The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), in collaboration with the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and its partners, wishes to inform all registered participants, partners, exhibitors, sponsors, speakers, media representatives and the general public of an important change of venue for the 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week (AASW9) and the 10th FARA General Assembly.

New Venue: Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja, Nigeria
Dates: 27–30 July 2026 

This venue change replaces the previously announced Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.

All other arrangements remain unchanged, including the event dates, theme, programme, side events, exhibition, General Assembly, registration and participation arrangements.

The Abuja Continental Hotel provides an excellent conference environment with world-class meeting facilities and hospitality services that will ensure a seamless experience for all delegates while supporting the delivery of one of Africa’s premier agricultural research, innovation and agribusiness platforms.

The four-day programme will continue as planned, featuring high-level opening and plenary sessions; the Science and Partnership for Agriculture Conference (SPAC); parallel technical sessions aligned with the four thematic areas; ministerial and donor dialogues; side events; exhibition and networking opportunities; Nigeria Day activities; and the 10th FARA General Assembly.

Under the theme “Innovation and Partnerships for Resilient and Sustainable Agrifood Systems in Africa,” AASW9 will convene policymakers, researchers, farmers, private sector leaders, development partners, youth, women, investors and civil society organisations from across Africa and beyond to advance partnerships and practical solutions for transforming African agrifood systems.

FARA appreciates the understanding and continued support of all participants and partners as preparations enter the final stages. We remain committed to delivering a memorable, impactful and well-organised Africa Agriculture Science Week.

Participants are encouraged to update their travel and accommodation arrangements accordingly and continue following official AASW9 communication channels for further event updates.

We look forward to welcoming delegates to Abuja Continental Hotel from 27–30 July 2026 for another landmark edition of Africa Agriculture Science Week.

Media Contacts

AASW9 Secretariat
Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)
Email: aasw@faraafrica.org Copying babugri@faraafrica.org, nuhuyusuf2005@gmail.com and spennaneach@faraafrica.org
Website: www.faraafrica.org

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9 July 2026, Tamale, Ghana

The COINS project is holding a three-day engagement in Tamale, Ghana, bringing together farmers, researchers, extension actors, local authorities, members of the Participatory Learning Platform, and other stakeholders to reflect on project results and strengthen pathways for sustainable land management in smallholder farming systems.

The workshop is taking place at the University for Development Studies campus in Tamale as part of the final dissemination and closing activities of the COINS project – Co-developing Innovations for Sustainable Land Management in West African Smallholder Farming Systems. The project seeks to address land degradation and the challenges faced by smallholder crop-livestock farming systems in semi-arid West Africa through context-specific, scalable and climate-resilient sustainable intensification pathways.

Participants of the COINS workshop engage community members in Savelugu and Tolon on Integrated Soil Fertility Management and sustainable land management practices

The first two days of the engagement focused on community-level interactions in Savelugu and Tolon, where project teams engaged farmers and community members on Integrated Soil Fertility Management practices and related sustainable land management innovations. The field engagements provided an opportunity for community members to share their experiences, validate project messages and reflect on how the promoted practices respond to local farming realities.

Through these community visits, the COINS team created space for direct dialogue with farmers and local actors. Presentations, demonstrations and feedback sessions allowed participants to discuss lessons from the project, including the relevance, adoption and possible scaling of Integrated Soil Fertility Management approaches in the Northern Region.

On 9 July 2026, the engagement continued in a workshop setting at the UDS Guest House Conference Room. The session brought together members of the Participatory Learning Platform, consortium partners, researchers, extension officers, local authorities and other stakeholders for presentations and discussions on the project’s research findings. The day’s programme included an overview of the COINS project, presentations of key research results by consortium members, discussion of the synthesis report, a roundtable on project results, and a survey of participants’ views on Integrated Soil Fertility Management.

Stakeholders participate in the COINS wrap-up engagement and technical presentations at UDS, Tamale.

The Tamale workshop is expected to generate stakeholder feedback on the project’s findings, support validation of results, and contribute to discussions on post-project continuity and scaling of sustainable land management practices. It also provides a platform for strengthening collaboration among researchers, farmer groups, extension officers, government representatives and development partners.

COINS is implemented by a consortium of German and African institutions, with partners including the German Aerospace Center, WASCAL, CSIR-SARI, University of Bonn, University of Ghana, University of Hohenheim, Ruhr University Bochum, ZALF, UNU institutions, IPAR, MANOBI Africa and ACRE Africa. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space under the Sustainable Land Management in Sub-Saharan Africa initiative.

The workshop forms part of broader efforts to ensure that research findings are not only presented to stakeholders but are also validated, contextualised and translated into practical actions that can support resilient livelihoods, improved soil fertility and sustainable land governance in West African smallholder farming systems.

See more on the COINS Workshop in Tamale via: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCYPGw

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Tamale, Ghana | 7 July 2026 — Policymakers, researchers, practitioners, civil society actors, agricultural extension officers, farmers, and members of the Ghana Participatory Learning Platform are meeting today at the University for Development Studies Guest House Conference Room in Tamale for the DecLaRe final dissemination workshop.

The workshop forms part of the validation, dissemination and exit activities of the regional projects funded under the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space initiative on “Sustainable Land Management in Sub-Saharan Africa.” The initiative brings together the DecLaRe, COINS and INTERFACES projects, which have supported multi-stakeholder dialogue, joint learning and evidence generation for sustainable land management in Northern Ghana and the Savannah Region.

