Russia–Africa Summit 2026: Agricultural Technologies, Food Security and Research Cooperation

 

28–29 October 2026 | Moscow, Russian Federation

The Third Russia–Africa Summit and accompanying Economic and Humanitarian Forum, brought together African and Russian political leaders, research institutions, businesses and development stakeholders to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, technology and food security. Hosted at Gostiny Dvor, the Forum featured more than 40 thematic sessions and panel discussions, with agriculture, innovation and scientific cooperation among the key priorities.

Agricultural discussions focused on moving beyond trade in food commodities and fertilisers towards technology transfer, local agricultural production, research partnerships and joint investment. These themes were particularly relevant to African efforts to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen food sovereignty and develop more resilient agrifood systems.

Agricultural sessions and speakers

1. Russia–Africa Agro-Industrial Alliance: Meeting the Challenges Together — 28 October

This session examined opportunities to strengthen Russian–African agricultural cooperation through fertiliser supplies, agricultural machinery, infrastructure development, investment and technology transfer.

Discussions addressed the establishment of agricultural machinery assembly facilities and logistics hubs in Africa, alongside opportunities for scientific research and the application of modern agricultural technologies.

Among the announced speakers were Andrey Guryev, President of the Russian Association of Fertilizer Producers; Alla Elizarova, Director of the Rosspetsmash Association; and Vyacheslav Lukomets, Rector of the Russian State Agrarian University–Timiryazev Moscow Agricultural Academy.

The session highlighted the importance of developing agricultural production capacity in African countries rather than relying exclusively on imports of agricultural commodities and inputs.

2. From Food Products to Agricultural Technologies — 29 October

This session explored how technological cooperation could improve agricultural productivity, strengthen food security and create opportunities for Russian–African agribusiness partnerships. Particular attention was given to soil fertility, agricultural inputs, production technologies and investment in agricultural innovation.

• Moderator: Ekaterina Fomina, Head of the Department for the Development of Agro-Industrial Product Exports, Russian Ministry of Agriculture.
• Dmitry Aveltsov — Director, Center for Agroanalytics, Russia
• Joseph Siaw Agyepong — Founder and Executive Chairman, Jospong Group of Companies, Ghana
• Dmitry Antonov — Senior Vice President, Resource
• Lebo Diale — Head of Agriculture and Rural Development, North West Provincial Government, South Africa
• Ingenesia Inge Zaamwani — Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Namibia
• Salis Karakotov — General Director, Schelkovo Agrohim, Russia
• Mikhail Sterkin — Deputy General Director for Marketing, PhosAgro, Russia
• Mohammed Umaru Bago — Governor of Niger State, Nigeria
• Alexander Yakuba — Adviser, Agroexport Federal Center, Russia

The session reflected the growing interest in combining agricultural technology transfer with partnerships involving African governments, agribusinesses and agricultural research institutions.

Food security and fertiliser cooperation

Food security was also addressed during the Summit's high-level discussions. Russia presented its role as a supplier of grain and fertilisers to African countries and expressed its willingness to expand cooperation in agricultural technologies and production systems.

Andrey Guryev, President of the Russian Association of Fertilizer Producers, highlighted declining fertiliser imports across Africa despite increasing Russian shipments. This raised questions about fertiliser affordability, supply chains and access to agricultural inputs.

While improving fertiliser availability can contribute to agricultural productivity, sustainable transformation also requires investments in soil health, locally adapted technologies, biodiversity, farmer knowledge and resilient agricultural systems.

28 Oct 2026 Russia-Africa exhibition

The President of Russia, together with the heads of delegations from African countries participating in the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum and Summit, toured the exhibition, A Platform for Sovereign Development: Advanced Russian Solutions in Key Economic and Social Sectors.

The exhibition showcased Russia’s achievements in areas with strong potential for cooperation with Africa, including the manufacturing industry, agriculture, energy, transport, finance, digital technologies and communications, healthcare, and education.

Third Russia–Africa Summit 2026 — Sideline Events

Wednesday, 28 October 2026

• Official Opening of the Russia–Africa Youth Forum
• Founding Meeting of the Russian-African Youth Union
• Laboratory: Partnership of the New Generation: Entrepreneurial Initiatives Russia–Africa
• Expert Discussion: Human Capital of Africa, with the presentation of the book Top 100 African Leaders and Influencers according to MGIMO
• Expert Discussion: Connecting Continents: Logistics as the Basis of Partnership between Russia and Africa
  
• Workshop: Who Tells about Africa? New Media and the Struggle for Global Narratives
• World Café: Cultural Codes: Generating a Common Future
• International Business Game: Negotiation Territory: Russia–Africa
• Russia–Africa Concert

Thursday, 29 October 2026

• Russia–Africa Energy Dialogue
• Roundtable: Women’s Leadership in the Russia–Africa Partnership: Business, Science, Investment
• Expert Discussion: Countering the Financing of Terrorism: A Comprehensive Response to Hybrid Threats
• Roundtable: Regional University and the Global South: Education, Cultural, and Scientific Diplomacy on the Example of the Russian North
• Roundtable: Russia and Africa at the Forefront of the Struggle against the Unipolar World Order and Neocolonial Practices
• Plenary Session of the Russia–Africa Youth Forum

Extract of the Business Programme: Sessions and Speakers

2. The Russia–Africa Agro-Industrial Alliance: Meeting the Challenges Together

This session explored opportunities to strengthen agricultural cooperation between Russia and African countries through investment, technology transfer, agricultural machinery, fertilisers and infrastructure development. Discussions focused on building more resilient agricultural production systems, improving access to agricultural inputs and expanding local production capacities. The session also addressed the potential for joint ventures, agricultural research partnerships and the development of agro-industrial value chains, with the broader objective of strengthening African food security and reducing dependence on imports.

• Moderator: Maria Kudryavtseva — Anchor, Russia 24 TV Channel.
• Irina Akopyan — First Deputy General Director, A7
• Igor Artemyev — President, St. Petersburg International Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange
• Andrey Guryev — President, Russian Association of Fertilizer Producers (RAPU)
• Vyacheslav Lukomets — Rector, Russian State Agrarian University–Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy
• Sergey Ryabkov — Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Russian Federation
• Sherif Farouk — Minister of Supply and Internal Trade, Egypt
• Mahamoud Ali Youssouf — Chairperson, African Union Commission

3. Directions for Developing the Educational Partnership Between Russia and Africa

The session examined opportunities to expand cooperation between Russian and African universities, research institutions and vocational education systems. Particular attention was given to academic mobility, joint degree programmes, scholarships, scientific exchanges and the development of technical skills required by emerging industries. The discussions highlighted the importance of strengthening African higher education and research capacities through long-term institutional partnerships, including opportunities for collaborative research, innovation and the training of young professionals.

