Ukama Ustawi’s Legacy: A New Chapter Begins with Scaling for Impact Programme

The much-anticipated Science Week, taking place from 7-12 April, serves as a fitting platform to reflect on the journey and legacy of Ukama Ustawi, a regional initiative led by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), and to look forward to a new chapter under the CGIAR’s Scaling for Impact programme.

Ukama Ustawi, whose name translates to 'partnership' in Shona and 'well-being' in Swahili, has, over the past few years, tackled one of the most pressing issues confronting the region — the growing threat of food insecurity driven by climate change, land degradation, and water scarcity.

Established under CGIAR’s Regional Integrated Initiative framework, Ukama Ustawi was designed to address the complex challenges facing agrifood systems in 12 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa. Its vision has always been bold: to foster resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agricultural systems that empower farmers, particularly women and youth, and support governments in adapting to a rapidly changing climate.

Transformative Achievements of Ukama Ustawi

What makes Ukama Ustawi stand out is not just its mission but its method. It has brought together a unique coalition of CGIAR centers, national agricultural research systems, private sector actors, and civil society, all coordinated through IWMI’s leadership. By focusing on country-driven priorities and tailoring innovations to local contexts, Ukama Ustawi has provided practical, scalable solutions that directly benefit farmers and policymakers alike.

Over its tenure, Ukama Ustawi has achieved notable milestones. In Zimbabwe, for instance, the initiative introduced solar-powered irrigation systems that allowed smallholder farmers to produce food during dry spells, boosting incomes and food availability in rural communities.

In Ethiopia, the initiative supported the development of climate-smart agronomic practices that improved maize yields while reducing dependency on synthetic fertilisers. In Kenya, it partnered with youth agribusiness networks to promote digital tools that link farmers to markets and extension services, fostering a new generation of tech-savvy, climate-resilient entrepreneurs.

Perhaps one of its most impactful contributions has been in the realm of policy support. Ukama Ustawi worked closely with regional governments to co-develop roadmaps for sustainable land and water management, ensuring that research outputs informed national planning processes. These evidence-based strategies have shaped agricultural investment plans and contributed to regional dialogues on food system transformation.

Yet, even the most successful initiatives have a lifecycle, and Ukama Ustawi is now preparing to hand over the baton. As it draws to a close in 2025, its legacy will not fade. Instead, it will be carried forward and expanded under CGIAR’s ambitious new programme — Scaling for Impact.

Transitioning to Scaling for Impact

Scaling for Impact represents a fundamental shift in how CGIAR approaches innovation, moving beyond pilot projects to ensure that successful solutions reach millions. It recognises that while research is crucial, its true value lies in the ability to translate science into action at scale. This new programme builds on the foundations laid by initiatives like Ukama Ustawi, but with an even sharper focus on impact, equity, and long-term sustainability.

At its core, Scaling for Impact is designed to break down the barriers that often limit the reach of agricultural innovation. It aims to strengthen innovation ecosystems by aligning with national development priorities, leveraging public-private partnerships, and creating enabling environments where policy, finance, and technology can work together to support farmers at scale.

The programme will operate across multiple regions, with a strong presence in Africa, and will continue to rely on IWMI and other CGIAR centers for technical leadership, knowledge generation, and partnership facilitation.

One of the key elements of Scaling for Impact is its commitment to inclusive growth. The programme places women and youth at the heart of its scaling strategies, ensuring that benefits reach those who are often marginalised in agricultural development. It also emphasises climate resilience, recognising that future food security depends on our ability to adapt to environmental shocks and stresses.

In practical terms, this means scaling up climate-resilient crops, expanding access to sustainable irrigation, promoting digital innovations, and supporting national governments to integrate these approaches into policy and planning. It also means learning from the successes and challenges of Ukama Ustawi and similar initiatives — understanding what works, where, and why — to inform future action.

As Science Week unfolds in Nairobi, participants will not only celebrate the achievements of Ukama Ustawi but also engage in critical dialogues about how to carry this momentum forward. Panels, exhibitions, and field visits will showcase the real-world impacts of research and highlight how the Scaling for Impact programme is poised to be a game-changer for agriculture in Africa and beyond.

The story of Ukama Ustawi is a testament to what can be achieved when science, collaboration, and local leadership come together. Its conclusion is not an end, but a milestone — the beginning of a new, even more ambitious journey toward transforming food systems at scale.

As CGIAR embarks on this next phase, the commitment to partnership, innovation, and impact remains unwavering. The seeds planted by Ukama Ustawi will continue to grow, nourished by a broader vision and a renewed sense of purpose under Scaling for Impact.

Inga Jacobs-Mata, Lead of Ukama Ustawi, Director of Water-Growth and Inclusion at IWMI; Namukolo Covic, Director General's Representative in Ethiopia at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI); and Moses Odeke, Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA)