AFS Forum

The world’s premier forum for African agriculture, bringing together stakeholders in the agricultural landscape to commit to #Ag transformation across Africa.

[AFS Forum @TheAGRF]

Our MD Amath Pathé Sène is in Paris this week for the 9th @ParisPeaceForum.

Tonight: "Feeding Peace" with DiploCité at the Cité internationale universitaire.

Wednesday 1:15 pm CET: "Can Africa be a Major Agricultural Power? Two years of ATLAS". https://t.co/YKaiwgN9GC
#PPF2026 #AFSForum

[AFS Forum @TheAGRF]

🌍 Can Africa be a major agricultural power? The answer lies less in new plans than in delivery at scale.

On 11 November, our Managing Director, @amath_sene, joined the high-level roundtable marking two years of ATLAS at the 9th @ParisPeaceForum ,alongside co-chairs Dr Ibrahim Mayaki and Pascal Lamy, keynote speaker Hajar Alafifi Laadel (@OCPGroup ), moderator Patrick Dupoux (BCG) and leaders from across the agri-food ecosystem. The session also marked the launch of the first ATLAS White Papers.

Mr Sène stressed that Africa does not lack agricultural plans or ambition. What it needs now is to scale proven solutions, strengthen delivery, and move from bespoke deals to replicable structures that can mobilise investment at scale. He also underscored the importance of treating data as a public good, a key enabler of agricultural transformation across the continent.

These priorities are central to the work of the Africa Food Systems Forum as we turn commitments into action.

Congratulations to ATLAS on two years of convening and on this important milestone.

🎥 The session recording will be available soon on the Paris Peace Forum YouTube channel.

#AFSF #FoodSystems #AfricanAgriculture #BlendedFinance #DataForAgriculture

[AFS Forum @TheAGRF]

This week, Africa’s food systems have a seat at the @ParisPeaceForum.

AFSF Managing Director @amath_sene is representing AFSF and AGRA at the 9th edition of the Forum, held under the theme “From Sovereignty to Cooperation”.

From opening the DiploCité workshop “Feeding Peace” to joining Pascal Lamy, Dr Ibrahim Mayaki and other leaders at the ATLAS roundtable “Can Africa be a Major Agricultural Power?”, he has made the case for food security as a foundation for peace, for scaling blended finance, mobilising African domestic capital, and harnessing data and AI for the future of African agriculture.

The week also saw the announcement of a new partnership with the Paris Peace Forum, which will bring African food systems priorities into global discussions and bring those discussions to #AFSF2027.

Throughout the week, he is meeting French, European and African partners to explore cooperation ahead of AFSF 2027.

#PPF2026 #AFSF #NourishingNations #GrowingJobs #BuildingResilience

[AFS Forum @TheAGRF]

Bridging the health and nutrition gap for mothers and young children is not one actor's job. It takes all of us.

The MNCH, Nutrition & Sport Afternoon, held in Dakar alongside the #Dakar2026 Youth Olympic Games, brought together government representatives, development partners, investors, health innovators, sports figures and young athletes, around one shared goal of healthier mothers, children and young people.

The stakes were set from the start. "A mother must survive her pregnancy and her delivery," reminded Caty Fall Sow of the Gates Foundation, as around 700 women still die every day from largely preventable causes linked to pregnancy and childbirth, nearly 70% of them in Africa. For our Managing Director, Amath Pathé Sene, the answer starts with food: "We are what we eat, and what we eat will make us good athletes and good champions."

Everyone in the room had a role to play. African innovators showed that solutions for maternal and newborn health already exist, and investors and partners came to listen and explore how to help them reach more families. The Ministry of Health called on athletes to use their visibility to raise awareness on health and nutrition, and footballers and sports figures answered as ambassadors, carrying these messages to young people where they already are. The young athletes we met are ready to lead a generation that understands that what is on our plate shapes how we perform, on the field and in life.

This was made possible through partnership. Thank you to the Government of Senegal, through the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Livestock, and to AGRA, the Gates Foundation, SEED Project and For Hope for making this gathering a reality.

When health, sport, agriculture and finance work together, Africa's next generation grows stronger. Tomorrow's champions are built today, together.

#TomorrowsChampions #NourishingNations #GrowingJobs #BuildingResilience #Dakar2026

@AGRA @gatesfoundation @seedproject

[AFS Forum @TheAGRF]

On the sidelines of the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, AFSF joined partners for site visits to SEED Academy and the ForHope campuses to see first-hand the initiatives supporting young people's health and well-being.

At SEED Academy, partners and potential investors explored ways to support projects focused on youth mental health, nutrition and development. At the ForHope campus, they learned how the initiative uses philanthropy to raise funds for its projects, mobilising celebrities to help promising initiatives grow. Sessions with the young athletes showed how discipline and nutrition awareness is built into their everyday activities, and why the food they eat matters both on and off the field.

