Investment emerged as the central theme at the 2026 Africa Food Systems Forum, as more than 5,000 stakeholders from over 50 countries gathered in Kigali to discuss how Africa can transform its agricultural and food systems into engines of economic growth, employment and resilience.
The 20th edition of the Africa Food Systems Forum was held in Kigali from August 31 to September 4 under the theme “Investing in Africa’s Agri-Food Systems: Nourishing Nations, Growing Jobs, Building Resilience.”
The forum brought together government leaders, farmers, investors, researchers, development partners, private-sector representatives, women and young people to explore practical solutions for some of the continent's most pressing food and agricultural challenges.
At the center of discussions was a growing recognition that Africa's agricultural potential alone will not be enough to transform the continent's food systems. Participants focused instead on the need to convert policies, innovations and agricultural potential into credible, investable projects capable of attracting both public and private capital.
Speaking during the opening of the forum, Rwanda's Prime Minister Dr Justin Nsengiyumva said Africa must move beyond ambition and translate commitments into practical and investable plans. Rwanda's Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources said the discussions highlighted both Africa's significant agricultural potential and the urgent need to address persistent food insecurity and other challenges facing the sector.
Finance takes centre stage
The 2026 forum placed particular emphasis on unlocking financing for Africa's agri-food systems, including through blended finance, development banks and private-sector investment.
The program was structured around five major investment priorities: investment and finance, food security and nutrition, climate resilience, youth and digital innovation, and trade and agricultural value chains. Organisers said the approach reflects the interconnected nature of Africa's food systems, where investment in one area can influence employment, nutrition, markets and climate resilience across the wider economy.
Several sessions focused specifically on improving access to capital and helping governments and businesses develop stronger investment plans. Discussions also explored innovative financing tools designed to identify funding gaps and direct investment towards areas with the greatest potential for impact.
The forum's Deal Room also positioned investment as a key priority, providing businesses and projects in the agri-food sector with opportunities to connect with investors, raise capital and develop strategic partnerships.
From innovation to implementation
Beyond financing, the forum addressed a long-standing challenge facing African agriculture: ensuring that existing innovations and research reach farmers, businesses and communities at scale.
CGIAR, one of the organizations participating in the forum, said Africa does not lack agricultural ideas, innovations or scientific solutions. Instead, the challenge is connecting those solutions with the policies, finance, institutions and markets required to reach millions of people.
“Africa does not lack ideas, ingenuity or proven agricultural innovations. The challenge is connecting them to the policies, finance, institutions and markets needed to reach millions of people.”
The organization said discussions in Kigali focused on strengthening the connection between science, national priorities, financing and long-term delivery systems.
Technology and digital innovation were also prominent, particularly in relation to young entrepreneurs and smallholder farmers. Sessions explored the role of artificial intelligence, digital agriculture and agri-tech startups in improving productivity and creating new employment opportunities across the food system.
Climate resilience and food security
Climate change remained another major concern throughout the forum, particularly as much of agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa remains dependent on rainfall.
The International Water Management Institute noted that climate pressures could significantly affect agricultural production, with changing weather patterns posing growing risks to food security, livelihoods and economic growth. Investment in water infrastructure, irrigation and climate-resilient farming systems was therefore highlighted as essential to building stronger food systems.
Food security and nutrition were also closely linked to the investment agenda. Discussions examined how improving smallholder productivity, strengthening food value chains and expanding access to nutritious food could contribute to healthier populations while simultaneously creating economic opportunities.
Women and young people were repeatedly identified as central to the future of the sector, with dedicated sessions examining youth employment, women-focused investment and more inclusive participation in agricultural value chains.
A shift towards action
As the Africa Food Systems Forum marked its 20th edition, the message emerging from Kigali was increasingly focused on implementation.
The forum comes as African countries begin implementing the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program Strategy and Action Plan for 2026–2035, while continuing to face climate shocks, economic pressures, conflict and changing development-finance conditions.
For many participants, the question is no longer whether Africa has the potential to transform its food systems. The focus has shifted towards identifying which projects can attract investment, how governments can create stronger enabling environments and how successful innovations can be expanded beyond pilot programs.
The Africa Food Systems Forum has positioned investment as the bridge between Africa's agricultural potential and measurable transformation. Whether that capital ultimately reaches farms, startups, processing businesses and local communities at the scale required, however, will determine whether the commitments made in Kigali translate into lasting change.
After two decades of conversations about transforming African agriculture, the continent is increasingly demanding something slightly more useful than another impressive conference: capital, implementation and results.
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