The 1998 Third External System Review of the CGIAR recommended a stronger CGIAR focus on sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and emphasis on the need for increasing the effectiveness of partnerships to achieve increased agricultural productivity toward food and income security. This workshop brought together agricultural research scientists and relevant stakeholders working in agriculture in SSA to do strategic thinking on how to enhance existing partnerships and develop new ones. The central aim was to develop a framework for producing more productive partnerships with increased collaborative advantage and efficiencies. Such partnerships must feature sound organizational management, mutual trust, and the ability to address new dimensions of science and technology.