Over 5,000 expected in Kigali for food forum

KIGALI: PRESIDENT Paul Kagame, along with several current and former presidents, ministers, and key players are expected to attend Africa’s Food Systems Forum (AFSF) slated in Kigali to address critical issues facing food systems in the continent.

The forum, scheduled on September 2-6, this year, is expected to bring over 5,000 delegates from both public and private sector to press on the acceleration of food systems transformation with youth and women at the helm a key focus.

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.

“Innovate” focuses on harnessing technologies, innovative policies, and business models to revolutionize agricultural practices and food production systems. “Accelerate” emphasizes the urgency of collective action to expedite sustainable food system transformations through technological advancements and innovative solutions.

“Scale” highlights the need to expand proven models, initiatives, and investments to achieve widespread impact and ensure food security for millions.

These pillars together provide a comprehensive framework for driving meaningful change in Africa’s food systems. 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.

Amath Pathé Sene, Managing Director of the AFS Forum, emphasized the importance of this year’s theme saying this year’s summit will provide an unparalleled platform for stakeholders to come together, share insights, and forge partnerships that will lead to tangible actions.

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“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. It is through such collective efforts that we can address the pressing challenges of climate change, food insecurity, and economic inclusivity,” the AFS Forum director said. “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.

Rwanda Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente who officially launched the forum in March called for 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 evidencebased-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, forwardlooking platform for actionable dialogue and peer-learning as stakeholders address the urgent need for innovative solutions to transform food systems in Africa.