Heads of State and other government officials, scientists, farmers and representatives of the private sector and civil society, are convening for the 11th edition of the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) Summit to engage on how to create a sustainable and resilient food system in Africa. The Alliance of a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) is one of the partners in this event hosted by the Government of Kenya from September 7, according to a statement from AGRA. According to the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) published by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on July 2, 2021, 282 million people went hungry in Africa in 2020, or over 23 percent of the continent’s population. This represents a 12 percent increase compared to or more than 250 million or 19.1 percent of the continent’s population which was undernourished in 2019. And the Covid-19 pandemic effects could exacerbate the hunger situation on the continent and globally, according to the report. Held under the theme “Pathways to Recovery and Resilient Food Systems”, this year’s AGRF Summit will open up a robust conversation with various African leaders on ways to accelerate the process of building and developing Africa’s food systems. Over 10,000 delegates from around the world are expected to attend the event. According to AGRA President, Agnes Kalibata, there is need to urgently address challenges hindering sustainable food systems such as poverty and hunger, adverse impacts of climate change and health issues. “This is an opportunity for the continent to collaboratively define what needs to happen in order to get our food systems right. We need to focus on boosting our productivity and innovatively fixing our food system in its entirety to deliver food and nutrition security for all,” Kalibata said. The AGRF 2021 Summit is critical for the future of Africa’s agriculture, according to the organisers. It is a defining moment to highlight and unlock many of the political, policy, and financial commitments and innovations the continent has achieved and needed to advance the commitments made at the Malabo Heads of State Summit and towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Mobilising funding for agriculture projects This years’ event also features a Virtual 2021 Agribusiness Deal Room, a matchmaking platform that aims to drive new business deals and commitments. Through the Deal Room, companies in the agriculture and agribusiness sectors have an opportunity to access finance, mentorship, and market entry solutions to support their growth objectives. It also creates opportunities for governments to present investment opportunities, promote investment incentives and engage with interested investors. Participants will also explore trade deals and partnership opportunities that enhance sourcing from African smallholder farmers. Among other outcomes, the Summit seeks to get $5 billion of public and private investments facilitated for matchmaking in agriculture deals. Other highlights of the AGRF 2021 Summit include: Farmers’ Forum, the announcement of the Africa Food Prize 2021 and release of this year’s Africa Agriculture Status Report. Africa remains a net food importer, meaning that its food import bill is higher than its food export revenues. The African Development Bank (AfDB) estimated that in 2017, Africa spent $64.5 billion on importing foods, and that food import bill was projected to increase to over $110 billion by 2025, if the status quo remains. This, according to the Bank, is unsustainable, irresponsible, and unaffordable. Africa’s exports of food and agricultural products are worth between $35 billion and $40 billion a year, and some $8 billion a year flows through intra-regional trade in these products, according to McKinsey & Company – a US-based management consulting firm.
