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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IWMI’s strategy to advance Africa’s agriculture agenda (CAADP 2026-2035)
International Water Management Institute (IWMI)28.10.25-
Adaptation
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Climate adaptation & mitigation
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Anthelmintic resistance in livestock in Africa: review of the current status
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)24.10.25-
Food security
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Nutrition, health & food security
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Progress of the Malabo Declaration as a Regional Agenda towards addressing hunger in Africa
The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)23.10.25-
Nutrition, health & food security
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A critical synthesis of remote sensing and machine learning approaches for climate hazard impact on crop yield
International Water Management Institute (IWMI)23.10.25 -
Estimating the environmental Kuznets curve for cattle production and environmental degradation in Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia
The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)21.10.25-
Climate adaptation & mitigation
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Reusable plastic crates vs. wooden crates: Comparing microbial contamination and costs during long-distance transportation of tomatoes in Ethiopia
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)09.10.25-
Health
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News
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Launch of “The Business Case for Investment in Rangeland Restoration” at IUCN World Conservation Congress, Abu Dhabi
Multifunctional Landscapes Science Program03.11.25-
Climate adaptation & mitigation
In October 2025, conservationists, policymakers and academics gathered in Abu Dhabi for IUCN’s Wor…
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Scaling for Impact: Integrating WEFE Nexus Innovations Across Borders and Sectors
Scaling for Impact Program03.11.25By Maha Al-Zu’bi (IWMI & CGIAR Scaling for Impact Program AoW2 Focal Point) In an…
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ILRI scientists develop new guideline on pioneer-positive deviance for agricultural extension in Ethiopia
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)24.10.25-
Adaptation
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Climate adaptation & mitigation
Scientists at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) have published a new guideline o…
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IWMI Leads the Way: Scaling Solar Irrigation for Climate-Resilient Agriculture
Scaling for Impact Program22.10.25By Maha Al-Zu’bi; Susanne Bodach; Seifu Tilahun IWMI Leads a Global Effort to Turn Proven…
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Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises as an entry point for improving diets of consumers in the informal neighborhoods of Africa
The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)16.10.25-
Nutrition, health & food security
The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT is partnering with micro, small and medium-sized e…
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Africa, climate and food: How to feed a continent without increasing its carbon footprint
The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)15.10.25-
Climate adaptation & mitigation
Africa’s agrifood systems emit nearly 2.9 billion tons of CO₂ equivalent every year—more than …
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