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Africa Food Systems Forum 2026 in Kigali

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2026-09-09 19:55 UTC → 2026-09-10 06:14 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The 2026 Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF), marking its 20th anniversary, was held in Kigali, Rwanda, from August 31 to September 4. The forum focused on the theme ‘Investing in Agri-Food Systems: Nourishing Nations, Growing Jobs, Building Resilience.’ Key discussions centered on agricultural modernization and reducing import dependency. Rwandan Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva announced the adoption of the CAADP Plan 2025-2027 to attract investment in irrigation, energy, and digital services. To support climate adaptation, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) highlighted the $200 million ARCAFIM blended finance mechanism. Regional leaders emphasized the integration of specific value chains. Nigeria’s Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, advocated for commercially viable livestock value chains to achieve ‘productive ~~sovereignty’ and reduce reliance on imported feed and veterinary supplies.~~ sovereignty.’ In West Africa, Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, called for coordinated efforts ~~among nations including Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Benin, and Sierra Leone~~ to achieve rice ~~self-sufficiency, noting the region spends over US$3.5 billion annually on rice imports.~~ self-sufficiency. Addressing agricultural scaling, Dr. Martin Fregene of the African Development Bank highlighted the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) initiative for its success in connecting research with private sector investment. ~~Meanwhile,~~ Complementing this, the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) emphasized that investment must extend beyond infrastructure to include the empowerment of rural women and young people through knowledge and technology. Regarding youth employment, Ghanaian entrepreneur Fareeda Mustapha, CEO of PureLube, challenged governments to transform food systems into engines for job creation. In response, Rwandan President Paul Kagame emphasized the need for policies providing better access to agricultural finance, suggesting that governments implement mechanisms to de-risk investments and potentially absorb some loan losses to encourage participation.

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