(INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS)

1. The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Ex-Pillar 4 (CAADP-XP4) Project is a flagship initiative under the Development-Smart Innovation through Research in Agriculture (DeSIRA) initiative, funded by the European Union and managed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Implemented by a consortium of leading regional and sub-regional organizations—FARA, AFAAS, ASARECA, CCARDESA, and CORAF, the project seeks to strengthen agricultural research and innovation systems across Its overarching goal is to achieve a science-led, climate-relevant transformation of agriculture, in alignment with the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) framework.

The CAADP-XP4 project has delivered critical interventions across five key output areas: strengthening the capacities of implementing organizations, establishing multi-stakeholder partnerships, formulating climate-relevant policies, enhancing knowledge management, and improving planning, coordination, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E). Throughout its implementation, the project has driven initiatives that contribute meaningfully to Africa’s agricultural transformation, including the development of innovative climate resilient solutions, the promotion of gender equity and youth inclusion, and the strengthening of institutional capacity at regional and national levels.

As the project approaches its completion, the Endline Survey represents a critical milestone in assessing its outcomes, overall impact, and key lessons learned. Building on the baseline study conducted in 2020, the survey is designed to measure progress against established indicators, with particular emphasis on gender equity, youth empowerment, and institutional capacity strengthening. The findings will be instrumental in finalizing the 2024 CAADP-XP4 Report, which will serve as the definitive documentation of the project’s achievements and contributions to agricultural development in Africa.

The findings will play a pivotal role in informing and finalizing the 2024 CAADP-XP4 Report, which will serve as the authoritative record of the project’s achievements and its contributions to advancing agricultural development across Africa.

The consultancy responsible for conducting the endline survey will employ a rigorous and methodologically sound approach that ensures full comparability with the baseline study and alignment with the project’s logical framework. The primary objective of this assignment is to design and implement a comprehensive endline evaluation of the CAADP-XP4 Project, systematically assessing progress against planned outputs, outcomes and impacts as articulated in the project results framework.

The evaluation will generate robust evidence on performance, effectiveness, and contribution to intended development results, enabling measurement of change over time and validation of the project’s theory of change.

2. This request for expression of interest aims at engaging a five (5) member team of consultants to carry out the functions set out in the Terms of Reference.

Please download the Terms of Reference below, for further information on this opportunity.

3. The Executive Director of FARA invites interested consultants to express interest in carrying out this assignment.
4. Consultants interested in this call are required to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) not exceeding ten (10) pages. The EOI should clearly outline the proposed methodology, relevant references demonstrating execution of similar assignments, experience in comparable sectors or thematic areas, evidence of technical capacity and a proposed implementation Brochures, Curricula Vitae (CVs), and other supplementary documentation may be attached; however, these annexes will not be count toward the ten (10)-page limit.
5. The consultancy will be conducted over a three-month period, commencing early April 2026 and concluding no later than 30 June The total effort is estimated at approximately 20 man-days for the lead consultant and 17 man-days each for four mid-level experts.
6. The consultant shall be selected based on procedures defined in the Procurement Guidelines of FARA.
7. Interested consultants may obtain further information from FARA’s Lead Specialist M&E, Anselme Vodounhessi [avodounhess@faraafrica.org], during the following hours: 9h00 to 15h00 GMT.

Please download the Terms of Reference below, for further information on this opportunity.

8. Expressions of Interest should be submitted electronically to [recruitment@faraafrica.org] and addressed to Dr. Aggrey Agumya, Executive Director of FARA, No. 7 Flower Avenue, New Achimota, Mile 7, Accra, Ghana, no later than Thursday, 5^th March 2026, at 14h00 GMT. Tel: +233 302 772823/744888
9. FARA Affirmative Action Statement on Recruitment: there is no discrimination based on gender race, religion, ethnic orientation, disability, or health status.

 Executive Director of FARA

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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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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.

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African Agriculture subregional organisations have been urged to fast-track the alignment of their strategies to the broader CAADP agenda and the food system resilience program. in a statement read for the Commissioner of the African Union Commission (AUC), Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (DARBE), His Excellency Moses Vilakati at the opening of a three-day multistakeholder workshop on strengthening research, extension and development being held in kampala from the 21st to 23rd December 2025.

In the statement read by Mr Kenedy Ayason, the project lead for the Food System Resilience Program, the commissioner noted that it was imperative to ensure all regional organisations align with the African Union agendas.

