About Us
Accelerating African Food Research
Independent consortium of African food research and innovation
We are a consortium of optimistic Africans with an unbeatable belief that the African food system has the potential to address some of the most pressing global issues, like food insecurity, malnutrition, climate change, and poverty.
With this confidence, we set out to strive for the impossible – to harness the power of African community culture to increase the pace of transformation of the African food system and position Africa as a leading hub of food for the world.
That means we are building an Africa where not only food-sufficiency is possible but also one whose food products are recognized and appreciated worldwide for their exceptional quality, diversity, and cultural significance. Therefore, we bring together researchers from various disciplines, working with industry and policymakers, to provide the necessary tools, technology, and resources to deliver research results and innovation that transform the African food system.
Why CAFRI?
Africa’s population is projected to reach about 2.5 billion by 2050, accounting for more than a quarter of the world’s population. Feeding this growing population sustainably requires urgent action, particularly as food insecurity remains a major challenge across the continent. Africa has a growing community of food researchers, but years of underinvestment in research infrastructure, training and scientific support have affected the quality, rigour and relevance of much of the research being produced. Consequently, the knowledge and innovations required to solve Africa’s food challenges are not developing at the pace or standard needed. CAFRI promotes and supports high-quality, relevant African food research and innovation to build the evidence and solutions required to accelerate the transformation of the continent’s food system.
Our Vision
A food-sovereign Africa with the knowledge and capacity to shape its food systems and determine its food future.
Our Mission
To accelerate the transformation of the African Food System by promoting and supporting research and innovation.
CAFRI’s – SDG In focus
Our work supports three United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals: No Poverty (SDG 1), Zero Hunger (SDG 2), and Climate Action (SDG 13). We create jobs for African food producers and support small and medium-sized businesses in the African food value chain to help achieve SDG 1. To achieve SDG 2, we aim to make African indigenous food products more available, accessible, and affordable while improving their nutritional quality and diversity. We also promote climate-friendly production processes to support the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and encourage the use of low-carbon and climate-resilient African indigenous food products to achieve SDG 13.
CAFRI’S TRAC Model
for food transformation
Our TRAC model is committed to transforming the African food system through Training, Research, Advocacy, and Consulting. Our training program not only enhances research capabilities but also nurtures young researchers and provides valuable networking opportunities. At the heart of CAFRI lies our research on African indigenous food products, encompassing impactful and cutting-edge research, as well as the provision of tools, resources, technology, and funding support. Our advocacy efforts aim to raise awareness about the importance of African food products, educate policymakers, encourage innovation, and improve access to funding. Meanwhile, our consulting services provide expert technical guidance in feasibility studies, pilot testing, commercialisation, branding, and marketing.
Conduct
Research that answers real questions.
We design and carry out rigorous research on African foods, aimed at the questions that matter to the people who make and regulate food.
Communicate
Findings that reach the people who use them.
We publish research findings — ours and others’ — in language that policymakers, industry, researchers, and the public can read and act on.
Build
The next generation of African food researchers.
We give early-career researchers the mentorship, training, and editorial support to publish work that stands up internationally.
Facilitate
Collaboration across the African food system.
We convene researchers, industry, and policymakers so that work gets shared, partnerships form, and effort is not duplicated.
Key focus Areas
As we strive to make a positive impact on the food system, we recognize the importance of focusing our efforts where they can be most effective. We have identified four areas where we have the greatest strengths and potential for strategic impact. These areas are our laser-focused priorities.
Food Innovation
We facilitate the creation of new food products and ingredients from indigenous African foods or improve the existing products to be more nutritious, sustainable, tasty, and safe.
Consumer Insights
We help entrepreneurs align their product development with insights into food choices, including health trends, cultural influences, and economic factors affecting people’s food selection.
AI in Food
We partner with others to help establish a framework and infrastructure that encourage the development and adoption of artificial intelligence to address challenges within the food system.
Sustainability
We conduct and promote research into climate change mitigation and sustainable practices to develop environmentally responsible, economically viable, and socially equitable food systems.
Governance and Legal Structure
The Centre for African Food Research and Innovation (CAFRI) is a not-for-profit organisation registered in Nigeria with the Corporate Affairs Commission as a private company limited by guarantee, incorporated under the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 on 16 July 2026. Registration number RC 9689459. Tax identification number 2623749793201. The company’s status on the register is active.
As a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, CAFRI has no share capital and no shareholders. Under its Memorandum of Association, the income and property of the company are applied solely to the promotion of its objects, and no portion may be paid or transferred, directly or indirectly, to its members. The liability of each member is limited to a guaranteed contribution in the event of winding up. On dissolution, any assets remaining after satisfaction of debts and liabilities must be transferred to another organisation with objects similar to CAFRI’s, and may not be distributed among members.
Registered office: No 1, Behind Living Faith Church Durumi 1, Abuja, FCT, Nigeria
Board of Directors
| Nicholas Ojonuwa Alifa | Chair of the Board |
| Chiamaka Maria-Goretti Adinnu | Director |
| Winifred Iember Yachiga Amase | Director |
The Board of Directors holds legal responsibility for CAFRI. It sets the organisation’s strategic direction, approves its budget and annual accounts, and holds the executive accountable for delivery, financial management, and compliance with Nigerian law. Decisions are taken collectively, by majority at a meeting or by unanimous written resolution, in accordance with CAFRI’s Articles of Association. Directors are required to declare and stand aside from any matter in which they have a personal interest.
Meet Our Team
Nicholas Alifa
Principal Investigator
Chiamaka Adinnu
Resource Development Manager
Winifred Amase
Design & Data Storytelling Lead
Temitope Egbeniyi
Resource Development intern
Isiaq Toyeeb Abolaji
Research Assistant