AGRA Champions African-Led, Youth-Driven Solutions to Transform Food Systems at UNFSS+4
As the United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS+4) convenes in Addis Ababa, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) is asserting its pivotal role as a catalyst for Africa-led, locally grounded, and youth-driven transformation of food systems across the continent. With an urgent call to action, AGRA is urging global institutions and investors to prioritize country-owned strategies and unlock innovative financing that places smallholder farmers the backbone of African agriculture at the center of sustainable development.
AGRA’s Board Chair and former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, H.E. Hailemariam Dessalegn, underscored the importance of community ownership and national leadership in achieving real change. “Only when interventions are owned by communities and tailored to national contexts can they deliver lasting impact,” he emphasized. “Transformation must be country-led and youth-driven.” He highlighted AGRA’s work alongside 11 African governments to embed food systems pathways into national development plans, spark governance reforms, and strengthen resilience in response to commitments made during the first UNFSS.
Throughout the summit, AGRA is actively shaping high-level dialogues focused on mobilizing capital, advancing inclusive value chains, and building food systems that are functional, resilient, and equitable — especially for women and young people. AGRA President Alice Ruhweza emphasized the urgent need for financial innovation, pointing to the barriers that young agri-entrepreneurs face due to limited access to affordable financing. “Africa’s youth are brimming with innovative ideas, but they remain constrained by risk-averse systems. We must match their ambition with the right tools and resources.”
Demonstrating leadership in innovation, AGRA launched the African Digital Crop Variety Catalogue, a first-of-its-kind digital platform developed by its Centre of Excellence for Seed Systems in Africa (CESSA). The tool provides real-time access to registered crop varieties across AGRA’s focus countries — enhancing transparency, improving farmer choice, and informing seed policy.
In addition, AGRA is supporting over 30 African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to pitch youth-led, scalable innovations aligned with national policy priorities. These sessions also include high-level reflections on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), reinforcing AGRA’s commitment to long-term, systemic change.
Strategic partner PepsiCo echoed AGRA’s vision, pointing to their shared investments in strengthening local crop value chains in Ethiopia, Egypt, and South Africa. “We must think bigger, act faster, and invest in collaborative models that put farmers at the center of food systems transformation,” said C.D. Glin, President of the PepsiCo Foundation.
AGRA’s leadership at UNFSS+4 reinforces its commitment to transforming food systems that are built by Africans, for Africans — where smallholder farmers are empowered, youth are engaged, and no one is left behind.
