Simeon Ehui

DG of @IITA_CGIAR & Regional Director of @CGIAR for Africa. Former Regional Director @WorldBankAfrica → →Bringing solutions to increase Food Security in Africa.

[Simeon Ehui @simeonehui]

I am excited to be appointed the 8th Director General of @IITA_CGIAR and the 1st Regional Director of the @CGIAR for Africa. @IITA_CGIAR and @CGIAR will be the driving force for food system transformation in #Africa.

[IITA @IITA_CGIAR]

Join us in Kigali as we explore the partnerships, innovations, and investments needed to unlock Africa's RTB potential and accelerate food systems transformation.
📝Unlocking Africa's RTB Potential
📆 2 September 2026
⌛️10:30 AM–12:30 PM
📍MH4 – Space B

#AFSF2026 #IITAxCIP #RTB

[Simeon Ehui @simeonehui]

Africa’s food systems are not only about feeding the continent—they are a powerful engine for economic growth, job creation, better nutrition, and climate resilience.

At the Africa Food Systems Forum 2026 in Kigali, I look forward to engaging with leaders, innovators, policymakers, farmers, and investors who share the ambition of turning this potential into impact at scale.

IITA will contribute to several important conversations, including how Africa can unlock the full potential of root, tuber, and banana crops. These crops are essential to the food security and livelihoods of millions, yet their contribution to enterprise development, agro-industry, and job creation remains largely untapped.

Transforming Africa’s food systems will require more than promising ideas. It will require sustained investment in science, innovation, strong partnerships, and—above all—the people who drive change across the continent.

The opportunity is before us. Let us translate ambition into investment, innovation into scale, and commitments into lasting impact.

See you in Kigali.

#AFSForum2026 #FoodSystems #AgriculturalTransformation #ScalingInnovation #OneCGIAR

[Simeon Ehui @simeonehui]

Une excellente semaine s’est achevée par la signature d’un Protocole d’accord entre l’IITA et le Gouvernement de la République démocratique du Congo.

Bien plus qu’un accord, il traduit une ambition commune : renforcer les institutions, promouvoir la science et l’innovation et accélérer la transformation agricole.

Le véritable travail commence maintenant.

#IITA #RDC #Agriculture #Innovation #Afrique

[Simeon Ehui @simeonehui]

A productive week concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between @IITA_CGIAR and the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

More than an MoU, it reflects a shared commitment to strengthen institutions, harness science and innovation, and accelerate agricultural transformation for food security and prosperity.

The real work begins now.@IITA_CGIAR @CGIAR_EMD

#IITA #DRC #Agriculture #FoodSecurity #CGIAR

[IITA @IITA_CGIAR]

This week, the IITA Director General, Dr @simeonehui hosted Honorable Minister of Agriculture of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, H.E. Muhindo Nzagi Butondo who led a high-level delegation on a exploratory visit to the IITA headquarters in Ibadan.

#IITAxDRC #Partnerships

[Simeon Ehui @simeonehui]

Pleased to welcome H.E. Muhindo Nzangi Butondo, Senior Minister of Agriculture and Food Security of the DRC, together with the Provincial Ministers of Agriculture of Tshopo, Lomami and Kasai, to IITA.

Strategic discussions to strengthen our partnership for agricultural transformation, food security and youth employment.

#IITA #DRC #Agriculture

[Simeon Ehui @simeonehui]

Heureux d’accueillir à l’IITA Son Excellence Muhindo Nzangi Butondo, Ministre d’État, Ministre de l’Agriculture et de la Sécurité alimentaire de la RDC, accompagné des ministres provinciaux de l’Agriculture de la Tshopo, du Lomami et du Kasaï.

Des échanges stratégiques pour renforcer notre partenariat au service de la transformation agricole, de la sécurité alimentaire et de l’emploi des jeunes.@IITA_CGIAR

#IITA #RDC #Agriculture

[Simeon Ehui @simeonehui]

Pleased to meet Hon. Bruno Nabagné Koné, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Food Crops, on the sidelines of Côte d’Ivoire’s #PND2030.

Excellent discussions on the country’s agricultural priorities and on strengthening the partnership between the Government and @IITA_CGIAR to accelerate agricultural transformation.

#CGIAR #Agriculture

[Simeon Ehui @simeonehui]

Heureux d’avoir rencontré M. Bruno Nabagné Koné, Ministre de l’Agriculture, du Développement rural et des Productions vivrières, en marge du #PND2030.

Excellents échanges sur les priorités agricoles de la Côte d’Ivoire et le renforcement du partenariat entre le Gouvernement et l’@IITA_CGIAR au service de la transformation agricole.

#CotedIvoire #CGIAR

[Simeon Ehui @simeonehui]

I had the privilege of moderating the ministerial panel on agricultural productivity, value chain development and agricultural transformation during Côte d’Ivoire’s #PND2030 Investors’ Day.

My sincere thanks to Hon. Souleymane Diarrassouba, Minister of Commerce and Industry, for his confidence, and to Ministers Bernard Kini Comoé, Sidi Tiémoko Touré and Ibrahim Kalil Konaté for an excellent discussion.

Agriculture is a powerful driver of investment, job creation and economic transformation.