• Moderator: Timirkhan Alishev — Vice-Rector for External Relations, Kazan Federal University.
• Yakov Itskov — Head of Alumina Business, RUSAL
• Andrey Loginov — Rector, Russian State University for the Humanities
• Konstantin Mogilevsky — Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education, Russia
• Carolyne Ignatius Nombo — Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Tanzania
• Andrey Rudskoi — Rector, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University
• Jean Laurent Syssa-Magale — Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Technological Innovations, Central African Republic
• Delphine Edith Emmanuel Adouki — Minister of Higher Education, Republic of the Congo
• Anastasiya Yarmosh — First Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Saint Petersburg State University

5. AI as a Factor in Russia's and Africa's Development: Science and Human Capital

This session explored the growing role of artificial intelligence in economic development, scientific research, education and public services across Russia and Africa. Discussions addressed opportunities for AI-driven innovation, digital infrastructure, skills development and technological cooperation, alongside challenges related to data governance, access to computing resources and digital inequalities. The session was particularly relevant to agricultural innovation, where AI-powered advisory services, digital knowledge platforms and decision-support tools could improve farmers' access to information, strengthen extension systems and support more inclusive technological development.

• Moderator: Rashid Ismailov — Member of the Presidium, National Association for International Information Security.
• Bocar A. BA — Chief Executive Officer, SAMENA Telecommunications Council
• Arutyun Avetisyan — Director, Ivannikov Institute for System Programming, Russian Academy of Sciences
• Andrey Akulchev — Acting Director, Department of International Information Security, Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Roger Andjalandji — Minister of Digital Economy, Posts and Telecommunications, Central African Republic
• Tigran Gevorkyan — Head of a Research Center for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare, N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology
• Victor Aikael Kweka — Head of Department, Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority
• Maxim Kolesnikov — First Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Russia
• Rodrigue Charles Malanda Samba — Minister of Employment, Entrepreneurship and Qualifying Training, Republic of the Congo
• Mulembwa Denis Munaku — Chief Executive Officer, Universal Communications Service Access Fund
• Ivan Oseledets — Director General, AIRI Artificial Intelligence Institute; Dean, Faculty of Artificial Intelligence, Lomonosov Moscow State University

29 October 2026

17. From Land Degradation to Sustainable Development: Russia–Africa Cooperation on Land Restoration and Drought Resilience

The session addressed land degradation, desertification and drought as major challenges to agricultural productivity, food security and sustainable development in Africa. Participants examined opportunities for cooperation in soil restoration, sustainable land management, climate adaptation and the development of technologies to improve soil fertility and water-use efficiency. Particular attention was given to the African Great Green Wall initiative, the role of regional institutions and international partnerships, and the mobilisation of investments in land restoration. The discussions underscored the importance of combining scientific research, locally adapted technologies and policy frameworks to strengthen the resilience of agricultural landscapes and rural livelihoods.

• Moderator: Oleg Kobyakov — Director, FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation.
• Almoustapha Garba — Executive Secretary, Pan-African Agency of the Great Green Wall
• Ingenesia Inge Zaamwani — Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Namibia
• Elias Mpedi Magosi — Executive Secretary, Southern African Development Community (SADC)
• Fatou Sagna — Technical Adviser to the Minister of Environment and Ecological Transition, Senegal
• Mikhail Sterkin — Deputy General Director for Marketing, PhosAgro
• Sherif Farouk — Minister of Supply and Internal Trade, Egypt
• Yasmine Fouad — Executive Secretary, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
• Ruslan Edelgeriyev — Aide to the President of Russia; Special Presidential Representative on Climate and Water Resources Issues

23. From Food Products to Agricultural Technologies

This session examined how Russia–Africa agricultural cooperation could evolve from trade in agricultural commodities towards technology transfer, joint production and long-term investment in African agrifood systems. Discussions focused on agricultural machinery, fertilisers, crop production technologies, agro-industrial processing and the development of local agricultural enterprises. The session highlighted opportunities for partnerships between governments, research institutions and private companies to improve productivity, strengthen agricultural value chains and support food security. Particular emphasis was placed on building local capacities and facilitating access to technologies adapted to African production conditions.

• Moderator: Ekaterina Fomina — Head of the Department for the Development of Agro-Industrial Product Exports, Russian Ministry of Agriculture.
• Dmitry Aveltsov — Director, Center for Agroanalytics
• Joseph Siaw Agyepong — Founder and Executive Chairman, Jospong Group of Companies, Ghana
• Dmitry Antonov — Senior Vice President, Resource
• Lebo Diale — Head of Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, North West Provincial Government, South Africa
• Ingenesia Inge Zaamwani — Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Namibia
• Salis Karakotov — General Director, Schelkovo Agrohim
• Mikhail Sterkin — Deputy General Director for Marketing, PhosAgro
• Mohammed Umaru Bago — Governor of Niger State, Nigeria
• Alexander Yakuba — Adviser to the Head, Agroexport Federal Center

36. Scientific Partnership Between Russia and Africa: From Joint Research to Technological Leadership

The session explored opportunities to deepen scientific cooperation between Russian and African research institutions through joint research programmes, researcher mobility, shared scientific infrastructure and technology development. Discussions considered how international research partnerships could contribute to technological innovation, strengthen national scientific capacities and support Africa's participation in emerging research fields. The session emphasised the importance of moving beyond traditional academic exchanges towards long-term institutional collaboration, joint innovation initiatives and the practical application of research results to development challenges.

• Moderator: Irek Suleymanov — Deputy Head of International Cooperation, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research.
• Roman Gorbunov — Director, Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences
• Anton Maximov — Director, A.V. Topchiev Institute of Petrochemical Synthesis, Russian Academy of Sciences
• Vladislav Panchenko — Vice President, Russian Academy of Sciences; Vice President, Kurchatov Institute
• Natalia Solovyeva — Director, Rescue Archaeology Center
• Alexander Terentyev — Director, N.D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences
• Haja Ramatulai Wurie — Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Sierra Leone

Financing the Agroecological Transition: Practical Pathways for Agricultural Public Development Banks

 

28 October 2026 | 15:00–16:00 CET | Online

The Agricultural Public Development Bank (Agri-PDB) Platform organised a webinar on 28 October 2026 entitled “Financing the Agroecological Transition: Practical Pathways for Agricultural PDBs.” The event brought together public development banks, agroecology specialists and technical partners to explore practical approaches for financing sustainable, resilient and inclusive agrifood systems.

Building on previous discussions of the Agri-PDB Platform's Agroecology Working Group, peer-to-peer exchanges and specialised training programmes, the webinar focused on translating agroecological principles into concrete financing strategies. Particular attention was given to the experiences of agricultural development banks in adapting financial instruments, assessing agroecological investments and addressing the risks and challenges faced by farmers transitioning towards more sustainable production systems.

