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 This adaptability ensures that knowledge remains relevant and actionable, rather than static and outdated.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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From 25 to 29 September 2023, a CORAF delegation, consisting of the Head of Knowledge Management, Ms Poko Alida Nadinga and the Head of IT Mr Ababacar Diouf, embarked on a benchmarking mission to learn about FARA’s knowledge management system. The team was welcomed to the FARA Secretariat in Accra, Ghana, by the Head of Human Resources and Administration, Ms Ama Pokuah Asenso, on behalf of the Executive Director, Dr Aggrey Agumya.

Mr Ababacar DIOUF and Ms Poko Alida NADINGA

The FARA team, consisting of the Lead specialist from the Knowledge, Learning and Communication Management Unit, Mr Benjamin Abugri, the IT Manager, Mr Francis Kpodo and the Web Designer, Mr Gabriel Quansah, provided an overview of FARA and its role as a continental institution. The technical sessions focused on the operational infrastructure and products of the FARA knowledge management system, including the virtual knowledge hub christened FARADataInformS, the directory of experts, the digital archiving system, and the community of practice. The team also seized the opportunity to examine the technological architecture supporting these different knowledge management platforms.

It is important to note that as part of the implementation of the CAADP XP4 programme, FARA is responsible for developing the continental Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D) directory of experts and transferring the West and Central Africa’s management of experts to CORAF and the lead Sub-Regional Agricultural Organization. In addition, FARA intends to work with CORAF to revitalize its knowledge management system through experience sharing and technical assistance.

CORAF has affirmed its commitment to support FARA in strengthening data security and integrity to ensure the protection of key knowledge generated over the years. To this end, a FARA delegation will visit Dakar to inspect CORAF’s entire technological infrastructure, including the data centre and security platforms. This mission will also serve as a framework for presenting and validating the expert directory tool and training the CORAF team in its use.

A team of Knowledge Management and IT Experts from FARA and CORAF

The two teams have developed a joint action plan to ensure better follow-up of the actions and recommendations resulting from this knowledge-sharing mission.

The two organizations, through a letter of agreement signed, will continue to leverage each other’s strengths in Knowledge Management, Information technology and monitoring and evaluation to accelerate the achievement of the CAADP Malabo targets and support the African farmer and related actors, to realize their highest potentials.

Join the Continental Experts Directory 

This mission is made possible mainly through the vision of the two eminent leaders of FARA and CORAF, Dr Aggrey AGUMYA, Executive Director of FARA, and Dr Abdou TENKOUANO, Executive Director of CORAF, who are committed to improving knowledge management in the agricultural research sector for a better future for the people of Africa.

The EX-Pillar 4 project of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP-XP4) is funded by the European Union under the DeSIRA programme and managed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The programme is jointly implemented by the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS), the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA); Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA); West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF); and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)

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In a bid to reinforce the African Union’s comprehensive commitment to agricultural development in Africa, the first-ever meeting since the formation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Communication and Knowledge Management Thematic Working Group took place at the Movenpick Hotel, Nairobi, from 3-4 August.

Some Participants at the AU CAADP KM & Comms Workshop

The main objective of the meeting was to propel the CAADP agenda forward through meticulous communication, advocacy, and knowledge management. The meeting also aimed to assess the strides made, design a concrete work plan, and establish a coordinated mechanism to bolster CAADP and forge a coordination blueprint for the CAADP Communication group following recommendations from Yaounde’s engagement, from 1-5 August 2022.

The desired outcomes of this coordination meeting were manifold, from highlighting the progress made in communication, knowledge management and advocacy at all levels to defining coordination tools for the CAADP Communication group. This will help improve awareness of the CAADP Malabo declaration, and support the implementation of the CAADP Business Plan 2022-2025 and the Jointly developed CAADP work plan.

Ms Panduleni Elago – Senior CAADP Advisor – African Union Commission

The meeting was officially opened by Ms Panduleni Elago, the CAADP Advisor, who emphasized the African Union’s anticipation towards the thematic working group to expedite the AU agenda. “The AU looks forward to the Key Performance Indicators that will emerge from this group that will address the knowledge and information gap in the Biannual Review Process,”.

Ms Peace Mutuwa the Communication and Knowledge Management expert, echoing the sentiments of the African Union Commission (AUC), emphasized how pivotal this group would be in propelling the AU’s goals forward. “As we commence this mammoth task, we need to develop Terms of Reference (TORs) that will govern our modus operandi. We should also not forget the critical role of the media in disseminating information to the communities on the CAADP process.

A palpable sense of duty settled in the room as the discussions pivoted to the 4th Biannual Review (4BR) of the CAADP. Two decades after the inception of Malabo, a gap remains; farmers are still in the dark about its potential. The need of the hour is curating content specifically tailored for small-scale farmers, ensuring it’s digestible and beneficial.

The African Union envisions this esteemed assembly to be the foundation of a robust CAADP Communication strategy. Policy LINK, a global Feed the Future program to advance leadership and collaboration for better policy systems implemented by DAI and working with the AUC, voiced the importance of technical and financial backing. They stressed, “It’s time we lay down tangible recommendations, lighting our path forward.”

CCARDESA, through its Information, Communication, and Knowledge Management Officer, Mrs Bridget Kakuwa-Kasongamulilo, joined the chorus, recognizing the CAADP as Africa’s agricultural cornerstone, she urged the assembly to prioritize the seven commitments, though it demands perseverance.

Mr Benjamin Abugri, FARA’s Knowledge Management and Communication Cluster Lead, urged the Working Group to be forward-thinking in using existing knowledge services and tools such as the FARA Africa Community (Dgroups) to discuss BR processes as they also act as interactive tools that allow information exchange and knowledge co-creation.

The meeting’s purpose shone clear: addressing the gaping communication void, ensuring synchronization with technical processes, advocating for CAADP, and strategizing its communication. The dialogue flowed, touching upon the support communications provided to the Biannual Review reporting and the Malabo. The ensemble also considered the potential of leveraging annual events like the CAADP Meetings, the AASW, the KM4AgD Conference, the Fertiliser Summit, and others, ensuring these platforms spread the right message.

Delving deep into recommendations from the Critical BR Analysis Report, the group proposed developing a protocol for the Biannual Review mechanism and a review of the toolkit for communication and knowledge management.

In attendance were participants from AUC, AUDA-NEPAD, AU-IASPC, RECs, Policy Link, FAO, ILRI, TASAI, CCARDESA, FARA, AU-IBAR, and other esteemed organizations. With two days of productive discourse, this meeting in Nairobi, from 3-4 August 2023, was not just a gathering, but a revolution in the making.

Originally published by CCARDESA 

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