CGIAR Initiative: Ukama Ustawi
The CGIAR Initiative on Diversification in East and Southern Africa, also known as Ukama Ustawi, aims to address food and nutrition security risks in the region arising from an overreliance on maize through a climate-resilient, water-secure, and socially inclusive approach.
Ukama Ustawi is a bilingual word derived from Shona and Swahili. In Shona, Ukama refers to partnerships, and in Swahili, Ustawi means well-being and development. Collectively, they represent the initiative’s vision to achieve system-level development through innovative partnerships: Together, we grow and develop.
This Initiative aims to support 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. IWMI functions as the lead center, presiding over the implementation of six work packages.


Africa > Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
CGIAR
Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA)
Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN)
Southern African Development Community (SADC)
SNV Netherlands Development Organisation
United Nations (UN) > Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
University of Leeds
Zambia Institute of Mass Communications (ZAMCOM)
Inga Jacobs-Mata
Water, climate change and resilience > Climate mitigation and adaptation pathways
Water, growth and inclusion > Gender equality and social inclusion
Water governance and political economy
Ukama Ustawi: Diversification for Resilient Agribusiness Ecosystems in East and Southern Africa (C-0021)