By: Benjamin Abugri, Shaquille Penanneach & Daniel Kweitsu
Brussels, March 11, 2025 – The Executive Director of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), Dr Aggrey Agumya, took center stage at the ongoing European Union (EU) Conference, “Boosting Agrifood Research and Innovation Cooperation for Impact at Scale”. His participation in a high-level plenary panel underscored the critical role of EU-Africa partnerships in driving impactful research and innovation in Food, Nutrition, and Sustainable Agricultural Systems (FNSSA).
Addressing the session titled “What is the EU R&I Cooperation Landscape: Policies, Partnerships and Instruments?”, Dr. Agumya emphasized the necessity of a mutually beneficial Africa-Europe partnership. As the continental apex organization for R&I in FNSSA and the technical arm of the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA), FARA is at the heart of Africa’s agricultural research and innovation ecosystem.
In his intervention, Dr. Agumya provided insights into the institutional structure of agricultural research and innovation in Africa, highlighting its multi-tiered framework. At the national level, the National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) play a crucial role, complemented by Sub-Regional Organizations (SROs) such as ASARECA, CCARDESA, CORAF, and NAASRO. At the continental level, FARA and the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS) provide leadership and coordination.
Dr Aggrey Agumya addressing the session
Speaking on priorities for R&I in FNSSA, Dr. Agumya stressed the importance of enhancing the impact of research investments by embedding them within broader development goals, market systems, and knowledge-sharing initiatives. He also called for scaling up innovations, particularly in investments, capacities, and processes, to ensure that impactful agricultural research outputs reach their full potential.
Reflecting on best practices, he cited successful examples where research has been effectively integrated into development programs. Notable among them are the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT), the Desira Initiative, and the Platform for African-European Partnership on Agricultural Research for Development (PAEPARD). The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Programme (CAADPXP4) was also highlighted as a crucial initiative fostering a strong R&I ecosystem.
Dr. Agumya further underscored the significance of science-policy engagement in advancing Africa’s agricultural agenda. He referenced key initiatives such as the Soils Initiative for Africa, the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) – Kampala Declaration, and the African Food Systems Initiative, stressing that while commitments have been made, implementation has been lacking. He noted that over 93% of AU decisions from 2021 to 2023 remain unimplemented, calling for greater accountability and execution.
Looking ahead, he urged stakeholders to bridge the gap between aspiration and action, noting that no African country is currently on track to meet CAADP targets. He identified improved planning, execution, and investment in R&I as critical steps toward achieving these goals. Additionally, he emphasized the need to move beyond traditional Africa-Europe collaborations, advocating for triangular partnerships with Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Asia-Pacific region through a Global NARS Consortium.
Dr. Bernard Mallet delivering the keynote address
The session was set in motion by a keynote address from Dr. Bernard Mallet, a senior scientist specializing in tropical forestry and international agricultural research. His extensive experience in leading EU-AU partnerships on food security and sustainability provided a strong foundation for the discussions.
Joining Dr. Agumya on the distinguished panel were key representatives from European and African institutions, including:
Mahaman Bachir Saley, Officer-in-Charge, Science, Technology, and Innovation Division, African Union ESTI Department
Nienke Buisman, Head of Unit, International Cooperation (Asia, Pacific, Africa, Middle East), Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission
Luis Viva-Alegre, Team Leader, Research and Innovation Unit, Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission
Peter Werheim, Head of Unit, Food Systems and Bioeconomy, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission
Agnieszka Skuratowicz, Head of Unit, Youth, Education, Research, and Culture, Directorate-General for International Partnership, European Commission
Mathieu Le Grix, Head of Division, Agriculture, Rural Development, and Biodiversity, Agence Française de Développement (AFD)
This engaging panel discussion contributed to ongoing policy and investment conversations aimed at enhancing agrifood R&I cooperation between Africa and Europe. The insights shared are expected to inform future collaborations and drive impactful agricultural innovations at scale.
By: Irene Annor-Frempong, Aggrey Agumya & Benjamin Abugri
The African Union-European Union (AU-EU) Research and Innovation Partnership on Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) is making significant strides in building digital and climate-resilient agri-food systems. This initiative, under CAADP’s (Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme) Sub-theme 3, emphasizes the need for research and innovation to foster sustainable agriculture and food security across Africa.
Achievements and Lessons from the AU-EU FNSSA Partnership
The achievements of the AU-EU partnership on FNSSA from 2016 to date highlight the impact of international cooperation on agricultural development. With over 1 billion Euros mobilized and invested in line with the AU-EU FNSSA Roadmap (2016-2026), more than 500 projects have been implemented across four thematic areas. These areas align with the CAADP Malabo priority themes, as outlined in the Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa (S3A).