Speakers and institutional perspectives

• Oliver Oliveros, Executive Coordinator of the Agroecology Coalition, bringing a global perspective on financing agroecological transformation.

• Peter Chipeta, Head of Enterprise Development at the Malawi Agricultural and Industrial Investment Corporation (MAIIC), representing the experience of an African development finance institution.

• Charuwan Satthakun, Director of the Office of Foreign Affairs at Thailand's Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), contributing an Asian perspective on agricultural finance.

• Olivier Claude Pierard, Agroecology Expert and Agri-PDB Platform Consultant, providing technical expertise on assessing and financing agroecological investments.

From agroecological principles to investment decisions

The webinar formed part of the Agri-PDB Platform's efforts to strengthen the capacity of financial institutions to support agroecological transitions. These efforts included practical training on financing instruments, risk management and tools for assessing agroecological performance, such as FAO's Tool for Agroecological Performance Evaluation (TAPE), Biovision's agroecology assessment tools and the Agroecology Coalition's assessment framework.

The event followed the April 2026 agroecology and climate finance training in Morocco, which brought together representatives of public development banks and financial institutions from several African countries. This training combined technical sessions, field visits and exchanges on financing sustainable agricultural enterprises and cooperatives.

Further information

• Agri-PDB Platform

• Agri-PDB – Training on agroecology and climate finance

• Agri-PDB – Financing tools for agroecological transition

Advancing Underutilized Legumes for Food Security, Nutrition and Climate Resilience in Africa

21–22 October 2026 | Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

The Society for Underutilized Legumes (SUL) organised its 9th International Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting, alongside its 8th National Stakeholders Summit. The events highlighted the potential of neglected and underutilized legumes to strengthen food and nutrition security, agricultural biodiversity, climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods across Africa.

Under the theme “Promoting Underutilized Legumes for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security: Advances in Biotechnology, Value Chain Development and Climate-Smart Practices,” the conference brought together researchers, plant breeders, policymakers, farmers and agribusiness stakeholders. It was organised with the involvement of the National Agricultural Extension Research and Liaison Services (NAERLS), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) and the Genetic Resources Center of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).

Opening the conference on behalf of ABU Vice-Chancellor Professor Adamu Ahmed, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Raymond B. Bako emphasised the importance of interdisciplinary partnerships connecting scientific discoveries with farmers' needs, consumer preferences and commercial opportunities.

The keynote speaker, Dr Juliana Cheboi, Senior Lecturer in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology at the University of Nairobi, Kenya, highlighted the importance of combining genetic diversity, farmers' traditional knowledge, nutrition, entrepreneurship and climate resilience. She advocated identifying priority species and varieties together with farming communities, taking into account local ecological conditions and market demand.

Particular attention was given to Bambara groundnut, African yam bean and other indigenous legumes, which offer valuable nutritional benefits, contribute to soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation and provide opportunities for diversifying African farming systems. However, their wider adoption remains constrained by insufficient research investment, limited access to quality seeds, inadequate processing facilities and weak market linkages.

The conference also provided an opportunity for the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) to showcase agricultural technologies and research innovations, while encouraging stronger collaboration between scientists, farmers, entrepreneurs and policymakers.

The discussions were highly relevant to GFAiR's Collective Action on Forgotten Foods, which promotes neglected and underutilized species through research partnerships, market development, youth entrepreneurship and stronger links between science and farming communities. The Society for Underutilized Legumes, established in 2016 at IITA, represents a valuable scientific network for advancing these objectives and expanding research collaboration across Africa.

The central message was that unlocking the potential of underutilized legumes required more than crop improvement alone. It called for integrated investments in research, seed systems, processing, market development and farmer-led innovation to transform these overlooked crops into viable contributors to sustainable African agrifood systems.

References

• Ahmadu Bello University – Society for Underutilized Legumes holds conference

• Institute for Agricultural Research – Innovations showcased at the SUL conference

• PAEPARD – The Society of Underutilised Legumes at IITA

• 8th National Stakeholders Summit – Online participation

16th Indigenous and Traditional Seed and Food Festival

29–30 October 2026 at the People's Square, Hotel Africana in Kampala, Uganda. 16th Indigenous and Traditional Seed and Food Festival. 

This prominent farmer-hosted dialogue and exhibition is the anchor event wrapping up the 2026 National Agroecology Week of Action, organized by PELUM Uganda.

• Theme: "Our Seeds, Our Food, Our Heritage: Cultivating Climate Resilience through Culture and Tradition."
• Host & Participants: Convened by PELUM Uganda alongside an alliance of smallholder farmers, ecological researchers, indigenous seed keepers, and academic institutions like the Uganda Martyrs University Faculty of Agriculture.
• Primary Objective: Bridging the gap between agricultural research and the practical realities of smallholder fields. The dialogue centers on how farmer-managed seed systems, regenerative innovations, and traditional agroecological knowledge can build food security and climate-resilient livelihoods.

Research, Differently: African Farmers Call for a New Partnership in Agricultural Research and Innovation

 
29–30 October 2026 | Johannesburg, South Africa

The Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions (SACAU), in collaboration with AgriCord, organised an African farmer-hosted dialogue on agricultural research and innovation on 29–30 October 2026 at the Southern Sun OR Tambo International Airport Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa. Under the theme “Research, Differently: From Research on Farmers to Research with Farmers,” the two-day dialogue brought together farmers' organisations, agricultural researchers and development partners to explore how African farmers could play a more decisive role in shaping agricultural research agendas, generating knowledge and influencing innovation systems.

The dialogue was guided by a fundamental question: “Who defines the agrifood research we want, and for whom?” It challenged conventional approaches in which research institutions and funders largely determine research priorities, budgets and success indicators, while farmers are frequently consulted without exercising meaningful decision-making authority.

From farmer participation to farmer leadership

The opening session featured contributions from Ishmael Sunga, Chief Executive Officer of SACAU, and Benito Eliasi (SACAU), who facilitated the introductions. The programme included a presentation by Professor Oluwole Fatunbi of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and a message from Professor Joachim von Braun of the University of Bonn.

The programme also provided opportunities for reflections from representatives of the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS), Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA), Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN), International Water Management Institute (IWMI), University of the Free State, and African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF). Their participation was listed as provisional in the workshop programme.

A central theme was the need to move beyond conventional participatory research towards genuine co-research, in which farmers' organisations helped define research questions, govern partnerships, allocate resources and determine how findings were applied.

The dialogue built on three complementary principles: researchers possessed knowledge that farmers did not; farmers possessed knowledge that researchers did not; and important challenges existed that neither group could resolve independently.

