News Overview

Following LAPO Microfinance Bank‘s previous visit to IITA-CGIAR to seek ways to enhance its Corporate Social Responsibility through tree planting, both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 11 September. The project is an environmental sustainability initiative of the LAPO Microfinance Bank, with IITA Forest Center as the technical implementing partner. Representing LAPO Managing Director Cynthia Ikpownosa, Executive Director Gloria Bako said, “We considered

In less than six years, IITA–CGIAR has developed and released 26 high-quality yam varieties across Africa, with 10 of these varieties released in Nigeria, the largest yam-producing country on the continent. Introducing these new varieties can potentially rejuvenate the declining yam value chain. IITA has had a significant impact through its outreach, capacity development, and empowerment initiatives. Farmers across 15 states within

During a brief stay in the South Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which hosts IITA–CGIAR, Dr Simeon Ehui, Director General of IITA and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa, met with Provincial Governor Jean-Jacques Mpurusi Sadiki on 9 September. The agenda of the meeting revolved around sustaining and furthering collaboration between IITA and the provincial government in

In a bid to explore ways to strengthen collaboration between IITA and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rwanda, IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa, Dr Simeon Ehui, met with FAO Rwanda Country Representative Coumba Sow to discuss how their collaborative efforts could accelerate agricultural development in Africa. The meeting featured a shared commitment to addressing challenges like food security, nutrition, plant

IITA and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in Rwanda have initiated discussions on strengthening their partnership to drive food security and sustainable agricultural development in the country. Focusing on aligning areas of interest in the future, the meeting which took place between IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa, Dr Simeon Ehui, and IFAD Associate Vice-President, Program Management Department, Donal Brown, on

At the just concluded Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) 2024, IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa, Dr Simeon Ehui, delivered an impactful speech at the official opening plenary during the session titled The Africa Agriculture Status Report (AASR). Addressing policymakers, agricultural experts, and development stakeholders, he emphasized the critical role of private sector engagement in transforming Africa’s food systems. In his address, DG Ehui

As part of efforts to increase IITA–CGIAR‘s research efforts in Rwanda, IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa, Dr Simeon Ehui, met with the Deputy Director General for Agriculture Development, Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), Florence Uwamahoro, to discuss aligning of interest areas and expanding partnerships to ensure impactful agricultural research in the country. The meeting

On the sidelines of the just concluded Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) held in Kigali, Rwanda, IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa, Dr Simeon Ehui, met with Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture, Dr Ildephonse Musafiri, to discuss strengthening agricultural research collaboration and food security efforts. Highlighting IITA’s commitment to supporting Rwanda’s agricultural advancements, DG Ehui said IITA and CGIAR are committed to solving today’s—and