DecLaRe, which stands for Decision Support for strengthening Land Resilience in the face of global challenges, focuses on generating evidence and decision-support recommendations to strengthen land resilience and promote scalable innovations in crop production and animal husbandry in northern Ghana and northern Benin. The project is implemented by a consortium of African and German institutions, including the University of Kassel, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, University of Hohenheim, University of Göttingen, University of Parakou, University for Development Studies and WASCAL.

The Tamale workshop provides a platform for partners and stakeholders to review key research outputs, validate policy briefs and knowledge products, and discuss how research findings can inform policy, practice and local decision-making. The programme includes presentations on DecLaRe achievements, dissemination and validation of policy briefs, discussions on household survey insights, and presentation of the synthesis report of the FONA-funded projects.

A key feature of the workshop is its participatory approach, which allows stakeholders to provide feedback on the relevance, applicability and implementation potential of the project’s research outputs. Through plenary discussions, question-and-answer sessions and participatory validation processes, participants are expected to help refine the knowledge products and strengthen their usefulness for sustainable land management interventions.

The workshop is expected to contribute to improved uptake of research findings by decision-makers, practitioners and local actors, while strengthening collaboration among institutions working to build more resilient land-use systems in Ghana.

The DecLaRe dissemination workshop is the first in a series of related closing and validation workshops taking place in Tamale in July 2026, followed by the COINS workshop and the INTERFACES workshop.

Turn knowledge into action. Enrol in the E-Certificate in Sustainable Land Management in Africa and gain the skills to restore landscapes, strengthen land governance, and support climate-smart solutions across Africa. Apply by 24 July 2026: https://e-learning.faraafrica.org/Learn/register/

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Accra, Ghana, 28 May 2026

The Knowledge Management for Agricultural Development Community of Practice convened its third bi-monthly webinar of 2026, issuing a strong call to reposition Indigenous Knowledge as a credible, strategic and underutilised resource for transforming African agriculture.

Held under the theme “Demystifying Indigenous Knowledge and Myths in Advancing African Agriculture,” the webinar brought together researchers, knowledge management practitioners, extension actors, policymakers, development organisations, farmer-facing institutions and agribusiness stakeholders from across Africa and beyond. The session was hosted by the KM4AgD Community of Practice within the broader CAADP-XP4 knowledge management partnership framework, with FARA and its partners supporting the continent’s agricultural knowledge, learning and innovation agenda.

The webinar attracted 515 registered participants from 58 countries, highlighting growing continental and global interest in knowledge co-creation, Indigenous Knowledge systems and agricultural transformation.

Participation summary

The highest number of the registered participants were in Africa, led by Nigeria with 105 participants (20.4%), and followed by Ghana with 54, Kenya and Uganda with 39 each and, Ethiopia with 32. Other countries represented included Cameroon, Malawi, South Africa, Benin, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Senegal, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone, among others.

The age profile showed a strong intergenerational mix. Participants aged 35–44 formed the largest group at 29.7%, followed by those aged 45–54 (24.1%) and 25–34 (23.5%). This suggests the discussion engaged both experienced professionals and younger agricultural knowledge actors likely to shape the future of knowledge systems, digital agriculture, research uptake and policy engagement across the continent.

The webinar addressed one of the most persistent tensions in African agricultural development: the tendency to dismiss farmers’ knowledge, community practices and local ecological intelligence as superstition, rather than examining them as knowledge systems shaped by observation, experimentation, adaptation and intergenerational learning. The webinar emphasised that Indigenous Knowledge has long informed seed selection, soil fertility management, weather prediction, pest control, water conservation, food preservation and community resilience across Africa, yet it is often misunderstood or marginalised because it is perceived not to be conceived and documented in formal scientific language.

Delivering the keynote presentation, Dr Benjamin Bilalam Jabik, Senior Lecturer and Researcher at the National College of Defence Studies, Ghana, argued that local knowledge should be understood as social capital and as a systematic body of knowledge developed through lived experience, intimate environmental understanding and community practice. His presentation emphasised that Indigenous or local knowledge systems are not inherently superstitious; rather, they become vulnerable to misinterpretation when not viewed from their ecological, cultural and historical context.

A central message of the session was that context matters. Dr Jabik illustrated this with examples of the movement and presence of migratory birds being interpreted differently across societies. While one society may ascribe an unsupported predictive meaning to a natural sign, another may use the same ecological observation to guide practical decisions about seasonality. The difference, he explained, lies in whether the belief is grounded in repeated observation, community validation, practical relevance and contextual truth.

The session also challenged African research and development institutions to move beyond extractive or externally driven models of innovation. Indigenous Knowledge, participants noted, should neither be uncritically romanticised nor unfairly dismissed. It should be documented, interrogated, validated where necessary, and integrated with scientific knowledge in ways that protect communities, strengthen evidence, and improve agricultural outcomes.

Dr Jabik identified several areas in which local and indigenous knowledge continues to contribute meaningfully to agricultural resilience. These include agroforestry, soil management, intercropping, mixed cropping, crop rotation, traditional composting, water harvesting, biodiversity conservation, seed preservation and seasonal forecasting. His presentation highlighted the use of biological indicators, such as animal behaviour, bird migration and flowering patterns, to guide planting and climate-sensitive decisions.

The discussion underscored both the depth and urgency of the issue. Participants asked how to prevent the loss of Indigenous Knowledge, document farmer innovations more systematically, integrate local knowledge into curricula, and balance Indigenous crop varieties with improved varieties amid growing food security pressures.

A contributor from the policy and food security space warned against treating Indigenous Knowledge and improved technologies as competing agendas. Africa, participants agreed, must preserve local breeds, practices and ecological knowledge while also using improved varieties and scientific innovation to meet rising food demand. The webinar’s core message was clear: the future of African agriculture lies not in choosing between Indigenous Knowledge and science, but in building responsible bridges between them.