Building on the FORI programme and lessons from farmer-led research

The discussions drew on the experience of the Farmers' Organisations Leading Research and Innovation in Agroecology for Sustainable Food Systems (FORI) programme, financed by the European Union and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).

Implemented between 2022 and 2026 across 17 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific, FORI supported 13 farmer organisation-led action research projects, accompanied by AgriCord's member agri-agencies, with advocacy and knowledge exchange supported by the Pan-African Farmers' Organization (PAFO) and regional farmers' organisations.

The dialogue also drew on the findings of the 2025 SACAU–AgriCord webinar series, synthesised in the September 2026 publication Research, Differently: Rebalancing Knowledge and Power for Agroecological Innovation.

The publication identified five important lessons for transforming agricultural research partnerships:

1. Start with farmers' questions: Farmers and their organisations should participate in defining research priorities before methodologies and funding arrangements were established.

2. Combine scientific and experiential knowledge: Research should recognise farmers' practical knowledge alongside scientific expertise.

3. Invest in relationships and capabilities: Trust, communication, facilitation and organisational capacities were essential for effective collaboration.

4. Bring decisions and resources closer to farmers: Farmers' organisations needed greater influence over research governance, coordination, budgets and data rights.

5. Measure impact beyond scientific publications: Research success should also reflect practical relevance, adoption, farmer empowerment and wider institutional and societal change.

Experiences documented through FORI, including farmer-led experimentation, collaborative variety trials and farmer-to-farmer learning, illustrated how research could become more relevant when farmers exercised greater ownership of the innovation process.

Rethinking research priorities, institutions and financing

The Johannesburg dialogue examined six interconnected challenges: building trust between farmers and researchers; expanding research beyond agronomy to markets, value chains, finance and equity; recognising farmers' knowledge and data rights; scaling innovations beyond individual projects; transforming agricultural extension into continuous co-learning; and establishing financing arrangements that enabled farmers' organisations to lead research.

Particular attention was given to the institutional changes required to make farmer-led research sustainable. Traditional research systems often rewarded scientific publications and short-term project deliverables, while co-research required longer-term relationships, flexible financing and shared accountability.

The discussions also provided an opportunity to consider how farmers' organisations could become recognised research and innovation actors rather than remaining primarily beneficiaries, consultation partners or channels for technology adoption.

These questions were closely aligned with GFAiR's Partnership Principles, which emphasised equitable collaboration, shared decision-making, mutual accountability and the recognition of diverse knowledge systems in agricultural research and innovation.

From dialogue to action

The second day was structured around presentations from four breakout groups, followed by plenary discussions on commitments and the way forward.

Participants were invited to share examples of successful research collaborations, identify institutional or financial obstacles and propose practical changes that their organisations could undertake to strengthen farmer-led research.

The dialogue was designed to move beyond exchanging experiences towards developing a practical agenda for more equitable partnerships among farmers, research institutions and development partners.

The overarching message was that transforming agricultural research required more than introducing participatory methodologies. It required rebalancing power over research priorities, knowledge, financing and decision-making. Recognising farmers and their organisations as genuine research partners offered a pathway towards agricultural innovation that was more responsive to local needs, socially inclusive and capable of supporting sustainable agrifood systems.

References

• SACAU and AgriCord (2026). Research, Differently: Rebalancing Knowledge and Power for Agroecological Innovation

• African Farmer-Hosted Dialogue, Johannesburg, 29–30 October 2026 — workshop programme and dialogue agenda.

Africa Science and Innovation Forum 2026: Scaling Agricultural Innovation and Strengthening Africa–Europe Research Partnerships

27 October 2026 | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Africa Science and Innovation Forum (ASIF 2026) was convened by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC), the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), Ethiopia's Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI) and other partners, the three-day forum focused on harnessing science, technology and innovation to accelerate Africa's agrifood systems transformation.

The Forum brought together policymakers, agricultural researchers, innovators, development partners, investors, farmers' organisations and private sector representatives to address a central challenge: how to translate Africa's scientific knowledge and innovations into practical solutions that improved agricultural productivity, strengthened climate resilience, created economic opportunities and contributed to food and nutrition security.

Connecting African innovation priorities with AU–EU research cooperation

The AU–EU High-Level Policy Dialogue on Science, Technology and Innovation (HLPD) and the second AU–EU Research and Innovation Ministerial Meeting provided a broader framework for strengthening cooperation between the two continents. The ministerial discussions addressed emerging priorities, including science diplomacy and artificial intelligence, as cross-cutting enablers of research and innovation cooperation.

For agricultural research, these policy developments reinforced the importance of aligning European investment with African-defined priorities and strengthening the capacity of African research and innovation institutions. 

Initiatives such as DeSIRA+ and MAINSTREAM illustrated how AU–EU cooperation could move from high-level policy commitments towards practical investments in agroecology, institutional development, research partnerships and innovation scaling.

Extracts of the programme

27/10 Morning Plenary 1: Closing Africa’s productivity gap: scaling science, innovation and inclusive value-chain solutions

• Moderator: Mandefro Nigussie, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute 
• Charles Spillane, Chief Scientist, FAO
• Tahirou Abdoulaye, Deputy Director General, Partnerships for Delivery and Scaling, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
• Dongxin Feng, Director, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre for Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture

27/10 Parallel Session 4: Nutrition, food safety and healthy diets through science and innovation

• Francis Zotor, Vice President, International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS)
• John Oppong-Otoo, Food Safety Officer, African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources
• Ildephonse Habinshuti,University of Rwanda, College of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Science, Department of Food Science and Technology Musanze-Rwanda
• Luke Metelerkamp, Head: African City Food Centre, ICLEI
• Francis John Sesay, Cassavity (SL) Ltd.

27/10 Parallel Session 6: Inclusive innovation ecosystems for women, youth, SMEs and small-scale producers

• Nanko Madu, AfriLabs Director of Programmes
• Esther Watts, Associate Vice President for Program Strategy and Partnerships, CARE, USA
• Odile Mukeshimana, Assistant Lecturer and Researcher, Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold Chains (ACES)
• Esther Kimani, Farmer Lifeline Technologies, Kenya

28/10 Morning Plenary 2: Science and innovation for resilience: managing multiple risks and stewarding Africa’s natural resources sustainably

• Presenter: Aggrey Agumya, Executive Director, Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)
• Daher Elmi, Director of the Agriculture and Environment Division, ICPAC/IGAD
• Jean-Chrysostome Ngabitsinze, Director General, African Risk Capacity (ARC) Group
• Lavender Birike, Chief Executive Officer, Klima360

28/10 Parallel Session 10: Biodiversity, bioeconomy and nature-positive agrifood systems

