L-R (Mr Alex Mutungi, Dr David Amudavi, Dr Vivien Osele, Ms Dinah Amwayi, and Ms Venancia Wambua)
On 18th September 2025, we were greatly honoured to host Dr. Vivien Osele, the incoming First Secretary and Policy Advisor for Health and Food at the Embassy of Switzerland to Ethiopia, Djibouti, South Sudan, and the African Union. Dr. Osele assumes the role of focal point for the Agroecology Promotion Program (APP), supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The program is currently being implemented with an African and South-East Asia components, where BvAT leads the implementation of the Africa component.
Dr. Osele succeeds Ms. Stéphanie Piers De Raveschoot, who has transitioned to a new role in West Africa. She was warmly received by Dr. David Amudavi, Executive Director of BvAT, alongside Ms. Venancia Wambua (Head of Programmes), Mr. Alex Mutungi (AU EOA Initiative Secretariat Coordinator), and Ms. Dinah Amwayi (Finance Manager).
The meeting gave both parties an opportunity to exchange more regarding the progress of the program, focusing strategically on the connection between the previous EOAI, while appreciating the crucial support provided by SDC for more than a decade towards both Programs. Discussions covered key areas, including the APP program design and its performance, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL), and opportunities for collaboration. The team recommended enhanced interaction among implementing partners to share experiences and opportunities for promoting agroecological transitions. The team also called for better coordination at the global level.
SDC remains one of the most steadfast partners of the Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative (EOAI), continuing to support the Secretariat’s activities and the broader agroecology movement across the continent.
The team shared an overview of the APP initiatives under BvAT’s direct implementation, which includes the market pull initiative, regional and continental agroecology conferences, and policy and advocacy at the continental level. A financial update for the APP Africa component was also presented.
The BvAT team briefed Dr. Osele on the policy work being undertaken within the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP), highlighting the EOA/AE indicators therein. The work is being implemented with the support of SDC under the APP.
BvAT further recommended that monitoring and evaluation visits be undertaken and scaling of lessons as key elements that have been lacking in the design of the APP and should be enhanced. The team agreed to hold bi-monthly check-in meetings to stay aligned on emerging issues and ensure smooth implementation.
SDC remains one of the most steadfast partners of the Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative (EOAI), continuing to support the Secretariat’s activities and the broader agroecology movement across the continent.
Compiled by: Alex Mutungi