Africa Matters

Harnessing Private Extension Systems: The Key to Africa’s Sustainable Food Future

Privatizing extension systems can catalyze and sustain the momentum of food system transformation in Africa. By Japhet Laizer Agriculture in Africa has the potential to satisfy not only its own domestic food but also those of the rest of the world. Agriculture remains one of the driving engine sectors for the continent, empowering most of the population and accounting…

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Dr. Agnes Kalibata on the Urgency of Fixing Our Broken Food Systems for a Sustainable Future

Seven Years to Save the World: Dr. Agnes Kalibata on the Role of Food Systems in Achieving SDGs By Anthony Muchoki As global leaders gather at the United Nations General Assembly, conversations about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) come to the forefront. One voice that resonates powerfully is that of Dr. Agnes Kalibata, President of AGRA – Sustainably Growing…

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AGRF 2023: Progress and Challenges in Gender Equality Take Center Stage

The AGRF 2023 wasn’t just another yearly convening of stakeholders in Africa’s agrifood landscape; it was a platform where monumental findings from the “Status of Women in Agrifood Systems” (SWAFS) report were fervently discussed. This report, unveiled in April 2023, has rattled many by revealing the gender gaps costing sub-Saharan Africa a whopping USD 95 billion every year. Yet,…

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AFRICA FOOD SYSTEMS SUMMIT 2023: A Wake-Up Call for Africa’s Food Sovereignty

TANZANIA – The vulnerability of Africa’s food security was harshly exposed by the recent Ukraine-Russia conflict. The resulting disruption in grain supplies from these countries to the African continent, accentuated by Russia’s decision not to renew the Black Sea Grain deal, cast a shadow over Africa’s dependency on external food imports. The Africa Food Systems Summit, recently convened in…

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CALA Food Systems Leadership in Africa: Charting the Path for Inclusive Transformation

TANZANIA- The bustling coastal city of Dar es Salaam witnessed a monumental congregation of Africa’s most influential figures in agriculture. Both established and emerging leaders descended upon Tanzania to delineate inclusive strategies that address the continent’s escalating food system challenges. Organised by the Centre for African Leaders in Agriculture (CALA), the two-day symposium, aptly titled ‘Food Systems Leadership in…

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A Spotlight on Women and Youth: Africa’s Agricultural Renaissance Brews at the Intersection of Tradition and Innovation

Amid the sweeping savannahs and bustling marketplaces of Africa, a new narrative is emerging. The recently concluded Africa Food Systems Forum 2023 laid the foundation for a future where tradition meets innovation, and where the youth and women stand at the forefront of an agricultural transformation. Empowering Tomorrow’s Agri-Leaders While the forum discussed extensive topics spanning investments, technological adaptations,…

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Field Visits to Innovative Agri-Business Projects Kick Off as Part of AGRF 2023 Summit in Tanzania

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania The much-anticipated field visits commence today as the Africa’s Food Systems Forum 2023 Summit (AGRF 2023) unfolds from Monday at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre in Dar es Salaam. In the face of global challenges ranging from climate change to geopolitical crises, these field visits aim to provide international delegates and local stakeholders with…

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AGRA Announces Rebrand to Align with New Strategic Focus on Sustainably Growing Africa’s Food Systems

AGRA (formerly known as Alliance for Green Revolution) is pleased to announce an important update concerning our organization’s name change. This rebrand aligns with our new strategy, which will be our roadmap for future success for African farmers, centered around Sustainably Growing Africa’s Food Systems. For over 15 years, AGRA has been at the forefront of driving agricultural transformation…

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Charting a New Course for Africa’s Food Systems: A Global Rally and Transformation Investment Call to Action from Tanzania

A warm and hearty hello from Tanzania, often fondly referred to as the vibrant heart of Africa! With immense pleasure and pride, I invite global citizens, organizations, and thought leaders to convene at the monumental Africa’s Food Systems Summit 2023 (AGRF 2023 Summit). Scheduled to unfold between the 5th and 8th of September 2023, this transformative event will be…

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Tanzania’s Aspirations to Become a Thriving Food Hub in Africa Take Shape as AGRF-2023 Summit Draws Closer

Tanzania is positioning itself as a champion of food security and agricultural advancement on the global stage as it fervently prepares for the eagerly awaited Africa’s Food Systems Forum 2023 Summit (AGRF-2023) in Dar es Salaam, hosted by H.E Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, and the AGRF Partner’s Group. Tanzania organised three significant events…

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Tanzania’s President Launches Africa’s Food System Forum 2023

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, March 17th, 2023 – Her Excellency Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, has officially launched Africa’s Food System Forum 2023, the premier platform for advancing the agriculture and food systems agenda in Africa. The launch, which took place at State House, Tanzania, emphasized the importance of including youth and women…

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AGRA says reliance on organic fertilizer not enough to meet food needs

Madam Asseta Diallo, Senior Programmes Officer at the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) Ghana says the country’s dependence on organic fertilisers for soil nutrients may not help achieve food security. She explained that Ghana had a poor fertility status where about 65 per cent of agricultural land was depleted or severely degraded due to human activities…

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Tanzania’s Agriculture Sector to Take Center Stage at Upcoming AGRF Food Systems Forum

