Africa Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes

Last week, Africa Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes (ANAPRI) Secretariat Executive Director, Dr Antony Chapoto, engaged with universities and research centres in to advance the mission of translating evidence into policy through a series of sessions focused on bridging research and policy.

Activities included a seminar at Uganda Christian University on Monday, April 27, 2026, an open session at Makerere University’s Agricultural Policy Research Centre on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, and a two-day practical training on policy brief writing held on Wednesday and Thursday, April 29–30, 2026.

These engagements form part of ANAPRI’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its centres and enhance the translation of research into actionable policy across Africa.

A big thank you to our partners at UCU and Makerere University for hosting these impactful sessions. Together, we are reinforcing the role of African research institutions in shaping resilient food systems and inclusive agricultural policies.

Agricultural trade restrictions continue to shape food systems, prices, and livelihoods across Sub-Saharan Africa. Yet, the evidence from the ground is becoming clearer and more urgent.

As a consortium of policy think tanks across affected countries, the Africa Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes, through its member centres, convened six in-country policy dialogues in Ghana, Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. These dialogues examined cross-border trade barriers and their implications for regional trade agreements, generating timely insights from policymakers, private sector actors, and researchers.

Building on this momentum, ANAPRI, in partnership with AGRA, is convening a webinar to present a regional synthesis of this evidence and deepen the conversation.

📅 13 May 2026
⏰ 2:00–3:30 PM CAT
📍 Zoom

Be part of the conversation shaping stronger, more resilient food systems across the continent. Register via: https://www.anapri.net/regionaltradewebinar

A conflict far from Africa is already shaping food prices across the continent.

A new publication by ANAPRI highlights how the Strait of Hormuz crisis is affecting fuel, fertiliser, and food systems.

A valuable contribution to ongoing discussions on food systems resilience and policy response in Africa.

Check it out here:https://www.anapri.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Technical-Briefing-Note-African-Government-and-Private-Sector-Responses-to-the-Strait-of-Hormuz-Conflict-Final.pdf

How can Tanzania unlock the full potential of its agricultural sector?

At a recent policy dialogue convened in Dar es Salaam by Sokoine University of Agriculture, with support from the Africa Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes, stakeholders from government, private sector, and research institutions came together to examine a critical issue: the impact of unpredictable trade policies on agricultural growth.

Discussions highlighted how ad hoc measures such as sudden export bans and overlapping regulations are creating uncertainty, raising costs, and limiting investment across the sector. At the same time, there was a strong consensus on the need for more predictable, coordinated, and evidence-based approaches that balance food security with competitive regional trade.

The dialogue not only unpacked key challenges but also pointed to practical solutions, including improved policy coordination, smarter food security tools, and streamlined digital systems to support trade.

This convening forms part of a broader effort by the Africa Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes (ANAPRI) to support evidence-informed policy discussions that strengthen agricultural trade across Africa.

Read more about the Tanzania convening here: https://www.anapri.net/aligning-trade-policy-with-tanzanias-agricultural-potential/

We are pleased to announce the 13th ANAPRI Stakeholders Conference, taking place from 26–29 October 2026 in Ethiopia.

This annual events brings together policymakers, researchers, development partners and diverse stakeholders to strengthen evidence-based policymaking across Africa through dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration.

Kindly save the date. More details will be shared soon.

For enquiries: [email protected]

Agricultural trade in Ghana reveals a clear divide between structured export commodities and a largely informal regional food system. This contrast continues to drive price differences, inefficiencies, and vulnerability for traders and consumers across the country. These issues were discussed at a national dialogue convened by the ISSER UG on 15 April 2026, bringing together policymakers, researchers, private sector actors, and development partners to examine agricultural commodities trade, cross-border governance, and financing.

Key concerns included unpredictable trade policy shifts, weak institutional coordination at border points, limited access to finance for small-scale actors, and the difficult conditions faced by women and young traders in cross-border markets. There was broad agreement on the need to strengthen regional value chains, improve coordination across trade and border institutions, and expand the use of simple digital tools such as mobile money to support trade formalisation and financial inclusion.

This convening forms part of a broader effort by the Africa Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes (ANAPRI) to support evidence-informed policy discussions that strengthen agricultural trade across Africa.

Read more via: https://www.anapri.net/rethinking-agricultural-trade-and-cross-border-governance-in-ghana/

The 2026 Senegal Agroecology Days (Journées de l’Agroécologie du Sénégal 2026) provided a strong platform to advance agroecological transition from vision into practical action across Senegal and the wider region.

The Secretariat of the Africa Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes, represented by Dr Antony Chapoto and Adetola Oyegbile, participated in the event held on 21–22 April 2026 at the Musée des Civilisations noires (Museum of Black Civilisations) in Dakar.

