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Pathways to Accelerate Resilient Rice in Africa 
Pathways to Accelerate Resilient Rice in Africa  1600 900 Jamie

Defining Pathways to Accelerate Climate-Smart, Resilient Rice Systems in Africa 

Over the past three years, the African Climate Action Partnership (AfCAP) has created a valuable platform for researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and local stakeholders to exchange knowledge and reflect on the state of climate-smart rice systems across Africa. These discussions uncovered shared priorities, including the need to accelerate adoption of climate-smart practices, strengthen enabling conditions for innovation, and enhance collaboration across regions. Building on this momentum, AfCAP convened a joint regional meeting from 17–19 February in Nairobi, Kenya, bringing together researchers, scientists, local stakeholders, policymakers, and representatives from key public and private rice organisations from both Anglophone and Francophone countries.

Photo: AfCAP Secretariat with participating delegates 

The meeting aimed to shift from identifying priorities to defining actionable pathways to scale climate-smart and resilient rice systems across Africa. It provided an opportunity for stakeholders to outline next steps, share best practices, and identify areas for coordinated action that can support countries in achieving both climate and agricultural development objectives. 

Photo: Delegates during group discussion 

Across the workshop sessions, participants examined current mitigation approaches and techniques to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, while also unpacking regional efforts to advance Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) through the East African Community (EAC) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). In addition to this, the meeting provided space for organisations and country teams to share how CSA is being implemented in local contexts. Presentations covered a range of themes—from opportunities supported by the African Development Bank to mechanisms for national policy coordination. Building on earlier AfCAP engagements that focused on identifying existing CSA technologies and methods, this meeting went a step further by exploring pathways to scale solutions through thematic working groups. 

Photo: Delegate providing insights during one of the sessions 

The agenda was structured to support progressive planning over three days. The first day focused on co-defining climate-smart outcomes, including sessions on technical capacity for mitigation and on regional and national efforts to promote climate-smart agriculture. Day two shifted to implementation, with sessions showcasing innovation and best practices, examining enabling environments, and co-creating pathways for climate-smart rice. The final day focused on defining steps to accelerate adoption, giving delegates an opportunity to co-develop a regional action plan for climate-smart rice.   

Photo: Delegate during the Q&A session

Over the three days, delegates from across Africa engaged in rich discussions, technical exchanges, and collaborative planning to advance climate-smart rice production and strengthen Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems. The joint regional meeting highlighted both the challenges and the opportunities ahead, while underscoring a shared commitment to building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agricultural systems. The meeting concluded with a strong consensus: Africa’s rice sector can become a cornerstone of climate-resilient agriculture if countries invest in capacity building, embrace inclusive practices, and strengthen regional collaboration. By aligning technical expertise, policy frameworks, and financial resources, delegates committed to transforming rice production systems into drivers of food security, economic opportunity, and environmental sustainability. 

Download the outcome report below to explore the detailed insights on the challenges and opportunities discussed:

Outcome Report
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Tariffs & Regulatory Framework
Tariffs & Regulatory Framework 1600 900 Jamie

Masterclass – Tariffs & Regulatory Frameworks for Mini-Grid Deployment: A Practical Guide to Affordability, Sustainability & Investment

The African Climate Action Partnership (AfCAP), African Association for Rural Electrification (CLUB-ER), Growing Government Engagement in Energy Access (GGE-EA) Project, funded with UK Aid from the UK government via the Transforming Energy Access platform, in collaboration with the Africa Forum for Utility Regulators (AFUR) co-convened a masterclass entitled: “Tariffs & Regulatory Frameworks for Mini-Grid Deployment – A Practical Guide to Affordability, Sustainability & Investment”.

Access to electricity in Africa remains a major challenge, especially in rural areas where extending traditional girds is costly and complex. Mini-grids offer a practical solution, providing reliable and affordable power to rural communities in Africa. However, pricing and regulation remain critical hurdles. This masterclass brought together leading experts and key stakeholders to explore effective tariff models, supportive regulatory frameworks, and investment strategies that can accelerate mini-grid development across Africa.

