Africa: Ethiopia, Malawi and Mozambique Release New Resilient Potato Varieties with CIP Support

Ethiopia, Malawi and Mozambique have released new resilient potato and sweetpotato varieties developed with support from the International Potato Center (CIP), according to an 18 August 2026 announcement. Ethiopia introduced eight potato and three sweetpotato varieties, with the best performers reaching yields of up to 53 tonnes per hectare. Malawi released four potato and three sweetpotato varieties, selected for resistance to late blight, while Mozambique brought forward five varieties with resistance to bacterial wilt and yields ranging from 22 to 42 tonnes per hectare.

The releases mark a meaningful step forward for African breeding and seed systems, addressing a gap left by yesterday’s coverage. By combining higher yield potential with resistance to major diseases such as late blight and bacterial wilt, the new varieties offer growers a more reliable foundation for productivity gains. For the wider potato sector, the development signals strengthening local capacity in variety development — a factor that could gradually influence regional supply, import demand and the competitiveness of African production over the medium term.