
Continental Africa
About
Across the African continent, accelerated transformation is needed to ensure resilience against shocks to food, land and water systems. CGIAR is committed to resourcing and building capacity into African institutions, strengthening African agricultural research and innovation systems, and equipping African farmers with the science and technologies they need to survive and to thrive.
In 2022, CGIAR will appoint a Regional Director for Continental Africa* — to serve as CGIAR’s counterpart to key continent-wide institutions, support resource mobilization and advocacy across the African continent, coordinate the work of the other three Regional Directors in Africa, and further strengthen the representation and voice of Africa-based and Africa-facing leaders.
The role provides a clear, single entry-point and a fully dedicated counterpart for Africa’s continental institutions, and complements three existing Regional Director positions covering Central and West Asia and North Africa (CWANA), West and Central Africa (WCA) and East and Southern Africa (ESA).
* The successor for Dr. Nteranya Sanginga, the respected Director General of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) who completes his tenure later this year, will be recruited as both Director General, IITA, and Regional Director, Continental Africa, CGIAR.
Initiatives
Explore CGIAR Initiatives in Africa

Innovations
Explore 50 years of CGIAR Innovations

Partners
The position of Regional Director for Continental Africa was created as a consequence of recent high-level consultations hosted by the African Development Bank (AfDB), in partnership with the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), the African Union Commission (AUC) and CGIAR. Participating organizations included the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), AUDA-NEPAD, and sub-regional research organizations, CORAF, ASARECA, CCARDESA, NASRO, and the Africa Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS).
Publications
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Genomic characterization of Vibrio cholerae isolated from clinical and environmental sources during the 2022–2023 cholera outbreak in Kenya
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)18.07.25-
Health
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A chromosomal level genome assembly of Nguni sheep, Ovis aries
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)16.07.25-
Food security
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Lessons Learned from Implementing the CAADP Biennial Review Process Under the Malabo Declaration
International Water Management Institute (IWMI)14.07.25-
Adaptation
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Poverty reduction, livelihoods & jobs
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Resource recovery from livestock waste: cases and business models from the Global South
The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)11.07.25 -
CafeClima: Grow Smarter Coffee
The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)07.07.25-
Climate adaptation & mitigation
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Resource recovery from livestock waste: cases and business models from the Global South
International Water Management Institute (IWMI)07.07.25-
Climate adaptation & mitigation
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Nutrition, health & food security
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News
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Neglected No More: Why Climate-Smart Underutilized Foods Belong on School Meal Menus
The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)18.07.25-
Environmental health & biodiversity
As highlighted during the 2024 Global Child Nutrition Forum in Japan, integrating neglected and und…
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CGIAR and national plant protection organizations strengthen collaboration for healthier forage landscapes in eastern and southern Africa
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)15.07.25-
Adaptation
Speaking at the opening session of the regional forage disease workshop held in Addis Ababa,…
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ILRI partnership with private sector turns young woman’s pastime into a thriving poultry agribusiness in Tanzania
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)15.07.25-
Poverty reduction, livelihoods & jobs
In Tanzania, like in many African countries, many women keep poultry as a means of…
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Newly launched investment handbook outlines opportunities in Ethiopia’s livestock and fishery sectors
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)15.07.25-
Poverty reduction, livelihoods & jobs
Ethiopia’s livestock and fisheries sub-sectors represent some of the most promising, yet underutil…
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Forage-based livestock fattening rations gaining popularity with smallholder beef and goat producers in Zimbabwe
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)14.07.25by @Thembinkosi Baleni, @Godfrey J. Manyawu, and @Thandeka Matebesi Household incomes and livelihood…
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BRAINS at one: Grit, growth, and innovation in Africa’s bean, insect and fruit tree value chains
The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)14.07.25-
Nutrition, health & food security
One year in, BRAINS Project is taking shape—empowering African farmers with innovative bean, insec…
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