As part of the programme, the Secretariat engaged in a side forum titled “Understanding Soils Better to Transform Agriculture”, organised by the Senegalese Institute for Agricultural Research (Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles – BAME) ISRA BAME

The session convened policymakers, researchers, farmers, and development partners to explore how the Farmer Know Your Soil (FKYS) initiative can be implemented in an inclusive and sustainable manner. Discussions underscored the urgency of addressing soil degradation and the importance of making soil knowledge accessible, practical, and farmer-centred.

In his presentation, Antony Chapoto emphasised that FKYS is a catalyst for driving the implementation of the Africa Fertiliser and Soil Health Action Plan across different levels, strengthening the link between research, policy, and practice.

The forum reinforced the need for a coordinated, multi-actor approach to soil health as a foundation for resilient and sustainable food systems in Senegal and beyond. It also provided a valuable platform for networking and collaboration.

New Release: ANAPRI Quarterly Newsletter (January – March 2026)

We are pleased to share the latest edition of the ANAPRI Quarterly Newsletter, bringing together key insights and stories shaping agricultural transformation across Africa.

In this issue:
- AfCFTA in Action: Are African countries realising its promise?
- An interview with Lucas Mwago, Acting CEO of the Kenya Consumer Protection Advisory Committee, Ministry of Trade and Industrialisation
- Insights from trade policy discussions across the network - Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute-IAPRI, Tegemeo Institute of Agricultural Policy and Development,
- Centre Spotlight: Institute of Economic and Social Research (ISSER UG
…and much more.

Explore the full newsletter via https://www.anapri.net/quarterly-newsletter/ and stay connected

Zambia’s agricultural sector has rebounded strongly from the 2023–2024 drought, with maize production rising to about 3.7 million metric tonnes in the 2024–2025 season. As output increases, attention is turning to how markets can effectively absorb this surplus and connect farmers to regional demand.

On 24 March 2026, the Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute (IAPRI), a member centre of the Africa Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes (ANAPRI), convened stakeholders in Lusaka for a dialogue on “Zambia’s Agricultural Trade in the AfCFTA Era: Agricultural Trade Policy Predictability and Market Confidence.”

The discussions focused on strengthening policy predictability, improving market performance, and enabling Zambia to better leverage regional trade opportunities within , , and the African Continental Free Trade Area ( ).

Participants highlighted the importance of creating a stable and transparent policy environment that supports private sector participation, facilitates efficient grain movement across borders, and ensures that rising production translates into tangible benefits for farmers and the wider economy.

This convening forms part of a broader effort by ANAPRI to support evidence-informed policy discussions that strengthen agricultural trade across Africa.

Read more about the Zambia convening here: https://www.anapri.net/zambias-agricultural-trade-in-the-afcfta-era-why-policy-predictability-matters-for-market-confidence/

The Africa Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes (ANAPRI) is pleased to welcome the Policy Studies Institute (PSI) of Ethiopia as the newest member of the network.

PSI is a leading public policy research institution in Ethiopia that conducts rigorous research and policy analysis to support national development planning. Its work spans areas such as economic development, agriculture, food security, and sustainable development, providing valuable evidence that informs policy decisions.

With PSI joining the network, ANAPRI further strengthens its presence in the Horn of Africa and expands the collective expertise within the network. The addition of PSI reinforces ANAPRI’s mission to connect African agricultural policy research institutes, promote knowledge exchange, and support evidence informed policymaking that contributes to stronger and more resilient food systems across the continent.

As the network continues to grow, it creates more opportunities for collaboration among research institutions working to generate credible evidence and translate research into policy impact.
Read more via https://www.anapri.net/anapri-expands-as-ethiopias-policy-studies-institute-joins-the-network/

Kenya’s agricultural trade policy is navigating a balance between safeguarding domestic food systems and advancing regional integration. At a convening held on 17 March 2026 by Tegemeo Institute, policymakers, researchers, and private sector actors reflected on the current state of agricultural trade and its implications for farmers, markets, and regional cooperation.

The dialogue highlighted a key tension between policy intent and policy implementation. While Kenya remains committed to regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area, the East African Community, and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, short-term responses to domestic food security pressures often lead to ad hoc trade measures. Export bans, import restrictions, and licensing requirements may address immediate concerns, but they can also introduce uncertainty, disrupt supply chains, and affect investment decisions.

Encouragingly, the discussions pointed to clear areas for action. Strengthening policy transparency, improving trade facilitation through digitised customs processes, enhancing coordination among regulatory agencies, and institutionalising regular market–policy dialogue can help ensure that trade policies support both national priorities and regional integration.

Kenya’s experience offers an important reminder that food security and regional trade are not competing goals. When aligned, they reinforce one another, strengthening market resilience and supporting inclusive agricultural growth.

This convening forms part of a broader effort by the Africa Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes (ANAPRI) to support evidence-informed policy discussions that strengthen agricultural trade across Africa.

Read more about the Kenya convening here: https://www.anapri.net/afcfta-in-action-can-kenya-balance-food-security-and-regional-trade/