
Continental Africa
About
Across the African continent, accelerated transformation is needed to ensure resilience against shocks to food, land and water systems. CGIAR is committed to resourcing and building capacity into African institutions, strengthening African agricultural research and innovation systems, and equipping African farmers with the science and technologies they need to survive and to thrive.
In 2022, CGIAR will appoint a Regional Director for Continental Africa* — to serve as CGIAR’s counterpart to key continent-wide institutions, support resource mobilization and advocacy across the African continent, coordinate the work of the other three Regional Directors in Africa, and further strengthen the representation and voice of Africa-based and Africa-facing leaders.
The role provides a clear, single entry-point and a fully dedicated counterpart for Africa’s continental institutions, and complements three existing Regional Director positions covering Central and West Asia and North Africa (CWANA), West and Central Africa (WCA) and East and Southern Africa (ESA).
* The successor for Dr. Nteranya Sanginga, the respected Director General of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) who completes his tenure later this year, will be recruited as both Director General, IITA, and Regional Director, Continental Africa, CGIAR.
Initiatives
Explore CGIAR Initiatives in Africa

Innovations
Explore 50 years of CGIAR Innovations

Partners
The position of Regional Director for Continental Africa was created as a consequence of recent high-level consultations hosted by the African Development Bank (AfDB), in partnership with the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), the African Union Commission (AUC) and CGIAR. Participating organizations included the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), AUDA-NEPAD, and sub-regional research organizations, CORAF, ASARECA, CCARDESA, NASRO, and the Africa Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS).
Publications
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Research insights on antibiotic use to treat mastitis in Kenyan smallholder dairy farms
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)04.04.25-
Health
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Digital agro‑advisory tools in the global south: a behavioural analysis of impacts, and future directions
The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)03.04.25-
Environmental health & biodiversity
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Impacts of urbanization on land use change and its incidences on the climate: case of Bingerville City (Ivory Coast, West Africa)
International Water Management Institute (IWMI)02.04.25-
Adaptation
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Climate adaptation & mitigation
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List of UU Partners as per the 2025 Annual Report
CGIAR Initiative on Diversification in East and Southern Africa01.04.25-
Nutrition, health & food security
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Soil analysis and survey data for selected farms in western Kenya under annual and perennial cropping system
The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)27.03.25 -
Mapping the risk of Q fever in Kenya
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)26.03.25-
Health
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News
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IRRI spotlights innovative partnership in strengthening African seed systems at CGIAR Science Week 2025
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)11.04.25-
Food security
On the second day of CGIAR Science Week 2025, IRRI continues to highlight its leadership…
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CGIAR and AGRA Forge Strategic Partnership to Boost Agricultural Innovation in Africa
CGIAR10.04.25CGIAR has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AGRA during the inaugural CGIAR…
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Biodiversity bites: A culinary celebration of science and innovation in Africa
The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)10.04.25-
Nutrition, health & food security
Bringing together funders, policymakers, scientists, private sector partners, media, and food influe…
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Livestock officers deliver poultry decision-support tool to Ghana districts
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)04.04.25-
Food security
In October 2024, scientists from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) facilitated a…
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ILRI supports Sierra Leone's livestock sector with high-yield forage seeds, boosting food security
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)04.04.25-
Food security
In a significant step towards improving livestock feed availability and enhancing food security in S…
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Participatory foresight analysis to identify near-market segments for cowpea in Western Africa
CGIAR Initiative on Market Intelligence31.03.25Participants in the workshop for cowpea product design teams in Western Africa on September 29,…
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