These visits mark the kick-off of the pilot projects AFSF is supporting with the Gates Foundation, and the start of partnerships and networks that can open new opportunities for young people's health.

Investing in young people’s health today is how we build stronger communities tomorrow, and for young athletes, good nutrition is where performance begins.

#AFSF #Dakar2026 #YouthHealth #Nutrition #SportForHealth #OurFoodOurfuture

[AFS Forum @TheAGRF]

At the Tourism & Investment Forum Africa in Dakar, AFSF Managing Director @amath_sene shared what he's learnt over the years of convening and building Africa's food systems community.

It starts with the human experience. Every participant should leave with something meaningful, whether it's a word in the local language or a new connection. These small details create a lasting bond with the host destination.

He also spoke about AFSF's experience bringing diverse stakeholders together to build relationships and unlock investment that leads to action, and the value of learning from other events and sectors to keep strengthening the participant experience.

Beyond the event itself, major gatherings create opportunities for hospitality, food, transport, culture and local enterprises. Their true success is measured by the lasting benefits they leave behind for host communities.

#AFSF #Dakar2026 #TourismAndInvestment #Africa

[AFS Forum @TheAGRF]

The journey to becoming a champion begins with good nutrition.

From healthy pregnancies to childhood development, good nutrition lays the foundation for healthier generations and helps young people reach their full potential, both on and off the field.

@amath_sene , shares how AFSF is bringing together partners, including the @gatesfoundation , @AGRA_Africa , SEED Project and @ForHopeAsso , to advance maternal and child nutrition through the power of sport and African-led innovation.

Through the Africa MNCH Innovation Showcase and Youth Champions for Health initiative alongside Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the Forum aims to strengthen partnerships, spotlight innovative health solutions and engage athletes as advocates for healthier communities.

Together, we can give more African children the healthy start they need to thrive.
#AFSForum #Dakar2026 #Nutrition #YouthChampionsForHealth #OurFoodOurFuture

[AFS Forum @TheAGRF]

What can sport do for Africa’s food systems?

At the #AFSForum2025 in Dakar last year, @amadougallofall , President of @theBAL (Basketball Africa League) challenged us to think bigger about the connection between sport, jobs, food and the people who feed us.

As Dakar welcomes the world for the #YouthOlympics, that conversation has now become very relevant. Sports can bring people together, shift perceptions and open new pathways for Africa’s food systems.

At our upcoming "Youth Champions for Health" side event on location in #Dakar2026, we will continue exploring how sport can help build a healthier future for the next generation.

@amath_sene

[AFS Forum @TheAGRF]

As @amath_sene puts it: “No single group can keep Africa’s children healthy, so Dakar brings together leaders from every sector to connect and work toward the same goal. Real success means these partnerships continue long after the event ends.” 

When we look at the equation for empowering Africa's youth ahead of the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympics, the math is simple: Strong Food Systems + Multi-Sector Partnerships = Healthy Champions. 

It takes an entire ecosystem to fuel the next generation, both on the sports field and in everyday life. Let's keep the formula working long after the games end!

#Dakar2026 #YouthOlympics

#AFSForum2026

[AFS Forum @TheAGRF]

Behind every winning streak is a community that thrives.

As the world gathers for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, We are proud to join forces with the @gatesfoundation , @AGRA_Africa , SEED Project , and @ForHopeAsso in Dakar.

Under the theme "From Sporting Excellence to Community Health"

We will be exploring how nutrition, sport, and health intersect to build resilient futures across Africa.

31 October - 13 November 2026

Dakar, Senegal

Reach out to us for collaboration!

#AFSF #Dakar2026 #YouthOlympics

[AFS Forum @TheAGRF]

This #WorldFoodDay, AFSF champions the agricultural tech and innovations reshaping our food systems. By building smarter, climate-resilient farming today, we ensure healthy food for tomorrow.

#WorldFoodDay2026

[Dr. Terese Shadrach Akpem🇳🇬 @shadrachAkpem]

Happy Independence Day your Excellency @OfficialMasisi and the good people of Botswana on the celebration of your country’s 60th Independence.

I had the pleasure of connecting with you at the just concluded @TheAGRF in Kigali Rwanda. I was part of the panel discussants on the Making big bets on our Africa food systems where I shared reflections on what I believe is required to leverage our livestock systems to unlock collective prosperity for millions of farmers while referencing Botswana as a success story we can learn from.
Of course while responding, you acknowledged that too and requested we “speak more”.
I am now in a difficult situation as I might have gotten a figure or two wrongly while collecting your mobile number which has made it impossible to connect back with you.

Should you see this, the young Nigerian to whom you found strong alignment with his submissions will be most honored to connect back Sir.😊

Finally, my deepest condolences to the livestock economy and cattle farmers in Botswana who have been impacted by the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease(FMD). I cannot begin to imagine the impact this will have on the entire ecosystem and will only hope that the situation is contained soonest.