“This workshop is not a routine technical meeting. It is a strategic moment for Africa. A moment to consolidate the achievements of the CAADP XP4 Programme. A moment to align our institutions and investments with the FSRP. And a moment to design a continental R E D ecosystem that is integrated, digitally enabled, climate smart, and market driven.” Said His Excellency Vilakati.

Participants pose for a group photo at the AUC Multistakeholder workshop on strengthening R-E-D

The commissioner further said that Africa’s food systems are under immense pressure. Climate shocks, market disruptions, conflict, and global supply chain volatility continue to expose structural vulnerabilities in our production systems. Yet, at the same time, we stand at the threshold of unprecedented opportunity. Digital innovation is accelerating. Youth-led agripreneurship is rising. He revealed that the African Continental Free Trade Area was opening new frontiers for intra-African trade. And through the Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP), we now have a continental platform to strengthen preparedness, build resilience, and drive long-term transformation.

The multistakeholder meeting brought together key stakeholders from all-over Africa to design a next-generation Research, Extension, and Development (R-E-D) architecture. The African Union Commission (AUC), through its Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (DARBE), is convening this event to provide strategic direction, foster inclusive dialogue, and ensure alignment with continental priorities.

Dr Lilian Lihasi Kidula, the AFAAS Executive Director, welcomed partners to Uganda, saying AFAAS supported the preparations for the meeting because of the fact that extension is an integrator of other systems and actors. She further emphasised that there was a need to work as partners to drive the continental agenda.

Dr. Lillian Lihasi Kidula of AFAAS

“Extension is a system integrator, and we must value every component. This calls for integration and collaboration while recognising the subsidiary principle, through AEAs policy meets practice, research meets realities and innovation meets farmers, agri-enterprenuer and Markets,” said Dr Lihasi

She then welcomed all participants to Uganda and said it was important to note that the workshop being held in Kampala aligns with the fact that the city is now recognised for its leadership in regional agricultural policy and innovation, and the site of the landmark Kampala CAADP Declaration, this meeting should have record impacts in its outcomes as we drive into the new CAADP agenda come 2026

Mr Kennedy Ayason told participants that the goal of this meeting is to align research, extension, and innovation efforts with FSRP’s priorities, which include resilience, preparedness, digital innovation, and regional market integration to drive Africa’s agricultural transformation.

Mr. Kennedy Ayason of AUC

“This workshop is therefore not a routine technical meeting. It is a strategic moment for Africa. A moment to consolidate the achievements of the CAADP XP4 Programme. A moment to align our institutions and investments with the FSRP. And a moment to design a continental R E D ecosystem that is integrated, digitally enabled, climate smart, and market driven.” Adds Kenedy.

Dr Aggrey Agumya, the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) Executive Director, appreciated participants for their sacrifice in attending to Africa’s development issues during the festive season, saying that for Africa to attain its set goals, there was a need to make sacrifices and do business differently.

Dr. Aggrey Agumya

“But beyond frameworks and declarations, what we seek is impact for the smallholder farmer, the young innovator, the woman entrepreneur, the agribusiness investor, and the millions of Africans whose livelihoods depend on agriculture. Let us therefore approach this workshop with ambition, with unity of purpose, and with a shared commitment to building resilient, competitive, and food-secure African food systems.” Adds Dr Agumya.

Dr Agumya further revealed that Digital advisory services, AI-enabled early warning systems, interoperable knowledge platforms, and climate-resilient technologies are no longer optional—they are the new frontier of agricultural development. Adding that through the AU Digital Agriculture Strategy, KM4AgD, and the FSRP, there was an opportunity to build a continental digital ecosystem that empowers farmers, strengthens institutions, and enhances preparedness for shocks

ASARECA ED Dr. Dickson Baguma

The ASARECA executive director, Dr Dickson Baguma, emphasised the fact that Research must inform extension. Extension must empower farmers. Farmer feedback must shape adaptive research. And production must connect seamlessly to processing and structured markets.saying this continuum from research to markets was the engine of Africa’s agricultural transformation,

Participants at the meeting

The three day meeting also aims to review the XP4 bilan, design an integrated R E D framework, strengthen extension systems, explore digital pathways, and validate investment and market integration roadmaps. The outputs of this workshop will feed directly into continental policy processes, including CAADP, the AU Digital Strategy, and the FSRP implementation architecture.
The workshop is designed to advance Africa’s agricultural transformation by leveraging the strengths of subregional research organisations (SROs) in research, extension, and development (R-E-D)

