Participants included representatives from government ministries, private sector organizations, and research institutions from Zambia, Ethiopia, and Kenya. Additionally, delegates from various continental and regional institutions were present, including the African Union Commission (AUC), the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

The workshop opened with welcoming remarks from Emely Mwale (Alliance Country Representative) and John Recha from AICCRA's East and Southern Africa Cluster, who have highlighted the role, structure and programs of the Alliance and AICCRA in Africa as well as setting the objectives for the sessions. 

An official opening speech was delivered by Dr. Chizumba Shepande from Zambia’s Ministry of Agriculture, who reflected on the harsh realities of climate change and the proactive steps taken by Ethiopia, Kenya and Zambia. Further, he reinforced the need for a collaborative approach to address the challenges.

Navigating Climate-Smart Agriculture Investments in East and Southern Africa

An overview of the national CSA Investment Plans in Kenya, Ethiopia and Zambia pointed out the role of CSA as a key strategy to achieve country-specific climate action goals through scientifically vetted prioritized investment areas. It also highlighted its impact on enhancing household well-being through increased agricultural productivity and yield, suggesting stronger stakeholder collaboration in its implementation. 

Key lessons from successful case studies of CSA investment activities from the three countries included:

• Domestication of policies aimed at institutionalizing CSA, with national governments playing a significant role
• Enhancing coordination of national and county-level governments
• Inclusive voluntary participation and incentivization projects
• Linkage of farmers, research and extension practitioners
• Mobilization of finance for identified CSA investment priorities  

Discussions from the event's plenary session also highlighted gaps in identifying local investment options and navigating climate finance complexities, as well as access to financing for adaptation and to markets for CSA products. 

Some of the innovative approaches for CSA finance recommended included:

• Decentralized models like Kenya's Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) program
• Creating enabling environments through national policies such as the climate acts and sectoral action plans for climate change fundraising
• Cross-sectoral approach to CSA financing
• Enhancing public-private partnerships
• Market and infrastructure development
• Business-case creation
• Capacity building
• De-risking mechanisms for greater investment to lower interest rate
• Meeting the Malabo commitment as a prerequisite for accessing climate finance 

Multistakeholder Collaboration - strengths and gaps

Regional CSA multi-stakeholder platforms in East and Southern Africa presented their programs, projects, and initiatives. Presenters included the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA), Southern African Development Community (SADC), Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the African Union Commission (AUC). 

The role of knowledge and information hubs such as the the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program ex Pillar 4 (CAADP-XP4), commercialization of CSA technologies, harmonization of climate change policies and actions, creation of strategic alliances and prioritization of food systems resilience programs were highlighted.

Presentations from national multi-stakeholder forums - Kenya CSA Multi-Stakeholder Platform, Ethiopia National CSA Multi-Stakeholder Forum, and Zambia CSA Alliance - provided an overview of governance, membership, resource mobilization and knowledge-sharing strategies. Government leadership emerged as a key strength, while addressing membership management, commitment and awareness about CSA among stakeholders was highlighted as critical. 

There is also a need to continue building human and institutional capacity, continental mapping of CSA initiatives across the regions leveraging monitoring and reporting platforms like the Biennial Africa CSA Stakeholder conference and the Kampala Process, CSA value chain enhancement through demand-driven, adaptive research, and establishing regional CSA communities of practice.

Strategic Advocacy for CSA Investments

On the last day, participants delved into activities that focused on strengthening policy advocacy, communication and outreach strategies to create an enabling environment for CSA investments. In line with those objectives, participants learned about the current policy landscape in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Zambia and shared best practices for policy advocacy and strategic communication.

Key lessons included:  

• MSPs role in devolving CSA initiatives and investments from global to sub-national levels and providing advocacy mechanisms from local to international frameworks
• The role of a homegrown economic agenda in driving the reform of mainstream CSA practices
• Integrating CSA into high school curriculums
• Research-based tailored approaches to identify gaps and action-oriented advocacy

Reflection and Next Steps

Over the three days, participants from Kenya, Ethiopia, and Zambia engaged in dynamic discussions, showcased successful examples of CSA investment planning, and explored ways to promote stronger partnerships and collaborative frameworks to scale up and cascade down the implementation of prioritized CSA initiatives. The workshop also provided a platform for policy dialogue, focusing on creating supportive policy environments and innovative financing mechanisms to support long-term CSA investments.

Representatives from Kenya, Ethiopia and Zambia wrapped up the workshop, and the respective regional partners engaged in a fruitful co-creation process. This process helped identify critical gaps and challenges hindering effective coordination, resource mobilization and CSA investment plan implementation, followed by developing a strategic action plan to address these issues. 

Participant reflections from the workshop

Authors

Yodit Yaregal Seyoum, Policy and Communications Consultant at Alliance of Bioversity & CIAT

Lidya Tesfaye, Research Officer at Alliance of Bioversity & CIAT

Dorcas Jalango, Research Specialist at Alliance of Bioversity & CIAT

Brook Makonnen, Communications and Knowledge Management Lead at AICCRA