For nearly a decade, the International Center for Evaluation and Development (ICED) has been on the front lines of advancing localized, impactful research in Africa. Through strategic partnerships with three Feed the Future Innovation Labs—hosted by the University of California, Davis, and Michigan State University—ICED has managed grants and projects that bring African-led solutions to the forefront of agricultural and development challenges.
From their inception, these programs were driven by a bold vision: to drive locally led research that informs policy and stimulates action, improves horticultural systems, and empowers African researchers to lead Africa-centered innovation. Together, they aimed to improve livelihoods across the continent while putting ownership of research squarely in the hands of local experts.
The Advancing Local Leadership, Innovation, and Networks (ALL-IN) initiative—spearheaded by ICED’s CEO Dr. David Sarfo Ameyaw and Associate Director Sarah Ameso, in collaboration with Professor Michael R. Carter and Tara Chiu of the Innovation Lab for Markets, Risk and Resilience (MRR)—set a new standard for locally led research. Through ALL-IN, 12 African researchers were empowered to implement context-specific innovations with real impact in their communities. The initiative also gave rise to the ALL-IN Research Network (ARN), a vibrant platform connecting researchers across the continent with access to funding, capacity-strengthening activities, and mentorship opportunities.
The Innovation Lab for Horticulture’s East Africa Regional Hub, based in Kenya and managed by Penina Yumbya, focused on enhancing the productivity, sustainability, and profitability of the horticulture sector. Special attention was given to supporting women smallholder farmers and rural communities—groups often overlooked in research and development conversations.
The Innovation Lab for Legume Systems Research—the newest addition to ICED’s portfolio—aimed to strengthen legume systems across East, Southern, and West Africa. With regional hubs co-led by Simon Gicheha and Symphorien Agbahoungba, this initiative addressed key challenges in legume value chains through regionally relevant, scalable research.
Despite the projects coming to an earlier-than-expected conclusion due to global developments, their collective achievements are significant. These include the development of mobile apps to boost rural farmers’ market access, the creation of energy-efficient storage technologies to reduce postharvest losses, and enhanced financial literacy and resilience among women farmers. These milestones are only a glimpse of the transformative work accomplished. Over the course of their execution, these initiatives delivered a tangible impact—whether through the partnerships they fostered, the milestones they reached, or the meaningful changes they inspired.
While this chapter concludes, the spirit of the work lives on. The initiatives were always about more than projects—they represented a shift in how development research is conceived, led, and sustained in Africa. They demonstrated that local researchers, when trusted and equipped, can design high-impact solutions tailored to their contexts.
ICED remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing African-led research. With a current membership of over 280 African researchers across 40 institutions in 10 countries, the ALL-IN Research Network (ARN) continues to serve as a hub for collaboration, mentorship, and professional growth. It supports researchers in crafting competitive proposals for large-scale international funding and promotes experiential learning through hands-on research.
As we look to the future, ICED will continue building partnerships and strengthening the capacity of researchers across the Global South. Our vision remains clear: a world where locally generated evidence drives transformative policies and actions that will enhance lives and livelihoods. We invite funders, partners, and researchers to join us in expanding the reach and impact of African-led research and innovation.
Together, we can reshape the research-for-development landscape—one solution, one partnership, and one community at a time.
