Rwanda to host Africa Food Systems Annual Summit
The Africa Food Systems Annual Summit 2024 begins in Kigali, Rwanda today.
In recent years global crises have directly impacted on the continent’s food security and agricultural sector. With only six years remaining before 2030, when the Sustainable Development Goals are due to be met, the sector faces many challenges.
Africa has struggled to feed itself for some time, and progress has been slow. Since the Malabo Declaration was signed in 2014, governments must allocate 10% of public expenditure to agriculture. However, few hit that target. Moreover, private sector investment has yet to take off in many countries.
Not only will the issues of food security and nutrition dominate the summit, but also the question of job creation, which is fundamental given Africa’s rapidly growing population –440 million young people will enter Africa’s labour market by 2030.
Expect the summit to focus on productivity growth primarily for smallholder farmers, who produce 80% of the continent’s agricultural products. By bringing together stakeholders to and share learnings on how to move African food systems forward, it is hoped more investment will follow. However, without sustained government support, progress is unlikely to reach required levels in the short term.
