As social entrepreneurs, philanthropic leaders, impact investors, and policy influencers convene at the Skoll World Forum, an annual platform dedicated to advancing systems-level solutions and scaling impact, this year’s focus on moving from ambition to results brings a critical question into perspective for Africa: why does strong policy ambition so often fail to translate into outcomes at scale?
Africa has never lacked ambition for its food systems. What it lacks is sufficient food systems leadership capacity to turn that ambition into results. The Kampala Declaration, which took effect in January 2026, sets the agenda for the next decade, calling for inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agri-food systems across the continent. However, the African Union’s own Biennial Reviews of the just-concluded Malabo CAADP decade show that most countries were off track on the commitments they had already made, despite strong frameworks and political declarations. 

Across Africa, ambitious strategies often stall at the point of execution. Coordination breaks down across ministries. System actors operate in parallel rather than in concert. Promising innovations fail to scale because few actors seek to bridge policy, markets, and communities. Implementation gaps are often attributed to constraints such as a lack of financing, weak infrastructure, or market dynamics. But unlocking these complex areas depends on the ability of leaders across diverse organisations to see the bigger shared picture, align goals, collaborate, and advance delivery in a coherent fashion. 

Food systems leadership isn’t about titles or personal power. It’s about leaders in the ecosystem working across boundaries to coalesce around a common agenda, manage tough trade-offs, and push for collective action. Leadership programmes such as AGRA’s Centre for African Leaders in Agriculture (CALA), the African Food Fellowship (AFF) help strengthen these capabilities: enabling leaders to move beyond their own mandates, connect diverse actors, build coalitions, and turn big ambitions into real, measurable change. Where stronger food systems leadership exists, policies become impactful programmes, finance flows more effectively, and innovations scale. Where it does not, even substantial investments underperform.

Proof already exists – Africa can build transformational capabilities by design 
Evidence increasingly points to one missing piece: a critical mass of leaders equipped to work systemically, bridging institutions, wiring stronger connections across the public, private, and civic sectors, and operating at all levels of governance. Across initiatives such as the AFF, CALA, the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD), and the Africa Capacity Building Foundation, leaders are being equipped with systems thinking, collaborative skills, implementation networks, and real-world delivery capacity grounded in country priorities. Leaders from these programmes are already demonstrating measurable results in strengthening delivery, influencing policy, and unlocking investment. 

In Tanzania, embedding food systems leadership within delivery systems produced transformative results. A CALA-supported intervention reduced poultry mortality from 55% to 3% by organizing previously fragmented producers, input suppliers, and extension actors into a coordinated cluster production model that aligned incentives and improved adherence to best practices. This approach improved coordination and execution, leveraging productivity gains that had eluded the sector for years. The success of this approach led to the team’s integration into national poultry sector reforms, now advancing through the Poultry Compact (2024–2028).

In Kenya, similar leadership capabilities are translating into large-scale economic outcomes. Through the African Food Fellowship, an aquaculture enterprise has mobilized partnerships across government, finance, and industry to unlock a long-standing financing gap in the sector. AFF fellows worked with financial institutions to de-risk lending and coordinated actors across the aquaculture value chain. This led to the launch of Africa’s first dedicated aquaculture credit product and catalysed production expected to reach 25,000 MT annually by 2031, alongside 8,000 jobs and improved incomes for 10,000 smallholder farmers. In both cases, the real breakthrough wasn’t just new technology or more funding; it was about bringing people together, aligning their interests, and driving collective action across the whole system.
Critically, the impact of these initiatives extends beyond individual leaders. When leaders are connected across countries and sectors, they form an organic movement for transformation. They share insights, coordinate action, and hold one another accountable. The goal, therefore, is not just to train individuals but to forge a collective force of diverse leaders across the continent, capable of shifting policies, business models, and incentives at every level.

The return on investment Africa can’t ignore: Food systems leadership 
Yet leadership remains among the least-funded components of food systems transformation. Estimates suggest that equipping 25,000 cross-sector food systems leaders across Africa over the Kampala Decade would require a modest US$25 million per year, roughly 0.1% of annual spending in Africa’s agrifood sector and just 0.25% of the total investment needed to achieve CAADP goals. 
Stronger leadership capacity attracts substantial commercial finance ready to invest in Africa’s agrifood sectors and achieve greater impact by improving coordination, accountability, and execution. Food systems leadership, therefore, is not an additional cost but a multiplier that determines whether existing investments translate into results at scale.

To accelerate transformation delivery, food systems leadership initiatives are forming a community of practice to learn from one another, spotlight delivery gaps, connect their alumni networks, and collectively advocate for investment in leadership. This is a coordinated call to action, ready to scale what is already working to build a new generation of food system leaders.

Delivering on ambition: What it will take

As the Kampala decade gets underway, the question is no longer whether Africa has the right ambitions for food systems transformation, but whether it has the leadership capabilities to achieve them.
This necessitates elevating food systems leadership to the pedestal of implementation and giving it top priority and funding from governments. Development partners must also go beyond technical fixes and invest in the institutional and leadership capacity that turns commitments into real, measurable outcomes. Ecosystem actors must transition from dispersed efforts to coordinated action to deepen collaboration, align around common priorities, and advance food systems leadership capacity at scale. The next step is to translate this momentum into actionable commitments at the 2026 Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali.
Without this shift, ambition will continue to outpace execution. With it, Africa has a genuine chance to turn a decade of commitments into a decade of delivering food systems transformation.

He underscored Rwanda’s long-term vision:

“We are confident that, with the establishment of a strong and functional food innovation ecosystem, Rwanda is well-positioned to become a leading hub for food innovation in Africa.”

He further stressed the need for systemic coordination:

“Unlocking the full potential of our agri-food system requires a deliberate shift from fragmented interventions to a well-coordinated innovation ecosystem that connects research, enterprise, and markets.”

And highlighted the importance of partnerships:

“Meaningful transformation will depend on strong collaboration with the private sector, research institutions, and development partners.”

Strong Emphasis on Nutrition and System Priorities

Dr. Laurence Haddad, Executive Director of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), called for nutrition to be firmly embedded as a core outcome of the transformation agenda.

“We must ensure that nutrition is not only embedded, but elevated as a core outcome of food systems transformation, with clear and measurable targets.”

He added that accountability must be strengthened across the system:

“Reducing malnutrition should not be treated as a secondary goal—it must be a central performance indicator of the entire ecosystem.”

Belinda Bwiza, CEO of One Acre Fund Rwanda, welcomed the Strategy’s direction, noting that it builds on and accelerates existing frameworks.

“The Strategy does not replace existing frameworks; it accelerates their implementation.”

She also highlighted the need for clearer operational mechanisms, particularly the proposed regulatory sandbox approach and its potential to drive productivity and innovation uptake.

AGRA Reaffirms Commitment to Ecosystem Transformation

Jean Paul Ndagijimana, AGRA Country Director for Rwanda, emphasized collaboration, inclusivity, and long-term ownership as key to successful implementation.

He described the transformation agenda as a shared journey:

“If we work together, we can elevate the entire food system to a different level and accelerate transformation across the ecosystem.”

He also issued a strong call for inclusion:

“Can each one of you find a space in this strategy? And if not, challenge us to create that space for you—so we move forward together as one ecosystem.”

Reaffirming AGRA’s commitment, he said:

“We are not just building a document; we are building a house where every actor must find a place and contribute to its completion.”

And added:

“We are committed to walking this journey with you—not as observers, but as active partners in implementation.

FAO Highlights Regional Opportunity and Implementation Imperative

The FAO Country Director for Rwanda, Mohamed Aw-Dahir, emphasized that while the Strategy is strong and ambitious, its success will depend on execution and sustained commitment.

