The Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) used the Africa Food Systems Forum 2026 in Kigali, Rwanda, to strengthen its engagement with governments, research institutions and development partners on rice production and food security across Africa.
The Centre’s Director General, Dr. Baboucarr Manneh, led the AfricaRice delegation at the forum, taking part in bilateral meetings, panel sessions and discussions on agricultural research, investment and policy.
The meetings involved officials from several African countries, with discussions focusing on how research, government policies and funding can support efforts to improve rice production.
AfricaRice meets government officials
In Senegal, Dr. Manneh met with H.E. Cheikhou Oumar Ba, Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Livestock, to discuss the possible expansion of the REWARD-AfricaRice Programme to the country.
The meeting also considered stronger cooperation with Senegal’s national agricultural institutions and a planned visit by the minister to the AfricaRice Sahel station in Saint-Louis.
AfricaRice also met with Sierra Leone’s Minister of Agriculture, H.E. Dr. Musa Kpaka, alongside officials from the Alliance Bioversity International and CIAT.
The discussion focused on how CGIAR institutions can work together to support research, innovation and agricultural development in Sierra Leone.
In another meeting, Dr. Manneh met with Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Abubakar Kyari, and IITA Director General, Dr. Simeon Ehui, to discuss rice production in Nigeria.
The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration between the Nigerian government, AfricaRice and IITA to support rice transformation in the country.
AfricaRice also held discussions with officials of the Burkina Faso Ministry of Agriculture on areas of cooperation, including climate-smart technologies and resilient seed systems.
In Madagascar, the Centre met with officials from the Ministry of Agriculture alongside the Director General of IITA. Discussions included the Food Systems Resilience Programme and the possible expansion of the AfricaRice Smart-Valleys approach for lowland rice production.
The delegation also met with Dr. Florence Uwamahoro, Director General of the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB).
The meeting covered the deployment of high-yielding and climate-adapted rice varieties, research and extension capacity building, as well as cooperation with private-sector actors in Rwanda’s rice value chain.
Speaking on the meetings, Dr. Manneh said:
“These engagements reflect exactly what needs to happen for African agriculture to transform. Science, policy, and investment must be connected from the earliest stages. AFSForum2026 gave us the space to build those connections — and we return from Kigali with a stronger platform for impact.”
Focus on rice, investment and research
AfricaRice also participated in sessions focused on rice value chains, agricultural finance and the use of research to support food production.
At a session on the REWARD Programme, organised with ECOWAS, the Centre highlighted its scientific and technical work in support of rice self-sufficiency efforts in West Africa.
Dr. Manneh also participated in a session on innovative finance for competitive rice value chains, convened by the Gates Foundation, AGRA, GIZ and other partners.
The discussion looked at how governments, financial institutions and research organisations can work together when agricultural investments are being developed.
At another CGIAR side event, Dr. Manneh highlighted AfricaRice’s work under the TAAT Programme and its role in taking agricultural innovations to farmers.
The Centre said the programme has contributed to more than 21,000 jobs and a 32 per cent increase in incomes among beneficiaries.
New agricultural policy partnership
AfricaRice also co-convened a meeting with PANAP, FARA, RUFORUM, YPARD and AFSPAN to discuss stronger cooperation on evidence-based agricultural policy.
The organisations agreed to work towards a memorandum of understanding and joint workplan, while also exploring funding opportunities for their planned activities.
The group is also considering the use of platforms such as the Nairobi Global Parliamentary Forum for further engagement.
AfricaRice was also recognised during the 30th anniversary celebration of PABRA for its contribution to collaborative food-systems research.
The engagements in Kigali provided AfricaRice with opportunities to discuss ongoing programmes and explore further cooperation with governments and agricultural institutions across Africa.
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