News Overview

Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are emerging as powerful drivers of food systems transformation in Uganda. Through digital innovation, these enterprises are addressing persistent bottlenecks in agricultural value chains, making it easier for farmers to access quality inputs, receive expert advice, and deliver nutritious foods to markets efficiently. (see the EzyAgric example). A 2022 scoping study by the Alliance of

Rwanda’s agriculture is integral to its economy, and its reliance on rain-fed farming systems makes it vulnerable to climate change. With 91% of Rwanda’s farmers classified as smallholders, the need for smallholder-targeted innovation has never been more urgent. To address this, the AgriTech4Rwanda Innovation Challenge was launched to support and de-risk climate-smart agricultural innovations aligned with Rwanda’s Vision 2050 and national

Kenya, like many African countries, has historically relied on a mix of indigenous and introduced crops to feed its population. However, over the past few decades, there has been a steady decline in the cultivation and consumption of indigenous vegetables due to the rise of imported crops and changing dietary preferences. However, a resurgence of interest in traditional food

Could the future of dryland agriculture emerge along the shores of the Red Sea? From June 10–12, 2025, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT participated in Djibouti’s first-ever National Agri-Business Forum, bringing together decision-makers, researchers, donors, and the private sector. In a country facing extreme climatic conditions but committed to innovation, the Alliance showcased its expertise in Climate-Smart

As Rwanda continues efforts towards eradicating malnutrition, the bean crop continues to be a symbol of national resilience and agricultural innovation. Beans, widely produced by Rwandan farmers and deeply ingrained in local household diets, are now central to a revitalized collaboration between the Government of Rwanda and the Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA). This enduring and impactful partnership gained

Imagine weather information as a GPS for farmers. Without it, the journey becomes uncertain, filled with wrong turns and delays. But with it, farmers can navigate their seasons with confidence, planting at the right time, avoiding risks and reaping better harvests. In Rwanda’s Rulindo District, a hands-on capacity-building training in Rusiga Sector, Kirenge Cell, brought this concept to life.

When Samuel Uwihanganye – a passionate advocate for children’s nutrition and community empowerment – began experimenting with fortified flour blends in his modest facility in Bweramvura, Rwanda, he likely never imagined that his creations, which he developed with technical support from the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT through the Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA), would someday receive international recognition.

In Niger, children aged 9–12 became ‘mini-ministers’ in a school government promoting forgotten foods. Led by Forge Arts in 2025, this creative approach empowers youth to protect biodiversity and lead change in their communities. The student government model for promoting NUS explained  In a sunny schoolyard in Niamey, Niger, a group of primary school children stands proudly before an