The four thematic areas are:
Sustainable Intensification
Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition
Expansion and Improvement of Agricultural Markets and Trade
Crosscutting Issues, including improved coordination between European and African FNSSA R&I projects
Dr. Irene Annor-Frempong, IRC CEA-FIRST Coodinator at the AU-EU Side Event at the 20th CAADP PP & 15th ADFNS
Through these projects, the AU-EU partnership has delivered tangible benefits to farmers, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and research and innovation institutions across Africa. Additionally, the partnership has strengthened science-policy linkages and enhanced institutional and individual capacities within participating regions.
Key Challenges and Proposed Solutions
While the partnership has achieved significant success, certain gaps remain, particularly in the areas of coordination and leveraging resources. Over the past eight years, stakeholders identified two critical levers for enhancing the impact of international cooperation: the partnership model and the financing model. Addressing these areas will further streamline the implementation of the CAADP Agenda and amplify the benefits of research and innovation for sustainable agriculture.
Two solutions were proposed to harness international cooperation for the implementation of CAADP:
Developing a strategy for leveraging international cooperation
Coordinating cooperation programs like the AU-EU FNSSA partnership to show its contribution on the implementation of CAADP
The Role of the International Research Consortium (IRC)
The IRC CEA-FIRST Consortium at the CEA-FIRST Inception Meeting in Accra, Ghana
The establishment of the International Research Consortium (IRC) aims to address the fragmentation of efforts and funding in the FNSSA sector. By uniting more than 50 signatories, the IRC enhances the visibility of AU-EU research activities and positions African stakeholders to better respond to agricultural challenges. This platform also facilitates stakeholder engagement, particularly with youth and women, fostering inclusivity in decision-making and community involvement.
R&I institutions across AU Member States are encouraged to join the IRC, as it provides valuable insights and a collaborative platform for addressing Africa’s agri-food system challenges.
Looking Forward: The Next EU-AU FNSSA Roadmap
As the current 10-year AU-EU Research and Innovation roadmap nears completion in 2026, preparations for the next roadmap (2027-2037) are underway. The upcoming roadmap will align with the CAADP Kampala Strategy and focus on amplifying the impact of research and innovation in agriculture, emphasizing digital transformation and climate resilience.
Conclusion
The AU-EU partnership on FNSSA is a model of a successful international cooperation, demonstrating the power of collaborative research and innovation to build sustainable and resilient agricultural systems. With strengthened coordination, a well-defined strategy, and broad stakeholder engagement, Africa’s agri-food systems are poised to benefit from enhanced food security, economic growth, and resilience against climate change.
Authors Note
Parts of this paper were included in a keynote address delivered by the Executive Director of FARA, Dr. Aggrey Agumya, and Dr. Irene Annor-Frempong, Lead of the AU-EU International Research Consortium on FNSSA, at the 2024 20th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Partnership Platform (PP) and the 15th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS). The address reflected on the theme, ‘Two Decades of the CAADP Agenda: Cultivating the Nexus of Nutrition, Agrifood Systems, and Education for Africa’s Growth,‘ and was hosted in Harare, Zimbabwe in October.
Dr. Irene Annor-Frempong is Lead of the AU-EU International Research Consortium on FNSSA
Dr. Aggrey Agumya is Executive Director of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)
Mr. Benjamin Abugri is Cluster Leader for Knowledge Management, Digitalization and Learning at FARA
Initial 12 months, renewable for another 24 months
Issue Date:
Monday, September 16, 2024
Submission Deadline:
Tuesday, October 01, 2024
1. The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) is the apex organization coordinating agricultural research for development (AR4D) in Africa. It serves as the technical arm of the African Union and leads initiatives that support agricultural transformation at continental and sub-continental levels. FARA’s mandate is to enhance food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture across Africa. Food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture (FNSSA) are policy priorities for many African countries and are integral to the AU/EU international development agenda. Under the AU-EU High-Level Policy-Dialogue in 2016, a Research and Innovation (R&I) Partnership was established to promote sustainable food systems. Through EU Horizon Europe funding, FARA is implementing two key projects:
StEPPFoS: Strengthening Policy Analysis and Partnerships for Food Systems.
CEA-FIRST: Consortium Europe Africa on Research and Innovation for Food Systems Transformation.
Both projects aim to support FNSSA’s roadmap and create enabling environments that integrate R&I with food systems transformation efforts.
FARA is seeking a Programme Officer for Results Measurement and Learning to design and implement a comprehensive monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) framework for the StePPFoS and CEA-FIRST projects. This role will ensure that project activities align with key performance indicators (KPIs) and track progress to enhance project impact.
2. This request for expression of interest aims at engaging a candidate to carry out the following functions:
Developing Results Measurement & Learning frameworks for the StePPFoS and CEA-FIRST projects
Designing and implementing data collection systems and supporting baseline development
Conducting regular monitoring and data analysis to assess project progress.
