The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) was set up in 2002 after two years of consultations between a wide range of stakeholders from Africa, North America and Europe to determine an operational model for the foundation in addressing food security and poverty reduction challenges.

To ensure appropriate stakeholder involvement in the design and business plan development, a Design Advisory Committee (DAC) was appointed, comprising representatives of major stakeholder groups, including African NARs, Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research centers, African seed and biotech companies, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) crop science corporations, and donor organisations.

The first meeting of the Committee was held in Kenya in June 2002 to review the first draft of the business plan. The consultations were facilitated by The Rockefeller Foundation and the Meridian Institute.