AFSF Special Event | September 3, 2025, 15:30 – 17:30 (Africa/Dakar), networking reception to follow | Location: Hall B (Special Events)
The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) marks its 50th anniversary with a special event at the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) in Dakar. The event will showcase IFPRI’s and its partners’ enduring contributions to food systems research and policy—globally and across Africa—and bring together agrifood actors and stakeholders for forward-looking dialogue on the path ahead.
For five decades, IFPRI has helped shape how food systems are analyzed, understood, and transformed. From pioneering food security measurement and agricultural policy reform to today’s research on resilience, trade, governance, nutrition, and climate, IFPRI’s work has informed policymaking and practice worldwide. Africa has been at the heart of this mission, with strong partnerships, country strategy support, and regional initiatives addressing urgent challenges—from climate shocks and conflict to urbanization and malnutrition.
This special AFSF event will highlight IFPRI’s Africa-focused research, it’s collaboration with institutions across Africa, feature insights from leading practitioners, and foster discussion with African and global partners.
We gratefully acknowledge the generous support of the European Commission, the Gates Foundation, and the Rockefeller Foundation for sponsoring this special event.
Program Highlights
- Opening Remarks: Johan Swinnen, Director General, IFPRI
- The Productivity Imperative: Kibrom Abay, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI
- Markets, Trade, and Value Chains: Fousseini Traore, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI
- Natural Resources: Preservation and Access: Claudia Ringler, Director, Natural Resources and Resilience (NRR), IFPRI
- Nutrition Transformation in African Food Systems: Jef Leroy, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI
- Resilience and Recovery at the Crisis-Food Systems Nexus: Khalid Siddig, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI
Discussant Reactions
- Francine Picard-Mukazi, Director of Partnerships, Shamba Centre for Food and Climate
- Fadel Ndiame, Executive Director, Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR)
- Ones Karuho, Senior Advisory & Head, Resilience and Food Systems, World Food Programme (WFP)
- Tadele Fayso Ergetw, Director, Agriculture and Agrifood Systems, Program Impact Support and Advisory, Mastercard Foundation
- Willis Omondi Ogutu, Public Government Affairs Manager Africa, Bayer East Africa Ltd.
Closing Reflections
- Steven Were Omamo, Director, Development Strategies and Governance (DSG); and Director for Africa, IFPRI
- Andrew Jamali, Director, Knowledge and Learning and Food Systems Coordination Focal Point, National Planning Commission, Malawi
Moderator: Charlotte Hebebrand, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, IFPRI
To engage with IFPRI experts at AFSF or request comments/interviews, please contact: Charlotte Hebebrand, C.Hebebrand@cgiar.org (Dakar); Sokhna Seck, S.S.Seck@cgiar.org (Dakar); Evgeniya Anisimova, e.anisimova@cgiar.org (Washington, D.C.)
CGIAR-wide media contacts: Atayi Opaluwah, A.Opaluwah@cgiar.org, +2348032494999 (Dakar); James Pursey, press@cgiar.org, +265981197859 (remote)
Read full media advisory about IFPRI at AFSF 2025 here.