
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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Tackling irrigation development and water management crises in Africa
International Water Management Institute (IWMI)28.08.25-
Climate adaptation & mitigation
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Mitigation
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Climate change impacts livestock carrying capacity in East Africa
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)25.08.25-
Adaptation
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Rabies control via co-creation: A model for sustainable one health interventions
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)19.08.25-
Health
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Implementation gaps in food safety interventions: evidence from a multi-vocal review focusing on animal-source foods in Ethiopia
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)08.08.25-
Food security
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Health
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Machine learning approach to predicting Rift Valley fever disease outbreaks in Kenya
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)01.08.25-
Health
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Reducing the cost of livestock feeds in Kenya: Policy options and recommendations
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)01.08.25-
Food security
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News
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Integration of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) Clearinghouse into the CGIAR Scaling for Impact Program
Scaling for Impact Program11.09.25The Clearinghouse Established 6 years ago, funded by the Gates Foundation in support of the…
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In East and Southern Africa, PABRA pilots the first regional Product Advancement Meeting for beans
Breeding for Tomorrow08.09.25The demand for common beans is growing fast as more consumers embrace plant-based diets. Once…
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Uganda’s agriculture ministry adopts PigSmart resources to train extension workers
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)29.08.25-
Poverty reduction, livelihoods & jobs
The Uganda Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries (MAAIF) has adopted PigSmart pla…
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Mapping Kenya’s livestock routes: The arteries of dryland pastoral economy
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)29.08.25-
Food security
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Poverty reduction, livelihoods & jobs
Kenya has taken a landmark step in strengthening its livestock sector and advancing regional integra…
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Unlocking climate finance for sustainable livestock: Reflections from the Second Climate Change Global Business Summit on Africa
Rahel Abiy27.08.25-
Climate adaptation & mitigation
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Environmental health & biodiversity
The Second Climate Change Global Business Summit on Africa was held in Nairobi, Kenya, 19-20…
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Nature’s ‘double dividend’ from agricultural technology adoption
International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)21.08.25Efforts to promote the adoption of new and improved agricultural technologies often focus on increas…
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