The Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) 2025 opened in Dakar with a resounding call for bold action, inclusive innovation, and systemic transformation to reshape Africa’s agricultural future. Amid both progress and persistent challenges, leaders from across the continent gathered to launch the Africa Food Systems Report (AFSR) 2025, unveil new catalytic partnerships, and chart a course for resilient, equitable food systems capable of nourishing 1.4 billion people.

Unified Calls for Systemic Change and Action Dominate Africa Food Systems Forum 2025

Unveiled by AGRA, the AFSR 2025—formerly the Africa Agriculture Status Report—highlights Africa’s paradox: while agricultural output has grown faster here than anywhere else globally (4.3% annually since 2000), hunger and malnutrition remain alarmingly high, with 1 in 3 children stunted and over 300 million undernourished in 2023 alone.

“Africa cannot afford piecemeal progress,” said Alice Ruhweza, President of AGRA. “We must seize this moment to scale inclusive innovations, attract investment, and put farmers, youth, and small businesses at the center of our food systems.”

Key Insights from the Africa Food Systems Report 2025

Under the theme “Drivers of Change and Innovation in Africa’s Food Systems,” the report outlines the critical levers for transformation:

  • Governance is Fundamental: Countries with coherent, accountable governance show stronger nutrition and food security outcomes. Fragile states face food insecurity rates above 80%.
  • Climate & Demographic Pressures: Rapid population growth, urbanization, and climate shocks are reshaping food supply and demand. The report urges urgent adoption of climate-smart and regenerative agriculture.
  • Infrastructure as the Weak Link: Up to 30% of food is lost post-harvest due to poor roads, storage, and cold chains. Closing the infrastructure gap could increase farmer incomes by up to 40%.
  • Finance is the Missing Piece: Less than 5% of commercial lending reaches agriculture. The report calls for scaled-up blended finance, digital credit, and insurance to unlock resilience and productivity.
  • Yield Gaps Remain: African cereal yields (1.7 tons/ha) lag global averages (4.2 tons/ha), with troubling trends in farming expansion at the expense of soil health.

“Africa cannot feed its future with the tools of the past,” said Dr. John Ulimwengu, lead author of the AFSR 2025. “This year’s report is a roadmap for transformation — grounded in African leadership, innovation, and systems thinking.”

AGRA Responds with Bold Initiatives and Strategic Partnerships

AGRA announced a sweeping set of initiatives aligned with the report’s findings, aimed at catalyzing inclusive growth, unlocking private capital, and elevating youth and SMEs.

  1. Investing in Africa’s “Hidden Middle”

In partnership with the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF), AGRA launched Africa100, a catalytic initiative targeting 100 anchor SMEs in 12 countries—firms that connect smallholder farmers to markets, create rural jobs, and drive resilience.

  1. National “Investible Flagships”

AGRA is working with the governments of Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania to build country-specific pipelines of bankable projects aimed at advancing food security, climate resilience, and youth employment.

  1. Transforming Poultry for Nutrition and Jobs

To address the protein gap and rural livelihoods:

  • A Poultry Feed Innovation Grand Challenge (with AECF and SACAU) will drive down feed costs across Southern Africa.
  • The first-ever Poultry Futures Forum is scheduled for Zambia in November 2025.
  1. Youth and Storytelling at the Center
  • A new partnership with Global Citizen will amplify youth voices transforming food systems.
  • An Africa Media Fellowship, co-created with Farm Radio, will nurture Africa’s next generation of agricultural storytellers.
  • Farm Radio’s network of 1,300+ stations will disseminate key messages directly to farmers across seven markets.
  1. Nutrition-Linked Markets through School Meals

In collaboration with African First Ladies and the Rockefeller Foundation, AGRA announced a new School Meals Coalition that links local farmers with school feeding programs—ensuring nutritious meals while creating reliable markets.

A Continent at a Crossroads

Both the AFSR and AGRA’s announcements reflect a growing consensus: Africa’s food systems transformation is no longer optional—it is urgent and existential. With the population expected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, the cost of inaction will be measured not just in hunger, but in lost jobs, political instability, and stunted economic potential.

“Our message is clear,” said Ruhweza. “Africa’s food future is not about producing more, but producing better—through smarter finance, stronger governance, and empowered communities.”

Key Statistics

  • 4.3%: Africa’s annual agricultural output growth since 2000 (highest globally)
  • 1 in 3: African children under five still stunted
  • 300M+: Africans undernourished in 2023
  • $100B+: Africa’s annual food import bill
  • <5%: Share of commercial lending directed to agriculture
  • 30%: Food lost post-harvest due to infrastructure gaps

https://farmerstrend.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/GzxV37iW8AAbkns-1024x768.jpeghttps://farmerstrend.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/GzxV37iW8AAbkns-150x150.jpegFarmersTrend# TrendingThe Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) 2025 opened in Dakar with a resounding call for bold action, inclusive innovation, and systemic transformation to reshape Africa’s agricultural future. Amid both progress and persistent challenges, leaders from across the continent gathered to launch the Africa Food Systems Report (AFSR) 2025, unveil...New Generation Culture in Agriculture