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Africa Food Systems Forum 2026 in Kigali

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2026-09-14 20:51 UTC → 2026-09-15 21:16 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.’ In West Africa, Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, John Dumelo, called for coordinated efforts to achieve rice self-sufficiency. Addressing agricultural scaling, Dr. Martin Fregene of the African Development Bank highlighted the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) initiative. Complementing this, the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) emphasized empowering rural women and young people. Regarding youth employment, Ghanaian entrepreneur Fareeda Mustapha challenged governments to transform food systems into job engines, while Rwandan President Paul Kagame suggested mechanisms to de-risk investments. During the forum, ProVeg International, ProVeg Nigeria, and ProVeg South Africa hosted a culinary event to promote underutilized indigenous crops to combat biodiversity loss. Additionally, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT launched its 2026-2030 Africa Strategy, focusing on connecting scientific evidence with finance to scale innovations like regenerative agriculture. The event also marked the 30th anniversary of the Pan-African Partnership for Agricultural Research and Development (PABRA). At the forum’s closing, stakeholders underscored the urgent need for water infrastructure investment, noting that approximately 95% of Africa’s arable land remains heavily dependent on rainfall.

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