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.
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
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