African Food Systems Forum targets US$100B investment to transform continent’s agriculture
Regional value chains under the African Continental Free Trade Area will feature prominently in discussions.
RWANDA – The 2026 African Food Systems Forum, running from August 31 to September 4 at the Kigali Convention Centre, has set a target of catalysing US$100 billion in investment by 2035 to revolutionise the continent’s agricultural landscape.
Organized by AGRA, the event is expected to bring together more than 5,000 participants from about 50 countries, including African leaders, businesses, investors, farmers’ organizations, researchers, financial institutions, and development partners.
More than 200 speakers are scheduled, including FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu, IFAD President Alvaro Lario, and AGRA President Alice Ruhweza.
The forum comes as food-system development returns to the centre of Africa’s priorities under the new 2026-2035 decade of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme.
The African Union roadmap aims to improve productivity and create jobs in a sector that accounts for nearly a quarter of Africa’s GDP yet still attracts limited investment.
The primary financial strategies to reach the US$100 billion goal include blended finance mechanisms, development banks, sovereign wealth funds, and institutional investors.
The AFSF will host a “Deal Room” to connect project developers with investors. Selected companies will present projects across agriculture, logistics, finance, agritech, nutrition, and clean energy.
Regional value chains under the African Continental Free Trade Area will feature prominently in discussions. The trade agreement is expected to play an important role in facilitating the movement of agricultural inputs and products key to food security, including grains, tubers, oilseeds, fruits, vegetables, and meat products.
Beyond financing, the forum will examine how African agriculture can become more resilient to climate-related pressures. Droughts, floods, heatwaves, pests, and soil degradation increasingly affect crop yields across the continent.
Youth employment is another priority. With Africa home to the world’s youngest population, organizers want to highlight agriculture as a source of entrepreneurship, digital innovation, and jobs across mechanization services, advisory services, e-commerce, logistics, insurance, data management, processing, and distribution.
By bringing together diverse stakeholders and facilitating investment, the AFSF aims to transform Africa’s agricultural sector from a subsistence-based activity into a dynamic, commercially viable industry.
The forum’s outcomes will shape agricultural policy and investment decisions across the continent, influencing the future of Africa’s food systems for years to come.
Finally, the success of this initiative will depend on turning discussions into concrete actions and investments that deliver tangible benefits to farmers, agribusinesses, and consumers across Africa.
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
