World leaders, innovators, academia, development agencies, farmer organizations, and the private sector from across Africa and beyond will convene in Kigali, Rwanda to participate in the annual Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) from September 2 to 6, 2024.
Their presence in the forum showcases the high-level commitment to addressing the critical issues facing Africa’s food systems.
The event expected to convene over 5,000 stakeholders, will be graced by President Paul Kagame,along with several current and former presidents, ministers, and key players from government and the private sector.
Leaders at this year’s convening will also examine the urgent need to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and meet the Malabo Declaration’s commitments by 2025.
This year’s summit themed “Innovate, Accelerate, and Scale: Delivering Food Systems Transformation in a Digital and Climate Era,”will spotlight innovations and technologies, policies and delivery mechanisms, best practices, business models and investments to accelerate food systems transformation in Africa with youth and women at the helm.
The summit will provide a platform to engage with African leaders, discover emerging trends, access the latest technologies and solutions, and build strategic partnerships.
Amath Pathé Sene, Managing Director of the AFS Forum, emphasized the importance of this year’s theme;
“Innovating, accelerating, and scaling are not just words, they are the pillars upon which the future of African food systems will be built. We are committed to leveraging the best of science, policy, and technology to drive this transformation. This year’s summit provides an unparalleled platform for stakeholders to come together, share insights, and forge partnerships that will lead to tangible actions. It is through such collective efforts that we can address the pressing challenges of climate change, food insecurity, and economic inclusivity.”
“Our goal is to create an environment where innovative ideas can flourish, leading to sustainable solutions that benefit all, especially our youth and women,” he added.
Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente who officially launched the forum in March called for the transformation of agriculture and make it a powerful engine of the economy.
“To transform the agriculture sector into a powerful engine for economic development, our country is embracing innovation and making evidence-based-policy decisions. In this context, the Government has focused on de-risking the sector to ensure that it becomes more profitable and attractive for the youth and private sector actors,” said Dr Ngirente.
The summit will feature a rich program, including plenary sessions, thematic forums, side events, and leadership exchanges. It provides a unique, forward-looking platform for actionable dialogue and peer learning as stakeholders address the urgent need for innovative solutions to transform food systems in Africa.
