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.
Science diplomacy is increasingly recognized as a critical interface where scientific research, public policy and international relations meet. Along with FRQ Science Diplomacy chairs at other Quebec universities, Kwofie will contribute to a growing ecosystem of expertise in Quebec. The FRQ initiative strengthens Quebec’s leadership in global science diplomacy and supports evidence-based solutions to pressing global challenges.
Simulator will model policy impacts
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 they are implemented 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. “For example, if a government decides to give fertilizer for cassava, what is the potential implication from different perspectives, from food production to the environmental impact to health implications?”
‘Food convergence innovation’
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.
“Food is not just about production, it’s connected to health, trade and the environment, and this is why we’re working on food convergence innovation,” said Kwofie.
Kwofie’s co-chairs include Lise Kosten, Co-director of the Department of Science and Innovation-National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence in Food Security in South Africa; Rose Omari, Senior Research Scientist at the Science and Technology Policy Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Accra, Ghana; and John Ulimwengu, Senior Research Fellow in the Development Strategies and Governance Unit at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
Creating regional innovation hubs to build capacity
Portions of the platform are already under development in Kwofie’s lab at Macdonald Campus, drawing on country-level data related to production, consumption, micronutrient deficiencies, trade and agricultural finance. Pilots will begin in Rwanda in 2026, followed by Ghana, South Africa and additional partner countries soon after. The simulator is designed to be adapted to national contexts, giving countries ownership of their own tools while providing a general training version for researchers, students and policymakers.
The chair will also establish three regional Food Convergence Innovation hubs in West, East and Southern Africa. These hubs will bring together governments, local researchers, national research institutes and industry to co-create solutions.
The hubs build on an existing network of collaborations supported through Horizon Europe projects in Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya and South Africa. The team is also working directly with the African Union’s agriculture performance review process to advance evidence-driven investment decisions. The policy impact simulator can translate food systems finance data into country-specific scenarios to help governments test expenditure choices and assess trade-offs, leading to a more efficient use of resources.
Training future science diplomats is integral to the program. A science diplomacy food systems fellowship, seminar series and innovation competition will provide early-career researchers from Africa and Canada with experience applying convergence frameworks to regional policy challenges.
Connecting science and diplomacy
For Kwofie, whose career spans chemical, industrial and bioresources engineering and international development, the chair reflects a natural extension of his research.
“My work has always been about helping people make informed decisions,” Kwofie said. “This chair provides the opportunity to make scientific knowledge meaningful, accessible and impactful for those who need it most.”
This new chair is only one of the ways in which McGillians have been working to advance food security in Africa. Earlier this year, McGill launched the Nkabom Collaborative along with partners in Ghana and the Mastercard Foundation. The Collaborative aims to reimagine agri-food systems, empower young Ghanaians – especially women and members of marginalized groups – and build more inclusive and sustainable communities. Kwofie and the Collective are exploring ways to collaborate and synergize their efforts.
The official launch of the FRQ’s science diplomacy chairs will take place at an event next spring. Montreal will also host a Science Diplomacy Week in June, bringing together policymakers, researchers and institutions from around the world.