The virtual roundtable will discuss two interconnected questions:

• How do donors shape and support the science-policy interface?
• What strategies and partnerships are needed to scale research and innovation outcomes across African food systems?

Objectives

1. Explore how donors use and support evidence and R&I to inform priorities, funding decisions, and broader reform processes.
2. Discuss strategies to scale research and innovation outcomes, and the funding, partnership, and coordination mechanisms required to do so.
3. Facilitate coordinated donor engagement and create pathways for follow-up, positioning platforms like PANAP to contribute to a stronger SPI agenda in upcoming food policy processes and events at global, Europe-Africa and Africa levels (e.g. UNFSS Stocktaking+4, AU-EU Agriculture Ministerial, the implementation of the Kampala CAADP Declaration and Action Plan).
4. Identify obstacles and entry points for strengthening science-policy linkages in African agri-food systems.
5. Highlight success stories and lessons learned from donor-funded science influencing policy and practice.

To guide the discussion, the following questions will be explored:

• How do donors currently use and support evidence and R&I to inform their own priorities, funding decisions, and engagement in policy reform processes?
• What strategies can help scale research and innovation outcomes across African food systems? What types of partnerships and funding models are needed to close the loop between evidence generation and systemic impact?
• What are the key obstacles in the science-policy interface in African agrifood systems, and what can donors do to address them?
• What lessons can be drawn from past or ongoing donor-supported efforts to link evidence with policy and practice? What has worked -or not - and why?
• How can initiatives like PANAP and other SPI platforms be better positioned and supported to respond to policymakers’ demand?

The roundtable aims to generate concrete recommendations and proposals for donor engagement at the science–policy nexus. Outcomes will feed into broader policy dialogues and processes, including the AU–EU Agriculture Ministerial on 27 June 2025 and the UN Food Systems Summit Stocktaking Moment in July 2025, as well as the implementation of the Kampala CAADP Action Plan and Declaration, to help shape more coherent and impact-oriented strategies.

Programme

14:00-14:03
Welcome note: Dr. Stephen Onakuse, Former President of Agrinatura

14:03-14:13
Opening Remarks:
- Madam Estherine Fotabong, Director forAgriculture, Food Security and Environmental
Sustainability at AUDA-NEPAD (TBC)
- Mr. Timothy D. Robertson, World Bank,Co-Chair, Development PartnersCoordination Group

14:13-14:20
Scene Setting – Where Are We on SPI and R&I in Africa?

Keynote presentation highlighting the current state of science-policy interfaces and innovation scaling efforts:
- Joachim Von Braun, Professor at Center for Development Research (ZEF), Bonn

14:20-14:55
Panel Discussion – Donor Perspectives

Donor representatives share experiences and insights on supporting SPI and scaling innovation:
- Federica DeGaetano, Head of Global Donor Platform for Rural Development (GDPRD)
- Alan Rennison, Senior Program Officer Global Development, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
- Christophe Larose, Head of Sector Sustainable Agriculture, Research and Innovation at European Commission Directorate-General for International Partnerships (INTPA)
- Carin Smaller, Executive Director, Shamba Centre for Food & Climate
- Betty Kibaara – Director, Food Initiative, Rockefeller Foundation (TBC)

14:55-15:25
Open Discussion & Reflections

Moderated discussion with input from participants. Focus on entry points for collaboration, challenges, and suggestions.

15:25-15:30
Wrap-up & Next Steps Moderator summary and outlook on upcoming milestones and donor coordination opportunities