Another contribution from agricultural extension officer highlighted documentation as a central challenge. Scientific knowledge gains credibility because it is recorded, tested and shared, while Indigenous Knowledge often remains embedded in memory, practice and oral transmission. Participants therefore called for deliberate systems to document, validate and share local agricultural knowledge before it disappears with ageing knowledge bearers.

The discussion also highlighted the links between the effects of climate change on Indigenous Knowledge systems. Participants noted that some ecological indicators communities use for weather prediction and seasonal planning are becoming less reliable as climate patterns shift. Rather than making Indigenous Knowledge irrelevant, this heightens the need to study how these systems are evolving, how communities are adapting, and how scientific climate information can be combined with local indicators in meaningful ways.

In his closing reflection, Benjamin Abugri of FARA said the webinar should not end as a one-off conversation. He encouraged participants working on Indigenous Knowledge system to connect with the KM4AgD Community of Practice so their work can be documented, amplified and developed into future knowledge products, policy briefs, journal articles and learning engagements.

The session closed with consensus on four priorities: recognising farmers and local communities as legitimate knowledge bearers/holders; documenting and managing Indigenous Knowledge before it is lost; creating practical frameworks for co-creating knowledge between communities and scientists; and embedding local knowledge systems in African agricultural education, innovation and sustainability.

The webinar’s success reinforces the KM4AgD Community of Practice as a continental public-good platform for knowledge exchange, peer learning and evidence-informed agricultural transformation. It also underscores the growing importance of knowledge management within Africa’s evolving agricultural agenda and the need to make research, policy and practice more inclusive, context-responsive and grounded in African realities.

As the discussion showed, Indigenous Knowledge is not a relic of the past. When properly understood, documented and integrated, it remains a living knowledge system with practical value for climate adaptation, food security, biodiversity conservation, soil health and resilient livelihoods.

The message from the KM4AgD Community of Practice was unmistakable:

Africa’s agricultural transformation will be stronger when farmers are treated not simply as beneficiaries of science, but as co-creators of knowledge, innovation and sustainable futures.

[1] Benjamin Abugri is the Lead Specialist for Knowledge Management, Digitalisation and Learning at the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa and Lead Convener of the KM4AgD Community of Practice Webinar Series

[2] Benjamin Bilalam Jabik (PhD), Senior Lecturer and Researcher at the National College of Defence Studies, Ghana

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The KM4AgD Community of Practice (CoP) officially kicked off its 2026 webinar series with a highly engaging virtual session focused on strengthening the link between Knowledge Management (KM) and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) for evidence-driven agricultural development. The webinar, held on 29 January 2026, brought together KM practitioners, M&E specialists, researchers, policymakers, and development partners from across Africa and beyond.

Organised under the Bi-Monthly KM4AgD Community of Practice Webinar Series, the session was held under the theme: “Making Knowledge Work: Mapping KM–MEL Pathways for Evidence-Driven Agricultural Development.” The event forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen learning, accountability, and results orientation across agricultural research and development (AR4D) systems.

Setting the Context: Why KM–MEL Integration Matters

Benjamin Abugri, KMDL Cluster Lead at FARA

Opening the session, Benjamin Abugri, Knowledge Management, Digitalization & Learning (KMDL) Cluster Lead at Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), underscored the growing demand for robust KM systems that go beyond knowledge production to demonstrate real development results. He highlighted that while many institutions invest heavily in KM platforms, communities of practice, and knowledge products, the pathways through which these efforts translate into outcomes and impact remain insufficiently articulated or measured.

This challenge, he noted, has become particularly relevant within large multi-partner initiatives such as the CAADP-XP4 Programme, where evidence-based reporting, learning, and adaptive management are central to programme success.

Expert Insights: From Knowledge Outputs to Measurable Impact

The core presentation was delivered by Anselme Vodounhessi, Lead Specialist for Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning and CAAPs Programme Coordinator at FARA. Drawing on over 18 years of experience across Sub-Saharan Africa, Anselme provided practical insights into how KM interventions can be systematically linked to results frameworks.

His presentation unpacked the concept of integrated KM–MEL value chains, illustrating how KM activities, such as knowledge creation, access, adoption, and use, can be mapped across inputs, outputs, outcomes, and impacts. Using real programme examples, including experiences from the CAADP-XP4 consortium, he demonstrated how institutions can move beyond counting knowledge products to measuring uptake, behavioural change, policy influence, and improvements in institutional performance.

A key takeaway was the importance of “mastering the black box” between outputs and outcomes, ensuring that assumptions, end-user positioning, and contextual factors are explicitly considered in KM results planning and reporting.

Practical Tools and Application

Participants were introduced to practical KM–MEL tools, including examples of results matrices, indicators, milestones, and dashboards used to track KM contributions to development outcomes. The session highlighted how every stage of the MEL process can serve as an entry point for KM, reinforcing the idea that KM is not a standalone function but an integral component of programme design, implementation, and learning.

These tools resonated strongly with participants working in donor-funded programmes, regional organisations, and national agricultural systems seeking to strengthen evidence generation, accountability, and learning loops.

Interactive Dialogue and Shared Learning

The presentation was followed by a lively moderated discussion led by Upile Faith Muhariwa (CCARDESA) and Mabel Lum Shu (WACSI), both Certified KM Practitioners. Participants shared reflections from their own institutional contexts, raised practical questions on indicator design and attribution, and discussed common challenges in demonstrating KM impact.