• Patrick Yawo Kpai, Founder & Lead Agronomist, BOF BioGrow Solutions Ltd
• Tunde Adeyemi, D-Olivette Labs, Nigeria
• Scott Newman, Senior Animal Production and Health Officer, FAO RAP
• Oluwole Abiodun Fatunbi, Director of Research and Innovation, FARA

28/10 Parallel Session 12: Innovative financing models for agrifood science, technology and innovation

• Moderator: Hua Yang, Director of the South-South and Triangular Cooperation Division, FAO
• Hon. Robert Migadde Ndugwa, Minister of State for Fisheries, Uganda
• Tara Nathan, Executive Vice President for Growth Segments and founder of Community Pass, Mastercard Inc.
• George Theuri, CGIAR Independent Advisory and Evaluation Service (IAES), Nairobi, Kenya
• Shinjiro Amameishi, General Coordinator, Coalition for African Rice Development (CARD)

28/10 Launch event  MAINSTREAM – Mission-oriented agrifood innovation systems for sustainability transition through agroecology, 

This is a project implemented by FAO and funded by the European Union under the DeSIRA+ initiative, within the framework of the EU Global Gateway strategy.

• Running from September 2025 to September 2030, MAINSTREAM aimed to strengthen mission-oriented agrifood innovation systems in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond. Rather than focusing exclusively on individual technologies, the project supported governments and innovation partners in developing coordinated approaches to implementing national agroecology strategies. 
• A distinctive feature of MAINSTREAM was its establishment of regional innovation scaling hubs and innovation policy labs in Senegal, Kenya and Zimbabwe. These mechanisms were designed to strengthen collaboration between research institutions, policymakers, farmers, entrepreneurs and other innovation actors, while supporting the scaling of inclusive, gender- and youth-responsive agroecological innovations.
• With MAINSTREAM, the FAO Office of Innovation turns that decade of experimentation with many partners in ecosystem strengthening into something operational: three regional innovation scaling hubs for West, East and Southern Africa, anchored in national innovation policy labs.

Bringing Forgotten Foods Back to the Table: Wageningen Symposium on Neglected and Underutilized Species

6 October 2026 | Wageningen University & Research, the Netherlands

On 26 October 2026, Wageningen University & Research (WUR) organized a symposium on Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS) at the Omnia conference centre in Wageningen, the Netherlands. The event brought together researchers, chefs, nutrition specialists, ethnobotanists and food-system experts to explore the potential of indigenous and traditionally cultivated crops, trees and animal species to contribute to healthier diets, agricultural biodiversity and more sustainable food systems.

The symposium addressed a fundamental challenge: despite their importance in local food cultures and traditional agricultural systems, many species remain overlooked in research, agricultural policies and commercial markets. The programme examined how scientific research, culinary innovation, indigenous knowledge and consumer engagement can help bring these foods back into mainstream food systems.

From forgotten crops to culinary innovation

The symposium opened with remarks by Professor Alida Melse, Chairholder of Global Nutrition at Wageningen University & Research, followed by a panel discussion entitled

Getting NUS on the Table: Chefs' Perspective.

The panel featured Wisdom Abiro, Head Chef at the Ghana Food Movement; Emile van der Staak, chef at the Michelin-starred restaurant De Nieuwe Winkel in Nijmegen; and Wouter van Eck, a Dutch food forest pioneer.

The session explored the role of chefs and culinary innovation in making neglected species attractive and accessible to consumers. Restaurants and food entrepreneurs can help create demand for unfamiliar ingredients by introducing new recipes, demonstrating their culinary qualities and connecting traditional foods with contemporary dietary preferences.

Indigenous knowledge, markets and the politics of forgotten foods

Dr. Emma McDonell, University of Tennessee and author of The Quinoa Bust: The Making and Unmaking of an Andean Miracle Crop, presented a session on the cultural and economic politics of neglected species, drawing lessons from the international commercialization of quinoa.

The presentation raised important questions about how global demand for traditional crops can create economic opportunities while also generating challenges concerning equity, cultural heritage and the distribution of benefits along value chains.

Dr. Patrick Maundu, ethnobotanist at the National Museums of Kenya and the Kenya Resource Centre for Indigenous Knowledge (KENRIK), addressed the revitalization of botanical and cultural heritage. His contribution highlighted the importance of traditional knowledge, local communities and cultural identity in conserving and promoting indigenous food species.

Diversifying diets for better nutrition and biodiversity

The afternoon programme focused on the relationship between agricultural biodiversity and healthy diets.

Professor Baukje de Roos, University of Aberdeen, and Dr. Corné van Dooren, Wageningen University & Research, addressed the biodiversity of diets and its implications for sustainable nutrition.

Dr. Mathieu Ayenan, vegetable breeder at the World Vegetable Center in Benin, presented Diversifying Healthy Diets through Neglected and Underutilized Species, focusing on the potential of lesser-known vegetables and crops to improve dietary diversity and strengthen food systems.

Together, these sessions explored the opportunities for integrating a wider range of species into agricultural production, food environments and dietary recommendations.

Interactive discussions on six priorities

The symposium included six thematic roundtables, each addressing a specific dimension of NUS promotion:

1. Culinary Perspectives on NUS – facilitated by Wisdom Abiro.

2. Climate, Youth and Biodiversity – facilitated by Erica Galanti, FAO.

3. Diversifying Crop Production – facilitated by Mathieu Ayenan and Wouter van Eck.

4. Governance and Indigenous Knowledge – facilitated by Emma McDonell.

5. Food Biodiversity and Health – facilitated by Baukje de Roos and Carl Lachat, Ghent University.

   

6. Storytelling and Consumer Acceptance of NUS – facilitated by Dan Saladino and Patrick Maundu.

These discussions provided opportunities to examine how research, policy, entrepreneurship and communication can contribute to greater recognition and use of neglected species.

Eating to Extinction: Why biodiversity matters

The symposium concluded with a keynote presentation by Dan Saladino, BBC journalist and author of Eating to Extinction: The World's Rarest Foods and Why We Need to Save Them.

His presentation, Eating to Extinction: Why Biodiversity Matters, placed the symposium's discussions within the wider challenge of declining diversity in global food systems. The keynote focused on the importance of safeguarding disappearing foods, agricultural knowledge and culinary traditions as part of efforts to build more resilient and sustainable food systems.

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Further information: Wageningen University & Research – Symposium on Neglected and Underutilized Species, 26 October 2026

Organizers: Dr. Kim Maasen, Dr. Corné van Dooren and Heleen Broekkamp, Division of Human Nutrition and Health; and Dr. Siera Vercillo, Public Administration and Policy Group, Wageningen University & Research.