Through this masterclass delegates co-explored tariff structures, gained an understanding of regulatory frameworks and discovered how tariffs and policy incentives attracts private sector participation.

For further information, kindly find attached the webinar presentation below:

Masterclass Presentations

For those who couldn’t attend or wish to revisit the live presentations, you can access the recording here: Masterclass: Tariffs & Regulatory Frameworks for Mini-Grid Development – A Practical Guide to Affordability, Sustainability & Investment
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African Rice & Climate Action:
African Rice & Climate Action: 1666 940 Jamie

African Rice Paddies and Climate Action: New Frontiers in Emission Reduction 

Rice is a key staple crop and major source of food security in many African countries. However, practices such as continuous flooding and suboptimal nitrogen management result in rice cultivation having a significant contribution to global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, particularly Methane (CH₄) and Nitrous Oxide (N₂O). 

Recognizing this challenge, the African Climate Action Partnership’s (AfCAP) Rice Community of Practice (CoP) has released a working paper titled “African Rice Paddies and Climate Action: New Frontiers in Emission Reduction.” 

This paper reviews technological, agronomic, genetic, and policy innovations aimed at reducing GHG emissions from rice cultivation while maintaining or enhancing productivity. Key mitigation practices include water-saving irrigation techniques such as Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) and Mid-Season Drainage (MSD), optimized nitrogen application, biochar amendments, and crop-livestock integration. Additionally, advances in plant breeding, including the development of low-emission rice cultivars and improved root traits, offer complementary strategies to curb emissions. The role of microbiome manipulation is also examined as a frontier area in sustainable GHG reduction.  

The paper further analyses the integration of rice mitigation strategies into national climate policies, the challenges of Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV), and the potential of incentive-based mechanisms such as carbon credits. Drawing from African and Asian case studies, the paper emphasizes the importance of enabling environments, particularly policy alignment, capacity building, and inclusive institutional support, to scale climate-smart practices. The findings underline the need for integrated approaches that combine technological innovation, farmer engagement, and climate policy frameworks to transform rice systems into engines of climate resilience and sustainability. 

Download the full paper below to explore the detailed insights and recommendations:

Download Paper
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Powering Progress: Practical Insights for Mini-Grid Development
Powering Progress: Practical Insights for Mini-Grid Development 1600 900 Jamie

Powering Progress: Practical Insights for Mini-Grid Development

The Growing Government Engagement in Energy Access (GGE-EA) Project has launched six new knowledge briefs to strengthen understanding of key themes in energy access and governance across Africa.  

The knowledge briefs showcase the core insights and learning in terms of the crucial aspects of planning and implementing mini-grid projects. The briefs are intended to provide governments, policymakers, and practitioners with accessible overviews of the critical topics shaping the energy sector. They serve as practical guides for decision-makers seeking to expand reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy access in Africa. 

The six knowledge briefs focus on: 

  1. Economic and Financial Analysis – tools for evaluating and financing energy projects. 
  1. MV & LV Electrical and Mechanical Study – technical foundations for grid and off-grid systems. 
  1. Regulation – frameworks for compliance, innovation, and consumer protection. 
  1. Policy & Governance – strategies for effective governance and alignment with development priorities. 
  1. Enabling Private Sector Collaboration in Energy Access – partnership models to mobilise investment. 
  1. Productive-Use of Energy and Job Creation – linking energy access to livelihoods and economic growth. 

These knowledge briefs highlight the interconnected nature of energy access, from the economics of project financing to the technical design of electrical systems. This underscores the role of regulation and governance, the importance of private sector engagement, and the transformative impact of energy on livelihoods and job creation. 

These knowledge briefs were created using content from a series of Small Private Online Courses (SPOCs) developed under the GGE-EA project. These SPOCs hosted as part of the project run periodically throughout the year offering participants with a unique blend of learning materials specific to the context of rural electrification in Africa. If you are interested in attending future occurrences of the SPOCs contact us here.  