“The Strategy is necessary, but not sufficient. Its success will depend on strong commitment and effective implementation.”

He highlighted Rwanda’s strategic regional potential:

“Rwanda has the potential not only to transform its food systems but also to become a regional hub for livestock feed and agricultural commercialization across Eastern and Central Africa.”

He further emphasized FAO’s continued support:

“Wherever we cannot provide financial support, we will contribute knowledge, expertise, and global best practices to strengthen implementation.”

And underscored regional integration:

“Food systems transformation must go beyond borders—Rwanda is strategically positioned as a gateway to regional and continental markets.”

The workshop concluded with strong consensus that Rwanda’s food systems transformation will depend on coordinated action, inclusive innovation, institutional alignment, and sustained cross-sector collaboration.

The Rwanda Food Innovation Ecosystem Strategy will be officially unveiled in September during the Africa Food Systems Forum, positioning Rwanda at the center of continental dialogue on agri-food innovation and systems transformation.

Speaking at the launch, Alice Ruhweza, President of AGRA, highlighted both the progress made over the past two decades and the urgency of accelerating action.

“We have elevated food systems on the continental agenda and mobilized partnerships at an unprecedented scale,” she said. “But too many commitments have yet to translate into real financing and action on the ground.”

She stressed the need for a fundamental shift in approach:
“The next chapter must be about delivery—moving from pledges to pipelines, from external dependence to African capital, and from symbolic inclusion to real investment opportunities for youth and women.”

Ruhweza also underscored the importance of redefining agriculture’s role:
“Farming must become a viable business, not a subsistence activity, and productivity must grow without compromising soil health and sustainability.”

Board Chair of AGRA and Chair of the AFSF Partners Group, Hailemariam Dessalegn, reflected on the Forum’s 20-year journey and its growing continental significance.

“This platform is not just another meeting—it is where the complexity of Africa’s food systems is confronted, where policy, science, and investment meet,” he said.

He warned of the urgency of the current moment:
“Africa faces a food systems financing gap of over $100 billion annually. That is not just a number—it is a call to action.”

Dessalegn emphasized the need for African ownership and leadership:
“The AFSF belongs to Africa. Its future must be financed, driven, and delivered by Africans themselves.”

Delivering the keynote on behalf of the Prime Minister, Telesphore Ndabamenye reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to hosting the Summit and advancing the continent’s food systems agenda.

“Investment in food systems is not optional—it is a sovereign responsibility,” he said. “The consequences of inaction—food insecurity, unemployment, and economic stagnation—are simply too high.”

He added:
“Africa is not short of capital. What has been missing is the will and the right frameworks to channel that capital into transformative food systems investments.”

Ndabamenye also highlighted the role of youth and women:
“They must not be seen as beneficiaries, but as the drivers of transformation—through real access to finance, land, markets, and skills.”

The 2026 theme—“Investing in Africa’s Agri-Food Systems: Nourishing Nations, Growing Jobs, Building Resilience”—places strong emphasis on mobilizing capital, creating jobs, empowering women, and building sustainable food systems.

As preparations begin for the September Summit, leaders called for concrete delivery plans, measurable outcomes, and stronger accountability to ensure real impact across the continent.

With over 4,500 stakeholders expected, the AFSF 2026 Summit is set to shape the next decade of Africa’s food systems transformation—one defined not just by ambition, but by action.
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Iris Irumva, CEO of Lead Access, emphasized the importance of showcasing women agripreneurs and creating a platform for exchange:
“This is the second Women in Agri-Food Systems workshop we organized with the support of AGRA and other organizations funded by the Mastercard Foundation. It demonstrates how much we value the role of women in feeding the world.”
She added:
“The exhibition of women agripreneurs makes this event unique, providing an opportunity to exchange information and discuss issues like access to finance, collateral, and insurance.”

Peter Okamah, AGRA Rwanda Program Lead, highlighted the organization’s commitment to supporting women in agriculture:
“AGRA leverages programs like Valuer for Her and YEFFA to create decent jobs, improve market access, and de-risk financial barriers such as loans and collateral for women agripreneurs.”

Niyitanga Grace, a horticulture agripreneur from Rwamagana, shared her perspective:
“This workshop is a great opportunity to discuss challenges, find solutions, and connect with peers and partners who can support our growth.”

Uwamahoro Rose, another participant, added:
“I am inspired by the exchange of experiences and the commitment shown by partners to empower women in agriculture.”

The workshop included high-level policy dialogue, mentorship sessions, and an exhibition showcasing women-led enterprises, focusing on horticulture as a high-value, export-oriented value chain. The event concluded with a “Women in Agri-Food Systems Commitment Moment”, where partners and participants pledged concrete actions to advance women’s participation, leadership, and competitiveness in Rwanda’s agriculture sector.

Participants shared reflections on the gaps, opportunities, and strategies for telling more impactful stories. Eugene Kwibuka, Communication Manager at MINAGRI, highlighted missing narratives around nutrition, food quality, and youth engagement.

“Nutrition, food quality, and youth engagement are missing in current narratives. We need to teach balanced diets, reduce food waste, and inspire youth to embrace food systems with better productivity techniques,” he said.

Communication challenges were also discussed. Eric Mihigo, Communication Officer at YEARN, emphasized the need for stories that resonate with the public.

“The public wants stories that showcase new technologies, not just project achievements or politically driven narratives,” he said.

From a gender perspective, Dr.Olivia Kabatesi, of Empower Rwanda, highlighted the importance of centering young women in agri-food stories.

“We need more stories highlighting young women in agri-food systems—addressing childcare models, unpaid care work, land access, and climate shocks,” she said.

Private sector voices underscored the need for realistic expectations around youth engagement. Jean Baptiste Musabyimana, CEO of ABUSOL Ltd, said:

“AGRA has many success stories to communicate. But when talking about youth engagement in agriculture, not every young person can be an entrepreneur. Some will work on larger farms, creating employment, which also strengthens food systems.”

Participants also highlighted opportunities for innovation and digital solutions. Francois Nsengiyumva, CEO of KGB Seed Company, called for online learning platforms to support farmers.

“We need online platforms and digital extension programs to teach farming techniques, post-harvest management, and reduce agri losses, while popularizing agri communication through social media,” he said.

Meanwhile, Oswald Mutuyeyezu, a prominent journalist at Radio & TV 10, called for partnerships and capacity building for communicators.

“We need training on packaging content that attracts audiences and stronger partnerships to help us reach farmers and tell impactful stories on market access, agricultural insurance, and finance,” he said.

The session concluded with a shared commitment to improving the way African food systems are communicated, ensuring that stories around nutrition, youth, women, innovation, and market access reach wider audiences and inspire action.
End

The conversation, titled “Who Gets to Shape Africa’s Food Future?”, was hosted by AGRA in partnership with Global Citizen on the sidelines of MoveAfrika. The dialogue took place at Select Boutique Hotel & Restaurant, where a small group of young entrepreneurs and ecosystem actors engaged directly with policymakers on opportunities within Africa’s agri-food sector.

Minister calls for stronger youth engagement in agriculture

During the discussion, Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources Dr.Telesphore Ndabamenye challenged young people to view agriculture not only as farming, but as a strategic pathway to wealth creation and employment.

“You cannot market what you do not have,” the minister said, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing food production before focusing on profits. “In the food systems journey, we must first secure food. From food comes cash, and from cash come jobs.”

He also urged young entrepreneurs to take a more proactive role in agriculture rather than waiting for opportunities.