Brewing for Impact: How an Ancient African Grain Is Transforming the Global Beer Industry

An innovative international collaboration led by Garrett Oliver, brewmaster at Brooklyn Brewery in New York, is demonstrating how fonio, an ancient and drought-resistant West African grain, can create new opportunities for sustainable brewing, agricultural biodiversity and smallholder farmers. 

Launched in April 2024, Brewing for Impact brings together leading breweries from Africa, Europe, Asia and North America to develop beers using fonio, while promoting a more diverse and climate-resilient agricultural future.

Rediscovering fonio: Africa's climate-resilient grain

Fonio (Digitaria exilis) is one of Africa's oldest cultivated cereals, grown for more than 5,000 years across West Africa, particularly in Senegal, Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso. Sometimes referred to as the "seed of the universe," this traditional grain can grow in nutrient-poor soils under relatively dry conditions, often with few agricultural inputs.

Despite its nutritional value, cultural significance and resilience, fonio remains underutilized in international food markets. Its small grain size, labour-intensive processing and limited industrial infrastructure have historically constrained commercialization.

However, increasing interest in sustainable foods and climate-resilient crops is creating new opportunities. Fonio can be used in porridge, couscous-like dishes, bakery products and increasingly in beverages, including beer.

Garrett Oliver brings fonio to international brewing

Garrett Oliver's interest in fonio began in 2019 after meeting Pierre Thiam, the Senegalese chef and founder of Yolélé, a company promoting African ingredients in international markets. Inspired by Thiam's efforts to connect West African farmers with global consumers, Oliver began experimenting with fonio as a brewing ingredient.

His early experiments demonstrated that fonio could produce beers with distinctive flavours and aromas, while offering an alternative to conventional brewing grains.

In April 2024, to celebrate his 30th anniversary at Brooklyn Brewery, Oliver launched Brewing for Impact, mobilizing an international coalition of breweries to explore fonio's commercial potential.

The initiative brought together:

• Maison Kalao (Senegal) – developed Brooklyn A Dakar, a fonio-based pilsner.
• Thornbridge Brewery (United Kingdom) – introduced a fonio cask pale ale.
• Omnipollo (Sweden) – created a fonio version of Black Chocolate Stout.
• Carlsberg (Denmark) – developed an experimental lager replacing barley entirely with fonio.
• Russian River Brewing Company (United States) – joined the collaborative brewing programme.
• Jing-A Brewing (China) – explored fonio in contemporary Chinese craft brewing.
• Guinness (Ireland) – collaborated with Oliver on a limited-edition Guinness Fonio Stout, released in November 2024.
• Brooklyn Brewery (United States) – developed Fonio Rising Pale Ale, which expanded to nationwide distribution in the United States in February 2025.

Each collaboration demonstrated how a traditional African grain could be incorporated into different brewing traditions, from pilsners and pale ales to stouts.

Creating new markets for West African smallholder farmers

Beyond brewing innovation, the initiative aims to generate new demand for fonio and strengthen commercial opportunities for West African farmers, including women smallholders.

Through its partnership with Yolélé and its sourcing networks, the initiative connects the international brewing industry with African agricultural value chains. A 2025 presentation by Brooklyn Brewery reported that its fonio projects had sourced more than 12 tonnes of grain directly from West African smallholder farmers.

However, expanding this market also presents challenges. Increased international demand requires investment in processing facilities, quality standards, traceability, reliable supply chains and fair commercial arrangements that ensure farmers benefit from higher-value markets.

The initiative also supports the Michael James Jackson Foundation for Brewing and Distilling, established by Garrett Oliver to increase opportunities for Black, Indigenous and other underrepresented professionals in the brewing and distilling industries.

Relevance to GFAiR's Collective Action on Forgotten Foods

Brewing for Impact offers a compelling example of the opportunities promoted by the GFAiR Collective Action on Forgotten Foods, which seeks to revive neglected and underutilized species (NUS) through research, entrepreneurship, market development and recognition of indigenous agricultural knowledge.

Fonio illustrates how a crop historically overlooked by mainstream agricultural research and international markets can attract commercial interest when connected with innovative processing technologies, product development and strategic partnerships.

Three lessons are particularly relevant to GFAiR and its partners.

1. First, creating demand is essential. Reviving forgotten crops requires more than improving agricultural production. Innovative applications, such as brewing, can create new markets that encourage farmers to maintain or expand cultivation.
2. Second, international partnerships can accelerate innovation. The collaboration between Pierre Thiam, Garrett Oliver, African farmers and breweries across several continents demonstrates how entrepreneurs, food processors and international companies can work together to develop new value chains.
3. Third, market expansion must benefit local producers. For the commercial success of fonio to contribute to inclusive agrifood systems, investments are needed in local processing, farmer organizations, research, quality assurance and equitable value-chain partnerships.

These priorities closely reflect the objectives of GFAiR's Collective Action on Forgotten Foods, including its engagement with African diaspora entrepreneurs, research institutions and agrifood SMEs to develop markets for indigenous African crops.

The experience also provides an interesting model for other forgotten foods, such as Bambara groundnut, finger millet and sorghum, whose potential for innovative food and beverage products remains insufficiently explored.

From forgotten grain to global innovation

The expansion of fonio into international brewing demonstrates that Africa's agricultural biodiversity is not merely a heritage to preserve but also a resource for innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development.

By connecting traditional crops with modern industries, Brewing for Impact offers an example of how commercial innovation can generate new demand for climate-resilient agricultural products while drawing attention to the farmers and communities that have maintained these crops for generations.

For GFAiR's Collective Action on Forgotten Foods, the central lesson is clear: transforming neglected crops into commercially successful products requires connecting agricultural research, local processing, entrepreneurial innovation and international markets, while ensuring that African farmers share in the benefits.

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References and further information

• Brooklyn Brewery – Launch of Brewing for Impact (25 April 2024)
• Brewing for Impact: Garrett Oliver and the potential of fonio – Hop Culture (15 July 2024)
• Carlsberg and Brooklyn Brewery develop a barley-free fonio lager (25 July 2024)
• Guinness Fonio Stout collaboration (13 November 2024)
• GFAiR – Collective Action on Forgotten Foods

Mobilizing the African Diaspora for Agrifood Systems Transformation: EUDiF and the New FAO–IOM Initiative in Senegal and Morocco

The African diaspora is increasingly recognized as a strategic partner in agricultural development, climate resilience and rural entrepreneurship. Two initiatives illustrate this growing recognition: the European Union Global Diaspora Facility (EUDiF), which strengthens diaspora engagement in sustainable development, and a new joint programme launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to mobilize Moroccan and Senegalese diaspora communities in Belgium for climate action in their countries of origin.

EUDiF: Turning diaspora engagement into development partnerships

The European Union Global Diaspora Facility (EUDiF) is funded by the European Union's Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) and implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD). Following its first phase (2019–2024), EUDiF entered a second phase running from June 2024 to September 2027.