These knowledge briefs have been funded by UK Aid via the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) Platform; however the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies.
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Aligning SDG 7 with NDCs
Aligning SDG 7 with NDCs 1600 900 Jamie

Powering Climate Action: Aligning Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

On the 21st of August 2025, the African Climate Action Partnership (AfCAP) together with the Growing Government Engagement in Energy Access Project (GGE-EA), funded with UK aid from the UK government via the Transforming Energy Access platform (TEA), and the African Association for Rural Electrification (CLUB-ER), co-convened a webinar entitled ‘Powering Climate Action: Aligning Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)’.

Energy access remains a major development challenge in Africa, efforts to expand access often operate in isolation from climate goals, missing key opportunities for alignment and financing. The webinar explored how SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) aligns with the goals of the Paris Agreement, and how these frameworks could be leveraged to drive the deployment of clean energy solutions. It unpacked the linkages between SDG 7 and climate action, highlighting the role of renewable energy in reducing emissions, and examining how countries can better align clean energy initiatives with national climate targets.  

The first presentation was done by Minky Groenewald from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Regional Collaboration Centers (RCC) for East & Southern Africa (EASA). She provided a clear introduction to the Paris Agreement and its role in global climate governance, emphasisng the shift toward country-led commitments through COP negotiations. She explained the importance of NDCs and Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategies (LT-LEDS) as tools for setting and achieving climate mitigation targets, highlighting how these frameworks enable countries to align with global goals, attract climate finance, and promote sustainable development. Crucially, she underscored the need to integrate energy access into NDCs and LT-LEDS, especially in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, by prioritising renewable energy, clean cooking solutions, and inclusive strategies that support a just transition and equitable growth.  

This was followed by a country experience presentation conducted by Esther Wang’ombe, Director Renewable Energy, Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, from Kenya. Wang’ombe offered a comprehensive overview of Kenya’s energy access goals, emphasising the efforts to expand reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy services to underserved communities, with clear targets aimed at achieving universal access. She then outlined the nation’s climate ambitions and NDCs, detailing mitigation and adaptation strategies designed to meet international climate commitments while fostering resilience. Finally, the presentation explored the alignment between SDG 7 and climate objectives, illustrating how integrated policy frameworks and cross-sectoral implementation approaches are being used to advance both agendas simultaneously, ensuring inclusive development and environmental sustainability. 

Aimee Tredoux, Project Manager & Research Assistant at SouthSouthNorth (SSN), delivered an engaging presentation on Climate Finance as a Catalyst for Climate Action. She began by defining climate finance and its critical role in enabling low-carbon, climate-resilient development. She highlighted the persistent climate finance gap, underscoring the disparity between available funding and the scale of investment needed to meet global climate goals. The presentation explored the synergies between illustrating how aligned financial flows can accelerate progress on both climate and energy access fronts. Aimee unpacked various financing mechanisms and traced the movement of climate-related funds, using case studies from South Africa and Nigeria to ground the discussion in real-world examples. She addressed practical challenges such as access barriers, institutional capacity, and policy coherence, before concluding with actionable next steps and key takeaways, emphasising the urgency of mobilising finance to unlock transformative climate action.  

To view the recording of the webinar and presentations please use the links down below: 

Webinar Presentation
Webinar Recording

The Growing Government Engagement in Energy Access project has been funded with UK aid from the UK government via the Transforming Energy Access platform; however, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies.  
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Agricultural Policy and Institutional Arrangements to enable Climate-Smart Rice
Agricultural Policy and Institutional Arrangements to enable Climate-Smart Rice 1600 900 Jamie

Agricultural Policy and Institutional Arrangements to enable Climate-Smart Rice

On the 12th of August 2025, the African Climate Action Partnership (AfCAP) hosted a webinar on “Agricultural Policy and Institutional Arrangements to enable Climate-Smart Rice”. This webinar explored how agricultural policy, and institutional arrangements can support the transition to climate-smart rice production. This session highlighted enabling policy frameworks and showcased national examples of innovative approaches and effective institutional coordination. The webinar also aided in identifying critical policy and institutional gaps that hinder the adoption of low-emission, climate-resilient rice practices.   

