The session opened with welcome remarks from CCARDESA Board Chair, Prof. Zelia Menete, who welcomed all board members to the meeting, expressed appreciation for their presence, both in person and online, and acknowledged their continued commitment to CCARDESA’s work. She noted the need to support CCARDESA's resource mobilization efforts by strengthening partnerships and country engagements, and looked forward to a productive 2026.
The Board received a series of Committee Reports following the Secretariat’s presentation, which set the tone and provided context for the subsequent updates. The Programmes Committee reported steady progress across key regional initiatives, including the Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP), Agricultural Productivity Programme for Southern Africa (APPSA), Herding for Health (H4H), Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA), the Research for Agroecology Network Southern Africa (RAeNS), and the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Ex-Pillar 4 (CAADP-XP4). These programmes continue to strengthen climate-smart agriculture, agroecology, research capacity development, extension support, and knowledge sharing across the region.
The Finance Committee briefed the Board on financial performance, compliance matters, and measures taken to strengthen CCARDESA’s financial accountability. The Risk and Audit Committee updated the Board on internal controls, risk mitigation strategies, and adherence to audit and compliance obligations. The Human Resource and Governance Committee presented its report on staffing matters, governance processes, and ongoing efforts to improve institutional performance and ensure alignment with CCARDESA’s strategic direction.
One of the Technical partners, FARA, through its Executive Director, Dr Aggrey Agumya, shared opportunities from joint partnerships, particularly the African Agricultural Research, Innovation and Education Institutions (AARIEIs) and CGIAR partnership, which could be used as a vehicle for resource mobilization. He highlighted three priorities: food security, soil health, and climate resilience as targets for developing concept notes and engaging with potential donors.
Ahead of this Full Board Meeting, CCARDESA organised a follow-up Board Induction Workshop on 24th November 2025 to orient newly appointed Board Members and strengthen their capacity to discharge their mandate effectively. The induction emphasised corporate governance best practices, fiduciary responsibilities, ethical leadership, financial sustainability, and collaboration between the Board and Secretariat.
The Board meeting concluded with the Vice Board Chairperson, Dr. Dumisani Kutywayo, thanking all participants for their robust engagement and reaffirming the Board’s commitment to driving impactful, coordinated agricultural research and capacity strengthening across the SADC region.