EUDiF supports governments, diaspora organizations and development partners in mobilizing diaspora
knowledge, expertise, investment networks and entrepreneurial capacities. Its activities include research, policy dialogue, capacity development, knowledge exchange and support for diaspora-led initiatives.

During its first phase, EUDiF mapped diaspora engagement policies and institutions across more than 100 countries and implemented 16 capacity-development actions. Its second phase introduced the Diaspora 4 Development Grants, which awarded support to 11 diaspora-led projects in 2025.

Several initiatives are particularly relevant to African rural development, including support for women's entrepreneurship in Cabo Verde, market gardening in Togo, diaspora skills profiling in Senegal and institutional capacity development in Morocco.

By promoting diaspora participation beyond remittances, EUDiF highlights the contribution that migrant communities can make through skills transfer, investment, innovation, business partnerships and access to international markets.

FAO and IOM launch a new diaspora initiative for Morocco and Senegal

On 22 June 2026, FAO and IOM launched the three-year programme Boosting the Contribution of Diaspora to Climate Action in Rural Areas during a hybrid event in Brussels.

Funded by the Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MMPTF), the programme has a total budget of USD 3 million, including USD 1.8 million implemented by FAO and USD 1.2 million by IOM. Running from April 2026 to April 2029, it connects diaspora communities in Belgium with agricultural entrepreneurs, cooperatives, rural communities and public institutions in Morocco and Senegal.

The initiative focuses geographically on the Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceïma region in Morocco and the Saint-Louis and Fatick regions in Senegal.

Its activities aim to:

• Mobilize diaspora investments, technical expertise and business networks for climate-resilient
  agrifood enterprises.

• Provide training and coaching to rural entrepreneurs, cooperatives, women and young people on climate-adaptive agriculture and green businesses.

• Establish mentorship programmes and connections between diaspora entrepreneurs and rural businesses.

• Strengthen diaspora participation in national policy dialogue on agriculture, migration and climate change.

• Promote partnerships between institutions and diaspora organizations in Belgium, Morocco and Senegal.

At the Brussels launch, Marise Habib, IOM Chief of Mission for Belgium and Luxembourg, emphasized the importance of connecting diaspora skills and investments with locally driven climate solutions. Giulia Castro, FAO Global Project Coordinator, highlighted the need to strengthen the enabling environment for diaspora participation in agribusiness and climate action.

From policy dialogue to practical partnerships

The programme took an important step forward on 13 October 2026, when the National Strategic Committee held its inaugural meeting in Rabat, Morocco, chaired by the Agency for Agricultural Development (ADA).

The meeting brought together representatives of agricultural institutions, government departments, FAO, IOM and other stakeholders to establish a governance framework for implementation.

Among the speakers were El Mahdi Arrifi, Director General of ADA; Alexandre Huynh, FAO Representative in Morocco; and Johann Barbé, Deputy Chief of Mission and Programme Officer at IOM Morocco.

Discussions highlighted opportunities for Moroccan diaspora members in Belgium to support agribusiness development through investment, mentoring, technical assistance and market connections.

Planned activities include mapping rural agripreneurs and cooperatives, assessing the entrepreneurial ecosystem, organizing pitch events and facilitating partnerships between diaspora investors and agricultural businesses. The initiative will also build on FAO's Agri-Accelerator 2.0 programme.

Opportunities for Forgotten Foods and African agrifood entrepreneurs

These initiatives are particularly relevant to GFAiR's Collective Action on Forgotten Foods, which promotes neglected and underutilized species (NUS) through research, entrepreneurship, value-chain development and market opportunities.

African diaspora entrepreneurs can play a critical role in bringing traditional African foods into European markets. Their businesses help connect producers and processors in Africa with consumers, distributors, investors and food innovation networks abroad.

However, many face significant obstacles, including limited access to finance, inadequate processing technologies, regulatory requirements, fragmented distribution channels and insufficient consumer awareness of African food products.

The experiences of diaspora-led enterprises such as Tsarona, promoting Bambara groundnut from Botswana in Germany, and Attiéké by LADOU, introducing processed cassava products from Côte d'Ivoire into European markets, illustrate both the opportunities and challenges of internationalizing African food value chains.

EUDiF's support for diaspora organizations and the FAO–IOM programme's focus on rural entrepreneurship provide potentially complementary approaches. While EUDiF strengthens diaspora institutions, networks and capacities, the FAO–IOM initiative seeks to translate diaspora engagement into concrete agricultural investments, technical partnerships and climate-resilient businesses.

For GFAiR and its partners, these developments point to opportunities to connect agricultural research organizations, national agricultural research systems (NARS), farmer organizations, SMEs and diaspora networks.

The challenge is to move from recognizing the diaspora's development potential to creating practical mechanisms that connect African agricultural innovation with diaspora expertise, investment and international markets. By linking local knowledge, scientific research and entrepreneurship, diaspora partnerships can contribute to more diversified, inclusive and climate-resilient agrifood systems.

Attiéké by LADOU: Bringing Côte d’Ivoire's Traditional Cassava Food to International Markets

Lucie Adou, founder and CEO of Attiéké by LADOU, is transforming a traditional food from Côte d’Ivoire into an innovative product for European and international markets. Based in Belgium, her enterprise combines African culinary heritage, food-processing innovation and diaspora entrepreneurship to promote attiéké as a convenient, naturally gluten-free alternative to conventional staples such as rice, pasta and couscous.

Attiéké is a traditional fermented cassava product originating from Côte d’Ivoire, where it is widely consumed as a staple food. It is produced through a process involving peeling, fermentation, pressing, granulation, steaming and drying. Traditionally prepared by women, attiéké represents an important source of employment, income and culinary identity in West Africa.
From traditional food to innovative commercial product

Lucie Adou began exploring the commercial potential of attiéké in 2009, working with food-processing engineers in Côte d’Ivoire to improve production techniques and meet international quality standards. She established LADOU in 2019, with the ambition of introducing this African food to consumers beyond traditional diaspora markets.

A key innovation is the development of dehydrated attiéké, which preserves the characteristics of the fermented cassava product while extending its shelf life to approximately 24 months. This makes it

easier to package, transport, store and distribute internationally without refrigeration.

Attiéké by LADOU is marketed as a natural, plant-based and gluten-free product suitable for a variety of culinary applications. The company has also explored new recipes incorporating ingredients such as carrots, beetroot and other vegetables, positioning attiéké within the growing market for convenient and diversified plant-based foods.

Overcoming barriers to international market access

Introducing an African staple into European and international food markets presents significant challenges. Although attiéké is familiar to West African communities, many European consumers have limited knowledge of the product, its preparation and its culinary versatility.