Thank you your Excellency and happy Independence Day ✨

[Fonds international de développement agricole @leFIDA]

La Vice-Présidente du FIDA @g_mukeshimana rappelle que l'avenir est en Afrique et que la transformation rurale est en marche.

Le FIDA investit près de 60% de son portefeuille sur le continent pour la rendre irréversible.

#FinancerlePremierKilomètre #FIDA14 | @TheAGRF

[Petrider Paul @petriderpaul]

📍 Kigali, #Rwanda 🇷🇼

Honored to serve as moderator of the High-Level Plenary at the Africa Food Systems Forum 2026 ( @TheAGRF ) , under the theme “Investing in Africa’s Agri-Food Systems: Nourishing Nations, Growing Jobs, Building Resilience.”

At the Breakthrough Event: “Fermentation to Scale,” the message was clear: strategic investment in innovation and partnerships can move fermentation from evidence to scale advancing nutrition, strengthening climate resilience, transforming food systems and creating economic opportunities across Africa.

I am grateful to their Excellencies and our distinguished speakers for bringing forward evidence, leadership and solutions that are ready to scale:

▪️ H.E. Telesphore Ndabamenye, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Republic of Rwanda
▪️ H.E. Senator Abubakar Kyari, CON, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Federal Republic of Nigeria
▪️ H.E. Demeke Mekonnen Hassen, Former Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia; Founder & Board Chairperson, YADAM Foundation
▪️ H.E. Aurélie Royet-Gounin, French Ambassador to Rwanda
▪️ Zouera Youssoufou, Managing Director & CEO, Aliko Dangote Foundation

#AFSForum2026 #FoodSystems #Nutrition #FoodSecurity

[Farm Radio Ghana @farmradiogh]

Smallholder farmers and Farmer Based Organizations (FBOs) are central to Africa’s food systems. What does it take to invest in them?
At @TheAGRF, @farmradio and Just Communication spoke with @IFAD President on investments supporting rural communities across Africa.
#agriculture

[AFS Forum @TheAGRF]

43% of the global agricultural workforce is made up of women, yet they face unequal access to land, resources, and leadership.

Today, on the International Day of Rural Women, AFSForum honors the millions of resilient women farmers, producers, and indigenous leaders who act as the backbone of our global food systems and the primary stewards of our land.

From conserving seeds to nourishing communities, their work sustains us all.

True agricultural progress is impossible without gender equity. Let’s invest in their rights, resource access, and future.

#InternationalDayOfRuralWomen

[AFS Forum @TheAGRF]

Africa is a continent of opportunity, and connections are key to turning that opportunity into shared progress.

At the session on Africa's Contribution to Global Food Security: Investment, Innovation and Scale, co-hosted by the UAE Food Cluster and AFSF, leaders explored how the right partners can connect Africa's agricultural strengths with capital, knowledge, technology and markets to strengthen food security across the continent and globally.

The scale of opportunity is clear. According to the AfDB, Africa's food and agribusiness sector is projected to reach USD 1 trillion by 2030, while by 2050, one in four people on earth will be African. Its land resources, youthful population and the integrated market being built through the AfCFTA offer a strong foundation for mutually beneficial partnerships.

Egypt's Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation called for joint investment built on comparative advantages, supported by bilateral cooperation and coordinated action between governments and the private sector.

Richard Kwaku Ofori-Mante, Director of Agricultural Finance and Rural Development at the African Development Bank, highlighted how partnerships can help de-risk investment through blended finance, guarantees, value chain financing and the Agri-Food SME Catalytic Financing Mechanism (ACFM).

Hon. Bryan Smart Kanu, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security of Sierra Leone, shared how Feed Salone is delivering results in rice and cassava, guided by the principle: "Sovereignty first, value kept at home, export success."

As AFS Forum Managing Directo @amath_sene put it: "The potential is there. What is remaining is what it takes for the continent to play its part."

The next step is to turn these connections into a shared roadmap for action. Through triangular cooperation and practical solutions that can scale, these partnerships can create value for farmers, businesses and communities, and advance both African and global food security.

[AFS Forum @TheAGRF]

Why the UAE? Why Abu Dhabi? Because the future of Africa's food systems will be shaped by the connections we build beyond the continent.

At the Global Food Security Summit 2026, the AFS Forum is hosting the UAE–Africa Pavilion in collaboration with the UAE Food Cluster. The pavilion serves as a gateway between the UAE and Africa, connecting African enterprises with the investors, partners and markets that can help them grow.

Jessie Lafourcarde Morena, Lead, Communications and Advocacy at the Africa Food Systems Forum, shares why Abu Dhabi matters for Africa's food systems and what the pavilion offers those looking to invest, trade and collaborate.

If you're at the Summit, visit us at the UAE–Africa Pavilion. Come discuss, connect and explore the opportunities linking Africa and the UAE.

#GFSS2026 #AfricaUAE #NourishingNations #GrowingJobs #BuildingResilience