Agriculture minister urges more investment as Africa Food Systems Forum is launched
A senior Rwandan official Thursday called on African governments to invest in food systems as their sovereign responsibility, and undertake bold, coordinated action in order to drive the continent’s food security, job creation, as well as climate resilience.
The Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources Telesphore Ndabamenye made the remarks during the launch of the Africa Food Systems (AFS) Forum 2026, in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.
“Investment in food systems is not optional; it is a sovereign responsibility as Africa is not short of capital. What has been missing is the will and the right frameworks to channel that capital into transformative food systems investments,” he said.
Ndabamenye called on African leaders and partners to move from dialogue to delivery-mobilizing domestic capital, empowering youth and women.
He underlined that unlocking Africa’s capital for food systems transformation will depend on stronger frameworks and sustained political will.
The AFS forum is co-organized by AGRA, an Africa-based institution focused on transforming agriculture and the Rwandan Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources.
Thursday’s event was a precursor of this year’s AFS forum, scheduled for Sep.1 -5 in Kigali, under the theme: “Investing in Africa’s Agri-Food Systems: Nourishing Nations, Growing Jobs, Building Resilience.”
The 2026 edition also commemorates the 20th anniversary of the forum and is expected to convene over 4,500 stakeholders from across the global agri-food systems community, according to organizers.
The head of AGRA Alice Ruhweza, mentioned that farming must move from subsistence to viable businesses.
“Productivity must increase but not at the expense of soil health and environmental sustainability,” she said, adding that governments and the private sector must operate as co-drivers of transformation. Enditem
