Organization and governance

Discover the organizational structure and governance that drive CORAF, the institutional pillar dedicated to the strategic advancement of agricultural research in West Africa.

CORAF is mandated to provide support to its member NARS in West and Central Africa. It has the comparative advantage of strengthening national agricultural research systems in terms of specialization, excellence and competence in implementing the Integrated Agricultural Research for Development (IAR4D) paradigm, and maintaining an enabling environment and institutional culture that attracts and retains high-quality researchers.
CORAF relies on a solid and efficient organizational structure to carry out its mission of promoting agricultural research and sustainable development in West and Central Africa.

CORAF is made up of the following bodies:

The General Assembly (GA) is the supreme body of CORAF. It is sovereign in all matters relating to the institution. The General Assembly defines strategic orientations and takes important decisions for the organization.

The Governing Board (GB) is responsible for the overall governance of CORAF and supervises the Executive Secretariat. It oversees the technical and financial implementation of approved programs and activities. To this end, it has set up an important advisory and think-tank body: the Scientific and Technical Committee.

The Scientific and Technical Committee (STC) plays an essential role in the orientation and quality of agricultural research in West and Central Africa. It is made up of twelve (12) designated experts from National Agricultural Research Systems, CORAF members and partner institutions for development and capacity building to guide the organization's agricultural research, innovation and development activities.

The Executive Secretariat (ES) is the body responsible for implementing the decisions of the General Assembly and the Board of Directors. The Executive Secretariat is headed by CORAF's Executive Director, who is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of activities and the management of resources. The Executive Secretariat is based in Dakar, Senegal, and coordinates technical teams, programs and partnerships to achieve the organization's objectives.

CORAF is mandated to provide support to its member NARS in West and Central Africa. It has the comparative advantage of strengthening national agricultural research systems in terms of specialization, excellence and competence in implementing the Integrated Agricultural Research for Development (IAR4D) paradigm, and in maintaining an enabling environment and institutional culture that attracts and retains high-quality researchers.