• African Food Systems Forum opens in Dakar, focuses on youth
• Leaders highlight youth's role in transforming agriculture sector
• Event draws 6,000+ participants, spotlights new CAADP roadmap

The 2025 African Food Systems Forum (AFSF) has opened in Dakar, Senegal, with a focus on empowering youth to transform the continent’s agriculture sector.

The event, hosted by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), was officially launched by Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. He was joined by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, former Ethiopian Prime Minister Haile Mariam Dessalegn, and Senegal’s Minister of Agriculture, Mabouba Diagne.

Dubbed "Africa’s Youth Leading Collaboration, Innovation, and Implementation of Agri-Food Systems Transformation," this year’s theme highlights the critical role of the continent's large and rapidly growing young population. As Africa faces increasing food and nutritional demands, engaging youth in agriculture is seen as essential for boosting food sovereignty and reducing reliance on imports.

The forum, considered the continent’s premier agricultural conference, is expected to attract nearly 6,000 participants through September 5. Sessions will cover a range of topics, including access to land, financing, innovation, and new technologies. The summit will also provide a key platform for policymakers, private sector leaders, and development partners to discuss the new Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), a 2026-2035 roadmap recently launched by the African Union.

Espoir Olodo