Africa

Nairobi, Kenya, hosts the Alliance’s regional hub for Africa.

Agriculture will continue to be the engine of economic growth in Africa for decades to come. But reaching the continent’s potential requires innovative science to ensure agriculture systems are competitive, efficient, and sustainable.

With a presence spanning the majority of states in the Sub-saharan area, the Alliance team in Africa is unlocking impact-driven, science-based solutions to support the rapid transformation of the Region through agriculture.

Through our work on the ground, and in close collaboration with other CGIAR centers, we are addressing agricultural biodiversity and development, in close collaboration with the private sector, NGOs, governments, development partners, and farmers. 
Further, by making research processes more inclusive, we are also supporting more informed investments in agriculture systems, prioritizing limited resources towards a healthier, wealthier continent where healthy, affordable food is accessible for everyone. 

East Africa

Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda

We work on food security and seed systems, including on biofortification and crop enhancement with a focus on key crops such as banana, cassava, maize – also through private sector fundraising and commercialization. Other priorities and programs span climate action and adaptation, conservation, diet quality and nutrition, climate risk profiling, and adaptation. 

West Africa

Senegal, Mali, Ghana, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Nigeria, Burkina-Faso, Niger 

We are leading numerous initiatives towards food security, better nutrition, and more sustainable livelihoods. We are also focusing on digital, by improving information systems, and on entrepreneurship, with a youth and gender angle. 

Southern Africa

Malawi, Zambia, South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe

Through a strong network of partnerships and tight collaboration with governments, we are working on policy, advocacy, and resilience to improve digital services and inclusion. We are delivering on the ambition of climate-smart agriculture through sound climate risk profiling and adaptation.

Central Africa and Great Lakes

Burundi, Cameroon, DRC, Angola, São Tomé and Príncipe

Working on key priorities such as food security, improved seed systems, climate, conservation, and the digitization of services and information, we are strengthening public-private partnerships towards sustainable market development. Through collaboration with relief organizations and INGOs, we are also improving nutrition and household livelihoods. 

STRENGTHENING AGRICULTURE IN RWANDA 

Our Transforming Food Systems Under a Changing Climate initiative ensures access to climate services that can de-risk agricultural livelihoods and value chains. Supported by the US and UK governments, this project increases climate change resilience in agriculture and empowers local farmers by supporting their pivot towards climate-smart agriculture.

IMPROVING THE WELLBEING AND RESILIENCE OF AGRICULTURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN SENEGAL

With funds from Canada, MEDA, and the Alliance, the Adaptation and Valorization of Entrepreneurship in Irrigated Agriculture (AVENIR) project focuses on agricultural households in the Sedhiou and Tambacounda regions of Senegal. Core priorities include increasing profitability of agribusinesses; fostering multi-stakeholder platforms for innovative dialogue; and improving access to climate-adapted technologies. This project will directly benefit 10,000 women and youth from agricultural households (70% female), with indirect benefits set to reach 35,000 people.

REDUCING RISKS AND PROMOTING INNOVATION IN GHANA

In collaboration with the Excellence in Agronomy 2030 Initiative (EiA) and WorldCover (a private crop insurance firm), we launched a scientific investigation to characterize, boost and scale promising agronomic options. Through bundled services that incorporate index-based crop insurance, agro-advisories, and input credit, the Alliance and partners are piloting solutions to reduce the production risk of maize by 60% and increase crop yields by 30%. When scaled further, this will significantly improve smallholder food and income security in the vulnerable region of Northern Ghana.