
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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The crop–livestock–soil nutrient–water nexus in mixed farming system: a research gap in West Africa Region
International Water Management Institute (IWMI)29.04.25-
Adaptation
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Climate adaptation & mitigation
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Innovative tick control: Gender and economic factors in adoption of acaricide resistance test kit
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)24.04.25-
Food security
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Field water management and irrigation for improved rice systems: a training facilitators' guide
International Water Management Institute (IWMI)16.04.25-
Adaptation
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Climate adaptation & mitigation
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Research insights on antibiotic use to treat mastitis in Kenyan smallholder dairy farms
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)04.04.25-
Health
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Digital agro‑advisory tools in the global south: a behavioural analysis of impacts, and future directions
The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)03.04.25-
Environmental health & biodiversity
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Impacts of urbanization on land use change and its incidences on the climate: case of Bingerville City (Ivory Coast, West Africa)
International Water Management Institute (IWMI)02.04.25-
Adaptation
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Climate adaptation & mitigation
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News
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Milestone achieved in veterinary research collaboration in Malawi
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)25.04.25-
Health
A partnership between the first veterinary school in Malawi and international research experts has c…
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Local Solutions for Transformative Development and Sustainable Futures
Ibukun Taiwo24.04.25Members of the CGIAR FOCUS Climate Security Team in Southern Africa attended the 2025 NUST-WFP…
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Empowering women and youth for Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in Agri-Food systems
The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)24.04.25-
Gender equality, youth & social inclusion
At the CGIAR Strategy Dialogue during Science Week, experts spotlighted the urgent need for gender…
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Unveiling a new vision for animal breeding in Africa
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)16.04.25-
Food security
The African Animal Breeding Network (AABNet), a new platform for animal breeding professionals to ad…
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Fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing in digital agriculture
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)16.04.25-
Food security
Stronger institutional partnerships and knowledge co-creation will accelerate the digital agricultur…
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CGIAR and AGRA Forge Strategic Partnership to Boost Agricultural Innovation in Africa
CGIAR10.04.25CGIAR has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AGRA during the inaugural CGIAR…
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