Programming
Summit Sessions & Calls to Action
Centre of Technical Excellence for AFSF Annual Summits. Each platform defines priority topics and actionable Calls-To-Action mapped to the Annual Summit Theme.
Process Cycle — Supporting AFSF 2026 Summit
How platforms build towards the annual summit
1
February 2026
Platform members share the gaps, opportunities & trends in their current ongoing workplans / commitments related to the AFSF 2026 theme.
2
March 2026
From gaps and opportunities, members formulate topics for AFSF 2026 Summit: (1) Thematic Plenary Session, (2) Thematic Side Event Session.
3
April 2026
Members convert topics into a Call-To-Action which also serves as the description brief for their Webinar, and finalise their Webinar date.
4
Apr – Sep 2026
Platform members: (1) execute their Webinars, (2) create Session Briefs for their Thematic Plenary Session and Thematic Side Event.
Year:
Cluster A — Inclusiveness, Finance & Policy
Youth in Food Systems
Co-chairs: YARA · AGRA
2025 Sessions
Youth Dome – 4-Day back-to-back Programme
Youth Presidential TownHall & Winners Awards
Re-Imagine the Future of Leadership and Catalysts for Food Systems Transformation
Day 2 · Sept 2, 08:30–10:00
Unlocking Finance – Scaling Inclusive Finance for Youth-led Agribusinesses
Day 3 · Sept 3, 18:00–19:30
Youth Employment | Entrepreneurship | Youth-Led African Local Food Systems | Food Systems Supply Chain and Trade | Governance & Leadership
2025 Call to Action
The Forum affirmed that youth are not the 'next generation' but the generation already transforming Africa's food systems. Governments, private sector, and partners must move beyond rhetoric to embrace youth-led solutions, create real pathways to decent work, and ensure youth representation in decision-making.
Women in Food Systems
Co-chairs: IDRC · AGRA
2025 Sessions
Empower Women in Agri-Food Systems
Day 2, 12:30–14:00
Empower Women in Agri-Food Systems | Advancing Nutrition & Health
Sept 2, 11:00–12:30
Women, Work and Wealth: Driving Inclusive Systems
Day 3 · Sept 3, 08:30–10:00
Empowering Young Women in Agri Food Systems: The Entrepreneurship Pathway
Day 4 · Sept 4, 08:30–10:00
2025 Call to Action
The Forum recognized that placing women at the center of food systems is vital for gender equality, food security, and rural growth. Participants called for dismantling structural inequalities, ensuring equitable access to resources, and adopting gender-transformative approaches.
Deals Dev. & Financing
Co-chairs: IFAD
2025 Sessions
Investment Room – discussions on unlocking finance to SMEs and countries
Investment Room SMEs matchmaking with investors
Investment Room Legacy programs presentations to investors
Public sector financing in 15 countries (based on AGRA report)
Sept 2, 08:30–10:00
De-risking investments through agri-risk management
Sept 4, 08:30–10:00
Derisking Investment · Financing Nutrition
Policy & State Capability
Co-chairs: AGRA
2025 Sessions
Agri-food Systems Leadership & Governance – Institutional capacity, delivery, and accountability
Day 3, 12:00–13:30
Presidential Summit – Delivering the African Food Systems Promise
Day 1, 11:30–13:00
Governance of Food Systems: Priority Actions and Investments to Implement CAADP
Day 3, 10:30–12:00
Ministerial Roundtable (CAADP)
Day 3, 12:00–14:00
Roundtable Parliamentarians' Forum
Day 2, 16:30–18:00
Farmers Forum
Day 4, 14:30–16:00
2025 Call to Action
Strong institutional capability was reaffirmed as central to delivering CAADP and Kampala Declaration commitments. Investments in leadership, capacity, and accountability frameworks were recognized as critical to accelerate results.
