DialogueNEXT in Africa came ahead of the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue to be held in Des Moines, Iowa, October 20–22, 2026.
The event explored how Africa can harness its scientific excellence, entrepreneurial talent and agricultural diversity to become a global leader in sustainable food production. Throughout the day, speakers emphasized that the continent's food systems transformation must be driven by African farmers, youth, women, researchers and innovators working together through strong regional and international partnerships.
The conference featured a series of high-level dialogues addressing the major drivers of agricultural
transformation.
The session on Farmer-Centred Innovation highlighted how research, extension services and digital technologies can better respond to the needs of smallholder farmers.
Discussions on Technology and Digital Agriculture explored how digital tools, artificial intelligence, mechanization and precision agriculture can accelerate productivity and resilience. 
Mugala Naturals: Organic food venture that is powering a climate-smart future had a stand at ICIPE stand to promote inclusion if cricket powder in Mainstresm processed nutritious climate resilient value chains.
The event explored how Africa can harness its scientific excellence, entrepreneurial talent and agricultural diversity to become a global leader in sustainable food production. Throughout the day, speakers emphasized that the continent's food systems transformation must be driven by African farmers, youth, women, researchers and innovators working together through strong regional and international partnerships.
"It is an honor to hold this conference in Africa, four decades after Dr. Borlaug made his first major visit to the continent in 1984. Borlaug came with a simple but powerful conviction: that science in the hands of farmers could defeat hunger. That mission is unfinished and more urgent than ever as Africa's food systems must feed a young, growing and increasingly urban population.” Mashal Husain (see picture), President, World Food Prize Foundation.
"Hosting this conversation in Africa is not just symbolic, but necessary. This continent is home to some of the world's most dynamic agricultural systems and most resilient farmers, yet it remains chronically underinvested in. The challenges — climate shocks, fragile supply chains, growing populations — are real, but so are the solutions, which are increasingly being developed by African scientists, farmers and entrepreneurs. The insights that emerge from Nairobi will help shape the global agenda." Akinwumi Adesina,
2017 World Food Prize Laureate; Member, World Food Prize Foundation Council of Advisors; and Former President of the African Development Bank Group.
Agenda
The conference featured a series of high-level dialogues addressing the major drivers of agricultural
transformation.
Farmer-Centred Innovation
- Elizabeth Nsimadala, President of the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF), stressed the importance of placing farmers at the centre of innovation
- Canisius Kanangire, Executive Director of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), discussed the role of agricultural technologies in improving productivity.
- Andrew Mude, Principal Scientist at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), shared insights into strengthening resilience through innovative livestock systems.
Technology and Digital Agriculture
- Leena Tripathi, Director of the Eastern Africa Hub of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), joined fellow experts in demonstrating how scientific research and biotechnology continue to expand opportunities for African farmers.
- Canisius Kanangire – African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF)
Women Feeding Africa
Another session on Women Feeding Africa celebrated the pivotal contribution of women across agricultural value chains- Doreen Irungu, Founder and CEO of Ustawi Afrika, highlighted the role of women entrepreneurs in transforming food systems.
Youth, entrepreneurship and innovation
The Agripreneurship and Youth Innovation dialogue showcased emerging African innovators and Top Agri-food Pioneers who are developing new business models for agriculture
Optimising Agricultural Regulations
Participants also examined how enabling regulatory frameworks and strategic investments can stimulate innovation and strengthen agricultural value chains.
DialogueNEXT Africa also underscored the importance of collaboration among governments, national agricultural research systems, CGIAR centres, regional organizations, the private sector and farmer organizations. The conference concluded that achieving resilient and nutritious food systems will require sustained investments in research and innovation, supportive policies, stronger public-private partnerships and the active participation of youth and women.
Technical immersion visits
Following the conference, delegates participated in technical immersion visits hosted by leading agricultural innovation institutions,
Participants visited the Alliance's "Partners Day: Connecting Science, Community & Markets", where researchers, entrepreneurs and agrifood innovators demonstrated how agricultural research is translated into value-added products and market opportunities. The programme included networking with investors and policymakers and exhibitions of climate-smart innovations.
- Hello Tractor Experience Center – Participants explored how IoT, asset finance, digital marketplaces and mechanization services are helping smallholder farmers access tractors and improve productivity through innovative business models.
- International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) – Delegates visited the MRGM Farmer Cooperative to learn how research, farmer-led innovation and circular use of rice straw are improving rice productivity, market access and livelihoods.
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) – Visitors toured ILRI's Nairobi campus, including its advanced bioscience laboratories and the Mazingira Centre, to see how CGIAR research is advancing livestock productivity, animal health and climate resilience.
- CIMMYT – The immersion showcased climate-smart innovations for maize, wheat and dryland cropping systems and demonstrated how research partnerships translate scientific advances into practical solutions for farmers.
- WorldFish – Participants visited a science-supported fish farm to explore climate-resilient aquaculture, sustainable fish production, feed management and post-harvest innovations.
- International Potato Center (CIP) – The visit highlighted how research, youth entrepreneurship and partnerships are strengthening root and tuber crop value chains through quality seed systems, climate-smart production and digital advisory services.
- Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT – Through its "Partners Day:
Connecting Science, Community & Markets," the Alliance demonstrated how agricultural research is transformed into value-added products and market opportunities through collaboration with entrepreneurs. - International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) – Delegates discovered insect-based innovations supporting One Health, sustainable food systems and circular bioeconomy solutions for agriculture and nutrition.
Mugala Naturals: Organic food venture that is powering a climate-smart future had a stand at ICIPE stand to promote inclusion if cricket powder in Mainstresm processed nutritious climate resilient value chains.
These visits showcased how CGIAR research is being translated into practical solutions for farmers and policymakers across Africa.
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