TO curb rising food insecurity in Africa, the Africa Food Systems (AFS) is set to convene 5,000 world leaders, innovators, academia, development agencies, farmers organisations, and the private sector from across Africa in Rwanda to discuss solutions.

The forum will spotlight innovations and technologies, policies and delivery mechanisms, best practices, business models and investments to accelerate food systems transformation in Africa with youths and women at the helm.

“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,” said Amath Pathé Sene, managing director of the AFS Forum.

“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,” he added.

Sene said the goal of the forum is to create an environment where innovative ideas can flourish, leading to sustainable solutions that benefit all, especially youths and women.

The founder of the forum, Edouard Ngirente, Rwanda’s Prime Minister, also said the summit will feature a rich programme, including plenary sessions, thematic forums, side events, and leadership exchanges.

According to him, it will provide 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.

“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,” Ngirente said.

The forum with the theme ‘Innovate, Accelerate, and Scale: Delivering Food Systems Transformation in a Digital and Climate Era,’ will host Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda along with several current and former presidents, ministers, and key players from government and the private sector.