Celebrating 50 Years of Impact and Informing Food Policies Across Africa

08 September 2025, Africa: 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

Also Read: Ease of Doing Business vs. Spurious Pesticides: Agrochemical Industry Debates Reforms at PHDCCI Roundtable

📢 If You’re in Agriculture, Make Sure the Right People Hear Your Story.
From product launches to strategic announcements, Global Agriculture offers unmatched visibility across international agri-business markets. Connect with us at pr@global-agriculture.com to explore editorial and advertising opportunities that reach the right audience, worldwide.