Science Diplomacy Chair Award
Prof. Ebenezer Miezah Kwofie receives one of eight new Fonds de recherche du Québec science diplomacy chairs to advance food sustainability, equity, and climate resilience across Africa.
PI of Sustainable Agrifood Engineering Lab
Ebenezer Miezah Kwofie, Assistant Professor in the Bioresource Engineering Department, has been awarded one of eight science diplomacy chairs newly created by the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ). As Science Diplomacy Chairholder for the Food Convergence Innovation Africa Network (FCI-Africa), Kwofie will work to advance sustainability, equity, and climate resilience in food systems.
AI-Driven Policy Impact Simulator
At the heart of Kwofie's program is the development of an AI-driven agri-food policy impact simulator that will enable governments and stakeholders to model the likely social, economic, nutritional, and environmental impacts of proposed policies before implementation across Africa's diverse agri-ecological zones. "Policymaking often involves a lot of trial and error. Simulation allows countries to test interventions and see the potential impact across the food system," said Kwofie.
Food Convergence Innovation Model
Grounded in the "food convergence innovation" model pioneered at McGill by Desautels Professor Emerita Laurette Dubé, the FCI-Africa Network focuses on transforming agricultural systems by integrating digital tools, data, local knowledge, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Regional Innovation Hubs
The chair will establish three regional Food Convergence Innovation hubs in West, East, and Southern Africa, bringing together governments, local researchers, national research institutes, and industry to co-create solutions. Pilots will begin in Rwanda in 2026, followed by Ghana, South Africa, and additional partner countries. Training future science diplomats is integral to the program through a science diplomacy food systems fellowship, seminar series, and innovation competition.