“Don’t be lazy in the food systems journey,” he told participants. “Ask yourself: how friendly are you with agriculture? Wherever you are today, try to see how you can shift and contribute to the food system.”

Dr. Ndabamenye highlighted the role of development partners, particularly AGRA and the Mastercard Foundation, in creating opportunities for youth, while stressing that young people themselves must take the lead.

“Partners such as AGRA and the Mastercard Foundation are already supporting youth initiatives, but young people must also step forward and play a bigger role. We want youth to help us produce healthy foods for our populations. When food systems are strong, the economy becomes stronger.”

Global Citizen highlights the importance of listening to youth

Speaking during the event, Ifeoma Chuks-Adizue, Managing Director for Africa at Global Citizen, said the dialogue created an important platform for young people to share their experiences and perspectives in the agricultural sector.

“It was a very good event. I really liked the interactions by young people. I continue to see that the choices they make shape the future not only for them, but also for Rwanda and Africa as a continent,” she said.

She emphasized the need for organizations working in the sector to better understand the challenges faced by young entrepreneurs.

“We need to understand what challenges they face as Global Citizen and as AGRA so that we can help them achieve their goals,” she added.

Chuks-Adizue noted that Global Citizen is working with AGRA through a grant focused on addressing food and nutrition challenges.

“One big issue is food and nutrition, which is a focus area of AGRA. Within Global Citizen, one of our focus areas this year is jobs. This event was organized to create an open and honest conversation among young people who are already doing great work within the agriculture space,” she said.

AGRA highlights youth innovation and ecosystems

During the dialogue, AGRA’s Director for Gender, Youth and Inclusiveness, Nana Yaa Boakyewaa Amoah, emphasized that empowering youth is central to transforming Africa’s food systems.

“We want to bring more young people on board in shaping Africa’s food future,” she said. “Young people are not just beneficiaries — they are innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders in the food system.”

She added that AGRA is working to strengthen the ecosystem supporting youth-led agribusinesses by collaborating with governments and financial institutions.
“If young entrepreneurs are given the right environment, they can transform food systems across the continent,” she said.

Youth entrepreneurs share experiences

Participants also reflected on the importance of creating more opportunities for youth in agriculture.

Lydia Murekatete from All Greens described the session as motivating and action-oriented.

“Don’t just talk about it, be about it,” she said. “The session was engaging and inspirational.”

Meanwhile, Evariste Sibobugingo, co-founder of Igisubizo Ltd, said the dialogue helped young entrepreneurs gain confidence and exchange ideas.

“This dialogue builds our confidence, opens our minds and allows us to share experiences with other young people,” he said.

The dialogue forms part of broader efforts by AGRA and Global Citizen to position youth at the center of Africa’s agricultural transformation, recognizing the sector’s potential to drive jobs, innovation and economic growth across the continent.

The training focuses on modern agricultural skills, including the use of mechanized farming equipment, irrigation technologies, and value addition such as the fabrication of agro-processing machines.

Speaking during the visit, Wanu congratulated the graduates of the short term training programs, encouraging young people to view agriculture as a viable and profitable business sector.

She urged youth to change the long held perception that farming is an activity for the poor, emphasizing that modern agriculture has the potential to create wealth when approached with innovation and strong branding.

During her visit, the Deputy Minister also interacted with female trainees and expressed her admiration for their growing involvement in technical fields, particularly in operating heavy agricultural machinery used for land preparation and harvesting.

Deputy Minister commended VETA and AGRA for translating Tanzania’s national development vision into practical action through skills development and youth empowerment.

Speaking at the event, AGRA Tanzania Country Director, Vianney Rweyendela, said the organization is encouraged by the early progress made through the initiative, noting that creating employment opportunities for young people remains a central priority.

He explained that about 65 percent of Tanzanians depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, with 70 percent of them being women. For the sector to significantly contribute to economic growth, he noted, agriculture needs to grow by at least 10 percent annually.

Rweyendela added that the mechanization training aligns with the government’s Building a Better Tomorrow (BBT) initiative under the 10/30 agenda, which aims to transform agriculture through youth participation and increased investment.

He noted that as agricultural development progressed, stakeholders realized that traditional tools alone could not deliver the needed transformation.

“That is why we partnered with VETA to equip young people with practical skills in mechanization, irrigation, and agricultural value addition so they can drive modern farming,” he said.

He emphasized that AGRA’s broader goal is to create sustainable employment opportunities for youth while supporting Tanzania’s Vision 2050 development agenda.

VETA Director General, CPA Antony Kasore, said the program is part of the broader BBT initiative and aims to equip young people with practical agricultural skills, including mechanization, irrigation systems, and post harvest handling.

Kasore told the Deputy Minister that AGRA Tanzania has invested Tsh 3.5 billion to support the implementation of the program, which will be expanded to vocational training centers across all regions of the country.

“The objective is to produce skilled technicians who will not only apply these skills but also transfer knowledge to other young farmers,” he said.

The YEFFA project targets to train more than 5,600 youth across Tanzania, with 700 young people already graduating from the agricultural mechanization course.

The program is expected to contribute to improved agricultural productivity, job creation, and the transition toward modern, technology-driven farming.

Morogoro Regional Commissioner Adam Malima said the government has long emphasized agriculture, but the past five years under President Samia Suluhu Hassan have seen stronger implementation of agricultural development programs targeting citizens, particularly youth.

He noted that Morogoro region offers numerous agricultural opportunities and encouraged young people interested in grass production for livestock feed to seek support from his office, describing it as a profitable and reliable agribusiness opportunity.

The launch event also showcased innovations developed by the 700 graduates of the YEFFA short term training program, many of whom demonstrated practical solutions and technologies as they prepare to enter the agribusiness sector

Story by Roquefields Sailo

One of these partners is Abusol Ltd, a poultry farming company operating in Bugesera District in Eastern Rwanda. Over the past 10 years, the company has raised more than 130,000 chickens on 14 hectares of land. At full production, the farm produces up to 80,000 eggs per day. The company initially started with 10,000 chickens.

Founder’s Journey

Musabyimana Jean Baptiste, the founder and Managing Director of Abusol Ltd, is a Rwandan who studied economics in France.

“I went to France in 2003 to study. After completing my studies, I worked there for some time. Later, I realized it was important to return home and contribute to building my country. I studied economics, stock markets, and commercial law, and I returned to Rwanda in 2016,” he said.

He chose to invest in poultry farming after recognizing its importance in improving nutrition and its strong market demand.

“I decided to rear chickens because eggs are a nutritious food that helps prevent diseases and are affordable for many Rwandans. My initial plan was to meet the demand for eggs, and later venture into broiler production. That is why I founded Abusol Ltd,” he explained.

Regarding his long-term goals, Musabyimana says he is not only focused on profit but also on improving livelihoods.

“My dream is for every Rwandan household to include an egg in their daily meals. I also want many young people to find employment in this sector,” he added.

Partnership with AGRA

Musabyimana says partnering with AGRA through the YEFFA project has been a major opportunity for both his company and young people in the Eastern Province.

“We were pleased to join the YEFFA project because it aligned with our goals. We were tasked with training young people in the Eastern Province on entrepreneurship and self-employment,” he said.

In just two years, Abusol Ltd has trained more than 10,000 youth through the YEFFA project supported by the Mastercard Foundation. The training covers poultry project management, mar ket access, disease prevention and control, and other key aspects of modern poultry farming.

Youth Testimonies

Some of the youth beneficiaries say the training helped them transition from traditional poultry farming to modern, professional practices.

