South Africa’s hosting of the G20 in 2025 has unlocked a rare and strategic opportunity for Africa to shape the global agricultural science and innovation agenda. As the only African country in the G20, South Africa’s leadership is not only timely—it is pivotal. On 18 March 2025, the Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) of South Africa, convened the National Dialogue on Agricultural Research and Innovation. FANRPAN was honoured to co-convene this important dialogue engagement alongside ARC and the South Africa’s Department of Agriculture.
The National Dialogue was a decisive moment—anchoring South Africa’s agriculture research and policy priorities in preparation for the upcoming Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists (MACS) under the G20 track. More importantly, it created an inclusive platform that welcomed perspectives from beyond South Africa. We commend the Government of South Africa and ARC for deliberately opening the space to Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and continental knowledge partners, thereby signalling a strong commitment to a Pan-African approach to global science and innovation diplomacy.
At FANRPAN, we recognize that no single country can carry Africa’s agricultural science and innovation policy agenda alone. In response, and with the support of ARC, we have mobilized a series of regional dialogues to ensure that Africa’s position at MACS is evidence-based, inclusive, and grounded in shared priorities. These regional engagements—held in Southern Africa (11 March), East and Central Africa (13 March), West Africa (20 March), and North Africa (27 March) – bring together scientists, academics, policymakers, private sector and farmers to consolidate a unified African voice.
Each dialogue has explored Africa’s research and innovation priorities across eight thematic pillars: biodiversity stewardship, climate-smart agriculture, One Health, digital innovation, sustainable soil health, resilient bio-economies, the water-energy-food-health nexus, and investments in research and development (R&D) and commercialization. These themes are not only aligned with South Africa’s G20 agenda, but also with continental frameworks such as Agenda 2063, CAADP, and the Kampala Declaration on Building Resilient and Sustainable Agrifood Systems.
The outputs from all five dialogues will be synthesized into a consolidated African position paper to inform the G20 MACS deliberations later this year. This process is more than technical consultation – it is an assertion of Africa’s scientific leadership and an affirmation that the continent’s agricultural systems are not just recipients of global policy, but active shapers of it.
We extend our appreciation to the Government of South Africa and the ARC for their foresight and leadership. FANRPAN remains committed to facilitating these dialogues and ensuring that Africa’s voice is present, coherent, and influential in shaping the global agricultural research and innovation landscape.
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