Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF)
Welthungerhilfe (WHH) joins governments, businesses, farmers, researchers and civil society at the 2026 AFSF
The Africa Food Systems Forum is one of the continent’s most influential annual gatherings on agriculture and food systems.
Under the theme "Investing in Africa's Agri-Food Systems: Nourishing Nations, Growing Jobs, Building Resilience", the 20th edition of the Forum brings together governments, businesses, farmers, researchers, civil society and development organizations in Kigali, Rwanda, to shape the future of Africa's food systems.
WHH at the AFSF
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.
Financing Africa’s Agrifood Future: From Fragile Engagement to Inclusive Impact
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: Policy to Plate
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
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
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
Session 1: 1 September, 11:30-14:30
Session 2: 1 September 15:30-18:30
Session 3: 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
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.
Financing Home-Grown School Feeding
3 September, 08:00-09:30
The debate will focus on making investments in school feeding more effective in achieving positive nutrition outcomes.
Nutrition & Health Plenary: Charting Consumer Demand Trends & Our Food Environments
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.