Jean Chrysostome Dukuzumuremyi from Bugesera District said:

“The YEFFA training has been very helpful. Previously, in our village, we raised chickens without proper methods. Now we understand that the best way is to keep them in proper housing to protect them from pests and diseases. You can raise many chickens on a small piece of land, use less feed, and still get high production. As youth, this allows us to start with small capital and gradually expand to own many chickens in a short time.”

Nyiransengimana Josephine from Nyagatare District said the project gave her in-depth knowledge and confidence.

“The YEFFA project provided me with detailed training on poultry farming. I learned about different chicken breeds and how quickly they generate income. Chickens can be raised on small land and produce fast returns, enabling farmers to improve their livelihoods and contribute to national development,” she said.

She added that the project empowered youth to become self-reliant.

“As young people, the project encouraged us to be confident and work hard without depending on others, which helps us improve our lives,” she noted.

Training Approach

Out of the beneficiaries:

• 2,100 youth received 10-day training sessions at Abusol’s training center, combining classroom lessons with practical sessions inside poultry houses.
• 900 youth were taken to modern poultry farms to observe advanced farming practices.
• Around 4,000 youth were trained directly at farms where poultry activities were already taking place.
• Approximately 3,000 youth were reached in villages to raise awareness about the benefits of engaging in agriculture and livestock farming.

Through the partnership between AGRA and Abusol Ltd, thousands of young Rwandans are gaining the skills and confidence needed to build sustainable careers in poultry farming and agribusiness.

Musabyimana Jean Baptiste, Founder and Managing Director of Abusol Ltd, at his poultry farm in Bugesera District, where more than 130,000 chickens are raised.

Youth participants attend practical training session under the YEFFA project implemented by AGRA

Inside the poultry houses of Abusol Ltd, where the farm produces up to 80,000 eggs per day at full capacity

The partnership comes at a pivotal moment as Africa advances implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement. With 50 countries having ratified the Agreement, attention shifts from legal commitment to practical implementation, particularly in agriculture. “The AfCFTA offers Africa a historic opportunity to shift from exporting raw commodities to building regional value chains that create jobs, raise farmer incomes and strengthen food security,” said H.E. Wamkele Mene. “Our partnership with AGRA is about moving from ambition to execution, ensuring that agricultural trade delivers tangible benefits for producers, processors and consumers across the continent.”

Through the AfCFTA Agri-Trade Action Plan, which proposes several interventions, including, among others, reducing non-tariff barriers, improving trade facilitation, promoting value addition and mobilising investment in regional agricultural value chains, the collaboration will advance agricultural trade under AfCFTA.

“Trade will not transform Africa’s food systems unless farmers and agri-enterprises are able to produce competitively, meet international quality standards, and connect to reliable markets,” said Alice Ruhweza, President of AGRA. “This partnership is about making intra-African food trade work in practice—linking policy to delivery so that agriculture becomes a driver of inclusive growth, resilience and shared prosperity.”

Together, the AfCFTA Secretariat and AGRA will drive this partnership toward practical, farmer-centered action, enabling agriculture to fully leverage integrated African markets and deliver inclusive growth, resilience, and shared prosperity across the continent.

“AGRA was founded in 2006 following the vision of the late Kofi Annan, who believed that transforming agriculture was the fastest way to transform Africa,” Ndagijimana said. “Over 60 percent of Africans depend on agriculture, so any serious development agenda had to start there.”

In Rwanda, AGRA’s work began in the context of post-genocide reconstruction, when institutions including agriculture were being rebuilt almost from scratch. The organization identified human capacity as the most urgent gap.

“At that time, what Rwanda needed most was skilled people scientists, breeders, extension specialists,” Ndagijimana explained. “So AGRA invested heavily in education.”

Through partnerships with institutions such as the Rockefeller Foundation and the Gates Foundation, AGRA supported more than 50 Rwandans to obtain Master’s degrees and over 27 to complete PhDs in fields including crop science, plant genetics, and breeding. Many of these professionals are now working in research institutions, government agencies, and the private sector.

AGRA’s support went beyond training. Over the past 20 years, the organization has invested approximately USD 20 million in Rwanda, channelled into research infrastructure, laboratories, equipment, vehicles, and production facilities.

“A country does not only need people; it also needs tools,” Ndagijimana said. “We supported laboratories, in-vitro facilities for potatoes, and research stations in Musanze and other areas.”

These investments contributed to Rwanda’s ability to develop its own improved crop varieties. Today, Rwanda produces locally bred, high-yield maize varieties and is making similar progress in rice, soybeans, and potatoes.

One of AGRA’s most impactful interventions focused on addressing aflatoxin contamination in maize a problem that once locked farmers out of major markets. When Africa Improved Foods (AIF) opened its factory in Rwanda, it was rejecting nearly 90 percent of locally produced maize due to quality concerns.

“It was painful,” Ndagijimana recalled. “The factory was in Rwanda, but farmers could not sell to it.”

AGRA worked with the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) and international partners to introduce biological control solutions such as Aflasafe, alongside improved post-harvest handling practices, including drying maize on the cob.

“Today, more than 90 percent of Rwandan maize meets AIF’s standards,” he said. “That completely changed the relationship between farmers and the market.”

AGRA also played a central role in shifting Rwanda’s seed system from state-dominated to private-sector-driven. In 2016, Rwanda had almost no private seed companies. Today, there are more than 20.

“Government was producing seed, distributing seed, and regulating seed it was too much,” Ndagijimana noted. “We worked with government to bring in private companies while allowing the state to focus on research and regulation.”

Private companies now dominate seed multiplication and marketing, while government institutions concentrate on breeder seed and quality assurance an arrangement that has strengthened sustainability and efficiency.

With youth and women forming the backbone of Rwanda’s population, AGRA has increasingly focused on making agriculture attractive, profitable, and modern.

“Young people don’t want agriculture that depends only on hard manual labor,” Ndagijimana said. “They want technology, data, and predictable income and that’s what we are supporting.”

Through greenhouses, irrigation systems, digital advisory services, and smart pest-management tools, AGRA has helped reposition agriculture as a business. The organization targets supporting 132,000 young people most of them women into agricultural employment by 2028.

AGRA’s latest strategy prioritizes value chains such as avocado, chili, and poultry due to their strong domestic and export demand.

“Chili can start generating income in as little as six months, and global demand is high,” Ndagijimana said. “Avocado offers long-term security one tree can produce for over 20 years.”

These commodities, he added, provide both quick wins and long-term income stability, especially for young agripreneurs.

Rwanda hosts the secretariat of the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF), a major continental platform convened by AGRA that brings together over 5,000 participants, including heads of state, investors, private companies, and development partners.

“Being the convener of AFSF shows the trust placed in AGRA,” Ndagijimana said. “And for Rwanda, hosting the forum generates millions of dollars in economic activity and invaluable knowledge exchange.”

He noted a growing trend of African and Rwandan diaspora investors using AFSF as a bridge to invest back home, particularly in high-value crops such as avocado and chili.

For Ndagijimana, the most meaningful measure of success is at the farmer level.

“What makes me happiest is seeing a farmer who used to beg for a buyer now negotiating prices with multiple buyers,” he said. “That power to choose that dignity that is real transformation.”

As AGRA looks ahead, its focus in Rwanda remains clear: strengthen implementation of sound policies, deepen private-sector engagement, and ensure that gains especially in seed systems and markets are sustained.

“We know where Rwanda is going,” Ndagijimana concluded. “The task now is to turn strong policies into everyday reality for farmers.”

After 20 years of AGRA’s engagement in Rwanda, the impact is no longer measured only in narratives, but in numbers. Over USD 20 million has been invested in Rwanda’s agricultural systems. More than 50 Rwandans have earned Master’s degrees and 27 have completed PhDs, strengthening the country’s scientific and institutional backbone.

