The governance of the TSARA initiative includes a General Assembly with two Co-chairs bringing together all the organizations involved in the initiative, which has decision-making powers, an executive secretariat to support the implementation of the initiative, and soon an external advisory board made up of external partners to provide scientific and political guidance.

Co-chairs

Philipe Mauguin

Philippe Mauguin

President and CEO of INRAE - France

Abdou Tenkouano

President and CEO of ICIPE - Kenya

General Meeting

General Assembly representatives from all member institutions that have signed the letter of intent and associate members.  

Its role is to make strategic decisions regarding the plan and to oversee its implementation. It meets once a year, except in the case of GA . It reviews the progress made by the thematic groups. It is co-chaired by a representative of African organizations and a representative of European organizations.

The co-chairs are appointed by consensus for a one-year term. In accordance with the principle of rotating chairmanship, the Co-chairs the current year and the following year are involved in preparing the AGM.

At the invitation of one of the co-chairs, these GA in an African country or in Europe. Dedicated funding is being sought for the organization of each GA .

Photo of participants atGA Nairobi in 2026

Secretariat

The secretariat oversees the development and monitoring of projects and actions. It works under the authority of the co-chairs ofGA includes members from African and European institutions.

The secretariat also supports the organization of EAC meetings EAC the activities of thematic groups. It is composed of representatives from 12 TSARA member organizations. Half of its members are renewable every three years.

OrganizationCountry Representative 1Representative 2
ARCSouth AfricaBridget Takalani MUROVHI
CILSSSubregion - SahelHubert N'DJAFA, Ouaga
CIRADFranceSandrine DURYSasha LEGRAND-VALDES and Sylvie LEWICKI
CNRAIvory CoastEmmanuel COUACY-HYMANN
ENAMMoroccoFouad RACHIDI
recipeKenyaThomas DUBOIS
IERMaliMohamed Koulam Dicko
INRAEFranceMarie SchillTom Collet
ISRASenegalTamsir MBAYE
Addis Ababa UniversityEthiopiaYirgalem Nigussie
University of Cheik Anta DiopSenegalMady CISSEKaramoko DIARRA
Gaston Berger UniversitySenegalJoseph Bassama
Obafemi Awolowo University NigeriaJohn ODEDIRE
University of PretoriaSouth AfricaOdirilwe SelomaneDandalene ROBINSON
University of ZimbabweZimbabwePrisca H. MUGABE

External Advisory Committee (EAC)

Composed of around ten independent figures appointed byGA sitting intuitu personae for their skills or expertise in the field.

EAC GA strategies to be developed to achieve the initiative's objectives in terms of research, innovation, training, and impact on sustainable development, and advises the working groups. EAC members EAC come from academia, contributing in particular to international scientific expertise, or from institutions engaged in sustainable development (development agencies, financial institutions, foundations, regional organizations).

The composition ofEAC a balance of skills, gender diversity, and geographic diversity. Terms are for two years, renewable, andhalf ofEACis renewed every two years.

Thematic working groups

The thematic working groups set the scientific agenda for the theme in question and develop a portfolio of actions and projects. Each of them is supported by a core group (thematic working group) and a broader scientific community.

They are supported by the secretariat and report on the progress of projects toGeneral Assembly the EAC.

Following the second General Assembly, an interthematic working group was created.