Full diplomatic status to boost research and food security efforts in Zambia

From
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
Published on
22.04.24
Impact Area
Food security

Zambia President Hakainde Hichilema, IITA Goodwill Ambassador and former President of Nigeria Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa, Dr Simeon Ehui with some of Zambia’s government officials and IITA Management team during the launch of IITA-SARAH.

In a major development that will change the research and food security efforts of IITA–CGIAR in Zambia, the government has granted IITA full diplomatic status. This new status emphasizes the importance of IITA’s research to Zambia’s agricultural and economic transformation and the development of the Southern region.

The announcement came on the eve of the launch of IITA’s Southern Africa Research and Administrative Hub (SARAH) and food system research and delivery facilities in the country’s capital, Lusaka. For nearly 40 years, IITA-CGIAR in Zambia has been partnering with the government and supporting agriculture, research, and food security.

IITA’s full diplomatic status marks a significant step in a partnership that has lasted four decades and demonstrates President Hakainde Hichilema’s commitment to improving Zambia’s agriculture sector and food systems.