Rwanda has moved from importing nearly 100 percent of its improved maize seed in 2017 to meeting domestic demand by 2022, with over 20 private seed companies now operating in the country, compared to virtually none a decade ago. In maize markets, rejection rates due to aflatoxin contamination dropped from 90 percent to below 10 percent, unlocking stable markets for thousands of smallholder farmers.

AGRA’s current strategy targets the creation of 132,000 jobs by 2028, most of them for youth and women, while high-value value chains such as chili and avocado are positioning Rwanda for long-term export growth.

Taken together, these figures point to a structural shift, from subsistence to systems, from uncertainty to structured markets, and from dependency to local capacity. For Rwanda’s agriculture sector, the next phase will be judged not by new pilots, but by how these numbers continue to grow and who benefits most from them.

Jean Paul Ndagijimana, AGRA Rwanda Country Manager, shares insights on 20 years of AGRA’s impact in Rwanda, from building local capacity to structuring agricultural markets on KPMEDIA Podcast

Youth in Poultry farming, turning effort into opportunity.

Behind every harvest is commitment, resilience, and hope.

When young people choose agriculture, they choose sustainability

Africa Improved Food factory in Rwanda ensures locally produced maize meets quality standards, connecting smallholder farmers to reliable markets

The conference was officially opened by the Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba (MP), who reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to scaling up sustainable agricultural mechanization as a strategic priority for boosting productivity, reducing production costs, increasing farmer incomes, and strengthening resilient food systems.

In his address, the Prime Minister emphasized that mechanization is essential for modern agriculture and called for coordinated efforts among governments, the private sector, development partners, and research institutions to expand access to affordable and environmentally responsible mechanization services.

“Africa’s agricultural transformation requires deliberate investment in sustainable mechanization that is accessible, inclusive, and climate-responsive,” the Prime Minister stated, underscoring Tanzania’s focus on public–private partnerships and the participation of youth and women.

During the conference, participating countries and stakeholders adopted a joint communiqué, reaffirming their commitment to advancing sustainable agricultural mechanization through policy alignment, increased investment, regional cooperation, and inclusive mechanization models.

As part of ACSAM 2026, AGRA, together with its implementing partners, is participating in conference discussions and exhibition activities aimed at strengthening collaboration, knowledge exchange, and practical approaches to improving access to agricultural mechanization across Africa.

Key Highlights

1. Official opening of ACSAM 2026 in Dar es Salaam by the Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania.

2. ⁠Official launch of Tanzania’s Agricultural Mechanization Strategy.

3. ⁠High-level plenary discussions on sustainable agricultural mechanization and agri-food systems transformation.

4. ⁠Parallel technical sessions on investment and financing, mechanization supply chains, innovation, digital solutions, and youth employment.

Stakeholders gather in Dar es Salaam to shape the future of sustainable agricultural mechanization in Africa.

AGRA joins partners at ACSAM 2026 to strengthen access to inclusive and climate-smart mechanization.

AGRA engages African leaders at ACSAM 2026 to advance sustainable agricultural mechanization across the continent.

By Roquefields SAILO

He says: “Many people fear investing in agriculture, seeing it as exposing themselves to risk. I consider that as selfishness, and someone who is selfish has nothing. When you invest in agriculture, you invest wisely, because that is where there are opportunities to do many good things that benefit you.”

His journey in agriculture began with his service to the Government of Rwanda starting in 1997, where he had the opportunity to work with various organizations operating in the agricultural sector, which made him grow more passionate about farming. In 2007, he joined the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, where he was entrusted with leading the agricultural modernization unit.

He says that working for government gave him knowledge and experience that now form the foundation of what he does today.

“There is nothing better than working for the government: it employs you, trains you, connects you with people, and also pays you. When you leave government, you leave with many assets you can use in self-employment,” he explains.

In 2014, Nsengiyumva decided to leave government service and start working privately. He began collaborating with farmers and conducting research on maize. This led him to focus specifically on maize seed development, seeing it as a way to address the problem of low national productivity.

He says: “People should stop believing that one must only work in what they studied. Instead, they should work where there is a need, identify gaps, and see where they can contribute.”

As part of his journey, Nsengiyumva applied for improved maize seeds from CIMMYT, an international research organization that focuses on maize and wheat. Beneficiaries receive advanced seed varieties but are required to multiply them and distribute them to other farmers within a period not exceeding five years.

It was through this process that he developed a maize variety he named MUHABURA, and it was also during this period that he partnered with AGRA, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa.

He says: “AGRA provided us with financial support that enabled us to conduct different seed trials, rent land for production, and work with pioneer farmers across the country.”

After three years of trials in different districts, the MUHABURA variety was submitted to the government for registration in 2019 and was officially approved in 2022. Nsengiyumva says it became the first maize seed variety to be published in Rwanda’s Official Gazette.

The MUHABURA seed yields between 10 and 12 tonnes per hectare, compared to 5 to 6 tonnes per hectare in many other production areas, while the national average maize yield currently stands at around 2 tonnes per hectare.

He says: “This shows that we can significantly increase our productivity if we have quality seeds that reach farmers on time.”

Partnership with AGRA helped strengthen their capacity in seed marketing, distribution, and the establishment of demonstration plots where farmers can learn by observing. However, he notes that the journey has not been easy, as he often faced discouragement from people who did not believe in his ideas.

“Many people supported me, but many others tried to discourage me. Without AGRA’s support, it would have been extremely difficult,” he says.

Nsengiyumva calls on the government to strengthen collaboration with private seed entrepreneurs, closely monitor them, and organize field-based training programs, especially since government institutions have many highly skilled professionals. He also proposes that seed entrepreneurs be granted access to national seed storage facilities so they can store essential genetic materials, helping to prevent losses in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Currently, MUHABURA seed, produced by KILIMO BUSINESS LTD, is available on the Rwandan market and is popular among farmers. The company has also developed three additional maize seed varieties that are approved at both national and international levels. It now operates on more than 220 hectares and produces over 1,000 tonnes of seed annually.

The journey of Nsengiyumva François demonstrates that investment in agriculture is possible, profitable, and capable of playing a major role in transforming livelihoods and the national economy.

Nsengiyumva François, changing the mindset about agribusiness in Rwanda

Where innovation meets farming: transforming maize production

Quality seeds, higher yields, stronger food security.

The report’s short-term (two-year) top risks are dominated by geoeconomic and geopolitical tensions as well as social and technological disruptions, including trade wars, misinformation and disinformation, societal polarisation, extreme weather events, and state-based armed conflict. Over the long-term (10-year) horizon, it highlights environmental threats such as extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem collapse, alongside misinformation, adverse outcomes of artificial intelligence, and natural resource shortages. Hunger appears in neither of the top risk lists.

AGRA recognizes the seriousness of the risks highlighted in the Global Risks Report, including the way geopolitical fragmentation can crowd out long-term priorities. However, hunger is not a niche humanitarian concern. It is a compounding, destabilising risk multiplier that fuels displacement, undermines political stability, deepens inequality, and weakens human capital and productivity. You cannot have strong economies without healthy ecosystems, and you cannot have healthy people without access to safe, affordable, and nutritious food.

 “When hunger is treated as a downstream outcome rather than a front-line risk, the world responds too late after livelihoods collapse, after conflicts intensify, after children’s nutrition and learning are permanently damaged, and after fragile economies lose years of progress,” said Alice Ruhweza, President of AGRA. “The global community is rightly concerned about resilience and security. Food and nutrition security must therefore be integral to the global risk management architecture.”

