The International Water Management Institute’s (IWMI) Inga Jacobs-Mata, Director of Water, Growth and Inclusion, was recognized by the World Food Prize Foundation as one of 2025’s Top Agri-Food Pioneers (TAP). Jacobs-Mata was among 39 innovators from across the world working to transform food systems acknowledged in honor of the Foundation’s 39th anniversary.
Jacobs-Mata received the award during the 2025 Borlaug Dialogue in Des Moins, USA, on October 23, 2025, for her leadership and innovation on the CGIAR’s Initiative on Diversification in East and Southern Africa, known as Ukama Ustawi.
Under Ukama Ustawi, a bilingual name derived from Shona and Swahili and meaning “partnerships for prosperity,” Jacobs-Mata empowered African farmers and businesses to be self-sufficient problem-solvers. Her work has improved the lives of millions of farmers across East and Southern Africa through better access to tailored innovations. She enabled hundreds of agribusinesses to secure growth capital, while influencing key water and trade policies that drive food system transformation across the region. She helped design and now co-leads the CGIAR Scaling for Impact Program, a global program that supports researchers, investors and policymakers to make scaling efforts more intentional, equitable and results-driven. Her commitment to co-creation and local ownership has made Ukama Ustawi a model for inclusive innovation in agri-food systems for CGIAR and beyond.
“What a privilege to be named a Top Agri-Pioneer by the World Food Prize. This honor celebrates every farmer, scientist and entrepreneur driving innovation to secure water, scale solutions and build resilient food systems for the future,” said Jacobs-Mata.
Ukama Ustawi addressed food and nutrition security risks in the region arising from an overreliance on maize through a climate-resilient, water-secure and socially inclusive approach. It supported climate-resilient agriculture and livelihoods in 12 countries in East and Southern Africa by helping millions of smallholders intensify, diversify and de-risk maize-mixed farming through improved extension services, enterprise development and private investment.
The efforts of Ukama Ustawi continue under the CGIAR Scaling for Impact Program and will further tackle global poverty, food insecurity and climate risks by applying transdisciplinary science, fostering partnerships, generating evidence and delivering integrated solutions to maximize impact and minimize duplication.
