ISSD Africa is a research project (2014-2017) coordinated by a consortium of Wageningen Centre of Development Innovation (WCDI) of Wageningen University & Research, the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT), the Future Agricultures Consortium and Tegemeo Institute of Agricultural Policy and Development in Nairobi, Kenya, supported by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The project united African seed experts, seed programmes and associated organizations in a community of practice, aiming to increase farmers’ access to quality seed through the development of market-oriented, pluralistic and vibrant seed sectors in Africa. The ISSD approach is a seed sector-wide, demand-driven and inclusive approach, designing interventions tailored to specific crops, value chains and seed systems. During the first project period, action learning focused on four themes: (1) promoting seed entrepreneurship; (2) increasing access to varieties from the public domain; (3) matching global commitments with national realities; and (4) supporting seed sector development under the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and the African Union-lead Agriculture, Seed and Biotechnology Program. The community of practice provided a structure for experimenting, sharing and learning, enhancing collaboration and promoting synergy.