A hunger crisis is already here, especially in Africa

The latest UN food security assessments show that hunger remains widespread globally and is rising in Africa. An estimated 673 million people faced hunger in 2024, and Africa’s prevalence of hunger surpassed 20 percent, affecting more than 307 million people. This trajectory is moving in the wrong direction for the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 2 on Zero Hunger. This, against the backdrop of a growing African population projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050.

At the same time, the scientific consensus is clear that climate change is already reducing food security through its impacts on crop yields, livestock, fisheries, food access, and food prices, effects that are particularly severe in Africa and for small-scale producers. Without transforming agriculture, climate resilience will remain out of reach.

Climate and nature are one crisis—and hunger is how it reaches households

AGRA aligns with the growing global call, echoed by environmental leaders, for climate and nature to be placed front and centre, with measurable implementation rather than pledges alone. For food systems, this translates into a practical reality: degraded soils, water stress, biodiversity loss, and rising temperatures are direct threats to harvests, incomes, diets, and stability. Land and soil degradation are steadily weakening productive capacity and resilience, amplifying the effects of droughts, floods, and heat.

Meeting Africa’s future food needs will require nature and climate-positive innovations in agriculture that increase productivity and yields while reducing pressure on land, limiting further ecosystem conversion, and accelerating adaptation to climate change.

“Hunger doesn’t wait for the world to finish debating risk rankings. It grows quietly through depleted soils, failed rains, unaffordable diets, and stunted children,” Ruhweza concluded. “Davos should be a turning point where global risk leadership reflects the reality facing farmers and families.”

AGRA’s position ahead of Davos 2026

As leaders gather in Davos next week, AGRA calls for a clearer global risk posture that explicitly recognises hunger and malnutrition as strategic risks and invests accordingly. AGRA urges governments, development banks, philanthropic partners, insurers, and agrifood businesses to act with urgency because the roadmap is clear.

1.    The African Development Bank is projecting Africa’s food and agriculture market to reach USD 1 trillion by 2030, an investment case representing the immense economic, social, and environmental benefits of ending hunger and building resilient food systems, and within reach. The question is whether development leaders, policymakers, and private sector actors gathered here in Davos will act with the urgency this moment demands.

2.    Reclassify hunger as a first-order global risk, tracked with the same urgency as conflict, cyber insecurity, and macroeconomic shocks, and integrated into national and global risk registers.

3. Scale climate adaptation that reaches smallholders, including stress-tolerant seeds, climate services, insurance and risk financing, and localized extension systems that translate science into farm-level decisions.
4. Put soil health and landscape restoration at the core of food security strategies, rewarding regenerative and sustainable practices that rebuild soil organic matter, reduce erosion, improve water retention, and protect ecosystems.
5. Invest in the enabling infrastructure of resilience, including water management, irrigation where viable, storage, rural roads, energy access, and efficient trade and market systems, so that climate shocks do not become food crises.

Because Africa faces a similar test in agriculture. We have the land, people and good climate. Yet too many of our children still go to bed hungry and many farmers struggle to make a living. Just as raw football talent does not guarantee trophies, fertile soil alone does not guarantee prosperity. What makes the difference is the system built around it.

Morocco offers a striking parallel. On the pitch its national teams and academies are now among the best in Africa. Off the pitch its farms and food factories tell a similar story. Two decades ago, Morocco decided to take agriculture seriously. It invested in research, in quality seed, in irrigation, in storage, and in markets that could connect farmers to buyers. Today agriculture is a major export earner and food processing is a strong pillar of the economy. None of this happened overnight but was the result of steady, patient planning much like building a winning football squad.

Walk through a football academy in Rabat and you will notice something else that matters. Nutrition is part of training. Young players are taught what to eat, how to recover, and how food fuels performance. Coaches know that no number of drills can make up for a body that is undernourished. This is where Africa’s bigger challenge comes into focus.

Across the continent some of our brightest athletic stars come from communities where meals are uncertain. Many of our children grow up stunted not because they lack ambition but because they lack protein, iron and a balanced diet in their early years. A stunted child may never reach full physical or cognitive potential. That is a tragedy not just for sport but for the economy and for society.

Brazil learned this lesson years ago, when alongside its football culture, it invested in programs that ensured poor families could feed and school their children. The result was not only better athletes but healthier more productive citizens. Africa needs a similar commitment. Imagine what could happen if every child in a farming village had access to safe nutritious food from infancy. The impact would echo in classrooms, hospitals, offices, and yes on athletic tracks and football fields too.

The connection between food and performance is personal for many of our athletes. One former East African striker once told me how he used to train on an empty stomach. His speed was there but his strength came late because his body had been undernourished as a boy. Though he still made it, many just as talented never do. The same story plays out quietly on our farms. Millions of farmers have the drive and the skill but lack the inputs, the finance and the markets that would let them thrive.

Just as football scouts look for raw talent, agriculture needs scouts too. We need extension officers who can help farmers improve yields, seed companies that deliver quality and banks that see farmers as entrepreneurs not risks. In Tanzania some local banks are stepping up and have started backing agribusinesses linked to strong value chains. In Uganda finance is flowing into processing and storage, making the first steps of the transformation.

Football analysis is famously candid. Commentators dissect tactical errors, highlight systemic weaknesses, and demand improvement. This honesty enables learning and adaptation. We need the same honesty in agriculture to judge which policies work, where money is wasted and where farmers see change. Being hypocritically polite will not feed anyone.

The truth is that smallholders matter as much as the players. You do not win AFCON by training only the national team. You anchor it with strong local leagues. In farming that means investing in village roads, in warehouses, in local processing plants, and in digital tools that let farmers are paid fair prices. 

When the final whistle blows at AFCON this weekend, we will celebrate goals and heroes but also the bigger story of the unseen work that made them possible. Africa’s nutrition and agriculture challenge is no different.

Manlan is Chief of Partnerships and Business Development, AGRA

“Our group started without any knowledge,” says group leader Nzabandora Ildephonse. “AGRA and AEE taught us modern farming. Many of us were unemployed when we started, but today we create jobs. During harvest, we employ at least 40 workers. If we continue with this support, we know prosperity is within reach.”

The group strengthened its savings culture and collective investment practices, enabling them to purchase essential inputs, expand their production area, and grow their business.

“Our goal is to grow from 62 ares to 3 hectares so we can create even more jobs for youth,” Ildephonse adds. “Before AGRA, our crops would rot in the garden. Today, buyers wait for our produce nothing goes to waste.”

Access to modern farming skills, high-quality seeds, and proper post-harvest handling tools has also increased community trust.

“Our parents used this land traditionally and harvested very little. When they saw our results, they trusted us with more land,” he explains.

From Household Chores to Job Creator: Ernestine’s Story

At just 24 years old, Bampire Ernestine is proving how opportunity and mentorship can unlock a young woman’s potential. After observing the success of the Dukorere Hamwe group, she was inspired to follow their path.

“Before this project, I thought chilli farming was for wealthy people,” she recalls. After receiving training under the AGRA-supported project and seeing how the group accessed buyers, she approached her parents for land and began farming on 17 ares. Her first harvest was profitable enough to allow her to lease more land.

Today, Ernestine farms 32 ares and expects 4–5 tonnes of chilli this season.“I used to wash dishes and cook in people’s homes. I earned nothing,” she says. “Now I am confident, smart, independent and I employ four workers who each earn 30,000 RWF a month. This project changed my life.”

In Mwulire Sector, Tuyizere Eric also drew inspiration from the success of his group. Seeing group members access reliable markets and apply modern farming techniques motivated him to scale his own ambitions.

After receiving comprehensive training and benefiting from AGRA-supported market linkages, Eric used his initial earnings from the group as startup capital. He then secured additional financing, leased a full hectare of land, and ventured into commercial chilli production.

