"Deforestation-Free Value Chains: Africa's Coffee & Cocoa Sectors Lead the Way"

The Cocoa & Forests Initiative (CFI) partners have reported record progress in restoring forests, strengthening supply chain traceability, and supporting farmer resilience. Now in its seventh year, CFI continues to advance toward a deforestation-free cocoa sector, with strong national leadership and alignment with the EU Deforestation Regulation. Learn more in the 2024 annual progress reports from Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, coordinated by our partners at IDH. https://lnkd.in/e_-sSjGV

🚨 Session Highlight: AFRICA’S CARBON MARKET FRAMEWORKS - Turning Policy into Action🚨 As African nations move from climate ambition to implementation, regulatory clarity has become the cornerstone of market integrity and investor confidence. This CMAS 2025 session unpacks how national carbon frameworks are evolving post-COP29, what Article 6 integration looks like in practice, and how public–private collaboration is turning policy into measurable impact. From South Africa’s Carbon Tax to emerging national registries, the conversation focuses on the practical governance tools and legal models that will define Africa’s carbon future. 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬: 🔹Bernardin UZAYISABA, Carbon Market Programme Specialist, UNDP, South Africa 🔹 Ibrahim Abdullahi Shelleng, Senior Special Assistant to the President, Government of Nigeria, Nigeria 🔹Mkhuthazi Steleki, Director: Climate Change Developments and International Mechanisms, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), South Africa 🔹Ephraim Mwepya Shitima, Director, Green Economy and Climate Change, Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, Zambia 🔹Felix Mechnig-Giordano, General Manager, TerraViva, Zimbabwe 📅 Be part of the dialogues shaping Africa’s path from policy to performance at CMAS 2025. Register here: https://lnkd.in/d9dfGgvP #CMAS2025 #CarbonMarkets #ClimateAction #SustainableAfrica

My second speech 🎤 🌍 Honored to Speak on Climate Change and Agriculture 🌾 I am delighted to share that I had the opportunity to speak at Rufus Giwa center for climate change conference on “The Devastating Effects of Climate Change on Agricultural Productivity.” During my session, I highlighted: ✅ The major climate-driven threats to agricultural productivity in Africa ✅ The socio-economic implications for smallholder farmers and local communities. ✅ Pathways for adaptation, resilience, and sustainable practices that can safeguard our food systems. I firmly believe that climate action in agriculture is not optional—it is essential for ensuring food security, protecting livelihoods, and building a sustainable future for generations to come. As a lecturer, I was glad to make meaningful contributions to the global topic. Special thanks to my colleagues from African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) who joined virtually. My mentor Dr. Toyosi Igejongbo was the highlight of the day when our video on Redefining Aquaculture in Nigeria aired during the interlude. Special thanks to my blue sisters Center for Gender Economics in Africa (CGE Africa) for joining and supporting me throughout the day. Let us create an environment that is safe for all. #ClimateChange #Agriculture #Sustainability #FoodSecurity #Resilience #Africa

🌾 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗼𝗶𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝗺, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Land degradation and desertification are not just environmental issues—they already affect hundreds of millions of people across the African continent. The scale of the impact on humanity is immense: - 𝟰𝟴𝟱 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 people across the continent are directly affected by land degradation. - Most of the 𝟯𝟯 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺𝘀 in Africa, grow food in degraded soil. 👉 This is what AfrioCAT aims to change. Source: AUDA NEPAD, Imperative of Strengthening Soil Information Systems in Africa https://lnkd.in/du9msA5e #LandDegradation #FoodSecurity #Africa #SLM #LD Water and Land Resource Center (WLRC) Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH

🌍𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗘𝗨-𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱? The new report “Assessment of EU support to Agroecology in 5 African countries: Senegal, Burkina Faso, DRC, Uganda, Kenya” sheds light on how EU development cooperation is supporting agroecological transitions in these countries! This report is an important step in making that vision a 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆. 🌱 𝗔𝘁 𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗦, we believe strengthening agroecological approaches is essential for resilient food systems and just transitions. ☑️ Οur transdisciplinary research and its scientific results directly support key EU priorities—such as the Green Deal, the EU-Africa Partnership, the Biodiversity Strategy, and Farm to Fork! Learn more about our work: https://lnkd.in/encuC7RS #CANALLS #Agroecology #LivingLabs #FoodSecurity CIRAD| International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)| University of Hohenheim|Q-PLAN INTERNATIONAL| NIBIO Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research| Université Catholique de Bukavu| Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board| AATF| Agroecology Map| CIRAWA| NATAE| Global Landscapes Forum (GLF)| Biovision Foundation| CIFOR-ICRAF

