In a significant move to bolster Africa’s agricultural sector, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has pledged up to $9.95 million to strengthen the Centre of Excellence for Seed Systems in Africa (CESSA). This announcement was made during the African Union (AU) Extraordinary Summit on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) in Kampala, Uganda.
CESSA serves as a pivotal institution dedicated to forming strategic partnerships aimed at addressing challenges within African seed systems. By acting as a “one-stop center,” CESSA accelerates the development of functional seed systems essential for ensuring food security across the continent. The funding from USAID is a crucial step in advancing the African Union’s Seed Sector Action Plan (2020–2030), a key component of the continent’s agricultural agenda under CAADP.
Dr. Agnes Kalibata, President of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Strengthening Africa’s seed systems is a fundamental component of the continental agenda in the newly endorsed Kampala Declaration and a priority for food security, resilience, and inclusive economic growth in African countries.”
As an initial collaboration under this funding, AGRA announced a three-year investment of up to $3 million in Seeds2B Africa, a private social enterprise based in Kenya. This initiative aims to increase smallholder farmers’ resilience, incomes, food security, and nutrition in Kenya, Malawi, and Tanzania. Tony Gathungu, Global Head of Seeds2B and CEO of Seeds2B Africa Social Enterprise, highlighted the impact of this investment, stating that it will “drive the commercialization of stress-tolerant, nutrient-dense, and market-preferred seeds while building the capacity of seed companies to generate demand and expand access.”
AGRA’s contributions to Africa’s seed systems date back to 2006, supporting the development and release of 659 improved varieties for 18 crops and aiding 119 homegrown seed companies across 18 African countries. These efforts have produced 847,655 metric tonnes of quality seed, benefiting approximately 25.1 million farmers.
The Kampala Declaration reaffirms Africa’s commitment to agricultural transformation. By prioritizing functional seed systems, the continent is laying the foundation for a food-secure, resilient, and prosperous future. USAID’s investment is a decisive step in this journey, reflecting a shared vision for sustainable agricultural development in Africa.