Dr. Jimmy Lamo, Senior Principal Research Officer & Rice Breeding Lead at National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), opened the session on the Role of Research in Shaping Climate-Smart Policy. He emphasized that research provides the evidence needed to understand climate change, improve rice production, and reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, especially methane and nitrous oxide from rice farming practices. Dr. Lamo explained that key research areas include assessing climate impacts, developing resilient rice varieties through seed breeding, improving water and nutrient management, and promoting conservation agriculture such as perennial rice. He highlighted the importance of translating scientific findings into practical tools for policymakers and communities, supported by international collaboration and public awareness. Two case studies were shared: one on a high-yield, nutrient-efficient rice variety (WDR 7), and another on integrated pest management to reduce chemical use and promote crop rotation.  

Dr. Mary Mutembei, Head of the Rice Promotion Programme at the State Department for Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development in Kenya, opened up the second session on Enabling policy environments for scaling Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) for rice. This session emphasized the critical role of policies and institutions in scaling-up climate-smart rice cultivation. Despite extensive research and innovation, adoption remains low due to inconsistent policies, limited farmer awareness, weak extension services, and inadequate financial incentives.

Dr. Mutembei highlighted the need for coherent policy frameworks, stakeholder engagement, and gender equity, while stressing the importance of ministries, research bodies, and advisory services in driving adoption. Approaches like farmer training, public-private partnerships, and market-based incentives were recommended to boost uptake. Ultimately, she called for stronger collaboration, better funding, and integration of climate goals into agricultural support systems to overcome challenges and accelerate adoption. 

The final presentation was given by Rosemary Murori, Collaborative Research Scientist at International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), on the importance of building stakeholder alignment across rice systems. During her presentation Murori emphasized the importance of building strong stakeholder and institutional alignment to effectively scale climate-smart rice technologies. She highlighted that rice is a vital crop for global food security, grown by millions of farmers and consuming significant water resources, making climate-smart solutions essential. Murori stressed that no single institution can tackle these challenges due to limited resources and diverse mandates, calling for collaboration across research centers, governments, private sector, and scaling partners. She underscored the need for market intelligence to guide research and breeding efforts, ensuring technologies meet the needs of farmers, consumers, and markets. It was emphasized that deploying technologies is not just about availability, it’s about timing and coordination. Seeds must be accessible when farmers need them, and digital tools should be used to predict demand and guide seed producers. Monitoring and evaluation are also vital to track adoption and inform policy decisions.  Rosemary also highlighted the role of capacity building, showing how simple innovations, like upgrading seed dressing equipment, can dramatically improve efficiency and dissemination. Her message was clear: without strategic alignment and shared resources, even the best technologies risk remaining unused, limiting their potential to improve livelihoods and climate resilience. 

To view the recording of the webinar and presentations please use the links down below: 

Webinar Presentation
Webinar Recording
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Strategic Knowledge Exchange Visit on Rice GHG Sampling Methods
Strategic Knowledge Exchange Visit on Rice GHG Sampling Methods 1280 880 Jamie

Strategic Knowledge Exchange Visit on Rice GHG Sampling Methods

From 11–13 June 2025, the African Climate Action Partnership (AfCAP), in collaboration with AfricaRice, co-convened a “Strategic Knowledge Exchange Visit on Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Sampling Methods”. The visit brought together researchers from the Institute for Agricultural Research – Ahmadu Bello University and Federal University Dutse (Nigeria), and the AfricaRice Center (Côte d’Ivoire), with the aim of fostering peer-to-peer learning and enhancing technical expertise in GHG emission measurement in rice cultivation.

Photo: Institute for Agricultural Research delegates at AfricaRice research center

This initiative supported the outcomes of a grant agreement between the SouthSouthNorth (SSN) and the Institute for Agricultural Research, focusing on building institutional capacity and strengthening collaboration between Nigerian institutions and AfricaRice. Over the course of three days, participants engaged in a combination of field visits, laboratory tours, and technical training.

