African nations to present major agrifood investment plans at FAO forum

Twenty African nations are set to present large-scale agricultural investment plans at the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) 2026 Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum in Rome. This represents the largest African participation in the forum since its inception.

The initiative aims to transition African farming from subsistence activities into productive engines for jobs, food security, and exports. Participating countries, including Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Rwanda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, will showcase opportunities across various value chains such as livestock, fisheries, irrigation, mechanization, processing, and logistics.

FAO Assistant Director-General Abebe Haile-Gabriel noted that these governments are presenting “investment cases grounded in evidence and backed by political commitment.” The goal is to provide investors with bankable projects that clearly outline financing needs and expected returns to combat poverty and hunger. This push comes amid global volatility, as recent FAO data indicated rising food prices driven by logistics disruptions and adverse weather patterns.