IITA–CGIAR played a key role at the just concluded Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) hosted in Tanzania towards aligning agricultural research and innovation with food systems in Africa. IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa, Dr Simeon Ehui, represented the CGIAR at strategic meetings during the summit.
In a meeting with the Government of Tanzania, Dr Ehui, accompanied by former Nigerian President and IITA Goodwill Ambassador Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, discussed ways to strengthen collaboration between the Institute and the Tanzanian government with the President of Tanzania Samia Suluhu Hassan. The meeting focused on crucial initiatives, such as advancements in bioscience research and support for the government’s Building Better Tomorrow program.
President Hassan reaffirmed her commitment to agricultural transformation, agreeing to become IITA’s Eastern Africa Champion for agricultural research.