*50 Potential Outcomes  for Tanzania The AGRF Food Systems Forum will take place in Tanzania in 2023. John Muchoki and John Beda will examine the potential outcomes of the Summit on agriculture in Tanzania, building on the efforts made by various stakeholders to improve the sector. The Summit seeks to advance the progress of the Malabo Declaration and prioritize…

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Tanzania to host the AGRF, Africa’s Food System Forum 2023

Tanzania will host the AGRF 2023 Summit, the announcement was made by Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan, the president of the United Republic of Tanzania and H.E Hailemariam Dessalegn, the Chair of the AGRF Partners Group on the sidelines of the U.S. Africa Leaders’ Summit currently taking place in Washington, DC. The AGRF, Africa’s Food Systems Forum, is the…

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Tanzania to host the AGRF, Africa’s Food System Forum 2023

Dar es Salaam Tanzania / Washington DC, USA, 13 December 2022 – Tanzania will host the AGRF 2023 Summit.  The announcement was made by Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan, the president of the United Republic of Tanzania and H.E. Hailemariam Dessalegn, the Chair of the AGRF Partners Group on the sidelines of the U.S. Africa Leaders’ Summit currently taking…

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Paper call for immediate policy intervention to hasten the implementation of TAIDF

Improved agriculture business enabling environment needed for faster agro-industrialisation uptake Dar es Salaam, 07/08/2022 Tanzania under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan has placed agriculture at the top of the agenda, thus it’s paramount for the ongoing efforts toward the implementation of the Tanzania Agro-industries Development Flagship (TAIDF) to be hastened, according to Dr Barney Laseko, a policy…

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Report commends AGRA for its role in improving Ghana’s agricultural sector

A report evaluating the work of AGRA in Ghana has commended the organization for its contribution to improving agriculture in the country. The report by US-based data science company Mathematica, assessed the impact of AGRA’s Partnership for Inclusive Agricultural Transformation in Africa (PIATA) initiative. It concluded that the public policy environment for agricultural development has been enhanced as a result…

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President Kikwete hails  increased agro-led industrialisation-drive momentum fuelled by PIATA support

Iringa, Tanzania: February 15, 2022 –  Alliance for a Green Revolution (AGRA) lead Partnership for Inclusive Agricultural Transformation in Africa (PIATA) initiatives in Tanzania has increased agro-led industrialization-drive momentum. Agro-dealers, farmers organizations, aggregators and processors have increased uptake of their respective activities and production along the agriculture value chain, according to testimonies shared to former President of the United…

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Kikwete tours AGRA supported agriculture projects in Tanzania

President Kikwete

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania: February 14, 2022 – Former President of the United Republic of Tanzania H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete has embarked on a week-long field tour of agriculture projects that are supported by AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa) and partners in the country. During the tour, Dr Kikwete, who is also an AGRA board member,…

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Unlocking the full potential of Tanzania’s smallholder farmers requires concerted efforts to mitigate against climate change.

By Vianey Rweyendela President Samia Suluhu’s reaffirmation at COP26 that Tanzania is fully committed to mitigating the effects of adverse climate change across all key sectors (including agriculture) is very commendable. President Samia addressed the 26th United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), at  Glasgow, Scotland, in the UK.   It is great news for over 22,407,487…

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Dr. Agnes Kalibata proposes carbon marketing as a key strategy for renewing damaged agro-ecologies across Africa

African leaders and experts met at the sidelines of the COP26 Climate Summit Tuesday to discuss the steps towards the achievement of AFR100, a pledge made in 2015 to restore more than 100 million hectares of degraded lands by 2030.  The AFR100 (the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative) is a country-led effort to bring 100 million hectares of land in…

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Africa’s first center for excellence for developing improved seed launched

NAIROBI, Kenya: 09 September, 2021 – A new center has been launched to champion development of improved quality, high-yielding seeds for various crop varieties in Africa with the goal of boosting agricultural productivity. The Center of Excellence for Seed Systems in Africa (CESSA) was unveiled today at the AGRF 2021 Summit in Nairobi, Kenya. It will be hosted at…

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Tanzania agriculture investment opportunities in the spotlight on global AGRF Summit

Dar es Salaam/Nairobi The 2021 AGRF Summit was flogged off today 07 09 2021 in Nairobi, hosted by President  Uhuru Kenyatta, under the banner “Pathways to recovery and resilient food systems.”  Tanzania, as one of the most food-secure African nations, is expected to feature prominently.  A cross-section of stakeholders in Tanzania gathered at Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania…

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Towards AGRF and UN Food Systems Summit: 2021 Agribusiness Dealroom in-country launch for Tanzania on 26/08/2021 in pictures

 Professor Siza Tumbo, Deputy Permanent Secretary-Ministry of Agriculture, opened up the 2021 Agribusiness Dealroom in-country launch for Tanzania on 26/08/2021. The event was organized by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). The in-country deal room was attended by agriculture line ministries officials, private sector members, AGRA Vice president Ms. Vanessa Adam, IFAD Country officer Jacquiline Machangu,…

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IITA and partners launch campaign to promote access to fertilizers for African farmers Joint initiative launched at African Green Revolution Forum

IITA and partners launch campaign to promote access to fertilizers for African farmers Joint initiative launched at African Green Revolution Forum Addis Ababa, 3 September 2014 – IITA and partners including the International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA), the African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP), and five other agricultural development partner organizations are launching a new campaign that will promote…

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