As sources of knowledge, expertise, and innovation, academic and research institutions are natural partners of FAO. Their comparative advantages add value to FAO’s work in the region, particularly in the organization’s training, capacity-building, and knowledge-management activities. Academia and research institutions benefit from partnering with FAO by providing opportunities to strengthen technical and institutional capacities, gain access to information and knowledge resources, participate in policy dialogues, and engage with other stakeholders.

FAO partners with academia and research institutions based on a shared vision and common goals. In the African region, FAO collaborates with various institutions, including but not limited to:

• AfricaRice Center
• International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE)
• International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
• International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)
• Sam Moyo African Institute for Agrarian Studies
• World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) 
• Additionally, FAO is proud to have signed partnership agreements such as Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with the following:
• Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)
• Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM)
• University of the Western Cape

FAO also offers opportunities through its Internship, Volunteer, and Fellows Programmes. More information can be found by clicking on the specific programme of interest.

To substitute the second para within the drop-down menu “Civil Society Organisations and Cooperatives/Producer Organisations” with the following:

At a regional level, FAO is pleased to support a biennial meeting of CSOs (2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024 sessions) before the Africa Regional Conference. CSO Consultations produce a Declaration, which is presented by CSO spokespersons to the Assembly of Ministers of Agriculture and other relevant Ministers during the Regional Conference for Africa, FAO’s highest governing body in the region. To learn more about the conference, please visit the Africa Regional Conference page.

To add as a last para within the drop-down menu “Private sector” the following:

At a regional level, FAO organizes biennial meetings with the private sector, the AALD – African Agribusiness Leaders Dialogue (2020, 2022, and 2024 session), before the Africa Regional Conference. During these meetings, the private sector is called to share its perspectives on agrifood systems transformation and discuss related pressing challenges and opportunities. Private investors, business associations, and organizations across the agricultural sector deliberate recommendations through a declaration that is aimed at informing and shaping supporting policy interventions.

Across Africa, FAO is currently engaged with the following private sector partners including foundations, including but not limited to Agricycle Global, Inc., Burkinabè Economic and Social Development Fund, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Global Dairy Platform (GDP), IKEA Foundation,  JR Farms,  Mandulis Energy Limited,  MARS, Incorporated, Rabobank,  as well as the International Fertilizer Association.