Cluster B — Agri-Food Systems
Sustainable Production
Co-chairs: YARA · IKEA Foundation · SNV
2025 Sessions
Regenerating Africa: How Young Agripreneurs are Leading Food Systems Transformation through Agroecology
Day 3, 12:00–13:30
Healthy & Productive Ecosystems – Africa Fertilizer & Soil Health Initiative
Day 4, 12:30–14:00
Empowering Smallholder Farmers: Seeds, Bio-Solutions & Mechanization
Day 2 · Sept 2, 08:30–10:00
From Margins to Mainstream: Recognizing the role of pastoralism in food systems transformation
Day 3 · Sept 3, 18:00–19:30
Soil Health Technical Dialogue
Sept 1, 15:30–18:30
2025 Call to Action
The Forum called for bold, coordinated action to build resilient, regenerative, and equitable food systems. Governments, partners, and the private sector must advance enabling policies, scale agroecological innovations, and mobilize finance. Continue to advocate for implementation of the Africa Fertilizer & Soil Health Nairobi Declaration, with AUC on the lead.
Regional Trade & Markets
Co-chairs: FCDO · AGRA
2025 Sessions
Building Inclusive Food Systems Transformation through innovative Food Baskets and Food Corridors
Sept 3, 16:30–18:00
Food Systems Trade & Markets – Connecting Food Corridors and Food Supply Chains
Sept 3, 14:00–16:00
The AfCFTA Agri-Trade Action Plan: Unlocking Inclusive Agri-Food Trade
Sept 2, 08:30–10:00
RFBS Production Monitoring: Yield Estimation & Country Implementation
Sept 4, 08:30–10:00
2025 Call to Action
The Forum emphasized a trade-led transformation of Africa's food systems through regional food baskets, corridors, and AfCFTA-aligned policies. Strategic investments in infrastructure, harmonized standards, and streamlined customs were highlighted as priorities to strengthen value chains and boost competitiveness.
Cluster C — Cross-cutting
Climate Resilience
Co-chairs: AGRA · SNV
2025 Sessions
Empowering African Youth, Women, and Farmers for Climate Action
Day 4 · Sept 4, 14:30–16:00
Biodiversity, Climate and Land – Making the Conventions work for Africa
Day 4 · Sept 4, 10:30–12:00
Future-Proofing West African Food Systems: Empowering Youth, Fostering Innovation in CSA & CIS
Sept 2, 18:00–19:30
Powering Agriculture – Accelerating Action for Decentralized Renewable Energy in Food Systems
Sept 4, 08:30–10:00
Behavioral Risk Analysis & Management for Small African Agribusinesses
Day 3 · Sept 3, 15:30–17:30
Investment & Financing for Resilient Food Systems
Day 4 · Sept 4, 10:30–12:30
2025 Call to Action
Speakers emphasized elevating adaptation to equal footing with mitigation ahead of COP30. Priorities include integrating adaptation into national plans, investing in resilient farming, infrastructure, and nature-based solutions, and tripling adaptation finance. Building local capacity, creating green jobs, and strengthening inclusive partnerships were seen as essential to protect the most vulnerable.
Nutrition & Health
Co-chairs: SNV · AGRA
2025 Sessions
Food Systems & Nutrition
Sept 2, 16:30–18:00
Empower Women in Agri-Food Systems, Advancing Nutrition & Health
Sept 2, 11:00–12:30
Feeding Futures: How School Meals Drive Nutrition, Markets, and Equity
Day 2 · Sept 2, 08:30–10:00
Financing Nutrition for Impact: Scaling Investment through Private Sector Innovation
Day 3 · Sept 3, 18:00–19:30
2025 Call to Action
The Forum underscored the urgency of scaling inclusive, nutrition-sensitive food systems that ensure safe, affordable, and healthy diets. Safeguarding Africa's heritage of nutrient-rich, climate-resilient crops was identified as a priority. Leaders and experts used the Forum to shape a nutrition agenda that saves lives and improves health outcomes.
Digitalization
Co-chairs: AGRA
2025 Sessions
Business Models for Digital Agri-Food Transformation
Sept 3, 16:30–18:00
Digitalization & AI 4 Next Gen
Sept 2, 14:30–16:00
AI-Driven Agricultural Advisory Services
Sept 2, 18:00–19:30
Wired for Impact: Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Engine for Agri Food Systems Transformation
Sept 3, 08:30–10:00
2025 Call to Action
The Forum highlighted the transformative potential of digital technologies, including AI, to accelerate change. Participants called for integrated, collaborative digital ecosystems that are inclusive, interoperable, and deliver tangible value to farmers and consumers.