In a landmark announcement, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has appointed Alice Ruhweza as its new President, effective March 1, 2025. This change marks the beginning of a new chapter for AGRA, an organization dedicated to transforming Africa’s agricultural sector to ensure food security, boost economic growth, and improve livelihoods for millions of smallholder farmers across the continent.
Ruhweza’s appointment comes at a crucial time for AGRA and Africa’s agriculture industry. As the continent faces challenges such as climate change, geopolitical instability, and economic volatility, AGRA’s leadership must be prepared to guide the agricultural revolution needed to meet the needs of Africa’s rapidly growing population. Alice Ruhweza, with her 28 years of experience in global development, policy advocacy, and environmental sustainability, is expected to lead AGRA into a new era of inclusive and sustainable agricultural development.
This article explores the significance of Alice Ruhweza’s appointment, the trajectory AGRA will take under her leadership, and the broader context of agricultural transformation in Africa. We will also examine the legacy of Dr. Agnes Kalibata, the outgoing president, and how her work has shaped AGRA’s success.
AGRA’s Vision and Mission: Empowering Smallholder Farmers
The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) is a Pan-African organization committed to catalyzing agricultural transformation on the continent. AGRA’s goal is to promote agricultural practices that are sustainable, environmentally friendly, and economically viable for millions of smallholder farmers across Africa. Since its founding, AGRA has focused on increasing crop productivity, enhancing food security, fostering inclusive market development, and improving access to essential agricultural services such as financing, technology, and information.
Smallholder farmers are the backbone of African agriculture, providing food for their families and local communities. However, they face numerous challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, limited access to markets, and poor agricultural techniques. AGRA works with governments, international organizations, the private sector, and farmers themselves to address these challenges, drive policy reforms, and implement programs that enhance agricultural productivity and resilience.
The next few years will be pivotal for AGRA’s mission, as Africa strives to achieve its goals outlined in the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), a strategy for agricultural transformation endorsed by the African Union. With Alice Ruhweza stepping into her new role, AGRA is positioned to accelerate its efforts toward achieving a food-secure and economically prosperous Africa.
The Legacy of Dr. Agnes Kalibata: A Foundation of Success
Before Alice Ruhweza takes the helm, it’s essential to reflect on the work of Dr. Agnes Kalibata, who served as AGRA’s president for two transformative terms. Under her leadership, AGRA has experienced tremendous growth and success, building strong partnerships, securing funding, and achieving notable progress in areas such as food security, agricultural innovation, and rural development.
Dr. Kalibata’s leadership was instrumental in shaping the vision of AGRA as a critical player in Africa’s agricultural transformation. Her tireless advocacy for smallholder farmers, inclusive farming practices, and climate-smart solutions garnered significant attention and support from governments, international organizations, and the private sector.
Throughout her tenure, Dr. Kalibata also championed the importance of gender equality and youth empowerment in agriculture. By focusing on policies and programs that prioritized women and young people, she helped to address systemic barriers in agricultural practices and ensured that these key demographic groups had the tools, knowledge, and opportunities to succeed.
Dr. Kalibata’s leadership will always be remembered for laying a strong foundation for the work AGRA continues to do today. As she transitions out of her role, she leaves a legacy of progress, impact, and hope for millions of African farmers.
Alice Ruhweza: A Visionary Leader for the Future of African Agriculture
Alice Ruhweza’s appointment as AGRA’s next President is an exciting development for the organization and the African agricultural landscape. With 28 years of experience in development, policy advocacy, and leadership, Ruhweza brings a wealth of knowledge to the role. Her background spans both the public and private sectors, with leadership roles in government, international organizations, and global non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Ruhweza’s career trajectory highlights her expertise in economic, social, and environmental policy, as well as her passion for inclusive and sustainable development. She has served in various roles, including at the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), where she was a strong advocate for inclusive agri-food systems. These systems are essential not only for combating climate change but also for improving food security and the livelihoods of millions of Africans.
Her extensive experience positions her perfectly to navigate the complex intersection of climate change, food security, economic development, and agricultural policy. Ruhweza’s appointment comes at a critical juncture for AGRA, as the organization must confront challenges such as economic volatility, geopolitical tensions, and climate change. However, Ruhweza remains optimistic about Africa’s agricultural potential, highlighting the transformative power of agri-food systems in driving economic growth, job creation, and livelihood improvements.
A Call to Action: Key Priorities for the Next Five Years
In her acceptance speech, Alice Ruhweza outlined her vision for AGRA’s future and the steps needed to achieve sustainable and resilient agri-food systems in Africa. Key priorities include:
- Bold Investments in Research and Development: For Africa’s agricultural sector to thrive, significant investments must be made in agricultural research, innovation, and technology. These investments will facilitate the development of climate-resilient crops, improve farming practices, and enhance food security across the continent.
- Inclusive and Climate-Smart Farming Practices: Ruhweza emphasized the need for more climate-smart and environmentally friendly farming practices. By prioritizing sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of farming, AGRA aims to foster long-term agricultural growth while addressing the urgent challenge of climate change.
- Comprehensive Extension Services: Improving extension services is another key priority for Ruhweza. Farmers need access to timely and relevant information about market trends, new technologies, and best farming practices. Strengthening extension services will ensure that smallholder farmers can make informed decisions and enhance their productivity.
- Policy Reforms and Alignment: AGRA will work to ensure that national policies and agricultural frameworks are coherent, aligned, and supportive of sustainable agricultural growth. Governments play a vital role in creating an enabling environment for agriculture to flourish, and AGRA will continue to push for policy reforms that support smallholder farmers.
- Strengthening Partnerships: Ruhweza’s appointment highlights the importance of collaboration and partnerships across sectors. AGRA will continue to work closely with governments, international organizations, and private sector players to advance Africa’s agricultural agenda and accelerate progress toward food security.
Challenges Ahead: The Road to Agricultural Transformation
While Africa’s agricultural potential is immense, there are significant challenges that must be addressed. These challenges include economic instability, geopolitical tensions, climate change, and infrastructure deficits. However, Ruhweza’s leadership is poised to meet these challenges head-on, with a clear focus on innovative solutions, inclusive growth, and sustainable development.
The agricultural sector in Africa is at a crossroads. There is an urgent need to shift from traditional farming methods to more modern, climate-resilient, and technologically advanced practices. The next five years will be critical in determining whether Africa can build a sustainable agricultural system that ensures food security, creates jobs, and drives economic growth for millions of people.
AGRA’s Future Under Alice Ruhweza’s Leadership
With Alice Ruhweza at the helm, AGRA is well-positioned to tackle the many challenges facing Africa’s agricultural sector. Her extensive experience, deep understanding of the African landscape, and commitment to inclusive and sustainable agricultural practices make her an ideal leader for the organization.
As AGRA prepares for a new phase of growth and transformation, it is clear that Ruhweza will build on the strong foundation laid by Dr. Agnes Kalibata, driving forward the vision of a food-secure Africa. With her leadership, AGRA can continue to make a lasting impact on smallholder farmers, food security, and economic development across the continent.
