The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) has officially launched its Regional East and Southern African Scaling Hub in Kenya. This new initiative marks a significant step in strengthening agricultural innovation and collaboration across the continent. By providing a centralized space for research, knowledge exchange, and scaling of agricultural solutions, the hub aims to transform food, land, and water systems in Africa.
The launch underscores CGIAR’s commitment to ensuring that science-based solutions reach farmers and other stakeholders. For decades, CGIAR and its partners have developed agricultural innovations tailored for Africa’s unique challenges. However, scaling these solutions to benefit millions of people remains a key challenge. The new hub will address this by fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including farmers, cooperatives, government agencies, international financial institutions, research institutions, universities, civil society organizations, and the private sector.
Inga Jacobs-Mata, a key figure behind the initiative, emphasized the importance of the hub in advancing “science for the last mile.” She noted that the facility would enable experts and partners to develop effective, inclusive, and sustainable scientific solutions tailored for Africa. The hub will also serve as a platform for innovative thinking, problem-solving, and the exchange of best practices in agricultural transformation.
The Regional Scaling Hub is part of CGIAR’s broader Scaling for Impact Program, a key component of its 2025-2030 global science portfolio. This program aims to deliver lasting agricultural solutions that improve livelihoods and food security worldwide. By 2030, Scaling for Impact is projected to benefit over 62 million people, with a focus on women, youth, and marginalized groups. Additionally, the initiative aims to create or enhance 250,000 jobs and provide 480,000 people, half of them women, with access to healthier diets.
Speaking at the launch, Appolinaire Djikeng, Director General of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), highlighted the necessity of ensuring that solutions for small-scale farmers are practical and scalable. He stressed that the hub would facilitate dynamic co-design processes, allowing multiple partners to work together in deploying innovations at scale.
With Africa facing increasing challenges in food security, climate change, and sustainable agriculture, the establishment of this hub in Kenya represents a crucial milestone in CGIAR’s efforts to bridge the gap between scientific research and real-world agricultural transformation. Through strategic partnerships and a focus on scaling impact, the hub is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of African agriculture.