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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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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 a three-day journey to shape how Africa anticipates, prepares for, and strategically responds to emerging challenges in its agrifood systems. The consultations build on the strong foundation laid by the Kampala CAADP Declaration (2025), which calls for anticipatory and evidence-driven approaches to deliver on continental commitments, including increased food production, resilience-building, gender equality, and inclusive market integration. As noted in the Concept Note, Africa’s agrifood systems face escalating threats from climate impacts, demographic pressures, market disruptions, and transboundary shocks, making foresight indispensable for long-term governance, planning, and investment.

Ms. Beatrice Egulu, Policy Officer, AUC-ARBE

To set the scene for the engagement processes, Ms Beatrice Egulu of the African Union Commission’s Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (AUC-ARBE) reminded participants that foresight is not merely a technical exercise but a strategic necessity for achieving Africa’s resilience agenda. She emphasised its central role in the Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP) and in shaping future CAADP implementation cycles. Her message set the tone for the gathering: foresight must be embraced as a core capability across Member States, Regional Economic Communities, and continental institutions.

Dr. Abdulrazak Ibrahim, Institutional Capacity and Foresight Cluster Lead, FARA

This message was reinforced by Dr Abdulrazak Ibrahim of FARA, whose opening presentation traced the evolution of foresight in Africa, drawing on more than a decade of capacity-building efforts, methodological development, and the emergence of national foresight hubs. His reflections, partly captured through platforms such as the Africa Foresight Academy, highlighted how far the continent has come and underscored FARA’s catalytic role in mobilising experts, strengthening tools, and connecting foresight practitioners across Africa. His presentation reminded the audience that the continent is now ready to consolidate these experiences under a unified AUC-led foresight architecture, aligning closely with the objectives outlined in the Agenda 2063.

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

A compelling keynote by Dr Namukolo Covic of CGIAR/ILRI added scientific weight to the day’s discussions. Drawing on recent data from the Global Nutrition Report and food systems analyses, she illustrated the multiple burdens of malnutrition, the rise of diet-related diseases, and the widening gap in food insecurity across the continent. She explained that Africa’s current transformation efforts must consider diet patterns, environmental pressures, market systems, socio-cultural drivers, and institutional dynamics, all of which shape nutrition and food system outcomes. Her message was clear: predictive foresight is essential for redirecting progress, guiding investments, and accelerating implementation across all six CAADP Kampala Commitments. She echoed the urgent call not to accept the current pace of progress, but instead to strengthen Africa’s ability to anticipate shocks, model scenarios, and craft long-term strategies that are resilient and inclusive.

The diversity of participants amplified the richness of the workshop, including foresight experts from across Africa, scholars from leading institutions, technical specialists from the CGIAR, practitioners from the Africa Foresight Academy, policymakers, and development partners, including teams from Oxford University in the United Kingdom. Their presence underscores a shared ambition to establish a coherent and collaborative African foresight ecosystem that supports both continental and national decision-making.

Throughout the day, participants engaged deeply with Africa’s foresight journey, reflecting on what the continent has learned so far. Senior foresight practitioners, Julius Gatune, Olugbenga Adesida, Geci Karuki-Sebina, Wangeci Gitata-Kiriga and Godfrey Bahiigwa, among others, revisited earlier milestones, showcasing both successes and persistent gaps. Their reflections reinforced the idea that while Africa possesses strong foresight expertise, the next frontier lies in building a permanent institutional home and governance framework to coordinate efforts across sectors and regions, in support of the AU agenda for Africa. This aligns with the broader objectives of the workshop’s design, which is structured to move from vision-setting to technical co-design and roadmap development.

The first day concluded with a plenary, interactive brainstorming session, where participants began shaping Africa’s future foresight agenda. The discussions were professional, rich, and forward-looking, reflecting a collective belief that the continent must shape its future proactively rather than react to unfolding crises.

As the sun set over Nairobi’s Upper Hill, it was clear that Day 1 had set a strong foundation, one rooted in shared purpose, strategic alignment, and a renewed commitment to building a resilient African future. The work continues tomorrow, with Commissioner H.E. Moses Vilakati delivering the official opening remarks, followed by advanced technical sessions and the first primary outputs from the thematic workgroups. The momentum is palpable, and Africa’s foresight community is ready to co-create a continental roadmap that will guide agrifood transformation for decades to come.

