Jakaya Kikwete announced as new Chair of the Africa Food Prize

2023 Nominations for Africa’s preeminent award for food security now open

Former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, has been announced as the new Chair of the Africa Food Prize (AFP). He will succeed former Nigerian President, H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, who has been serving as the Chair since 2016.

Welcoming the appointee, outgoing Chair, H.E. Obasanjo expressed enthusiasm noting that through his work, H.E. Kikwete has shown a genuine passion and dedication towards transforming Africa’s agriculture.

“I congratulate Dr. Kikwete on his appointment as Chair of the Africa Food Prize. Through his leadership, I am confident that the continent will continue to explore and implement food systems strategies that lift people from poverty through inclusive growth and sustainable development,” H.E. Obasanjo said.

Dr.Kikwete has a commendable track record as a leading contributor to the transformation of Africa’s food systems. As President of Tanzania, H.E. Kikwete led the implementation of ‘Kilimo Kwanza’ (Swahili for Agriculture First), an initiative that unlocked productivity and profitability for the country’s smallholder farmers. He also spearheaded the implementation of the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT), a public-private partnership aimed at unlocking more private sector investment in the country’s agricultural sector.

Upon his retirement, and through the Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete Foundation, H.E. Kikwete has been collaborating with farmers and researchers to develop initiatives and strategic interventions to increase yield and productivity in smallholder farming and agribusiness.

Dr.Kikwete’s appointment coincides with the 2023 call for nominations for the US$100,000 Africa Food Prize. The Africa Food Prize is the preeminent award recognizing the extraordinary women, men, and institutions whose contributions to African agriculture are forging a new era of sustainable food security and economic opportunity that elevates all Africans.

This year, Nestlé partnered with the Africa Food Prize, contributing CHF 100,000 (equivalent to US$ 108,400) which will go to the main award, and a special category focusing on innovations that advance regenerative food systems.

“We are excited to see how this year’s applicants for the Africa Food Prize are making a difference. Their research and innovation efforts will help drive the transformation of agriculture on the African continent, and we are proud to support this,” said Remy Ejel, Chief Executive Officer of Zone Asia, Oceania and Africa, Nestlé S.A.

In 2022, Eric Yirenkyi Danquah, a Ghanaian plant geneticist, won the award for his outstanding expertise, leadership and grantsmanship skills that led to the establishment and development of West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), a world class centre for training plant breeders in Africa for Africa. Through WACCI, Mr. Danquah’s innovations led to the creation of more than sixty improved seed varieties, including superior maize hybrid varieties, which continue to boost yield for farmers and contribute towards food and nutritional security in Ghana.

Organisations, institutions, businesses, and individuals who have created opportunities for Africa’s farmers to gain viable livelihoods from their trade can submit their nominations at www.africafoodprize.org/nominate before Monday, 16 May 2023.

Winners will be selected by the Africa Food Prize committee and will be announced at the AGRF, Africa’s Food Systems Forum 2023 to be held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in September.