Africa Food Systems Forum 2026 Kicks Off in Kigali, Rwanda
The Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS Forum) 2026 opens today, August 31, at the Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda, kicking off a four-day summit that runs through September 4. This year's theme — "Investing in Africa's Agri-Food Systems: Nourishing Nations, Growing Jobs, Building Resilience" — sets the agenda for what organizers describe as the world's premier forum for African agriculture and food systems.
The Scale of the Challenge
The forum arrives at a critical moment. According to the UN's 2026 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report, hunger affected 7.8% of the global population in 2025, with 645 million people affected worldwide. Africa remains the epicenter, with more than half the continent facing moderate or severe food insecurity and nearly two-thirds unable to afford a healthy diet. While the SOFI report noted the first signs of improvement in Africa since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, progress remains fragile and unevenly distributed.
What the Forum Covers
The AFS Forum brings together heads of state, ministers, policymakers, researchers, development partners, civil society organizations, and private sector actors to:
- Share practical lessons and evidence on what works in food systems transformation
- Mobilize investment through the forum's Dealroom platform connecting investors with opportunities
- Advance policy dialogue on climate resilience, digital agriculture, nutrition, and youth employment
- Launch new initiatives and partnerships that accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals
The forum's priorities are organized around three delivery pillars and focus areas including climate resilience, digital innovation in agriculture, nutrition outcomes, and creating decent jobs for Africa's growing youth population.
From Kampala to Kigali
This year's summit builds on commitments made at the previous forum in Kampala, Uganda. Organizers have framed the 2026 edition as a transition from "Kampala commitments to Kigali delivery" — emphasizing accountability and measurable progress on promises made by governments and partners.
Why It Matters
Africa's food systems are at a crossroads. The continent faces the converging pressures of population growth, climate change, post-pandemic supply chain disruptions, and rising input costs. Yet it also holds enormous potential — with 60% of the world's uncultivated arable land and a young, dynamic workforce.
The AFS Forum represents one of the most significant convening platforms for translating ambition into action. How effectively the continent's food systems can adapt and transform will determine whether Africa meets the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and builds the resilience needed for decades to come.
The summit includes a pre-summit day on August 31, followed by the main program from September 1–4, 2026.
Source: Africa Food Systems Forum 2026. |
FIRAT Editorial
Research Contributor · Foresight Institute of Research and Translation
FIRAT Editorial contributes to FIRAT's mission of generating evidence-based research and translating scientific breakthroughs into sustainable African development.
