Africa holds over 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land and abundant water resources, yet in 2024, the continent spent more than US$115 billion importing food; hence, the Africa Food Systems Forum comes at a crucial moment. At the same time, it is home to the world’s youngest population, brimming with energy and ideas, but facing widespread unemployment.
This paradox framed the opening of the 2025 Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS Forum) in Dakar, Senegal, where leaders called for youth-led innovation to transform agriculture into an engine of prosperity.
The Africa Food Systems Forum, formerly the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF), is meeting under the theme “Africa’s Youth: Leading Collaboration, Innovation, and Implementation of Agri-Food Systems Transformation.”
More than 6,000 delegates from over 80 countries are expected to attend the gathering, hosted by Senegalese President H.E. Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Established in 2006 by Yara International and later championed by the late Kofi Annan, the forum rebranded in 2022 to reflect its broader focus on food systems transformation.
President Faye emphasized Senegal’s commitment to food systems innovation, aligned with the country’s Vision 2050, and highlighted youth and women as central to driving resilience and economic growth.
His sentiments were echoed by Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, who urged African nations to rely on homegrown solutions. “Try and fail, but don’t fail to try,” Kagame said.
The forum also highlighted Africa’s paradox of abundance and vulnerability. As pointed out by Mr. Claver Gatete, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the continent holds more than 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land and abundant water resources, yet it imported food worth up to US$115 billion in 2024.
Mr. Claver expressed full dissatisfaction with the fact that the continent is home to the youngest population in the world, with energy and ideas to drive transformation, yet too many of our youth remain unemployed.
“We have abundant sunlight and biodiversity, yet climate change threatens our fields and forests more than any other region, even though Africa contributes less than 4% of global emissions,” said Mr. Claver.
It is apparent the paradox that the continent finds itself in despite the extraordinary potential, as it’s still marred in persistent hunger and heavy dependence on external markets. AFS faces the food insecurity issue, envisioning a reality that food systems transformation is more than feeding people, but rather about dignity, sovereignty, and Africa’s rightful place in the global economy.
“Linking food systems with climate action through resilience, adaptation, and innovative finance must be central to our agenda. And working together, I am confident we can turn things around here in Dakar and make Africa a continent of solutions, where innovation, partnership, and leadership transform food systems into engines of prosperity,” added Mr. Claver.
The forum spotlighted practical approaches, including the Community Agricultural Cooperative (CAC), a youth-led, community-driven initiative designed to strengthen local agricultural ecosystems.
Senegal’s Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Livestock, Hon. Dr. Mabouba Diagne, emphasized the urgency of modernizing agriculture.
“African youth are not saying no to agriculture; they are saying they don’t want to do it like their grandfathers did. Youth together with technology are a powerful force that will leapfrog Africa’s food sovereignty,” he said.
Discussions throughout the forum centered on youth and women-led initiatives, digital innovation, policy reforms, and investment to enhance food security, reduce poverty, and promote sustainable agriculture. These priorities align with the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and the Malabo Declaration.
This year’s forum also marked the countdown to AGRA’s 20th anniversary, reflecting on two decades of efforts to strengthen Africa’s agriculture.
AGRA President Alice Ruhweza stressed the importance of empowering young people and women not merely as beneficiaries but as drivers of agribusiness and innovation.
“Africa’s greatest asset is the vigour, energy, ambition, and innovation of its young entrepreneurs and farmers, combined with the wisdom of older generations. Let us equip them with the skills, capital, and opportunities they need to lead,” she said.