“AGRA and AEE trained us professionally. They gave us tools that reduce post-harvest losses,” he explains. Equipped with drying nets, sheeting, and protective materials, his productivity has soared. He has already harvested two tonnes and counting.

“They told us a hectare can produce 18 tonnes. I am already harvesting about a tonne a week, I know it’s possible,” he says proudly.

A Model Ready for Wider Impact

In Rwamagana alone, 18 youth groups are benefitting from this AGRA–AEE initiative. The project strengthens access to quality inputs, improves post-harvest handling, links youth to reliable exporters, and unlocks new employment opportunities across the chilli value chain.

This work is made possible through AGRA’s partnership with Mastercard Foundation, a key driver of youth employment and agri-food systems transformation in Africa.

As Ernestine puts it “There is money in agriculture. Young people should not sit at home with diplomas opportunities are right here in the fields.”

This is the future that AGRA and Mastercard Foundation are nurturing: youth-led, market-ready, and full of promise.

With modern skills and market access, AGRA and Mastercard Foundation are enabling youth-led agribusiness to thrive

From small plots to reliable markets: Dukorere Hamwe youth group proves agriculture can create decent work

Rural youth in Rwamagana are turning chilli farming into jobs, income, and a new future for agriculture

“I had never imagined agriculture to be my profession. It was not appealing. It wasn’t aesthetic,”
she said.

As a young girl, Mariette pictured herself wearing a white doctor's coat, becoming an engineer, or standing in a courtroom as a lawyer. That future felt cleaner, more modern far from the mud-stained image of farming she grew up knowing.

Determined never to cross paths with agriculture, she deliberately chose to study Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry (MPC) in high school.

“In mathematics we used to say parallel lines never meet. That was my plan to never cross paths with agriculture,”
she says.

She carried this mindset into university, pursuing Energy Engineering at the University of Rwanda. By her second year, she was already an entrepreneur dabbling in fashion, construction, and recycling. Agriculture was still far from the picture.

But while searching for new business opportunities, she stumbled upon a gap in agriculture one technology could fill.

Mariette began building an agri-tech system designed to monitor and control environmental conditions in greenhouses and open fields supporting precision and climate-resilient agriculture. The idea was strong, but It exposed a reality she had been avoiding

“I realized I couldn’t do that without being a farmer. I had to experience what farmers face every day to solve their problems.”

It was an unexpected turn. She wasn’t proud at first. She felt insecure, unsure of how to explain to people why she had become “an agriculture person.”

“I always felt like I owed people an explanation. I wasn’t convinced myself… but I had trust that the path would make sense someday.” She said.

Her greatest barrier was capital. She had no job and the only income she had was a 40,000 Rwf monthly university allowance.

“That money wasn’t even enough. But I still believed something would work.” She said.

Her breakthrough came when she applied for the Imali Agribusiness program by the Imbuto Foundation and won 10 million Rwf to begin her project.

But even that, she says, “wasn’t enough” for what she needed to deliver.

She continued seeking support, including through BDF, while also acknowledging her second biggest weakness was lack of agricultural skills.

Through Rwanda Extension Agriculture programs and partners like AGRA, FAO, and Mastercard Foundation, she gained technical skills, exposure, and most importantly, access to markets.

She highlights one experience with particular gratitude: “At the AgriShow in Mulindi, they paid for everything our stand, transport, food, accommodation. That changed everything for me.”

Mariette eventually launched Smart Greenhouse, a company combining greenhouse farming and precision agriculture technologies. Her innovations monitor and regulate conditions that influence crop growth directly supporting Rwanda’s 2030 goal of increasing agricultural productivity by 25%.

Today, Smart Greenhouse operates in Gicumbi, Rwamagana, and Bugesera, serving both local and international markets.

The company currently employs 6 permanent employees and 30 temporary worker’s daily

Mariette says agriculture taught her that transparency inspires others.

“We were taught not to talk about money. But I want youth to know there are opportunities.”

Revenues vary by season tomatoes take four months, sweet pepper 6–8 months, habanero a year, strawberries 8–12 months. But across all three greenhouses. Smart Greenhouse earns between 28–30 million Rwf gross per season, after covering salaries, taxes, and costs.

Her journey mirrors the barriers many young people encounter capital market access and skills and technical capacity. Yet she insists these problems should not discourage anyone.

“Dear fellow youth, agriculture needs you. We eat every day. The population is increasing while the land is decreasing. Agriculture needs creative, innovative youth more than any industry will ever need you.” She said.

Mariette urges partners to support farmers in accessing premium markets: “Middlemen take our produce for very low prices, then sell it high because they access bigger markets. We take all the risk yet earn the least.”

She hopes for collaborations that expand market access both locally and abroad.

Her dream is bold, clear and rooted in the future of controlled-environment agriculture: “In five years, I will be a big greenhouse farmer. Saying my name Mariette will mean greenhouse farmer. You won’t separate the two.”

Mariette’s journey reflects a larger shift in Rwanda’s agriculture at a time when the country must create over 850,000 agri-food jobs by 2030 and still loses up to 40% of horticultural produce due to limited market access. With only 2% of Rwanda’s farmland irrigated and more than 70% of citizens relying on agriculture for their livelihoods, her smart greenhouse model shows how technology can boost productivity and resilience.

By earning 28–30 million Rwf per season from just three greenhouses, she demonstrates the untapped potential of youth-led agribusiness and directly contributes to Rwanda’s national goal of increasing agricultural productivity by 25% by 2030 proving that innovation, not land size, will define the future of farming. 

She once vowed never to become a farmer, today she is one of Rwanda’s rising agritech pioneers, turning three greenhouses into a model of productivity, resilience, and youth-led transformation

From rejecting farming to redefining it, Bisenge Mico Mariette is using smart greenhouses to prove that innovation, not land size, is the future of agriculture in Rwanda

Where others saw mud and struggle, Mariette saw technology and opportunity, her Smart Greenhouse journey is inspiring a new generation to believe that agriculture can be modern, profitable, and powerful

“I started farming with very little knowledge,” he said. “When I attended the training in Rwamagana under the AGRA project, I gained practical skills on how to manage pepper production and how to connect to reliable markets. That is when I decided to expand the land I was cultivating because I was confident the market was assured.”

He expanded his farmland from 50 ares to one hectare and 10 ares, which he currently uses for pepper production.

Before working with the AGRA-supported project, Ruhumuriza says he struggled to get meaningful returns from farming due to poor agronomic practices and lack of markets.

“Previously, I harvested without proper follow-up on crop management, and I had no stable market, which often led to losses,” he explained. “Today, I monitor my crop from planting to post-harvest and marketing, and the difference is visible.”

Through the programme, he was linked to Virunga as a formal buyer, which has increased his confidence and financial stability.

“Now I am assured of a market, and I can also approach financial institutions because they trust my business,” he said. “I have even learned the importance of taking crop insurance to protect my investment.”

Ruhumuriza expects a harvest of up to 13 tonnes of pepper this season. His production activities currently employ six permanent workers, and during harvesting seasons the workforce rises to 25 laborers.

Financially, he estimates that investments made so far amount to around Rwf 6 million, while projected returns from the ongoing harvest range between Rwf 16 million and Rwf 18 million.

He calls on AGRA and partners to continue expanding training and market opportunities for farmers.

“We need more exposure and technical support so that we can grow further, employ more people, and improve our livelihoods,” he said.

Ruhumuriza also appreciates government and partner support in strengthening irrigation and marshland development infrastructure.

