Regional Joint Sector Review (JSR) validation workshop organized by the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat to assess the implementation of agriculture and food security policies under the EAC Regional Agriculture Investment Plan (RAIP),held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from 27th to 28th March 2025. The event was aimed at assessing the implementation of agriculture and food security policies aligned with the EAC Regional Agriculture Investment Plan (RAIP) and to validate the draft EAC JSR report using a participatory,evidence-based approach. Delegates engaged in co-creation clinics and syndicate group discussions to identify actionable priorities and recommendations to advance inclusiveand sustainable agrifood systems in the region. The event convened 76 delegates from all EAC Partner States—Burundi, DRC, Somalia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda,and Tanzania—alongside non-state actors including civil society, development partners, regional bodies, and youth-led organizations working in agrifood systems. A special study on Youth in Agriculture was featured prominently, highlighting: The need for inclusive and youth-sensitive policy frameworksExpansion of youth access to financing, training, and agripreneurship platformsPromotion of digital and climate-smart innovations to empower young agrifood entrepreneurs’
Seed Policy Learning Event (SPLE) Lusaka, Zambia
A Seed Policy Learning Event (SPLE) was held from February 21 to 23, 2024, at Taj Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka, Zambia,bringing together key stakeholders to exchange best practices and develop roadmaps for improving seed policy and regulatory frameworks across Africa. ‘The SPLE aimed to foster shared learning around effective seed policy development, implementation, and monitoring under the CAADP and broader food systems framework. The event focused on enhancing understanding of a well-functioning and regulated seed sector’s role in agricultural productivity and food security.Delegates explored country-specific and regional challenges in seed systems and discussed strategies to improve coordination, accountability, and the division of roles between public and private sectors. The event was facilitated by Retouch Africa Consulting (RAI), led by Dr. Douglas Ouma. Seven interactive sessions were held, covering topics such as biodiversity and climate-smart seeds, harmonization of regional seed policies,performance tracking, and country planning. The methodology included presentations, panels, plenary sessions, group work, and co-creation clinics.Participants also took part in field visits to AfriSeed and SEEDCO, gaining insights into private sector innovations.
One Planet Fellowship, Training and Networking
The inaugural launch, training and networking week for the first cohort of the OnePlanet Fellowship and their learning Partners from Africa and Europe, was held at Safari park Hotelin Nairobi, Kenya from 22nd to 26th May 2023.’,‘details’ => ‘This milestone event marked the beginning of a transformative journey for early-career scientists committed to addressing climate change challenges in Africa’s agricultural sector. The week-long program featured intensive training sessions, mentorship opportunities, and strategic networking engagements aimed at fostering cross-continentalcollaboration between African and European researchers. Participants gained insights into climate-smart agriculture, leadership development,and innovative research methodologies, equipping them with the skills and networks necessary to drive impactful change in their respective fields.The event underscored the importance of global partnerships in building climate resilience and advancing sustainable agricultural practices
The Gender Responsive Agriculture Systems Policy (GRASP) Fellowship
The Gender Responsive Agriculture Systems Policy (GRASP) Fellowship is a career accelerator program by AWARD, funded by USAID, aimed at empowering African women in the policy field to drive gender-responsive agricultural policies across Africa.The fellowship supports up to 100 women over three and a half years through customized mentoring, leadership training, and professional development to enhance their influence on food security, gender equity, and women’s empowerment within policy and governance systems. The Gender Responsive Agriculture Systems Policy (GRASP) Fellowship, an initiative of African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is a career accelerator program that offers an opportunity for African women engaged in the policy field to catalyze the design and implementation of gender-responsive agricultural policies across Africa. Through the GRASP Fellowship, AWARD seeks to grow a pool of African women policy professionals, who are confident, resilient, and capable of leading policy change processes to improve food security and contribute to positive livelihood outcomes. Over a three-and-a-half-year period, the GRASP Fellowship will support up to 100 AWARD Policy Fellows to receive customized mentoring, leadership, and professional development opportunities to enhance their skills and widen their networks. The Policy Fellows will contribute to the transformative agenda on women’s empowerment and gender equity in policy and practice across institutions, structures, and the governance systems.
Africa Industrialization Week 2024 Side Event , Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Retouch Africa International Ltd facilitated a high-level side event during the Africa Industrialization Week (AIW) 2024 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, themed “Scaling Agro-Industrialization through the Common African Agro-Parks (CAAPs): Advancing Africa’s Green Industrialization Agenda.”’, Organized by the CAAPs Secretariat (FARA) in collaboration with Afreximbank and UNIDO, this side event spotlighted the Common African Agro-Parks (CAAPs) as catalysts for sustainable growth,resilience, and green industrialization in Africa. The session tackled key issues, including the mobilization of green finance, governance models for sustainable agro-parks, and strategies for engaging African governments,RECs, and private sector partners. Discussions centered around innovative financing tools such as climate bonds and carbon credits, along with the strategic importance of cross-sector collaboration. The CAAPs vision includes the establishment of agro-industrial parks powered by green technology and infrastructure to combat food loss, youth unemployment, and value chain inefficiencies.Expert panelists featured Dr. Janet Edeme (AU), Mr. Christian Ndikumagenge (Afreximbank), Dr. Dejene Tezera (UNIDO), Mrs. Providence Mavubi (COMESA), and Mr. Anselme Vodounhessi (CAAPs Secretariat).The event was moderated by Dr. Douglas Ouma of Retouch Africa Consulting (RAI).Key next steps include the mobilization of resources, innovative financing strategies, and targeted partner convenings such as the upcoming meeting in Kampala (January 2025). The event laid the foundation for a collaborative push toward a greener, more inclusive, and industrialized Africa.