Preparing and submitting periodic reports, including quarterly, mid-term, and final reports
Providing recommendations to improve project execution.
Supporting FARA-wide M&E initiatives and contributing to future project proposals
3. If you are passionate about Africa’s agri-food systems transformation, have a good grasp of emerging trends and approaches to results measurement/monitoring and evaluation, a persuasive communicator (both oral and written), a good presenter and a learning mindset, we would like to interact further with you.
4. The ideal candidate should have:
An advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., M&E, statistics, economics, social sciences); Proven experience in designing and managing M&E systems, preferably in agriculture and research & development settings; Strong analytical and report-writing skills; Familiarity with data analysis tools (SPSS, Excel, STATA, SAS); and Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
5. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their Expression of Interest, including a detailed CV and a cover letter explaining how they meet the requirements.
Please download the Terms of Reference below, for further information on this opportunity.
6. Applications should be submitted electronically to [[email protected]] and addressed to Dr. Aggrey Agumya, Executive Director of FARA, No 7 Flower Avenue, New Achimota, Mile 7, Accra, Ghana, no later than Tuesday, October 01, 2024, at 16h00 GMT. Tel: +233 302 772823/744888.
7. FARA Affirmative Action Statement on Recruitment: there is no discrimination based on gender race, religion, ethnic orientation, disability, or health status.
Conducting Baseline Studies including a Situation Analysis and Scenario Mapping /
Foresight Analysis towards to the development of the IRC Strategy and Operational Plan
Name of Project:
CEA-FIRST
Grant Agreement n°:
Project duration:
101136771
48 months
Procurement Ref:
FARA/CEA-FIRST/CS/IC/2024/01
Issue Date:
Thursday, May 23, 2024
Extended submission Deadline:
Monday, June 24, 2024
1. After half a century of relations between Africa and Europe, the Lisbon 2007 AU-EU Summit consolidated this relationship in a Joint Africa-EU Strategy (JAES) to represent the overarching long-term framework of cooperation between the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU), associated with an institutional architecture and specific funding for the implementation of its key actions. Since then, cooperation has become increasingly important, ranging from governance to regional integration, from energy to climate change and from migration to science and technology in a rapidly changing political and global contexts. A number of strategic directions have been adopted on both the African and European levels including; adoption of the Agenda 2063, Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) Malabo Agenda, the Africa continental Free trade Area (AfCTA) the EU Global Strategy, EU’s foreign and security policy, the European Green Deal, the Farm-to- Fork strategy etc.
The High-Level Political Dialogue (HLPD) that was put in place to operate between Summits has strengthened the implementation of the JAES and provided the basis for three priority areas in the implementation of the STI component of the JAES, namely, the FNSSA, CCSE, and the Innovation Agenda. The associated Roadmaps of these priority areas have been developed with the changing global contexts.
Under the FNSSA priority area over 500 AU-EU projects have been implemented and define the aspirations of the partnership towards the establishment of a sustainable platform for research and innovation. In September 2022, the International Research Consortium was launched (IRC) in the context of transitions in the agri-food systems, climate change, population trends and related drivers of economic development. The IRC is therefore expected to contribute to an equitable and sustainable research and innovation partnership between Africa and Europe.
The Consortium Europe Africa on Research and Innovation for Food Systems Transformation (CEA-FIRST) consists of 21 partners from Africa and Europe. The CEA-FIRST project will operationalise the AU-EU IRC in line with the FNSSA Roadmap and under the aegis of the AU-EU High-Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD) as the long-term platform on food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture (FNSSA). The final output of the CEA-FIRST project will be a fully functional IRC, including governance bodies. CEA-FIRST will also support its liaison with the High-Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD).
The development of the IRC Strategy and Operational Plan will be led by FARA and WUR with support from CIRAD, Agrinatura, ARC, ACU and ASARECA. The Foresight for Food (F4F) network was foreseen under the Grant Agreement to undertake Activity 1.2.2 to support the final crafting of the IRC Strategy and Operational Plan.
2. This request for expression of interest aims at engaging a consultant tocarry out the following functions:
a. Preparatory Phase:
The preparatory phase involves understanding IRC goals through desk research, horizon reviews, trend analysis, and interviews, culminating in a Slide Deck summarizing major trends.
b. Stakeholder Consultation:
Live/online interviews will gauge stakeholder agreement with the IRC Strategy and Operational Plan, resulting in an inception report.
c. Identification of Focus Issues:
Workshops and scenario analysis will explore IRC goals, producing a report and Slide Deck on key issues.
d. Scenario Storylines:
Workshops will refine scenario storylines, resulting in a Slide Deck with key scenario logics.
e. Analysis of Implications:
Scenario analysis will strengthen the IRC strategy, producing a report with strategic recommendations.
f. Crafting the Strategy and Operational Plan:
A detailed document and summary report will be developed.
g. Review and Validation:
The plan will be reviewed and validated, with final approval by the IRC Council and GA.
