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21.01.2025 | Blog

Exploring the Global Bioeconomy Summit 2024

Innovations for food security, climate resilience, and inclusive growth in Africa

Welthungerhilfe representatives took part in the Global Bioeconomy Summit in October 2024 in Nairobi © Wetlhungerhilfe
Susan Mwangi Country Office Kenya

In early October 2024, the Global Bioeconomy Summit brought together industry leaders, policymakers, innovators, and civil society at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, with one overarching goal: advancing sustainable, inclusive food systems. Welthungerhilfe (WHH) was honored to join this forum as it aligns closely with our mission to foster sustainable solutions for hunger and poverty. The summit emphasized innovative approaches to bioeconomy, highlighting why our focus on food security, compostable products, and sustainable agricultural inputs is vital for a healthy, thriving world.

Sustainable bioeconomy solutions are critical for decarbonizing economies, building resilient food systems, and creating opportunities for youth engagement. Through innovation and collaboration, we can drive the change the world urgently needs.

Amb. Ertharin Cousin CEO of Food Systems for the Future

Bioeconomy is a pathway to provide access to food while preserving the environment

Participating in the Global Bioeconomy Summit underscores the link between our goals and those of global bioeconomy leaders. As WHH CEO Mathias Mogge emphasized, creating a world where everyone has access to healthy, nutritious food is foundational. Bioeconomy isn't just a concept but a pathway to provide equitable access to food while preserving the environment. This summit united stakeholders to discuss innovations in agriculture, energy, and sustainable development – all crucial in reducing hunger and supporting resilient economies.

A farmer in Uganda, harvesting pineapples.
Pineapple harvest in Luweero, Uganda. Ali Sonko uses the WHH-supported AgriShare app to find workers for his pineapple farm. In the future, he also wants to use AgriShare to rent irrigation pumps. © Welthungerhilfe

Key Takeaways: Innovation, Collaboration, and Inclusive Solutions

What will resonate beyond this summit is a strengthened commitment to innovation as a tool for progress. Here are some standout lessons and insights:

  1. Innovation as a Catalyst: The summit reinforced that addressing food insecurity and environmental sustainability is possible when innovation is prioritized. Dr. Lengerich’s endorsement of WHH's innovation labs and his call for actionable ideas reaffirm that solution-driven innovations are the future.
  2. Unity in Diversity: From North to South Africa, the challenges of food security are shared, yet every region brings unique experiences and solutions. This unity in diversity underlines the importance of platforms like the summit that allow for cross-pollination of ideas across continents.
  3. Empowering Smallholder Farmers: Summit discussions underscored the necessity of educating and supporting farmers, who form the backbone of food security. This involves bridging market access gaps, promoting digital tools for e-commerce, and encouraging AI-driven solutions to streamline food distribution.

As we rethink plant nutrition, it’s essential to redesign the entire food system to align with nature’s cycles, building a more sustainable, efficient, and resilient future.

Vikash Abraham Chief Strategy Officer, Naandi Foundation

During interactive sessions, participants divided into groups to dissect specific challenges facing Africa’s bioeconomy. Each group brought forward actionable solutions across farming, processing, nutrition, and clean energy.

A farmer works in his field in Uganda.
A farmer works in his field in Uganda. © Welthungerhilfe

Concluding Reflections

The 2024 Global Bioeconomy Summit left us with not only actionable insights but a renewed commitment to fostering partnerships that catalyze sustainable food systems. Through initiatives like WHH’s Innolab, we are more motivated than ever to support innovative solutions that contribute to food security, community empowerment, and climate resilience.

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