For LADOU, expanding beyond diaspora consumers requires investment in branding, consumer
education, quality assurance, packaging and distribution networks. Competing with established staples such as couscous, rice and quinoa also means convincing retailers, restaurants and consumers to adopt an unfamiliar ingredient.

The company has pursued international market opportunities through participation in food exhibitions and business missions, including events in Dubai, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. Its commercial strategy seeks to position attiéké not simply as an ethnic specialty but as an accessible ingredient for contemporary international cuisine.

Supporting women processors and African food value chains

An important dimension of LADOU's business model is its connection with women involved in
traditional cassava processing in Côte d’Ivoire. By linking local production and processing expertise to international markets, the enterprise demonstrates how African food heritage can generate opportunities for value addition and entrepreneurship.

LADOU's participation in African diaspora agrifood initiatives, including the African Diaspora Agrofood Forum (ADAF), has helped showcase the potential of diaspora-led businesses to connect African producers with European consumers and investors.

At ADAF26 in Brussels, participants had the opportunity to taste Attiéké by LADOU, illustrating how traditional African foods can be introduced to new audiences through culinary innovation and entrepreneurship.

1st Salon de la Diplomatie Gastronomique

In an interview published in L’EcoDiplomate (No. 06), Lucie Adou, founder and CEO of Attiéké by Ladou, based in Brussels, presented her participation in the 1st Salon de la Diplomatie Gastronomique (First Gastronomic Diplomacy Fair: 12 October 2026 Ivoire Golf Club, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire), organized around the theme “Promoting dehydrated Attiéké in world cuisine.” 

The event was conceived as a platform to showcase Côte d’Ivoire’s culinary heritage, promote the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) label for Attiéké des Lagunes and the Made in Côte d’Ivoire brand, and position Abidjan as an African capital of gastronomic diplomacy. Bringing together institutional and commercial partners, the fair aimed to strengthen the international recognition of Ivorian food products and become an annual event.

Lucie Adou explained how Attiéké by Ladou, established in Brussels in 2009, has transformed traditional fermented cassava into a dehydrated product with a longer shelf life, suitable for international distribution. Despite positive consumer feedback, expanding into European and global markets remains challenging because of limited product recognition, regulatory requirements, insufficient investment and the need for reliable commercial distribution networks. Through the Gastronomic Diplomacy Fair, she hopes to secure agreements with food importers and distributors, attract investment in the cassava processing sector, and strengthen technical and institutional partnerships. She also emphasized the importance of recognizing attiéké as part of Côte d’Ivoire's cultural heritage, following its inscription on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2024. Her experience illustrates how African diaspora entrepreneurship, food processing innovation and gastronomic diplomacy can help bring traditional African foods into international markets.

GFAiR's Collective Action on Forgotten Foods

Attiéké by LADOU offers a valuable example for GFAiR's Collective Action on Forgotten Foods, particularly regarding the importance of processing technologies, quality standards, diaspora entrepreneurship and access to international markets.

Although cassava itself is a widely cultivated crop rather than a neglected species, the commercial development of traditional cassava-based foods provides important lessons for promoting neglected and underutilized species (NUS). Improving shelf life, adapting products to consumer preferences and creating reliable distribution channels are essential steps in transforming traditional foods into commercially viable products.

Lucie Adou's experience demonstrates that the international promotion of African foods requires more than agricultural production. It also depends on food innovation, consumer awareness, strategic partnerships and recognition of the knowledge and expertise of African producers, particularly women.

Attiéké by LADOU illustrates how African culinary traditions can become the foundation for innovative food businesses, connecting local producers with global markets while preserving the cultural identity of traditional foods.

From Botswana to Berlin: Kamogelo Thumankwe's Mission to Bring Bambara Groundnut to European Consumers

Kamogelo Thumankwe, Founder and CEO of Tsarona, is working to introduce one of Africa's overlooked crops, Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea), to the German and wider European food market. Originally from Botswana and now based in Berlin, she is developing a business model that connects African smallholder farmers, food processors and European consumers, while promoting the nutritional, environmental and commercial potential of indigenous African crops.

Bambara groundnut is a protein-rich, drought-tolerant legume traditionally cultivated and consumed across sub-Saharan Africa. Its ability to grow under relatively dry conditions and improve soil fertility through nitrogen fixation makes it particularly relevant to climate-resilient agriculture. Yet despite these advantages, Bambara remains largely unknown to European consumers and underrepresented in international food value chains.

Breaking into a market unfamiliar with African foods

One of Kamogelo's biggest challenges is introducing African food ingredients into a German market where their distribution, visibility and consumption remain relatively limited. While Italian, Chinese, Japanese and increasingly Korean cuisines have established extensive networks of restaurants, supermarkets, specialty shops and food brands, African foods have not achieved comparable mainstream recognition or distribution.

This creates a significant obstacle for entrepreneurs such as Kamogelo. Unlike familiar Asian or Mediterranean ingredients, Bambara groundnut requires substantial consumer education, product promotion and market development. German consumers may be unfamiliar with its taste, nutritional properties and culinary applications, while retailers and distributors may hesitate to introduce products without demonstrated consumer demand.

Tsarona is addressing this challenge by developing familiar food formats, including Bambara-based snacks, drinks and other convenient products. Rather than expecting European consumers to adopt traditional African recipes immediately, the company aims to incorporate African ingredients into everyday eating habits.

Processing and regulatory challenges

Beyond consumer acceptance, transforming Bambara groundnut from a traditional African crop into a commercially viable European food ingredient presents considerable technical and logistical challenges.

Bambara requires appropriate cleaning, dehulling, processing and quality control to produce consistent ingredients suitable for European food manufacturers. Developing reliable supply chains from Botswana involves coordinating production volumes, processing capacity, traceability, food safety requirements and transport logistics.

Although the European Union authorised certain uses of Bambara groundnut as a traditional food from a third country in 2024, regulatory compliance remains important, particularly when developing new processed ingredients and food applications. For a relatively unfamiliar crop, establishing the necessary processing infrastructure and commercial partnerships can be expensive and time-consuming.

Tsarona operates between Botswana and Germany, combining agricultural sourcing and farmer partnerships in Botswana with product development, regulatory compliance and commercial market access in Berlin. The company is also building relationships with Botswana's agricultural institutions, including the National Agricultural Research and Development Institute (NARDI).

Creating opportunities for African farmers and food entrepreneurs

Kamogelo's ambition extends beyond selling Bambara-based products. Her vision is to establish a commercially sustainable value chain that creates opportunities for African farmers and processors while diversifying Europe's food supply.

Her experience highlights a broader challenge facing African food entrepreneurs: the commercial success of neglected and underutilized crops depends not only on agricultural production and scientific research, but also on processing technologies, consumer awareness, market access and investment.