Researchers, plant breeders, funders and farmers from across Africa, Cambridge, and the wider world will gather in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from 12-14 October 2026 for the Africa Crop Forum 2026. The Forum will focus on accelerating collaborative solutions to some of the continent’s most pressing agricultural challenges, including crop disease, climate resilience, and food security.
Organised by WAVE RESEARCH, the Crop Science Centre, and the Cambridge Africa Climate Collaborative Research Fund, the Forum will place African priorities at the heart of discussions and strengthen international connections. In doing so, the Forum aims to generate practical outcomes by turning knowledge into action.
Through interactive workshops and networking sessions, participants will form new collaborative teams and develop concept notes to become full proposals in 2027. Early- and mid-career researchers will also be matched with mentors to support their career ambitions.
These activities are intended to support stronger research collaborations and create clearer pathways towards future funding opportunities in 2027 and beyond. As Professor Justin Pita, Executive Director of WAVE RESEARCH and one of the Forum’s organisers, explains: “It is our responsibility to build the systems that allow young scientists to grow, lead, and deliver solutions for African farmers.”
Building on momentum
The Africa Crop Forum builds on relationships and ideas developed during the International Partnerships Event held in Cambridge in 2025. With more than 100 participants from 11 countries, the 2025 meeting strengthened relationships across the Africa-Cambridge partnership network and created a clearer, shared understanding of the priorities that will guide future collaborative research. Reflecting on the 2025 event, Christian Rogers, Head of International Partnerships at the Crop Science Centre, said “The event was about building trust and relationships, and lowering the barriers to integrating the work of scientists and breeders across continents and cultures.”
Discussions highlighted the importance of grounding research in the needs and experiences of farmers, while recognising that successful international partnerships depend on mutual value, trust, and respect. Participants also expressed a strong desire for follow-up activities and continued engagement.
The Africa Crop Forum 2026 was created in response to this call, providing a platform for partners to deepen existing relationships, form new collaborations and advance research with the potential to deliver real-world impact.
Get involved
Researchers, breeders, funders and agricultural practitioners interested in participating are invited to register their interest by 16 August 2026.
Participants can register interest to attended in person, join online, or register to receive updates about Forum activities. In-person places are limited, and priority will be given to invited African scientists, breeders, national partners, funders, early-career researchers, and selected Cambridge and international collaborators. Those unable to attend in person are encouraged to join online.
The Africa Crop Forum 2026 is a collaborative academic partnership initiative by WAVE RESEARCH, the Crop Science Centre, Cambridge Africa and the Cambridge Africa Climate Collaborative Research Fund, bringing together expertise from across African, Cambridge, and international crop science networks.
Read more and register your interest on the Africa Crop Forum website.
Dr Pearl Abu speaks at the Breeders Panel at the International Partnerships Event held in Cambridge in 2025.
