Diversification in East and Southern Africa

Where We Work

The CGIAR Initiative on Diversification in East and Southern Africa, or Ukama Ustawi, operates in 12 East and Southern African (ESA) countries: Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The Initiative’s work is staggered across three phases to allow for continuation, spill-over, and a long-term impact horizon: Phase I (Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi); Phase II (Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Tanzania); Phase III (Mozambique, South Africa, Eswatini, Madagascar). However, partnership with the Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA) has ensured broad coverage across all ESA countries.

In its initial phase spanning 2022 to 2024, the UU strategically prioritized Zambia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Ethiopia. In 2023, the CGIAR Initiative on Diversification in East and Southern Africa (ESA), known as Ukama Ustawi (UU), made substantial strides in agricultural transformation, food security, and sustainable development. Following the receipt of funding from MFAT, the initiative’s duration has been extended through 2025, enabling a significant expansion of its scope. This extension has allowed for an ambitious doubling of targeted outcomes across the end of initiative outcomes. As a result, 2023 witnessed UU achieving notable successes, particularly in Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Ethiopia.