foresight

By Abdulrazak Ibrahim Africa’s agrifood systems are facing unprecedented complexity. From climate change and escalating nutrition challenges to supply-chain disruptions and demographic growth, the continent’s food systems are increasingly vulnerable. These intersecting pressures hinder our ability to achieve the ambitions of the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP), the African Union Agenda 2063, and the Sustainable Development Goals. At FARA,

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1
Aug

Seeding the Future: Partnerships, Platforms, and Pathways for Africa’s Seed Sector Transformation

UNFSS+4, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia The seed sector is the quiet engine behind Africa’s agricultural transformation. It powers productivity, resilience, and inclusive growth. Yet, for too long, fragmented systems, weak institutional linkages, and polarized policy spaces have held progress back. That narrative is now shifting, and recent events, including the Seed Sector Development Meeting and the UNFSS+4 Side Event on Public-Private

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31
Jul

ARIFA Alumnus Hailed for Pioneering Eco-Friendly Packaging Project

A Nigerian food scientist and engineer, Muhammad Alhaji Adamu, an Alumnus of the Agricultural Research & Innovation Fellowship for Africa intiative #ARIFA, is making waves in the field of sustainable innovation with his groundbreaking project to replace traditional plastics with eco-friendly, biodegradable food packaging. Currently a Ph.D. researcher in Brazil, Adamu’s work is garnering significant attention for its potential to

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24
Jul

The Power of Foresight: A Collective Leap Toward Transforming Africa’s Food Systems

By Benjamin Abugri, Abdulrazak Ibrahim and Shaquille Pennaneach Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – July 24, 2025  The city of Addis Ababa today played host to the opening of a crucial Validation and Stocktaking Meeting on the margins of the UN Food Systems Summit +4 (UNFSS+4). Held under the theme “The Power of Foresight – Using Scenario Analysis to Drive Collaborative Action

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18
Apr

Strengthening Africa’s Seed Systems: AU Calls for Harmonisation and South–South Cooperation at CGIAR Science Week

By: Benjamin Abugri, Knowledge Management Specialist, FARA Nairobi, 11 April 2025 – At the recently concluded CGIAR Science Week side event titled “Breeding for Tomorrow: Inclusive Delivery,” Ms Beatrice Egulu from the African Union Commission (AUC) delivered a compelling address, advocating for deeper continental integration and innovation in seed systems to ensure equitable access and regional impact. The high-level panel

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20
Dec

FARA Hosts Regional Meetings on Capacity Development for Tropical Agriculture in Africa

Accra, Ghana – The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) welcomed stakeholders from across the continent to Accra for the Regional Meeting for Africa on the Tropical Agriculture Platform (TAP). The gathering, held under the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), focused on strengthening capacity development to address Africa’s agricultural challenges. In his opening remarks, Dr. Aggrey

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5
Nov

Stakeholders’ Training Workshop on Enhancing Agricultural Value Chains and Innovation Platforms in Madagascar

November 2, 2024 The Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) attended a pivotal Stakeholders’ Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop from October 28 to 31, aimed at enhancing agricultural value chains and strengthening Innovation Platforms (IPs) under the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) initiative. The workshop brought together about 60 participants from various sectors

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9
Sep

Innovation Platforms: A Tool for Fostering Agricultural Sustainability in Ghana

written by: Mabel Shu Lum[1], Benjamin Abugri [2]& Abdulrazak Ibrahim [3] In Africa, the agriculture sector contributes to the economic development and livelihood improvement of a majority of the population. In 2022, this sector contributed 17% of sub-Saharan Africa’s GDP.  As a continent with a vibrant youth population and productive land, Africa possesses the potential to provide sufficient and nutritious

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