Africa Food Systems Forum 2026 to feature youth and women advocates

The Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) 2026 is scheduled to take place in Kigali, Rwanda, from August 31 to September 4, 2026. The forum, which marks its 20th anniversary, will focus on the theme “Investing in Agri-Food Systems: Nourishing Nations, Growing Jobs, Building Resilience.” The event is expected to host over 5,000 stakeholders from more than 50 countries.

Among the featured speakers is Mbukiso Fakudze, an agricultural extension officer and founder of Sisekelo Semphilo Farms from Eswatini. Fakudze, a youth advocate, will represent the interests of young people in the agrifood sector. His participation follows his involvement in the Youth in Agrifood Systems Performance Index (YAPI), which aims to measure how young people benefit from food systems through technology, resources, and policy participation.

Dr. Salamatu Garba, the founder and Executive Director of the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN), will also speak at the forum. WOFAN, which has worked to empower over 7 million farmers in Nigeria, will contribute to discussions regarding inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agriculture. The organization emphasizes humanizing agricultural progress by supporting women, youth, and persons with disabilities through mechanization, digital innovation, and climate-smart practices.