ANAPRI 2024 Conference

26 - 28 November 2024.  Dakar. ANAPRI 2024 Conference

• Download the 2024 Stakeholders Conference Booklet here
• Download the Concept Note and Programme at a Glance here

The conference theme, "From Policy to Practice: Strengthening Local Institutions for Sustainable Food Systems Transformation in Africa", underscored the need for prioritizing localization in the post-2025 development agenda. 

ANAPRI recognizes that policy implementation, particularly in the context of rural economic growth and transformation, primarily occurs at the local level. It is local institutions that drive the implementation of domestic and national policy frameworks and action plans. The focus of the Annual Stakeholder Conference was on how governments, the private sector, and international development partners can effectively support African-led and local research institutions, think tanks, and other non-state actors in implementing policies, programmes, projects, and scaling up new adaptive technologies that can enhance productivity, climate resilience, adaptation, and sustainable food system transformation.

Session 1 Driving Localization for Policy Action through Investment in Institutional Capacity Building: Lessons from the Innovation Lab for Policy Research, Capacity and Inluence (PRCI)

This session shared findings and insights from a survey of ANAPRI think tanks across sub-Saharan Africa. The purpose of the survey was to assess the institutional capacity of think tanks, including gaps, approaches, and partnerships that have enhanced the ability of policy research centers to effectively deliver on their mandate. 

Development Partners and Donors 

• Dr. Biniam Iyob, USAID 
• Dr. David Phiri, FAO 
• Mr. Alan Rennison, BMGF 

ANAPRI Centers 

• Dr. Astou Diao
• Dr. Adegbenga Adekoya
• Dr. Nalishebo Meebelo

Session 2 Promoting Adaptation and Resilience to Climate Change in Africa – Lessons Learnt from the Comprehensive Action for Climate Change Initiative (CACCI) in Africa.

This session highlighted lessons from the Comprehensive Action for Climate Change Initiative (CACCI).

CACCI Technical Implementers

• Richard Ayisi (ISSER)
• John Heermans (Abt Global)
• Mouhamed Ly Centre de Suivi Ecologique (CSE)
• Dhanani, Qahir – (Boston Consulting Group) 

Government Reps

• Harrick Mwewa (Ministry of Green Economy and Environment Zambia)
• Jonghikaya Witi (South Africa)

Session 3: High-Level Panel Discussion Domestication and Implementation of the Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan

This session discussed and share experiences on how to strengthen the role of African research and

training institutions in spearheading the implementation of policies, programmes, and initiatives to address soil health challenges, enhance the use of fertilizers and efficiency in fertilizer use.

• Prof. Richard Mkandawire (AAP)
• H.E. Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, Commissioner, Africa Union, Department for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment
• Dr. Tinashe Kapuya : The role of pan-African and locally led institutions in the domestication and implementation of the Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan 
• Michael Sudarkasa (President, AFAP) Role of the private sector in partnering with Government and African Research Institutions in Strengthening Input Value Chains and Soil Health
• Dr. Shamie Zingore, (RD, APNI) Innovative approaches of implemented to improve nutrient management and soil health 
• Mr. Larry Umunna, (Acting Executive Director, CIFSH) Emerging partnerships, work programme and the role of the Coalition of Implementors for Fertilizers and Soil Health

Session 4 Status Quo of Africa’s Food Systems and the Post-2025 Agenda: What Happens Post-CAADP?

This session provided a stock-take of the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP), and the extent to which the continent has been successful in meeting goals such as: (a) halving poverty through agriculture by 2025, (b) ending hunger by 2025, and (c) eliminating child malnutrition.

• H.E. Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, Commissioner, Africa Union, Department for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment
• Dr. Ousmane Badiane, AKADEMIYA2063 - Driving Africa's Agricultural Future: Lessons from CAADP and the Road Beyond 2025

Session 5 Finding Solutions for Dwindling Funding Towards Policy Research. How Can think tanks bridge the divide between Policy and Action?

This session discussed how the funding space has changed, and whether the lack of resources available to think tanks and policy research is due to misaligned objectives with donors and development partners, or a lack of ability to adapt to these new demands.

Session 6 Food Sovereignty in Africa: Where is the Balance, and how do Governments Walk the line between Regional Integration under the AfCFTA and attaining Food Self -Sufficiency?

Governments are implementing a range of policies to stabilize prices, strengthen the resilience of food systems, and promote sustainable resource management. However, food sufficiency policies and programmes are generally being implemented at the expense of regional integration, particularly the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Session 7 Prioritizing Policies and Investments to Drive Inclusive Agricultural Transformation: Key Findings from Zambia, Ghana, Malawi, Tanzania, and Kenya.

Policy Prioritization through Value Chain Analysis (PPVC) is an approach to identifying policies, investments, and value chains that can drive inclusive transformation relatively more cost-effectively. The framework was piloted in Tanzania and then scaled out to several other countries like Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Malawi, Ghana, and Zambia.

Government Reps

• Mr David Ombalo Otieno, Government Rep Kenya 
• Mr. Simon Omollo John, Government Rep Tanzania
• Dr. Dirk Troskie, - Western Cape Government, South Africa 

Technical Partners

• Dr. Mmtlaou kalaba - BFAP
• Dr. Henry Kankwamba - IFPRI

Session 8 The 2024 OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook and FAO’s Support to the AUC in Promoting Agribusiness Development towards Enhancing Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) 

This session explored the findings of the 2024 OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook, shedding light on global and regional agricultural trends and their implications for Africa’s trade, food security, and investment landscape.

Government Representatives

• Mr. David Ombalo Otieno, Ministry of Agriculture, Kenya 
• Ms.Gamuchirai M Kapembeza, Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development 

Private Sector 

• Mr Yotam Mkandawire, GTAZ, Zambia

Session 9 Unlocking the Power of Public-Private Partnerships: Strategies for Effective Private Sector Engagement in Policy Implementation

This session provided some key perspectives on how think tanks, development partners, and governments can effectively engage the private sector as a means of grounding policy through evidence. The session explores the role of the private sector in policy implementation, and how to foster public-private partnerships that can drive deeper cooperation.

• Dr. Maria Wanzala, AFAP - private sector’s role in policy implementation, focusing on agriculture and value chain development.

Government policies fostering private sector engagement, impact of these measures

• Dr. Dirk Troskie, Western Cape Government, South Africa
• Ms. Alisa Shidhika, Namibia
• Simon Omollo John, Government of Tanzania

Lessons from private sector alignment with policy objectives; two audience questions

• Mr. Bagoré Bathily – Senega
• Mr. Aimable Twagirayezu Pan African Farmer Organization, Rwanda
• Dr. Cheickh Sadibou Fall, IFDC
• Bruce Kasitu, IsDA

 Role of think tanks in bridging government and private sector engagement

• Prof- Peter Quartey (ISSER)
• Astou Diao (ISRABAME)