The discussion reinforced the value of the KM4AgD Community of Practice as a peer-learning space, enabling practitioners to exchange experiences, align approaches, and collaboratively refine KM practice across institutions and regions.

Looking Ahead

In closing, the session reaffirmed the KM4AgD CoP’s commitment to supporting practitioners with practical, experience-based learning that strengthens the contribution of KM to agricultural transformation. The webinar marked a strong start to the 2026 series, setting the tone for future sessions focused on knowledge co-creation, digital platforms, communities of practice, and evidence use for policy and investment decisions.

As the KM4AgD Community continues to grow, participants were encouraged to actively engage in upcoming webinars, contribute case studies, and apply integrated KM–MEL approaches within their organisations to ensure that knowledge truly works for development.

Upcoming KM4AgD Community of Practice Webinars in 2026

Building on the momentum of this first 2026 session, the KM4AgD Community of Practice will continue to convene bi-monthly interactive webinars throughout the year. The upcoming sessions are scheduled for 26 March, 28 May, 30 July, 24 September, and 26 November 2026. These webinars will provide ongoing opportunities for practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and development partners to exchange knowledge, explore innovative approaches, and share good practices that strengthen agricultural development and evidence-informed decision-making across Africa.

Access Making Knowledge Work Webinar – 29th January 2026 Recordings via https://bit.ly/4bkHr50

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In this strategic role, Dr Covic will support the CGIAR Continental Champion for Africa — a rotational role currently held by Dr Simeon Ehui, Director General of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) — in advancing CGIAR’s mission to deliver science and innovation that transform food, land, and water systems across Africa.

Strengthening CGIAR’s engagement in Africa

The CGIAR Liaison Office for Africa has been established to strengthen coordination and coherence across CGIAR Centers, regional partners, and continental institutions. Based in Addis Ababa, the Office will deepen CGIAR’s engagement with the African Union (AU), FARA, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Sub-Regional Research Organizations (SROs), and national governments, ensuring that CGIAR’s science responds directly to Africa’s priorities and policy agendas, including AU Agenda 2063, the CAADP framework, and the CAADP Kampala Declaration.

Role and responsibilities

As Head of the CGIAR Liaison Office for Africa, Dr Covic will:

• Support the CGIAR Continental Champion in representing and advancing CGIAR’s mission across Africa;
• Coordinate CGIAR’s engagement with continental and regional institutions to ensure coherent, timely, and strategic interaction;
• Facilitate the development of a demand-driven continental research and innovation portfolio aligned with African priorities;
• Strengthen partnerships with national governments, regional bodies, and development partners;
• Enhance the visibility and communication of CGIAR’s contributions to transforming Africa’s food, land, and water systems.

A seasoned leader for Africa’s food systems

Dr Covic brings a distinguished record of leadership in nutrition, food systems innovation, and policy engagement across Africa. She has previously served as CGIAR Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, held senior scientific and leadership positions at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), and played leading roles in shaping African food and nutrition policy dialogues with the African Union and other continental institutions, linking science, policy, and implementation.

Transitional arrangements

In addition to her System-level responsibilities, Dr Covic will, during the transition period (January-June 2026), continue to serve as the ILRI Director General’s representative in Ethiopia, to ensure continuity while ILRI completes the recruitment of her successor.

Looking ahead

This appointment reflects CGIAR’s renewed commitment to strong partnerships, African leadership, and transformative impact, in line with its evolving System-wide integration and partnership model. Working closely with African institutions and partners, CGIAR will continue to strengthen its collaborative approach to advancing sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems across the continent.

For more information on Dr Namukolo Covic
ILRI profile: https://www.ilri.org/people/namukolo-covic
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/namukolo-covic-070841189
X: https://www.twitter.com/namukoloc

source: https://www.cgiar.org/news-events/news/dr-namukolo-covic-leads-cgiars-liaison-office-africa 

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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 continent to advance foresight as a core instrument for anticipatory governance, evidence-based planning, and resilient investment decision-making.

In his opening remarks, the representative of the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development/State Department of Agriculture (MOALD/SDA) Mr Peter Orangi welcomed delegates from the African Union Commission (AUC), the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), sub-regional organisations, universities, and Member States.

Mr. Peter Orangi, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development/State Department of Agriculture

He observed that the consultations were taking place at a pivotal moment for Africa’s agrifood systems, which are being shaped by climate change, demographic pressures, market volatility, and environmental degradation. He stressed that continental frameworks such as the Kampala CAADP Declaration, Agenda 2063, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and the Food Systems Resilience Programme provide a solid foundation for anticipatory and inclusive decision-making, noting that “foresight equips Africa to shape its agrifood future rather than be shaped by it.”

Officially opening the consultations, H.E. Moses Vilakati, African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment,  underscored that foresight is no longer optional in a context defined by climate shocks, volatile food and input prices, rapid technological change, and geopolitical and public health risks. He noted that the consultations directly advance the aspirations of Agenda 2063 and give practical effect to the Kampala CAADP Declaration and the CAADP Strategy and Action Plan 2026–2035, which recognise that Africa’s agrifood systems are being reshaped by demographic change, urbanisation, shifting diets, climate variability, and deeper regional integration. He further highlighted the alignment of the consultations with Phase 3 of the Food Systems Resilience Programme, which calls for strengthened forecasting, reduced response times between early warning and action, and improved institutional arrangements for preparedness across the continent.

H.E Moses Vilakati, Commissioner, AUC-ARBE

Vilakati stated that the wide range of institutions represented, from Member States and RECs to research organisations, farmer organisations, women’s and youth networks, and development partners, demonstrated a shared commitment to strengthening preparedness and long-term resilience across Africa’s agrifood systems. He emphasised that the consultations marked the beginning of a more structured and institutionalised continental engagement on foresight, which the African Union intends to embed as a standard instrument within its policy and planning systems.

