African Food Systems Summit 2024 : transforming the future of agriculture in Africa
From September 2 to 6, 2024, Kigali will host the African Food Systems Summit (AFS), bringing together 5,000 delegates to discuss the continent's agricultural issues in the face of global challenges. Innovations, climate resilience, and inclusion will be at the heart of the discussions.
By the editorial team
Agriculture in Africa faces a series of complex challenges in the current global context. Climate change, with its devastating effects such as prolonged droughts and unexpected floods, poses a significant threat to the continent’s food security. Additionally, limited access to modern technologies and the necessary funding for innovation hinders the growth potential of the agricultural sectors. Rapid population growth and increased urbanization also put growing pressure on agricultural resources, while inadequate infrastructure and inefficient supply chains exacerbate issues related to the distribution and preservation of food products. In the face of these challenges, African countries need to strengthen their local capacities, adopt resilient technologies, and improve resource management to ensure a sustainable food future. These challenges are on the agenda for the upcoming edition of the African Food Systems Summit (AFS).
A Forum to transform african food systems
The Summit will take place in Kigali, Rwanda, from September 2 to 6, and will gather around 5,000 delegates from across the African food ecosystem. This event, considered the premier global forum for agriculture and food systems in Africa, will bring together agricultural leaders, policymakers, farmers, innovators, and investors to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Africa in the current global context.
Under the theme « Innovate, Accelerate, and Scale Up: Transforming Food Systems in a Digital and Climate Era, » this year’s summit will highlight the urgency of radically transforming food systems in Africa. The transformation of food systems aims to strengthen local food production, enhance resilience to climate change, support the livelihoods of Africans, and leverage the continent’s potential to address global challenges.
Mobilizing large-scale actions and investments
As emphasized by Hailemariam Dessalegn, chair of the forum’s partner group, « With an abundance of emerging African young talents, remarkable innovations, and proven practices and solutions both locally and internationally, scaling up adaptation and replication is feasible. However, achieving this requires mobilizing actions and investments on a large scale, especially from the private sector ».
Rwanda, a host country leading innovation
The choice of Rwanda as the host country is not coincidental. The country has made remarkable progress in transforming its food systems, achieving rapid economic growth, higher productivity levels, and a reduction in poverty. Rwanda is recognized as a leader among sub-Saharan African countries for its promotion of innovation, gender equality, and a favorable business environment. As explained by Dr. Édouard Ngirente, Prime Minister of Rwanda, « 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. »
Innovation, Acceleration, and Scaling Up
The summit will emphasize three essential actions for achieving this continental transformation: innovation, acceleration, and scaling up. Innovation will be at the core of discussions, with mechanisms for policy implementation, funding initiatives, research, and innovative business models highlighted. Cutting-edge technologies and equipment to manage climate impact, the digital and financial divide, as well as food losses will also be presented.
A Business Forum
The African Development Bank will play a central role by organizing three high-level parallel events: a discussion on post-Dakar 2 advancements, a session on advancing food systems for Africa through Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) and the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils, and an event focused on investment in fertilizers and soil health.
One of the key aspects of the summit will also be the establishment of a business forum for food systems, bringing together investors, experts, and representatives from the host country’s national program to encourage projects, agreements, and products, while catalyzing investments and private sector partnerships within the agricultural sector.
Building productive, nutritious, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable food systems
The Kigali 2024 Summit will be a unique opportunity to bring together various stakeholders, including youth and women, to showcase innovations, best practices, and business models that will accelerate the transformation of food systems in Africa and beyond. Hailemariam Dessalegn concluded by reminding us that « Unlocking and harnessing the creative potential of the continent’s youth and women is crucial for accelerating economic development. »
The African Food Systems Summit 2024 aims to be a platform for building productive, nutritious, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable food systems capable of accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
For more information : https://agrf.org/summit/2024