HAMES Network

AU Member States recognize that sustainable agricultural mechanization is a key enabler of agricultural transformation, productivity growth, and inclusive agri-food systems development. However, Sustainable Agricultural mechanization in Africa remains fragmented, uneven, and under-coordinated, despite its central role in achieving food security, decent rural employment, climate resilience, and agri-food systems transformation. While many African countries have established national agricultural mechanization and engineering services, these institutions often operate in isolation, with limited opportunities for structured peer learning, harmonization of standards, or coordinated policy engagement at continental and regional levels.

At the same time, the Framework for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization in Africa (F-SAMA) calls for strong national leadership, cross-country learning, and institutional coordination to translate policy commitments into practical, scalable, and sustainable mechanization solutions. The absence of a formal platform linking Heads of Mechanization and Engineering Services has constrained collective action, slowed uptake of good practices, and weakened Africa's voice in global and continental mechanization discourse.

The HAMES Network was therefore conceived as a continental professional and policy network that brings together Heads of Agricultural Mechanization and Engineering Services to strengthen leadership, coordination, and implementation capacity for sustainable agricultural mechanization across Africa. Member States supported its establishment as a continental platform that connects senior government officials and national expertise responsible for agricultural mechanization and engineering in African countries. The Network provides a structured space for peer exchange, policy dialogue, technical collaboration, and joint advocacy in support of sustainable, inclusive, and climate-smart mechanization.

HAMES Network serves as a bridge between continental frameworks and national implementation, supporting countries to operationalize F-SAMA, align mechanization actions with CAADP commitments, and leverage digital tools such as the AfricaMechanize Platform for knowledge sharing and decision support. It acts as a technical backbone for SAM implementation in Africa, linking policy to practice, strengthening engineering services, and accelerating adoption of sustainable, inclusive, and climate-smart mechanization pathways.

General Assembly

Composition: Heads of Agricultural Mechanization and/or Engineering Services from AU Member States, or one nominated official representative per Member State.

Role:

• • Supreme decision-making body of the Network.
• • Provides strategic direction and policy guidance.
• • Endorses work plans, reports, and major initiatives.
• • Approves amendments to statutes or operating procedures.

Meetings:

• • Ordinary session once every two years
• • Extraordinary sessions as required.

Continental Steering Committee (CSC)

Composition: Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Regional Representatives, and Immediate Past Chair (ex-officio).

Role:

• • Provides strategic oversight between General Assembly sessions.
• • Guides implementation of the Network work programme.
• • Ensures regional balance and coordination.
• • Represents HAMES in high-level AU, REC, and partner engagements.

Meetings:

• • At least twice per year (physical or virtual).

Technical Working Groups (TWGs)

Composition: Technical experts from Member States with co-opted specialists from RECs, academia, private sector, and development partners.

Role:

• • Provide technical inputs, guidelines, and knowledge products.
• • Support peer learning and capacity development.
• • Advise the Steering Committee on technical matters.

Meetings:

• • Thematic collaboration throughout implementation cycles.

Secretariat

Composition: Hosted by a recognized continental or regional institution (e.g. ACT with AUC/FAO), subject to General Assembly endorsement.

Role:

• • Day-to-day coordination and administration.
• • Meeting organization and communication.
• • Knowledge management, liaison, monitoring, reporting, and resource mobilization support.

Meetings:

• • Continuous operational function.

Regional Steering Committee (Focal Points)

Composition: Designated institutions or individuals at REC or regional level.

Role:

• • Guide SAM implementation at regional level.
• • Ensure alignment with F-SAMA, CAADP, and continental priorities.
• • Promote harmonized policy, standards, and peer learning across countries.

Meetings:

• • Regional coordination cycles as required.

National Steering Committee NSC (Focal Points)

Composition: Designated institutions or individuals at country level.

Role:

• • Coordinate planning and implementation of national SAM initiatives.
• • Ensure policy alignment with F-SAMA and CAADP.
• • Guide action plans, investments, and monitoring of outcomes.

Meetings:

• • National planning and implementation cycles.

Strategic Partners and Observers

Composition: AUC, RECs, FAO, development partners, research institutions, and private sector associations.

Role:

• • Provide technical, financial, and strategic support.
• • Participate as observers (non-voting).
• • Align partner initiatives with HAMES priorities.

Meetings:

• • Engagement aligned to strategic and programmatic cycles.