Eastern African countries are tapping the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ (FAO) Hand-in-Hand Initiative to unlock investment in agrifood systems, with a focus on turning the region’s agricultural potential into jobs, stronger food security and more resilient economies. The drive was highlighted in Kigali on Monday, August 24, during the opening of…
I have spent much of my career sitting in rooms where Africa speaks with clarity about its ambition for agriculture. I have also spent much of my career watching that clarity dissipate before it reaches the farmer. ALSO READ: New strategy targets over 800,000 youth jobs in agrifood systems I remember one of my earliest…
The African Union’s Semi-Arid Food Grains Research and Development (AU-SAFGRAD), one of the specialized technical Offices (STOs) in the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE), organized a training on Design, Operations and Maintenance (DOM) of Climate smart agricultural technologies for agrifood systems transformation in Africa. The 10-day intensive training from…
Rising food prices and declining farm incomes are putting increasing pressure on the global food system, with up to 720 million people facing hunger last year, and billions more struggling to afford healthy diets. These numbers point to an even deeper crisis: in 2024, an estimated 2.3 billion people experienced moderate or severe food insecurity,…
The African Union Commission convened the Continental Foresight Consultations for Agrifood Systems transformation in Nairobi, Kenya, from 8 to 10 December 2025, to support implementation of the CAADP Kampala Declaration under the Agenda 2063 “The Africa that We Want “. The consultations brought together stakeholders under the leadership of H.E. Moses Vilakati, Commissioner for Agriculture,…
Recently in The Gambia, the African Forestry and Wildlife Commission gathered to reflect on the bonds between people and the forest landscapes that sustain them. The meeting took place as countries manage shifting markets, rising demands on land and resources, and the changing realities of rural livelihoods. These landscapes continue to guide daily life, steadying…
As Africa strives to strengthen food and nutrition security amid mounting climate shocks, key stakeholders and experts are calling for gender inclusive, sustainable financing and resilient agri-food systems across the continent. These concerns took center stage during a side event of the 21st Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Partnership Platform (CAADP PP) held in Kigali…
Nairobi — The African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) has launched a new initiative aimed at strengthening gender-responsive policymaking across the continent’s agrifood systems. Dubbed the Gender in Agrifood Systems Policies (GASP) Program, the initiative seeks to build the capacity of 50 mid-career women policy professionals from eight African countries–Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Kenya,…
