In spite of the latent important mutual benefits flowing from their stronger coordination and alignment, CAADP and the CGIAR have remained largely disconnected. In order to overcome this shortcoming three principal actors in CAADP and the CGIAR, namely: (i) the relevant CAADP institutions (Africa union commission, NEPAD agency, FARA and sub-regional research organisations (ASARECA, CORAF/WECARD and CCARDESA)); (ii) the CGIAR consortium, and (iii) funders that support both CAADP institutions and the CGIAR; launched the CAADP-CGIAR alignment initiative.