This initiative is a build-up of the work that was started under the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme – Ex-Pillar Four (CAADP-XP4 Programme), a consortium of continental and regional agricultural research institutions comprising the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA), the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF), the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), and the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS).

For more Information:

Visit the Africa Foresight Academy: https://africaforesightacademy.com/

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

The post African Union Launches Continental Foresight Consultations to Shape the Future of Agrifood Systems appeared first on FARA Africa.

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, we believe the missing ingredient is strategic foresight — not just forecasting the future, but actively shaping it. Foresight enables us to anticipate emerging risks, design resilient pathways and align investments and policy with long-term transformation goals. Crucially, it brings together government, research institutions, the private sector, youth and civil society to guide future-proof action.

On 29 October 2025 in Kigali, in the margins of the 21st CAADP Partnership Platform and the 16th Africa Day for Food & Nutrition Security, FARA organised a special side-event titled “Shaping the Future of African Food Systems: Foresight, Quality Criteria & Impact”. The event was implemented in partnership with the Africa Foresight Academy (AFA) and the Foresight4Food Initiative, and supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).

Key Messages from the Event

• Foresight must be embedded in planning, investment and policy systems — not treated as a one-off workshop.
• Inclusive partnerships are essential, with youth, women, local knowledge-holders and private-sector actors actively co-designing the future of food systems.
• Foresight outputs must lead to action — linking research, innovation, value-chains and investment, rather than remaining conceptual.
• The draft oversight tool — the Guide on Quality Criteria & Impact for Food-Systems Foresight — provides practitioners with practical measures to ensure foresight is inclusive, rigorous, context-appropriate and measurable.
• Foresight capacity-building, institutional mechanisms (e.g., national foresight hubs), and youth leadership are indispensable for achieving a lasting impact.

Integrating the Guide

The Guide, developed by FARA, AFA, and Foresight4Food, offers a practical resource for governments, institutions, practitioners, and partners. It emphasises:

• Working principles & quality criteria: inclusivity, contextual relevance, action-orientation, methodological rigour and ethics.
• Evaluation & impact framework: providing indicators and learning questions to assess how foresight contributes to change (capacity built, policy uptake, investment relevance).
• Procedural guidance: step-by-step processes from scoping and stakeholder mapping through to scenario design and embedding in policy/investment cycles.
• Institutionalisation & multi-actor engagement: guidance for embedding foresight in ministries, research systems, youth networks and value-chain partnerships.

Why this matters for Africa

Shorter, localised food-nutrition value. Chains anchored in climate-resilience and nutrition sensitivity offer enormous promise. But achieving scale requires more than production. We need foresight-based design of value chains, investment in processing & markets, youth-driven innovation, and inclusive systems that learn and adapt. Strategic foresight is the bridge that links these components.

FARA’s Commitment

For over a decade, FARA — in collaboration with its CAADP-XP4 partners (AFAAS, ASARECA, CCARDESA, CORAF) — has spearheaded foresight capability across Africa. Through AFA, we’ve built a continental platform for capacity development, tailored methodologies and youth leadership. In partnership with Oxford’s Foresight4Food Initiative and IDRC, we are now advancing:

• National foresight hubs supporting country planning and value-chain futures.
• Youth-led foresight practice via MOOCs, webinars and hands‐on experiences.
• A bespoke guide tailored to Africa’s contexts (indigenous knowledge, time-horizons, stakeholder participation).

Call to Action

We invite policymakers, researchers, agrifood enterprises, youth networks and financiers to join us by:

• Reviewing the draft meeting note and presentation from the Kigali side-event and reflecting on its relevance in your context.
• Considering how your institution can embed foresight: via curricula, youth platforms, policy units, and value-chain partnerships.
• Joining the AFA community to stay connected and exchange practices.
• Partnering with FARA and others to build resilient, nutrition-sensitive, locally rooted agrifood value-chains designed for Africa’s future.

Together, we can ensure that Africa’s future is not merely inherited — it is designed.

The post Shaping Africa’s Agrifood Future through Strategic Foresight appeared first on FARA Africa.

