Institutional and Organizational Capacity Strengthening

Strengthening farmer organizations has remained central to EAFF’s strategic vision.

Across multiple strategic plans, EAFF has invested in strengthening institutional systems, governance, partnerships, financial sustainability, and organizational leadership among member organizations.

Key achievements include:

• Deployment of an organizational capacity assessment tool to identify and address institutional gaps across member organizations;
• Strengthening member capacity to mobilize resources and improve sustainability;
• Recruitment and professional development of Secretariat staff;
• Strengthening management systems to improve efficiency, accountability, and donor confidence;
• Establishment of more than 29 institutional partnerships, valued at over USD 20.3 million, supporting implementation of the EAFF Strategic Plans (2013–2020 and 2021–2028);
• Supporting member organizations to conduct Annual General Meetings (AGMs) and strengthen governance, accountability, and transparency.

Unlocking Partnerships and Investment Opportunities

EAFF’s annual member missions have strengthened partnerships with governments and development partners, generating significant investment opportunities.

Notable achievements include:

• In Rwanda, INGABO secured a USD 2.1 million GAFSP SCORE Rwanda Project;
• In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), EAFF-supported members including COOCENKI and LOFEPACO participated in the USD 60 million PASA-NK Project;
• Through CONAPAC, members are benefiting from the USD 213 million AVENIR Programme, where EAFF is scaling up e-Granary to improve market access and agricultural extension services.

Knowledge Management and Value Chain Development

EAFF has organized annual regional workshops on:

• Project management,
• Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E),
• Finance,
• Advocacy,
• Partnership building, and
• Knowledge management.

EAFF has also strengthened regional value chains, particularly in cassava production. Through farmer training and innovations such as the zai pit technique, cassava productivity increased from 12 metric tonnes to 50 metric tonnes per hectare in supported programmes.