#IITA #CGIAR #Agriculture #Investment

[Simeon Ehui @simeonehui]

J’ai eu le privilège de modérer le panel ministériel sur la productivité agricole, le développement des chaînes de valeur et la transformation agricole lors de la Journée des Investisseurs du #PND2030 de la Côte d’Ivoire.

Merci à M. Souleymane Diarrassouba, Ministre du Commerce et de l’Industrie, pour sa confiance, ainsi qu’à M. Bernard Kini Comoé, Ministre délégué chargé des Productions vivrières, M. Sidi Tiémoko Touré, Ministre des Ressources animales et halieutiques, et M. Ibrahim Kalil Konaté, Ministre du Commerce, de l’Industrie et de l’Artisanat, pour la qualité des échanges.

L’agriculture est un formidable levier d’investissement, de création d’emplois et de transformation économique.
@CGIARPolicy @IITA_CGIAR

#IITA #CGIAR #CotedIvoire

[Simeon Ehui @simeonehui]

Honoré d’avoir été reçu cette semaine par S.E. Alexandre Barro Chambrier, Vice-Président du Gabon. Excellents échanges sur la transformation agricole, la souveraineté alimentaire, l’emploi des jeunes et les partenariats. L’IITA est prêt à accompagner cette ambition. #Gabon #Agriculture #IITA #CGIAR

[Simeon Ehui @simeonehui]

Honored to meet this week with H.E. Alexandre Barro Chambrier, Vice President of Gabon. We discussed how agriculture can drive food sovereignty, economic diversification & youth employment. Encouraged by the Government’s vision and looking forward to building a strategic partnership between Gabon and @IITA_CGIAR. #Gabon #Agriculture #CGIAR

[Simeon Ehui @simeonehui]

Honored to serve on the Independent Selection Committee for the OPEC Fund Annual Award for Development in Vienna.

Inspired by the awardees whose work is advancing food security, climate resilience, health, energy access, and economic opportunity.

Great exchanges with Mia Mottley, Sidi Ould Tah, and Jean-Jacques Bouya.

#OPECFund #DevelopmentForum #Innovation #Impact

[Simeon Ehui @simeonehui]

Today, I had the pleasure of leading an @IITA_CGIAR delegation, together with @CGIAR Chief Scientist, Dr. Sandra Milach, on a courtesy visit to His Excellency, Governor @seyimakinde of Oyo State.

We had an excellent discussion on the role of science, innovation, and partnerships in transforming agriculture, strengthening food security, and creating opportunities for young people. I was particularly encouraged by the Governor’s strong support for IITA, CGIAR, and agricultural research as drivers of economic development.

As IITA prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary, we remain deeply grateful to the Government and people of Oyo State for six decades of partnership. Together, we will continue to deliver science that transforms lives.

#IITAxOyoState #WithScienceWeCan #ScienceForImpact #FoodSecurity #Nigeria

[Simeon Ehui @simeonehui]

Semaine productive à @IITA_CGIAR avec l’accueil d’une délégation guinéenne conduite par le Dr Mamady Diawara (IRAG), en présence du Ministère de l’Agriculture et de la Banque mondiale.

Des échanges riches sur les systèmes semenciers, la santé des sols, la mécanisation, les chaînes de valeur et l’innovation agricole.

Nous avons identifié des priorités communes et convenu d’une feuille de route pour passer à l’action.

#IITA #CGIAR #Guinée #Agriculture #Innovation

[Simeon Ehui @simeonehui]

A productive week at @IITA_CGIAR hosting a high-level delegation from Guinea led by Dr. Mamady Diawara of IRAG, with participation from the Ministry of Agriculture and the World Bank.
Strong discussions on seed systems, soil health, mechanization, value chains, youth entrepreneurship, and agricultural innovation. We agreed on priority areas for collaboration and a roadmap for action.
Looking forward to the next phase of our partnership—and to continuing the conversation in Guinea.
#IITA #CGIAR #Guinea #Agriculture #Innovation

[Simeon Ehui @simeonehui]

Earlier this week in Nairobi, I joined fellow CGIAR leaders for the GLT meeting to discuss collaboration, management effectiveness, and our shared commitment to agricultural transformation in Africa.

I was also pleased to connect with the IITA team at the ILRI campus. My thanks to the team and to @RachelMulangala , IITA Country Manager for Kenya, for their warm welcome and support.

We also engaged with leaders from the Gates Foundation and Mastercard Foundation. Thank you to Dr Hari Menon and Dr. Segenet Kelemu for their continued support for science and innovation in Africa.

Our discussions reinforced the importance of CGIAR’s Africa Strategy—Africa-led and CGIAR-enabled.

#CGIAR #AfricaStrategy #IITA #Africa

[Simeon Ehui @simeonehui]

Earlier this week in Nairobi, I met with my good friend @Profshaukat , Principal Secretary for Science, Research and Innovation in Kenya.

We discussed strengthening collaboration between the Government of Kenya and IITA in areas including Aflasafe, cassava seed systems, gene editing, and resilient food systems.

Science, innovation, and strong partnerships remain critical to transforming African agriculture and improving livelihoods. @IITA_CGIAR @RachelMulangala

#IITA #Kenya #ScienceForDevelopment #Africa