Another bold step was taken in translating the vision of the Soil Initiative for Africa (SIA) and the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan (AFSH-AP) into measurable Action and Impact. A two-day expert group meeting was held at the International Convention Center, Kigali, Rwanda, to discuss and agree on the definition of Soil health in Africa and the indicators to measure it. You will remember that the Nairobi Declaration on fertilizer and soil health 2024 recommended that “30% of the degraded soil in Africa be restored to optimum health status by 2034”.  To implement the right action and report on progress adequately, soil health must be defined clearly, and the right indicators must be identified and projected for measurement.

The AU/AUDA-NEPAD had earlier organized a task team of experts to reflect, review, and develop the first set of indicators for further consideration. Apparently, many variables contribute to Soil Health, but proxies could measure many of the variables clustered as chemical, physical, and biological.

Nineteen variables were listed to define soil health in Africa; these variables are consistent with what is obtained in other parts of the world. Chemical variables include: Soil organic carbon (SOC), pH, Exchangeable K, Available P, and Exchangeable or available secondary and micronutrients (SMN). Physical variables include Texture (note: in support of the above indicator), Soil erosion, Bulk density, Soil aggregate stability, Available water capacity, and Infiltration rate. Biological variables include Microbial biomass or its proxy, enzymatic activities, Biodiversity, AMF spores, Microbial diversity, earthworm abundance and diversity, fungal-bacterial ratio, and PMN (nitrate and ammonium).  Prof. ‘Wole Fatunbi, representing FARA, and playing the role of Technical Support Organization (TSO) for the implementation of SIA and AFSH-AP, leveraged the Multi-Dimensional Analysis (MDA) method to reduce the variables to three key contributors.

It is imperative to seek composite indicators that could be a smart proxy for these variables; the cost of measuring about 20 variables across sites in each African country may not be feasible. A single indicator must be developed for soil health, which must be measurable.  The expert group strongly supports developing an index of Soil health as a single measure of the progression of soil health. The team further prefers a measurement design that uses remote sensing and digital soil information to derive the index from time to time.

The African Union Soil Observatory (AUSO) project, supported by the EU, is developing a smart observatory and the “Africa Soil Data Center” to aid the 55 African countries in monitoring soil health progress through the Soil Health Index.

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Lusaka, Zambia

In a rousing address to the Ninth COMESA Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment, H.E. Moses Vilakati, issued a powerful call to action: the Zambia–Zimbabwe Common African Agro-Park (ZimZam CAAP) must be launched before the end of this year.

Speaking to Ministers and senior officials from across the COMESA region, Commissioner Vilakati underscored that the ZimZam CAAP is not a pilot, but the first operational site of a continental system of integrated, cross-border agro-industrial zones under the African Union’s Common African Agro-Parks (CAAPs) framework.

“This launch will be a historic milestone, not only for SADC and COMESA, but for Africa at large, as we respond concretely to the Kampala Declaration’s call to mobilize $100 billion in agri-food investments by 2035,” he declared.

Commissioner Vilakati applauded COMESA’s leadership in driving regional value chain strategies across agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and market regulation, aligning them with the AU’s Agenda 2063 and the CAADP Kampala Declaration. He pointed to the ZimZam CAAP as a blueprint for mobilizing public–private investments, boosting intra-African trade under the AfCFTA, and securing Africa’s agro-industrial sovereignty.

The Commissioner’s rallying cry came alongside a report on his first 100 days in office, during which the AU launched the African Youth Agro-Tech Fund, activated the Africa Soil Observatory in 33 Member States, and secured $55 million in early-stage funding for transformative agricultural and climate initiatives.

Vilakati urged COMESA Member States to:

• Harmonize trade and regulatory protocols to reduce non-tariff barriers;
• Transition from project-based interventions to permanent institutional products, such as a Regional Food Balance Sheet and Strategic Grain Reserves;
• Embed climate resilience as a core principle in all future agriculture, water, and energy systems.

“Africa is not poor; it is underinvested. Our soils are not barren; they are under-researched. Our youth are not jobless; they are under-valued,” he stressed.
“We will not manage poverty; we will create wealth. We will not await miracles from the North; we will cultivate our own prosperity, with our own hands, on our own terms.”

The meeting, held under the theme “Accelerating Regional Integration through the Development of Regional Value Chains in Climate-Resilient Agriculture, Mining, and Tourism,” concluded with a united commitment to accelerate CAAPs implementation and ensure that the Zambia–Zimbabwe CAAP is inaugurated before year-end 2025.

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