The Agroecology and Circular Economy for Ecosystem Services (ACE4ES) project, a consortium involving the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG), among others, recently took center stage at the 20th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Partnership Platform and the 15th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS) in Harare. This series of events, held from October 29 to November 1, brought together key stakeholders from across the continent, emphasizing the urgent need to prioritize agroecology and circular economy as core components of Africa’s agricultural strategy.
During a side event titled “Strengthening Climate Resilience and Food Security in Africa through Agroecology and Youth-led Initiatives,” held on October 31, the ACE4ES team underscored the importance of embedding agroecology and circular economy into continental, regional, and national agricultural frameworks. Bismark Owusu Nortey, Advocacy Lead and Executive Director of PFAG, presented the achievements of the ACE4ES project, advocating for collective action among stakeholders. “We have undertaken an assessment of the recently developed African agricultural strategy for the next ten years and recognized the little emphasis on agroecology and circular economy. We have therefore developed a comprehensive policy guide for the continent and are currently engaging key stakeholders, including the African Union, for their consideration,” Nortey remarked, urging all partners to contribute to a policy that truly reflects continental needs.
The following day, at the CAADP Non-State Actors (CNG) side event, the ACE4ES team further engaged African Union regional experts, farmer groups, private sector representatives, civil society organizations, and youth groups active in climate change and sustainable agriculture. Discussions highlighted the critical need for substantial investments, capacity building, and technical and logistical support to drive the adoption of agroecology. Stakeholders were encouraged to intensify advocacy, expand evidence generation, and engage in research to attract both public and private investment into agroecology and circular economy.
The ACE4ES project’s participation resonated well, with the consortium receiving an invitation to present a paper on agroecology and circular economy at the upcoming Annual Circularity Africa Conference in Benin, scheduled for 2025. This recognition marks a significant step forward, reinforcing ACE4ES’s dedication to fostering resilient, sustainable agricultural practices that address climate and food security challenges across Africa. The ACE4ES Project is supported by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) under the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).
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