The visit began with a warm welcome from the Deputy Director of Research and Innovation, followed by an overview of AfricaRice’s diverse programs and field visits to key experimental sites. Delegates explored cutting-edge research on biochar and nitrogen fertilizer trials, rice-fish culture systems, water and nutrient management, multiple-harvest rice varieties, cropping system diversification, and seed multiplication units.

The second day focused on greenhouse gas (GHG) measurement techniques, featuring in-depth sessions on static chamber-based sampling methods and practical demonstrations for methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide collection, complemented by laboratory visits to observe gas chromatography analysis.

Photo: Demonstration of GHG Sampling at AfricaRice’s Biodiversity Field

The exchange concluded with a shared commitment to continue collaboration, apply improved GHG measurement techniques in ongoing research, and contribute to the development of more accurate, climate-smart agricultural policies across West Africa.

Photo: Mr. Auwal from Nigeria taking a GHG Sample

Key Outcomes

  1. Participants gained valuable experience in GHG data collection, handling, and analysis.
  2. Strengthened research linkages/collaboration between Nigerian institutions and Africa Rice Center.
  3. The training directly supports the effective rollout of the AfCAP-funded baseline GHG emissions project in Nigeria.
  4. Insights from the workshop will guide future contributions to national climate reporting, including Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
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Nigeria launches baseline GHG emissions study
Nigeria launches baseline GHG emissions study 7779 3883 Jamie

Nigeria Launches Baseline GHG Emissions Study for Rice Sector Under the Rice CoP Seed Funding Initiative 

In September last year, the African Climate Action Partnership launched a funding call to support the collection of baseline Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission data from paddy rice production across Africa. This initiative is part of a broader effort by the Rice Community of Practice (CoP) to promote low-emission, climate-resilient rice farming on the continent. The aim is to better understand the sector’s contribution to GHG emissions, especially methane, and to inform more sustainable practices.

Following a competitive selection process, the seed funding was awarded to the Institute for Agricultural Research at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria. Their project will establish the first national baseline inventory of GHG emissions from rice farming in Nigeria and will run from May 2025 to July 2026. 

Photo: GHG Sampling chamber in rice paddy field at AfricaRice’s Mbé Research Station 

The project is structured in three key phases. The first phase focused on detailed planning, site selection, and stakeholder engagement to ensure local relevance and support. This will be followed by the second phase, which centers on field data collection, gas sampling, and laboratory analysis. The final phase will involve data analysis, reporting, dissemination of findings, and the development of policy recommendations. As part of its methodology, the project will conduct baseline surveys with rice farmers, followed by gas sampling to monitor methane (CH₄), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions across selected farm sites.

In addition, the project will build national capacity in GHG measurement techniques within rice-based systems, laying the foundation for ongoing monitoring, evidence-based policymaking, and the advancement of climate-smart agriculture. The data generated will play a critical role in shaping climate policy, guiding mitigation actions, and supporting Nigeria’s commitments under the Paris Agreement. 

Photo: Project team member taking a GHG sample 

Since the project’s launch, several foundational activities have been undertaken to ensure smooth and effective implementation. To further strengthen technical capacity, AfCAP and AfricaRice co-organised an institutional exchange between the research team and AfricaRice. This exchange provided valuable hands-on training in the use of static chambers and associated equipment for gas flux measurements, while also fostering collaboration in gas analysis, methodological guidance, and alignment with international best practices for GHG emission measurement in rice systems. In parallel, the team successfully developed and tested baseline survey tools, procured necessary equipment, and initiated the fabrication of IRRI-standard GHG sampling chambers to support field data collection. 

Photo: AfricaRice demonstrating GHG sampling to project team at the Biodiversity Field at Mbé Research Station 

To date, significant progress has been made in laying the groundwork, including engaging key stakeholders, building the technical capacity of researchers, developing survey tools, and preparing and assembling sampling equipment. With these foundational elements in place, the project team is now well-positioned to begin field deployment and generate the critical baseline data needed to support climate-smart rice production in Nigeria. 

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