Exploring Food System Leadership in Africa:
Research & Case Studies
At the African Food Fellowship, we conduct conceptual research and case studies to deepen our understanding of food system leadership across Africa. Our research examines both individual and collective actions of leaders in Rwanda, Kenya, and beyond, uncovering how shifts in policies, power, investments, and incentives drive systemic change.
By exploring the practices, implementation strategies, and enabling conditions that shape effective leadership, we generate insights that inform transformative action. Many of these research efforts are co-designed with Fellows from our Research Think Tank, ensuring that our work remains grounded in real-world experiences and challenges.
This collection of research papers offers a rich exploration of leadership dynamics within Africa’s evolving food systems. Dive in to discover how leaders are navigating complexities, building collaborations, and pioneering change towards more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable food environments.
Changing Food Systems together through Systemic Action Research
How can food systems leaders support each other to drive real change? This reflection piece documents a systemic action research initiative involving AFF fellows, facilitators, and researchers across Kenya and Rwanda. Starting with a systems mapping workshop in Nairobi, three fellow-led teams designed and ran experiments on post-harvest losses, school food gardens, and spirulina business development.
The piece shares honest reflections on what worked, what moved slowly, and what surprised the group — and draws out lessons for AFF and similar programmes on collective vision-building, network investment, and the time change actually takes.
Nurturing the Green Shoots of Success for Catalytic Food Systems Transformation
Leadership is the catalytic force needed to turn good ideas into systems-changing interventions. This research provides unimpeachable evidence about the role of leadership in creating healthy, inclusive and sustainable food systems in Africa.
It makes and defends the bold claim that to meet the audacious goals outlined in the CAADP Kampala Declaration, Africa must invest in new kinds of leadership that can mobilise change in uncertain, complex environments, centre inclusivity, and iterate with boldness.
Packed with case studies and testimonials from food systems leaders across the continent, this report is a must-read for anyone curious about how good leadership practically responds to the complexities of the agri-food systems sector.
Exploring African perspectives on food system leadership
Collective food system leadership is critical for food system change – but what does it look like in practice? And what outcomes have been achieved? This study dives into two cases from Malawi (community-level) and Cameroon (national level). Both cases are long-standing farmer networks that display a large degree of collective leadership.
The study offers insights into the importance of community participation, adaptability, multi-scalar engagement, and long-term commitment, to have thriving leadership within these networks.
The Role of Food Systems Leadership and Capacitation in Transforming African Food Systems
Strong leadership is essential for transforming food systems, yet research on food systems leadership in Africa remains limited. Over the past two decades, leadership programs have emerged, equipping leaders with skills to drive change.
This study explores how these programs operate, examining recruitment, training methods, and target demographics. It also highlights key challenges, including limited awareness, high costs, and lack of networking opportunities.
Read the full report to learn more.
Food Systems Leadership: A case study of Hydro Victoria Fish Farm in Kenya
Kenya’s aquaculture sector is a vital part of the economy but faces systemic challenges such as overfishing, high feed costs, and limited opportunities for women in the value chain. Rising fish demand has led to increased imports, while feed costs—making up to 70% of production expenses—strain local fish farmers.
This case study explores how systems leadership is tackling these issues, with initiatives like Hydro Victoria Farm and Partners driving change. By fostering innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability, these efforts are reshaping the sector to ensure long-term growth and food security.
Read the case study to learn more. [Insert Link]
Leadership Actions & Practices for Reshaping Food Environments: Insights from Kenya & Rwanda
Transforming food environments is crucial to ensuring sustainable, nutritious diets for all. This report explores the leadership actions and practices driving systemic change in Kenya and Rwanda, based on insights from African Food Fellowship (AFF) Fellows.
Effective leadership plays a pivotal role in shaping food systems that are inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. Through strategic collaboration, innovation, and evidence-based decision-making, leaders across sectors are fostering healthier food environments. The report highlights key leadership practices—such as bridging policy and practice, promoting cross-sectoral collaboration, and enhancing food accessibility and affordability.
Featuring real-world case studies, this research provides a deeper understanding of how leadership influences food system transformation. By amplifying the voices of those driving change, the report offers valuable lessons for policymakers, practitioners, and organizations committed to improving food environments across Africa.
Building Evidence on Food Systems Leadership
Transforming food systems requires strong, adaptive leadership, yet little is known about how food systems leaders effectively drive change. The African Food Fellowship (AFF) is committed to monitoring, evaluating, and learning (MEL) from leadership practices that contribute to more inclusive, healthy, and sustainable food systems across Africa.
This report presents the AFF’s approach to building evidence on food systems leadership, detailing the tools and methodologies used to assess leadership impact. It explores how policies, power dynamics, investments, and incentives (PPIIs) shift in response to leadership efforts and examines how leaders apply systems thinking to catalyze change.
By sharing insights from real-world leadership experiences, this research helps refine strategies for supporting and scaling food systems leadership across the continent.
Towards Sustainable Land Use: Leadership Actions in Rwanda
Sustainable land use is a critical component of food system transformation, yet balancing agricultural productivity with environmental conservation remains a challenge. This report explores how food systems leaders in Rwanda are driving change through innovative practices, advocacy, and collaboration.
Drawing insights from the African Food Fellowship, the study highlights how leaders are implementing conservation agriculture, agroecology, participatory land-use planning, and landscape restoration to combat soil erosion, land degradation, and resource scarcity. Through experimentation, capacity building, policy engagement, and institutional embedding, these leaders are shaping a more sustainable future for Rwanda’s food systems.
By understanding the conditions that enable leadership in land use transformation, this research offers valuable lessons for policymakers, practitioners, and organizations working towards sustainable food production and environmental resilience.
Read the full report to explore the leadership strategies transforming Rwanda’s landscapes.