3. The Executive Director of FARA invites interested consultants to express interest in carrying out this assignment.
4. Consultants interested in this call must provide a description of the approach and tools that will be used to do the assignment, the budget (in person-month) for the expert team, the contact details of the consultant (name, email, phone number), a description of the team of experts that will conduct the study including clear roles, experience, and competency, and ensure the bid proposal does not exceed 4,000 words.
5. The anticipated period of performance for this consultancy is 80 man-days spread over three months (July 2024 to September 2024).
6. The individual consultant shall be selected based on procedures defined in the Procurement Guidelines of FARA.
7. Interested consultants may obtain further information from the CEA-FIRST Coordinator, Dr.Irene Annor-Frempong [[email protected]],and copy [[email protected]] and [[email protected]],during the following hours: 9h00 to 16h00 GMT.
Please download the Terms of Reference below, for further information on this opportunity.
8. Expressions of Interest should be submitted electronically to [[email protected]] and addressed to Dr. Aggrey Agumya, Executive Director of FARA, No 7 Flower Avenue, New Achimota, Mile 7, Accra, Ghana, no later than Monday, June 24, 2024, at 16h00 GMT. Tel: +233 302 772823/744888.
9. FARA Affirmative Action Statement on Recruitment: there is no discrimination based on gender race, religion, ethnic orientation, disability, or health status.
The African Union and the European Union alongside a number of implementing partners have launched the Consortium Europe-Africa on Research and Innovation for Food Systems Transformation #CEA_FIRST Project aimed at operationalizing the first priority of the AU-EU High level policy Dialogue (HLPD) focused on AU-EU International Research Consortium on Food and Nutrition Security for Sub-Saharan Africa #FNSSA .
CEA-FIRST is funded by the European Union as part of the Green Deal’s “From Farm to Fork” strategy (Horizon Europe budget envelope). It forms a crucial part of the EU’s “Global Gateway” strategic vision, which aims to establish sustainable and reliable connections serving citizens and the planet. This vision addresses pressing global challenges, from combating climate change to enhancing the competitiveness and security of global supply chains, particularly in Africa.
The project brings together 22 partners from Europe and Africa covering a wide range of expertise and stakeholders (research, NGOs, donors, extension workers, etc.) involved in the field of food and nutritional security and sustainable agriculture. It consists partly on lessons from the former #PAEPARD initiative, to the LEAP4FNSSA and now extended with new public and private network partners.
As outlined by the Coordinator of the Project, Dr Irene Annor-Frempong, the project have six main objectives including the following:
Providing public access to an extensive platform of knowledge in food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture.
Developing a robust methodology for analyzing Research and Innovation (R&I) activities and priorities.
Supporting the update of the AU-EU R&I partnership roadmap.
Establishing operational and thematic research working groups.
CEA-FIRST will facilitate connections between the IRC and the AU-EU high-level political dialogue.
It will create a learning environment, including communication channels, to support multi stakeholder networks and to strengthen R&I coordination.
CEA-FIRST will operationalise the International Research Consortium (IRC) as a long-term platform on food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture (FNSSA) in line with the FNSSA Roadmap of the AU-EU High-Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD). The project will be coordinated by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) from the Africa side and the European Alliance on Agricultural knowledge for Development (AGRINATURA), an Association of European Universities and Research Centres.
The IRC is a member-based, multi-actor platform and will work towards increasing synergies and coherence while reducing fragmentation and duplication of research efforts. Its aim is to promote higher returns on investments and impact on business development in Africa and Europe, by linking actors, research and innovation projects, initiatives, and funding programmes.
The final output will be a fully functional IRC. In the context of an essential transition in agri-food systems, compounded by the challenges of climate change and demographic shifts, the IRC is positioning itself as a vital tool for fostering an equitable and sustainable research and innovation partnership between Africa and Europe. This partnership focuses on bolstering agriculture as a key driver of economic development.
The IRC will also serve related AU-EU policy priorities, such as the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy and the Innovation Agenda of the HLPD, as well as the European Green Deal priorities (and farm to fork strategy) and the AU priorities including the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
In his opening remarks to kick-off the International Research Consortium and the #CEA_FIRST Project, the Executive Director of FARA, Dr. Aggrey Agumya recognized: “How it represents a larger and far-reaching formation that promises to revolutionize the partnership and working arrangements between African and European institutions.”
Project implementing partners from both Africa and Europe
Forum For Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), Ghana (Coordinator)
European Alliance on Agricultural Knowledge For Development (Agrinatura), France (Co-lead)
Centre For International Cooperation In Agronomic Research For DEVELOPMENT (CIRAD), France
Wageningen University and Research (WUR), the Netherlands
Agricultural Research Council Institute for Soil Climate and Water (ARC), South Africa
