Africa’s greatest agricultural challenge is no longer the generation of innovations, but ensuring that proven technologies reach millions of farmers quickly, efficiently and sustainably.

This was the view of leaders from the CGIAR and Advanced Agricultural Research and Educational Institutions (AAREIs), during a high-level opening day side event at the 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week (AASW-9), in Abuja, where speakers underscored that the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) Programme was established under the African Development Bank’s Feed Africa Strategy to address the critical gap.

According to them, the gap will be addressed by creating a coordinated continental ecosystem that connects research institutions, CGIAR Centres, National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems (NARES), governments, private-sector organisations, farmer organisations, and development partners around a shared objective of accelerating agricultural transformation.

Held under the overarching AASW-9 theme: “Accelerating the Scaling of Agricultural Innovations for Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Agrifood Systems in Africa,” the TAAT Capacity Development and Technology Outreach (CDTO) Compact organised the technical Side Event on “Strengthening Agricultural Innovation Systems for Scaling Technologies in Africa.”

The event highlighted the remarkable journey of TAAT from a technology deployment initiative into one of Africa’s largest and most effective agricultural innovation ecosystems, while setting the strategic direction for TAAT Phase III (TAATIII).

A presentation by the Head of TAAT Clearinghouse, Dr Solomon Gizaw, traced the programme’s evolution from its inception in 2018 through TAAT I and TAAT II, showcasing how coordinated partnerships, innovation platforms, capacity development, policy engagement and technology delivery systems have enabled proven agricultural innovations to reach farmers across multiple countries and value chains.

Participants reflected on the programme’s growing contribution to climate-smart agriculture, improved crop and livestock technologies, digital agriculture, youth engagement, institutional strengthening and agribusiness development, while recognising that the next phase must focus on transforming entire agrifood systems rather than scaling technologies in isolation.

The panel discussion brought together representatives from government, the private sector, research institutions and the TAAT Commodity Compacts to examine practical approaches for building sustainable technology delivery systems.

Resource Persons including Dr Fadlullah Olayiwola Issa and Dr Godfrey Onagwa agreed that successful scaling depends not only on scientific excellence but also on strong Agricultural Innovation Systems that connect research, policy, extension services, markets, finance and farmers.

Discussions highlighted several priorities for TAAT III, including strengthening country ownership of technology delivery programmes; expanding private-sector participation in technology dissemination and commercialisation; building stronger innovation platforms that facilitate collaboration among stakeholders; integrating digital coordination systems to improve knowledge sharing and decision-making; enhancing Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) systems to better measure impact; embedding Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) throughout technology scaling initiatives; and promoting greater participation of women and youth in agricultural innovation ecosystems.

TAAT Commodity Compact Leaders like Prof David Ojo (IITA), Mr Justin Mabeya Machini (Alliance Bioversity and CIAT), Dr Tunde Amole (ILRI), and Dr Adebayo Abass, Dr Tadesse Wuletaw (ICARDA) shared practical experiences from across Africa, demonstrating how partnerships with governments, research institutions, extension services and agribusinesses have accelerated technology adoption, while improving productivity, resilience and farmer incomes.

The afternoon side event shifted attention to strengthening Agricultural Innovation Systems as the institutional foundation for sustainable technology scaling.

Participants examined approaches to improve country and private-sector engagement, validated the TAAT Innovation Platform Training Manual, harmonised Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning systems, strengthened digital coordination mechanisms, and integrated Environmental and Social Safeguards into technology delivery.

The discussions reinforced the importance of innovation platforms as collaborative spaces where researchers, policymakers, private-sector actors, extension agencies and farmers jointly identify challenges, exchange knowledge, and coordinate solutions.

Stakeholders also emphasised that stronger Agricultural Innovation Systems are essential for ensuring that technologies remain demand-driven, locally relevant, environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive.

As TAAT transitions into its next phase, participants agreed that the programme is well-positioned to move beyond technology deployment toward broader agrifood systems transformation.

The TAAT CDTO Compact Leader, Dr Abdulrazaq Ibrahim, stated that  TAAT III will build on lessons learned over the past eight years by strengthening Agricultural Innovation Systems, promoting climate-resilient production, advancing digital agriculture, increasing commercialisation, supporting youth and women-led enterprises, mobilising investment and reinforcing institutional sustainability through stronger partnerships.

“The discussions at AASW-9 reaffirmed a shared vision that Africa’s agricultural transformation will depend not only on developing innovative technologies, but also on creating sustainable systems capable of delivering those innovations at scale,” Dr Ibrahim added.

The CDTO Leader believes that, with renewed commitment from governments, the African Development Bank, research institutions, CGIAR Centres, development partners, the private sector, and farmer organisations, TAAT will continue to demonstrate that coordinated partnerships and science-based solutions can accelerate the continent’s journey toward resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agrifood systems.