Abuja, Nigeria | 27–29 July 2026
The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) convened the 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week (AASW9) in Abuja, Nigeria, bringing together more than 900 participants from governments, research institutions, farmers’ organisations, development partners, the private sector and civil society under the theme “Innovation and Partnerships for Resilient and Sustainable Agrifood Systems in Africa.” The event served as a key platform for advancing implementation of the Kampala CAADP Declaration and identifying practical pathways for accelerating Africa’s agrifood systems transformation through science, innovation and strategic partnerships.
FANRPAN was represented by Chief Executive Officer, Dr Tshilidzi Madzivhandila, and Director of Policy Research and Analysis, Ms Sithembile Mwamakamba, who actively participated in several strategic sessions, including the African Youth Position Statement on the Future of Africa’s Agrifood Systems, From Dialogue to Joint Action: An Institutional Innovation for Scaling Africa–Europe Cooperation on Soil Health Systems, and Farmer-Centered Action Research and Innovation. These engagements reinforced FANRPAN’s commitment to strengthening science-policy partnerships, promoting youth leadership, advancing sustainable natural resource management and ensuring that farmers remain at the centre of agricultural innovation.
A consistent message throughout the conference was that Africa already possesses many of the technologies and policy frameworks needed to transform its agrifood systems. The challenge now is to move beyond policy commitments and research outputs towards effective implementation at scale. Delegates emphasised the need to strengthen institutions, invest in human capacity, improve research commercialisation, and build an integrated African agricultural innovation ecosystem that connects governments, research organisations, universities, farmers, the private sector and Regional Economic Communities.
The conference further highlighted the importance of scaling innovations that simultaneously improve productivity, climate resilience and nutrition, while integrating digital agriculture, climate-smart technologies, nature-based solutions and stronger climate information systems. Participants also stressed that agricultural transformation must deliver healthier diets, stronger food safety systems and improved nutrition outcomes through diversified and inclusive food systems.
Financing agricultural research emerged as another major priority. The High-Level Ministerial Dialogue on Financing Agricultural Research in Africa culminated in the Abuja Clarion Call on Sustainable Financing for Agricultural Research, Development and Innovation (AR4DI), urging African governments to increase domestic investment in agricultural research, mobilise African-led financing, strengthen public-private partnerships and establish sustainable financing mechanisms to support long-term innovation and implementation.
The conference concluded with five strategic “game changers” for Africa’s agricultural future: positioning science and innovation as the primary driver of agricultural transformation; building an integrated African agricultural innovation ecosystem; scaling technologies that deliver productivity, resilience and nutrition; mobilising African-led investment for research and innovation; and measuring success by the extent to which research transforms lives rather than simply generates knowledge.
For FANRPAN, the outcomes of AASW9 strongly reinforce the Network’s mission of bridging research, policy and practice. As Africa advances implementation of the Kampala CAADP Declaration, FANRPAN remains committed to strengthening evidence-informed policymaking, fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships and supporting the translation of research and innovation into sustainable, inclusive and resilient agrifood systems across the continent.