AFSF 2026 in Kigali: From Pledges to Progress
Today's food systems are failing hundreds of millions of people. Across much of the world, including across Africa, the cheapest food is often the least nutritious, while healthy diets remain out of reach for billions. That is not a production problem alone; it is also a market, investment and policy problem.
That is why, at the 2026 Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) in Kigali, Rwanda, Welthungerhilfe (WHH) is joining governments, businesses, farmers, researchers and civil society to advance a shared vision for food systems that nourish people, create jobs and strengthen resilience.
The Forum's theme, "Investing in Africa's Agri-Food Systems: Nourishing Nations, Growing Jobs, Building Resilience," comes at a pivotal moment. Despite significant agricultural potential and growing innovation across the continent, 309 million people still face hunger, while many cannot afford a healthy diet. At the same time, rising food prices, climate shocks and shrinking international development assistance are reshaping the way partnerships for food systems transformation are built.
About AFSF
The Africa Food Systems Forum is one of the continent’s most influential annual gatherings on agriculture and food systems. It brings together African heads of state and governments, farmers, businesses, investors, researchers, civil society and development organizations to shape policy, mobilize investment and forge partnerships. This year marks the 20th edition of the Forum, a critical point of inflection to chart the path for new investments and partnerships.
Too often, healthy food is the more expensive choice. WHH is working to change that by strengthening food systems that make nutritious food more abundant, affordable and appealing. This means investing strategically in the markets that connect farmers, entrepreneurs and consumers, creating decent jobs, lowering the cost of healthy diets, and building resilience in the face of climate change, conflict and economic shocks.
At this year's Forum, it is time to move from pledges to implementation. For WHH, this means not simply mobilizing more finances; it is about reshaping markets and investments so that nutritious food becomes the easy and affordable choice for everyone.
Progress will depend not only on ensuring there are indeed more resources, but on investing them where they can have the greatest impact: supporting local producers and entrepreneurs, making nutritious foods more affordable, strengthening regional markets and turning political commitments into measurable results. As a longstanding partner of AFSF, WHH is contributing to this conversation through high-level dialogues, side events and partnerships that bring together public, private and civil society actors.
From Pledges to Progress
The conversations at AFSF 2026 are centered on one question: How can investment translate into better food systems for everyone?
For WHH, the answer lies in three priorities that place people at the heart of food systems transformation:
- Invest where it matters most. Healthy food should not be a luxury. Better-targeted investment should reach local producers, entrepreneurs and consumers, making vegetables and other nutritious foods more affordable and accessible while strengthening local and regional food systems. Although vegetables account for around 20% of food markets, they receive just 2–10% of agricultural investment. Closing this gap is essential to making nutritious food available in every market and on every plate.
- Unlock opportunities for women and young people. Expanding access to finance, land, water, energy and markets enables women- and youth-led enterprises to drive innovation, create jobs and build more resilient rural economies.
- Turn commitments into action. Strong partnerships, accountability and locally led solutions are essential to translating political ambition into measurable progress for nutrition, climate resilience and economic development. Without action, vegetable prices could rise by up to 32% by 2050, making healthy diets even less affordable.
Throughout the Forum, WHH is bringing together policymakers, businesses, innovators and civil society to explore practical solutions that make food systems work for nutrition. We are co-shaping discussions on nutrition and health, co-hosting the Innovation Deal Room, and convening partners to connect policy with implementation.
Explore our program of side events, publications and expert discussions, and join us in Kigali as we work together to move from pledges to progress.
WHH Events: Meet us at AFSF 2026
Join us throughout the Forum for a series of high-level discussions on financing, nutrition, energy, water and climate solutions for food systems transformation.
Power the Plate: Energy for Nutrition
- 31 August, 10:30-11:30
In partnership with GOGLA, this session explores how stronger collaboration between the food and energy sectors can make vegetables more affordable and accessible. Featuring a keynote address by Máximo Torero, Chief Economist at FAO.
AgriBridge: Financing Africa's Food Future
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31 August, 12:00-13:00
The AgriBridge network, which is jointly facilitated by WHH and AKADEMIYA 2063, will host a session on smart, inclusive agrifood financing, highlighting innovative approaches such as blended finance and agrifood financing coalitions.
Nourishing Food Systems
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31 August, 13:30-14:30
Co-hosted with the African Union Commission (AUC) and AUDA-NEPAD, this discussion focuses on placing healthy diets at the center of food systems policies, investments and partnerships.
Water-to-Work: Financing Water Economies
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31 August, 16:30-17:30
In partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), this session explores how investments in water can unlock employment opportunities for young people while improving food security.
Solutions Lab: Unlocking Carbon Finance for Conservation Agriculture
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1 September, 11:00-13:00
Together with ICRAF, WHH discusses how conservation agriculture and carbon finance can be scaled to benefit smallholder farmers and strengthen climate resilience.
WHH Sustainable Food Systems Investment Deal Room
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1 September, 11:30-18:30 & 2 September, 10:00-13:00
As co-host of the Deal Room, WHH connects promising African SMEs with investors, policymakers, donors and strategic partners. WHH brings forward 31 SME partners working across agroecology, productive use of renewable energy and food value chains to secure finance and beyond-finance support for acceleration and scaling. The Deal Room is facilitated jointly with Shona and Innovation Circle.
Innovation Hub: Powering Agri-Food Systems Value Chains Amid a Global Energy Crisis
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1 September, 16:00-18:00
Organized by SNV and GOGLA, this session examines how African countries can strengthen energy access, affordability and resilience to accelerate agri-food system transformation, featuring expert inputs from WHH and partners from the Agri-Energy Coalition.
Nutrition & Health Plenary: Charting Consumer Demand Trends & Our Food Environments
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4 September, 13:30-15:30
This plenary explores how targeted policies and public and private investment can accelerate healthy diets, unleash market growth, and create jobs for women and youth. Featuring Bettina Iseli, Chief Programs Officer at WHH, as a panel speaker.
We look forward to meeting you in Kigali. Join our sessions, connect with our experts, and explore how partnerships and smarter investments can help transform Africa's food systems.