H.E. Vilakati outlined five key policy directions that, in my view, should shape the continental framework and roadmap for foresight in Africa’s agrifood systems. First is the institutionalization of foresight within AU, REC, and national systems, including accountability frameworks, clear responsibilities, predictable resources, and regular reporting; secondly, the integration of foresight into CAADP, climate, and food systems agenda, emphasizing that foresight must inform the next generation of CAADP investment plans, climate adaptation strategies, food systems pathways, and trade and market policies; third is the strengthening of data, analytics, and capacities across the continent, ensuring that high-quality foresight depends on timely data, robust analytical tools, and skilled practitioners; fourth is to deliberately elevate community, youth, and gender-responsive perspectives where the foresight architecture formally recognizes and indigenous and community-based knowledge systems; and finally, requesting the linkage of foresight to concrete financing and accountability mechanisms, emphasizing that real value only occur when it lead to action.

Dr. Namukolo Covic, ILRI Director General’s Representative to Ethiopia, CGIAR Ethiopia Country Convener and Incoming Head of CGIAR Liaison Office for Africa

Contributing to the technical dialogue, Dr Namukolo Covic emphasised that foresight should be fully embedded in policy and investment processes rather than treated as a parallel activity. “Foresight is not an extra layer of work; it is an additional capability that helps us implement the FSRP and CAADP more effectively,” she said. She highlighted that foresight analysis allows policymakers to understand trade-offs and accelerate progress toward food security and equity, adding, “We must ask whether growth in production alone is enough, or whether everyone is truly accessing sufficient and nutritious food.”

The discussions also highlighted that Africa possesses strong, forward-looking policy instruments, but faces challenges in implementing and coordinating them. Dr Godfrey Bahigwa, former Director of Agriculture and Rural Development at AUC, noted that foresight supports better country-level choices based on comparative advantage. “The purpose of foresight is to help countries make informed choices, what food systems should be prioritised, and how resilience can be built around them,” he said, citing examples such as meat production in Kenya and fruit value chains in Ethiopia. He also cited CCARDESA and IGAD as instruments through which the World Bank appointed to implement FSRP.

Climate and environmental considerations featured prominently throughout the consultations. Several speakers warned that failure to align food systems within planetary boundaries would deepen climate and ecological risks. “If we do not sustain our food systems within planetary boundaries, we expose ourselves to even greater climate challenges,” one panellist cautioned, emphasising the need for foresight-driven innovation and, where necessary, disruptive approaches to food systems transformation.

Panel Discussion Session

A high-level panel discussion featuring Julius Gatune, Olugbenga Adesida, Geci Karuki-Sebina, and Wangeci Gitata-Kiriga underscored foresight as a systematic capability that goes beyond forecasting. Panellists highlighted that foresight requires mindset shifts, systems thinking, and institutional capacity to navigate complexity. “Foresight is not just about predicting the future; it is about building the capability to think differently and act under uncertainty,” one panellist remarked. Youth and intergenerational perspectives were also emphasised, with calls for more participatory and anticipatory approaches that consider the needs of future generations.

As the consultations drew to a close, participants agreed on a set of concrete outcomes to anchor foresight within Africa’s agrifood governance systems, supported by strengthened knowledge management and policy integration processes. Through thematic working groups on early warning and analytical systems, anticipatory governance, research alignment and capacity mapping, policy integration and knowledge uptake, and inclusive and gender-responsive foresight governance, delegates produced practical outputs including draft continental foresight frameworks, policy guidance templates, institutional readiness matrices, governance schematics, and a phased roadmap for embedding foresight into planning, budgeting, monitoring, and accountability processes at African Union, Regional Economic Community, and national levels.

Strong emphasis was placed on robust knowledge management systems to ensure that foresight evidence is systematically captured, translated, communicated, and reused through policy briefs, dashboards, learning platforms, and communities of practice, thereby strengthening uptake by policymakers and practitioners. Participants also underscored the integration of knowledge systems, community-based early warning mechanisms, and the voices of women and youth to ensure foresight approaches were people-centred and context-specific. The consultations culminated in an actionable continental roadmap aligned with the Food Systems Resilience Programme, the Kampala CAADP Declaration, and Agenda 2063, strengthening forecasting and analytics capacities, reducing the time between early warning and response, and ensuring that foresight meaningfully informed policy choices, investment decisions, and long-term resilience-building efforts across Africa’s agrifood systems.

Dr Abdulrazak Ibrahim, Institutional Capacity & Futures Cluster Lead, FARA

Dr Abdulrazak Ibrahim, Institutional Capacity and Futures cluster Lead Specialist at FARA, subsequently outlined the key deliverables of the consultations and their proposed implementation pathways, noting that these outputs are intended to drive practical transformation and long-term resilience across Africa’s agrifood systems.

Ms Beatrice Egulu, Policy Officer, AUC-ARBE

In closing, Ms Beatrice Egulu thanked all delegates for their commitment and active participation, urging them to remain engaged beyond the consultations to promote continuous cross-learning and knowledge exchange across institutions and countries. She emphasised that sustained collaboration would be essential for translating foresight insights into action.

Overall, the Africa Continental Foresight Consultations reaffirmed a shared commitment to institutionalising foresight across continental, regional, and national levels. Participants expressed confidence that the outcomes of the Nairobi meeting, including draft frameworks, governance models, and a continental roadmap, will strengthen Africa’s capacity to anticipate change, manage shocks, and deliver resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agrifood systems for present and future generations.

