AGRA Marks 20 Years with Renewed Push to Scale Solutions for Africa’s Farmers
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 14, 2026 — Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has marked its 20th anniversary with a strong call to scale proven solutions that can boost farmer incomes, strengthen resilient food systems, and drive inclusive agricultural transformation across the continent.
The milestone was commemorated during a high-level convening in Addis Ababa, bringing together government officials, development partners, private sector players, and research institutions to chart the future of agriculture in Africa.
Held alongside AGRA’s Board Retreat in Ethiopia, the AGRA@20 event emphasized the need to move beyond pilot initiatives and expand practical interventions that directly benefit smallholder farmers. The discussions underscored agriculture as a critical pillar for Africa’s economic growth and climate resilience.
Speaking at the event, AGRA President Alice Ruhweza said the anniversary offers a moment for reflection and renewed focus.
“The next phase must be about scaling what works for farmers through stronger systems, deeper partnerships, and practical solutions that build resilience, expand opportunity, and support inclusive growth,” she said.
AGRA Board Chair and former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn highlighted Ethiopia as a model of how agricultural transformation can be achieved through coordinated efforts.
He noted that agriculture contributes over 30 percent of Ethiopia’s GDP and remains the backbone of the economy. Key achievements include reaching more than 645,000 farmers through extension services, distributing digital e-vouchers to over 900,000 farmers, commercializing more than 159,000 metric tonnes of grain, and supporting over 240,000 farmers to adopt improved seeds.
The Addis Ababa convening also called for stronger policy leadership, improved access to finance, and enhanced market systems to place smallholder farmers at the center of agricultural transformation.
AGRA said lessons from the past two decades including partnerships, innovation, and on-the-ground delivery—provide a solid foundation for scaling impact across Africa.
The anniversary events will continue in Hawassa, where AGRA’s Board of Directors is set to review Ethiopia’s country programme and conduct field visits to better align strategy with farmer realities.
The week-long engagements will culminate in the opening of AGRA’s Ethiopia office at the International Livestock Research Institute campus, signaling a long-term commitment to partnerships and agricultural development in the country.
AGRA officials reaffirmed that in its next chapter, the organization will continue working with governments, the private sector, and farming communities to build food systems that are more productive, resilient, and inclusive across Africa.
