Africa’s Food Systems Forum 2024 to Gather Over 5,000 Stakeholders in Kigali
Over 5,000 stakeholders, including world leaders, innovators, academia, development agencies, farmers’ organizations, and the private sector, will gather for the annual Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) in Kigali from September 2nd to 6th, 2024.
This year’s summit, themed “Innovate, Accelerate, and Scale: Delivering Food Systems Transformation in a Digital and Climate Era,” will emphasize innovations, policies, business models, and investments to drive food systems transformation across Africa, with a special focus on youth and women.
The theme is structured around three pillars: “Innovate,” which focuses on harnessing technologies and innovative policies; “Accelerate,” emphasizing the urgency of collective action; and “Scale,” highlighting the need to expand successful models and investments for widespread impact.
Key discussions will revolve around achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and meeting the Malabo Declaration’s commitments by 2025. High-level attendees, including H.E. President Paul Kagame, several current and former presidents, ministers, and key players from government and the private sector, will underscore the commitment to addressing Africa’s food system challenges.
Amath Pathé Sene, Managing Director of the AFS Forum, highlighted the importance of this year’s theme, stating, “Innovating, accelerating, and scaling are the pillars upon which the future of African food systems will be built. This summit provides an unparalleled platform for stakeholders to share insights and forge partnerships that will lead to tangible actions. Through collective efforts, we can address pressing challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, and economic inclusivity.”
Rwanda’s Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente, who officially launched the forum in March, called for transforming agriculture into a powerful engine for economic development.
“Our country is embracing innovation and making evidence-based policy decisions to de-risk the agriculture sector, making it more profitable and attractive for youth and private sector actors,” said Dr. Ngirente.
The summit will feature plenary sessions, thematic forums, side events, and leadership exchanges, providing a platform for actionable dialogue and peer learning. Key focus areas include policy and agenda setting, investment facilitation and finance, knowledge sharing, and showcasing technological advancements aimed at addressing global and local food challenges.
Participants are invited to register through the official website: https://agrf-inperson.com/?v=9. The summit aims to engage with African leaders, discover emerging trends, access the latest technologies and solutions, and build strategic partnerships.