Dr Bridget Kakuwa is the Information Communication & Knowledge Management Manager at the Center for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA)

Mr Benjamin Abugri is Knowledge Management, Digitalization and Learning Cluster Lead Specialists at the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)

Mr Molalet Tsedeke is Media Liaising and media center officer at the Information and Communication Directorate of the African Union Commission

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On Wednesday, 10 September 2025, I had the privilege of participating in the INTERFACES Side Event at Tropentag 2025, hosted at Bonn University under the theme “Bridging the Gap: Strengthening Science-Policy Interfaces in Agricultural Research.” The event brought together researchers, policymakers, and development practitioners from Africa and Europe to reflect on how scientific knowledge can more effectively shape and inform policy processes. The workshop built on previous Tropentag conversations on participatory research and agricultural knowledge management, and it offered a platform to deepen the dialogue around bridging research, policy, and practice.

As part of the panel, which included representatives from FARA, BMZ, BMLEH, CIMMYT, ZEF, and IDOS, I was invited to share an African perspective on what works in strengthening the relationship between science and policy. In my intervention, I emphasised the importance of trust as the foundation of effective collaboration. Trust is built through recognition of mutual roles, investment in relationships, and creating shared opportunities. Without it, even the best-intentioned efforts at policy influence risk being undermined by suspicion or lack of ownership.

I argued that the need for deliberate and continuous engagement that brings everyone to the table is equally critical. Science-policy dialogue in Africa must not remain the preserve of researchers and policymakers alone. Farmers, academics, civil society actors, traditional authorities, youth, children, and women all hold knowledge and perspectives that enrich policymaking. Platforms such as Communities of Practice, Innovation Platforms, and, more recently, the Participatory Learning Platform piloted by the INTERFACES Project, offer concrete models for structuring inclusive collaboration. Such spaces create shared ownership of knowledge and allow diverse actors to contribute meaningfully to the agricultural transformation agenda.

I also reflected on the inevitability of change. Agricultural systems, like policy landscapes, are dynamic and continually shaped by shifting demands, emerging challenges, and new technologies. Bridging the science–policy gap, therefore, requires agility. It is not enough to establish dialogue; we must be willing to review, adapt, and adopt approaches that respond to the realities of our time. This adaptability ensures that knowledge remains relevant and actionable, rather than static and outdated.

Beyond the panel, I also facilitated a World Café session that focused on strengthening knowledge exchange and Communities of Practice in Africa. The discussions were guided by questions drawn from the Knowledge Management for Agricultural Development (KM4AgD) Agenda and the Accra Declaration. Participants reflected on how African institutions can better institutionalise knowledge exchange by embedding it within their core strategies, such as developing national KM policies, creating dedicated KM roles, and providing incentives that encourage continuous learning. They explored how Communities of Practice could be made more inclusive and impactful by ensuring that they embrace policymakers, farmers, and indigenous knowledge holders. The group also deliberated on how digital platforms such as FARADataInformS and AARIEIspace can be harnessed sustainably, with attention given to issues of interoperability, governance, and the fight against misinformation.

The feedback from participants was both rich and instructive. There was broad recognition that institutionalising knowledge management is no longer optional, particularly now that it features prominently in the Kampala Declaration and the CAADP Action Plan 2026–2035. Many also highlighted the need to clearly define what we mean by “farmer” in policy dialogues, to avoid blanket assumptions and ensure inclusivity. Others urged greater use of visuals in knowledge communication, emphasising that long, text-heavy materials are less effective in engaging diverse stakeholders. A recurring theme was the urgency of overcoming the fragmentation of digital platforms and removing barriers to accessing knowledge by working towards interoperability, so that knowledge can flow more seamlessly across Africa’s agricultural research and policy landscape.

The INTERFACES Side Event at Tropentag 2025 was an opportunity to exchange perspectives and reaffirm the centrality of knowledge management and communities of practice in driving agricultural transformation. It reinforced the conviction that Africa must invest in strong, inclusive, and adaptive knowledge ecosystems. Such ecosystems will ensure that research does not remain in silos but actively informs policy and practice, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and prosperous agricultural future.

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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 for Food Systems Transformation,” the gathering brought together over 20 dynamic participants at the Golden Tulip Hotel. Among them were foresight practitioners, Monitoring, Evaluation and learning (MEL) experts, Knowledge Management Experts, policymakers, researchers, and institutional representatives drawn from the CGIAR, sub-regional institutions, universities and a wide range of foresight practitioners from across Africa and beyond.

Jointly organized by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and the Foresight4Food Initiative, with generous support from Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the event marks a major milestone in a two-year action research project aimed at co-developing quality criteria and evaluation approaches for using foresight as a strategic tool in transforming Africa’s food systems.

Day one unfolded with an interactive and forward-looking spirit. The sessions opened with a synthesis of knowledge drawn from previous literature reviews, expert consultations, and the project’s inception workshop. These reflections laid the groundwork for exploring how foresight, when properly designed, evaluated, and embedded in policy processes, can act as a transformative tool for systemic change, informed decision-making, and inclusive stakeholder engagement.

Participants examined how foresight can be made more inclusive and impactful, particularly by elevating the roles of youth and women and drawing from Africa’s rich Indigenous knowledge systems. They emphasised that African traditional knowledge, rooted in oral traditions, spirituality, and local values, should be acknowledged and respected within foresight methodologies.

