By Baboloki Semele: The Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS) 2024 Annual Summit is set to take center stage at the Kigali Convention Center from September 2 to 6, 2024. This pivotal event, organized under the stewardship of President Paul Kagame, is expected to draw over 5,000 delegates, including policymakers, experts, and stakeholders from across Africa and beyond.
This year’s summit, themed “Innovate, Accelerate and Scale: Delivering Food Systems Transformation in a Digital and Climate Era,” will emphasize the critical need for resilient, sustainable, and equitable food systems in the face of mounting climate challenges. The focus will be on fostering solutions that not only address food security but also create job opportunities, especially for Africa’s youth and women, who are integral to the continent’s economic future.
According to the event press statement, the summit will commence with a Pre-Summit on September 2, leading into the main event from September 3 to 6. During this period, participants will engage in high-level discussions, share expertise, and collaborate on actionable strategies to tackle the pressing food security challenges facing the continent.
The release says as Africa grapples with the urgent need to transform its food systems, the 2024 AFS Forum comes at a crucial time. With only six years remaining to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and just one year before the Malabo Declaration’s deadline, the summit aims to drive significant progress in food security and economic development across the continent.
The event will delve into strategies to catalyze the transformation of African food systems through innovative science, digital technologies, policy reforms, and scaled investments. By bringing together leaders from across Africa and the globe, the summit aspires to foster meaningful change, ensuring food security and promoting sustainable development for all Africans.
The Africa Food Systems Forum 2024 is poised to be a landmark event, setting the stage for a brighter and more secure future for Africa’s food systems. The Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS Forum), is the world’s premier forum for African agriculture and food systems, bringing together stakeholders to take practical actions and share lessons that will move African food systems forward. The Forum is a multi-sector platform comprising of 28 partners leading in African agriculture all focused on putting farmers at the center of the continent’s growing economies. The AFS Forum exists to progress Africa’s Food Systems and promote agricultural excellence across the diverse landscapes of our continent.