🌍 New report on EU development cooperation and agroecology 👩🌾 As the European Union gears up for negotiations on its next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034), a new study commissioned by CIDSE ActionAid Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) Caritas Europa Caritas Africa Folkekirkens Nødhjælp (DanChurchAid) DKA Austria Entraide & Fraternité Misereor ESAFF Headquarters sheds light on how EU support can truly drive agroecological transitions in Africa. 📘 The report  “Assessment of EU support to Agroecology in 5 African countries: Senegal, Burkina Faso, DRC, Uganda, Kenya” explores how EU policies, funding flows, and delegation actions are shaping agroecology on the ground. It offers concrete recommendations to unlock the transformational potential of EU development cooperation. 👉 More information available here: https://lnkd.in/dyr2JS_4 #Agroecology #EUdevelopment #FoodSystems #Africa #EUDelegations #ODA #AgroecologicalTransition

The 11th SADC Multi-Stakeholder Water Dialogue is underway in Maseru, Lesotho (29–30 Sept 2025), bringing together policymakers, river basin organisations, regional bodies, private sector, CSOs, and development partners. Dr.Tshilidzi Madzivhandila, CEO of FANRPAN, currently at the dialogue highlighting the importance of integrating agriculture, food systems, and water governance in regional development strategies. Key discussions are centred on: - Water’s role in regional economic corridor development - Aligning the Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus with policy and investment - Strengthening climate-resilient infrastructure and governance - Mobilising financing and partnerships for sustainable growth The dialogue is generating actionable pathways to position water as a driver of inclusive and climate-resilient transformation in Southern Africa. #SADC #WaterDialogue #FANRPAN #WEFE #ClimateResilience #RegionalIntegration #Sustainability

The 11th SADC Multi-Stakeholder Water Dialogue is underway in Maseru, Lesotho (29–30 Sept 2025), bringing together policymakers, river basin organisations, regional bodies, private sector, CSOs, and development partners. Dr.Tshilidzi Madzivhandila, CEO of FANRPAN, currently at the dialogue highlighting the importance of integrating agriculture, food systems, and water governance in regional development strategies. Key discussions are centred on: - Water’s role in regional economic corridor development - Aligning the Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus with policy and investment - Strengthening climate-resilient infrastructure and governance - Mobilising financing and partnerships for sustainable growth The dialogue is generating actionable pathways to position water as a driver of inclusive and climate-resilient transformation in Southern Africa. #SADC #WaterDialogue #FANRPAN #WEFE #ClimateResilience #RegionalIntegration #Sustainability

🌾 Participants at the 6th African Resilience Forum have urged African governments to reposition farmers at the center of public policies, shifting them from aid recipients to key development actors. Held in Abidjan from October 1 to 3, the forum gathered agricultural experts who emphasized elevating farmers to the role of suppliers in food systems. Roland Fomundam, CEO of Cameroon's Greenhouse Ventures, stressed the need to include farmers in policy discussions, noting that agriculture dominates crisis zones and that food security underpins peace. Beth Bechdol, FAO Deputy Director-General, echoed this by highlighting farmers as the private sector driving investments and solutions. She called for new metrics to track improvements in producer incomes over time. Other panelists, including Somalia's Abdilhakim Yusuf Ali Ainte and AfDB's Martin Fregene, advocated leveraging dynamic private sectors and existing production systems to boost output and resilience through direct financing and infrastructure support. Kenyan agripreneur Felista Nyakio urged changing perceptions of agriculture as degrading work, promoting it as vital to national identity to inspire future generations. Source: https://lnkd.in/eDZZekcw

Our final speaker, Dr. Zitouni Ould-Dada, wrapped up the session with a message: Geographical Indications (GIs) should be embedded in global food security policy and recognized as a key driver of intra-African trade. He highlighted that GIs strengthen climate resilience, attract sustainable investment, and create market opportunities that empower African farmers and producers. By integrating GIs into regional and global policy frameworks, Africa can unlock inclusive growth, preserve its rich heritage, and secure a sustainable food future. 🌍🌾 #ITRCDialogue #AfCFTA #FoodSecurity #ClimateResilience #Sustainability #TradeInAfrica