Another key highlight was the emphasis on the role of knowledge management in capturing and utilizing these indigenous assets. Participants urged that foresight frameworks should not simply replicate external models, but instead reflect Africa’s own knowledge ecosystems, drawing from a blend of traditional wisdom and modern scientific insights. Digital transformation was celebrated as a key enabler, especially in expanding access to scenario planning tools, simulation models, and collaborative learning platforms that foster foresight literacy and drive collective decision-making.

The meeting also highlighted the growing ecosystem of foresight actors in Africa, including the leadership of the Africa Foresight Academy established by FARA. The Academy is a strategic platform supporting knowledge exchange, peer learning, and the institutionalisation of foresight practices across the continent’s agri-food systems.

The day’s final session was devoted to an intensive group exercise that brought these insights into sharper focus. Four thematic groups explored foundational questions shaping the future of foresight in Africa. One group reflected on the concept of impact, what it means in practice, how it is manifested, and how African contexts can shape its expression in policy, behavior, and institutional learning. Another group explored the criteria and indicators necessary to evaluate foresight quality and effectiveness, underlining the importance of adaptability, stakeholder engagement, and learning as both an output and a metric.

A third group took on the challenge of interrogating the foundational assumptions behind foresight processes. They examined the mental models and paradigms that often go unquestioned, proposing strategies, including simulation, role play, storytelling, among others, to help practitioners surface and challenge these assumptions in pursuit of more inclusive, locally grounded scenario-building. The fourth group focused on the practical application of foresight, examining what makes it truly useful, how to align it with user needs, and how to embed it into decision-making spaces through co-creation, timely communication, and digital integration.

These reflections will not only enrich the emerging M&E Guide that the project aims to produce but also build shared ownership among practitioners and decision-makers across the continent. The knowledge and outputs generated will be carried forward to the broader UNFSS+4 Summit deliberations, ensuring that African voices, experiences, and priorities remain central in shaping the global future of food systems foresight.

Join the Foresight Community of Practice https://faraafrica.community/fara-net/afa/join

Images from Workshop: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCnDF9

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From 25 to 28 June 2025, FARA and IDOS, through the INTERFACES Project, had the privilege of attending the 10th European Conference on African Studies (ECAS) in the vibrant city of Prague, Czech Republic. Hosted for the first time in Central Europe, ECAS 2025 was a historic gathering that marked the 10th anniversary of this prestigious forum. Under the theme “African, Afropolitan, and Afropean Belongings and Identities”, the conference brought together a rich diversity of scholars, practitioners and policy makers from around the globe to present and discuss possible solutions to crucial issues. The conference offered a dynamic platform to explore the evolving complexities of African identities across geographic, cultural and political spaces.

The opening ceremony which saw the participation of over 400 participants, was graced by the presence of a representative of the Minister of foreign affairs, Czech Republic, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts of Charles University, the outgoing and incoming presidents of the African Studies in Europe (AEGIS) and many other representatives from universities, development partners and research institutes in Europe, Africa and from across the other continents. The Dean expressed utmost gratitude to the organising team and acknowledged the curiosity and eagerness of participants in deepening their knowledge and exploring growth opportunities. “Our curiosity and drive to understand the world have never been deterred by distance,” he stated. The representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs underscored the value of participation from African-based scholars in contributing to collectively understanding African, Afropean and Afropolitan realities. “Issues cannot be tackled if we misunderstand their true complexities and substance”, he highlighted.

Summary of Conference Events and Presentations

The preliminary list of panels for the ECAS 2025 side events revealed a vibrant and diverse programme, comprising 116 thematic panels and more than 900 individual presentations. These presentations were delivered by a wide range of contributors, including scholars, researchers, and practitioners from over 40 countries across Africa, Europe, North America, and Asia. The programme reflected a strong interdisciplinary orientation and an inclusive academic culture that bridges continents, perspectives, and generations.

A significant number of presentations explored issues related to identity, belonging, and mobility. These discussions engaged deeply with the complexities of African, Afropolitan, and Afropean identities as constructed through migration, diaspora experiences, digital engagement, and generational memory. The notion of belonging—whether physical, cultural, or emotional—is interrogated through various lenses, including student mobilities, gendered narratives, and intergenerational transitions.

Decolonization and epistemic justice emerged as central themes across many panels. Presenters delved into efforts to decolonize African studies by challenging Eurocentric curricula and advocating for the recognition and integration of indigenous knowledge systems. These conversations were coupled with critical reflections on research methodologies and positionality, especially in complex or conflict, prone field contexts.

Environmental justice and climate change were also dominant concerns. Presenters highlighted the intersection of ecological degradation, resource conflicts, indigenous environmental governance, and climate, induced migration. Discussions ranged from the politics of green energy and extractivism to local conservation practices and community, based adaptations to climate stress.

Health and care systems were widely addressed, with sessions focusing on traditional medicine, cancer care, reproductive health, mental wellbeing, and health technologies such as drones. These topics were examined both in terms of access and the social dynamics of caregiving, often linking healthcare to broader cultural and political frameworks.

Political cultures, governance, and conflict, related issues also featured prominently. Panels investigated African political systems, state fragility, populist movements, and responses to global geopolitical shifts. Other presentations explored militarization, peacebuilding, African sovereignty, and citizen engagement, offering nuanced insights into how power is contested and negotiated in diverse African settings.

Digitalization and technology, related themes are gaining increasing scholarly attention, as evident in presentations on digital economies, social media, artificial intelligence, and digital activism. These conversations reflected on how Africans are using technology not only to build livelihoods and identities but also to resist exclusion and articulate alternative futures.

Ms. Cecile Poitevin of Center for Development Research (ZEF)

Gender and feminist perspectives cut across multiple panels, bringing attention to the lived experiences of African women, constructions of masculinity, LGBTQ+ identities, and the gendered dimensions of migration, care, and cultural production. These themes were analyzed in relation to social norms, political agency, and structural inequality.

