CGIAR and AGRA Forge Strategic Partnership to Boost Agricultural Innovation in Africa

CGIAR has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AGRA during the inaugural CGIAR Science Week in Nairobi. This partnership aims to accelerate agricultural innovation and delivery across Africa, focusing on co-developing and scaling science-based solutions for smallholder farmers.

The MoU formalizes the shared vision of CGIAR and AGRA to enhance food systems transformation through joint efforts in research, technology dissemination, and enabling policy environments. Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director of CGIAR, welcomed the new agreement, saying, “This MoU is a strong statement of our resolve to go further together in co-developing solutions and cultivating inclusive, sustainable food system reform across the continent.”

AGRA President, Alice Ruhweza said, “Our collaboration with CGIAR demonstrates our ongoing commitment to accelerating agrifood systems transformation in Africa. Building on years of collaboration, we now have the potential to work even closer together—scaling ideas, strengthening country systems, and providing smallholder farmers with the tools they need to flourish. This is the first step toward integrating science and delivery.”

The agreement outlines collaborative actions that will bridge research and delivery, support enabling policy environments, and promote inclusive, climate-resilient agricultural systems aligned with Africa’s CAADP agenda. Specific attention will be given to countries such as Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria, Mali, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Malawi, and Mozambique.

During CGIAR Science Week, AGRA showcased its successful Village-Based Advisor (VBA) model, which has reached 28 million smallholder farmers across 12 countries. Additionally, AGRA brought five dynamic agripreneurs to share their innovative solutions transforming African agri-food systems.

As CGIAR Science Week concludes, both organizations look ahead with renewed resolve to drive innovation, build resilient food systems, and empower smallholder farmers to be agents of change in Africa’s agricultural transformation.