y hope is that their stories will inspire
hers to lead differently, with
urage and collaboration, until a
silient, food-secure Africa is not just
visioned, but realized.
graduation of CALA Cohort 3 marked not just the close of a 16-month leadership journey, but
continuation of a movement that Africa’s food systems urgently need. I have watched these
ders grow in courage, collaboration, and clarity of purpose and I am convinced that the future
our continent’s transformation rests in such hands.
at stood out most in this cohort was not only their technical expertise, but their ability to
vigate complexity: aligning diverse actors around national food systems priorities, inspiring
st across government, private sector, and civil society, and pushing through challenges with
lience. Their Action Learning Projects were proof that when leaders work together, they can
nerate impact that strengthens institutions, shifts markets, and leaves lasting benefits for
mers, women, and youth.
LA was founded on the belief that Africa does not lack leaders, but it does require leaders with
right set of skills to move ambition into action. Cohort 3 has demonstrated this truth. They
mind us that transformation depends as much on emotional intelligence, coalition-building,
d persistence as it does on policy frameworks and strategies.
we look to the future, our task is to sustain and grow this leadership ecosystem to anchor
mni within country priorities, to expand across new regions, and to build a critical mass of
ders who will carry forward Africa’s food systems transformation agenda for generations.
hort 3 has set the bar high.
Alice Ruhweza,
AGRA
president
OREWORD
an Githinji
nior Specialist – Institutional Strengthening and
LA
RA