AFS 2024 highlights innovative solutions and urgent collaboration needed to address Africa’s food crisis, challenging us to act decisively.
What if redesigning Africa's food systems could eliminate hunger across the continent? The Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS) 2024 aimed to do just that. Held from September 2-6 at the Kigali Convention Center in Rwanda, this year's event focused on innovation, acceleration, and scaling solutions to transform food systems in the digital and climate era.
The forum brought together 5,000 attendees from 97 countries, including 381 CEOs and 37 ministers. This diverse group represents a powerful coalition of decision-makers and innovators poised to shape Africa's agricultural future. Youth involvement is particularly notable, with 882 young participants bringing fresh perspectives. Their energy and ideas are crucial for driving economic growth and ensuring food security across the continent.
The presence of seven former heads of state and prime ministers, along with current leaders like Rwanda's President Paul Kagame, signaled the importance of the Forum's agenda at the highest levels of government and policy-making, highlighting the event's political significance and lending additional weight to the proceedings. These figures bring their experience and influence to discussions on agricultural transformation and food system resilience.
With 149 journalists in attendance, the forum's impact extends far beyond the convention center walls. Their coverage will amplify key messages and innovations to a global audience, potentially catalyzing further investment and collaboration in African agriculture.