The arts, culture, and literature panels offered rich engagements with African and diasporic storytelling, creative expression, and the politics of memory. Presenters employed innovative formats such as autoethnography, performance, and visual art to examine cultural production and resistance. These sessions demonstrated how artistic practices serve as powerful tools for narrating identity, contesting colonial legacies, and reimagining belonging.

Urbanization and development were explored through discussions on informality, infrastructure, city, and the evolving dynamics of African urban life. Presentations reflected on how people navigate, contest, and shape their urban environments in the context of global development narratives and local aspirations.

Science to Policy Communication Session

Sometimes, as researchers, we find it challenging to share or communicate our research with policymakers. The use of complex and technical language (jargon), the absence of actionable recommendations and the long and dense formats of research findings sometimes hinder the uptake of research in decision, making.  The ability to bridge the gap between research and policy and between researchers and policymakers is crucial in addressing some of the global challenges confronting the world. This session, organised by the Nordic Africa Institute, delved into the Whys and Hows of Science to Policy Communication, providing practical tips for researchers and communicators on how to impact policymakers. It threw more light on issues such as mapping your target groups, combining texts and visuals and choosing the right channels. This session was a great eye-opener as it laid emphasis on the need to ‘wear the shoes’ of the policy makers and understand that there is a dire need to design publications in formats that are suited to fast paced policy environments where decisions are made quickly.

FARA & IDOS Event on the theme “From agricultural knowledge to innovation and adoption: Empowering smallholder farmers”

Organized by the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and moderated by Benjamin Abugri and Theodore Asimeng, this session sought to discuss measures for strengthening innovation systems and adoption among African smallholder farmers. It focused on three main challenges:

• Mainstreaming indigenous knowledge through participatory processes
• Promoting gender, responsive innovations
• Fostering youth, specific solutions
  

  Dr. Theodore Asimeng of German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)

As one of the lead papers, Mabel Shu from the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) and Coordinator of the KM4AgD CoP presented on ‘Bridging the gap between research, policy, and practice through Indigenous Knowledge (IK) in African agriculture’. Her presentation highlighted the growing value of IK in addressing climate, biodiversity, and land management challenges, while noting its continued marginalisation. Findings from a Knowledge Café revealed key pitfalls, such as the exclusion of Indigenous Communities from research and policymaking, and the undervaluing of their contributions. Good practices included inclusive policymaking, community participation, and scientific validation of IK. A case study on the Zai pit system illustrated IK’s practical value. Mabel recommended respectful engagement, legal protections, and stronger partnerships to ensure IK is recognised, protected, and integrated into development efforts.

Mabel Shu from the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) and Coordinator of the KM4AgD CoP

Other most intriguing presentations were those specifically addressing gender power dynamics and gender-responsive innovations in agriculture. One of them was the session on Gender Power Dynamics and Farmers’ Decision, Making in Sustainable Farm Management in Northern Ghana, that offered great insight into some of the everyday inequalities shaping agricultural practices. The presentation revealed that in many rural Ghanaian communities, gender is not just a social identity but a determinant of access to agricultural resources and authority from childhood through adulthood.

It traced how gendered roles begin early where boys typically inherit agricultural knowledge from their fathers, gaining hands-on experience and eventual decision-making authority over land and resources while girls on the other hand, are often socialized into supporting roles, with limited access to land, fewer agricultural options and constrained mobility. As women grow older, their challenges compound. Access to capacity, building opportunities remains unequal due to sex, segregated training programs and time constraints from household duties. Even in adulthood, men are more likely to control financial resources, prioritize the family farm, and move freely between markets, further reinforcing their dominance in sustainable decision, making.

The session on Gender, Responsive Innovations in Agriculture: Bridging North and Sub-Saharan Africa for Smallholder Empowerment spotlighted the urgent need to realign agricultural innovation with the lived realities of women farmers. Drawing on case studies from Tunisia, Uganda and Zambia, the discussion exposed how entrenched barriers such as insecure land tenure, gender, biased extension systems, and a disconnect between formal knowledge systems and local practices continue to limit women’s agricultural potential. Yet, amidst these challenges, local innovations are emerging with global relevance.

In addition to these, other sessions addressed youth participation in agriculture, bridging the gap between research, policy and practice through indigenous knowledge and features of grassroots agricultural innovation in Africa. Panellists broke down complex issues into simpler ones with the aim of addressing the root causes rather than symptoms.

Local solutions, global lessons

Major takeaways from the session were the following:

• Prioritise women’s land rights and access to agricultural resources
• Tailor extension services to meet women’s unique needs and time constraints
• Promote participatory innovation development that values local knowledge
• Facilitate knowledge exchange between North and sub-Saharan Africa to bridge systems and strategies
• Recognize women’s agency as central to driving sustainable agricultural change
• Farmer gendered social position influences adoption of sustainable practices
• Consider how conflict and insecurity impact gender roles in agriculture

These conversations offered a hopeful reminder that building resilient, inclusive agricultural systems demands more than technical solutions; it requires addressing the deeply embedded social and structural barriers that shape who gets to participate, lead and benefit from agricultural resources.

Overall, the ECAS 2025 demonstrated a robust commitment to interdisciplinary, decolonial, and participatory scholarship. There was a strong emphasis on intergenerational dialogue, community engagement, and the centrality of lived experiences in shaping research. The diversity of voices, themes, and methodological approaches reaffirms the conference’s relevance as a global platform for critical reflection and forward-looking conversations on Africa and its diaspora.

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