“The infrastructure we have received, especially irrigation facilities have made a big difference in our farming activities,” he said.

Among those benefiting from the pepper farming enterprise is Liliane Tuyishimire, one of the workers employed on the farm. She says her monthly earnings have helped her improve household welfare.

“The money I earn from this job has allowed me to buy small livestock, including pigs and rabbits, I now have 12 rabbits,” she said. “I no longer depend entirely on my husband for financial support because I can meet some of my own needs.”

Liliane adds that the job has also been a learning opportunity.

“We learn a lot from our work here, and together with my colleagues we hope that, in the future, we will also start our own professional farming projects,” she said.

Another worker, Siborurema Jean d’Amour, who has been employed on the farm for a month, earns Rwf 60,000 per month. He says the income has already enabled him to start small livestock farming.

“From my salary, I managed to buy three goats and five chickens,” he said. “Before, I practiced farming informally, but working here has inspired me once I stabilize financially, I also want to start professional farming because I have seen that it can sustain a livelihood.”

According to global agricultural data, Rwanda is an emerging producer of pepper, with about 2,820 metric tonnes of black pepper produced in 2023, ranking the country among the world’s top 20 producers of this commodity. Historical export data also shows that Rwandan pepper exports which totaled more than 721 metric tonnes and generated over US $1 million in revenue during the 2018/19 fiscal year have been on a growth trajectory, signaling expanding market opportunities for farmers.

Ruhumuriza Jean Paul explains how agribusiness training helped him transition from subsistence farming to professional pepper production with reliable markets

Liliane Tuyishimire, one of the workers on the farm, says her monthly earnings have enabled her to invest in small livestock and improve her family’s welfare

Siborurema Jean d’Amour says the income from his job on the farm has helped him start small livestock farming, strengthening his journey toward financial independence

With support from the AGRA-supported project, Ruhumuriza expanded his farmland to 1.1 hectares, increasing productivity and strengthening market confidence

The newly launched initiatives aim to modernize veterinary service delivery, strengthen private sector participation, and enhance professionalism and accountability within the livestock sector. Through VSM, private veterinary practitioners are formally authorized to provide services on behalf of the public sector, addressing long-standing gaps in access, especially in rural areas. The reform aligns with national development priorities under NST2 and PSTA5, which emphasize productivity, resilience, and private-sector-led growth in agriculture

Local livestock farmers welcomed the reform, saying it responds directly to challenges they have faced for years. Marthe Bahate, a farmer from Ruharambuga Sector in Nyamasheke District, said delayed access to veterinary services had often resulted in losses.
“Many of our animals used to die because veterinarians arrived too late. Now that private practitioners can operate on behalf of the government, we expect services to be closer and faster, especially during disease outbreaks,” she said.

Similar sentiments were echoed by Munyanshongore Jean Nepomscene, a cattle and pig farmer from Wimana Cell, Ruharambuga Sector, who stressed the importance of skilled and timely services.
“What we needed most were quick services delivered by qualified technicians. This program gives us confidence that our livestock is in capable hands,” he noted.

According to MINAGRI, the Veterinary Sanitary Mandate is designed to close service delivery gaps by decentralizing animal health services while maintaining strong oversight. Thirty-four private veterinary companies have already been accredited by RAB and are authorized to operate under the VSM framework in different districts. These companies work under legally registered entities, are selected through a restricted tendering process, and are required to submit monthly performance reports to both district authorities and RAB

Veterinary professionals themselves see the reform as a turning point for the sector. Niyonsenga Festus, a private veterinary practitioner in Nyamasheke District, praised the decision to formally entrust service delivery to accredited private actors.
“This is a milestone for private veterinarians. We have been provided with essential equipment, which was one of the biggest challenges in our work. With these tools, we can now offer professional and timely services,” he said.

The launch also marked the digitalization of veterinary regulation through the AMIS Veterinary Registration and Licensing Module, developed jointly by the MINAGRI Digital Office and the Rwanda Council of Veterinary Doctors (RCVD). The platform replaces a previously manual and fragmented system, enabling efficient registration and licensing of veterinarians, accreditation of clinics and pharmacies, and strengthened compliance monitoring at the national level

Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Ressources, Olivier Kamana, said the reform supports Rwanda’s broader ambition of building a knowledge-based and technology-driven agricultural economy.
“The Veterinary Sanitary Mandate is a new pathway to professionalize livestock services through collaboration with the private sector. It will improve service quality, strengthen disease prevention, and significantly reduce losses faced by farmers,” he said.

He further urged farmers to adopt professional livestock practices and to work closely with local authorities to access accredited veterinary services. Under the new system, farmers can use short-code telephone lines to quickly reach veterinarians wherever they are, ensuring timely intervention and affordable, standardized services.

To operationalize the program, each accredited veterinary practitioner in 3 districts of western province which is Nyamasheke, Rutsiro and Karongi received a professional equipment package valued at RWF 1,180,000, aimed at improving service efficiency and quality. The integration of these services into AMIS also enables real-time data collection, monitoring, and decision-making across the livestock value chain.

The VSM rollout begins with 34 accredited private veterinary companies, a 100% digital licensing and registration system, and equipment investments exceeding RWF 1.18 million per practitioner. The reform is expected to contribute to improved animal health outcomes, enhanced food safety, and reduced livestock-related losses key factors in strengthening rural livelihoods and national food security.

Olivier Kamana, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Kamana Olivier, hands over equipment

Mobile phones with short codes were provided for farmers to call whenever they need veterinary services

Dr. Florence Uwamahoro the Ag Director General of  Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB)

Tresor’s journey began unexpectedly in late 2022. A trained food scientist raised in Rwamagana among farming families, he met a farmer named Alice, a mother of five who had harvested 10 metric tons of chili but could not find a buyer.

“I didn’t plan this business. When I met Alice, she was desperate. She had produced over 10 tons of chili during a low-demand season, but no buyer. I couldn’t help her at that moment, and it made me think about creating a lasting solution. That’s how the idea was born.”

Faced with the recurring challenge of post-harvest losses, Tresor decided to develop a product that would prevent chili from going to waste while creating new value on the market. That decision marked the birth of Incuti Foods.

Incuti Foods is more than a chili processing plant. It is a food brand built around “food experience” a blend of flavor innovation and modern culinary culture.

“We produce different chili sauce flavors, and we also offer a unique chicken wings experience through our kitchen concept and mobile app. Customers get to taste our sauces directly through our wings packages.”

The company has developed seven distinct chili flavors, crafted from Rwandan ingredients and designed for local and international palates.

Today, Incuti Foods Operates a production facility in Gahanga, Employs over 15 full-time staff, 95% of whom are youth and women, Collaborates with around 50 chili farmers, Has sold hundreds of thousands of bottles and Exports to Kenya, Nigeria, the UK, the US, and Oman

“We’ve built a strong brand. People truly love our products, and that drives us every day.”

AGRA, through the Mastercard Foundation Fund, is helping youth-led agribusinesses scale. Tresor says AGRA has been instrumental in providing mentorship, exposure, and international linkages.

“AGRA is doing an amazing job. They empower youth and women, provide market linkages, training, and even funding opportunities. At the Africa Food Systems Forum in Dakar, I pitched Incuti Foods to investors and met customers we are still engaging today.”

One of the buyers he met in Senegal even traveled to Rwanda recently for due diligence, showing the seriousness of the market opportunities AGRA creates.

Following the Dakar Africa Food Systems Forum, Incuti Foods successfully raised funding to open a new chicken wings kitchen, which launches on December 1st.

“After Dakar, we raised significant investment to build our new kitchen concept. It’s fully ready, and we’re excited to open.”

At the same time, the company is raising USD 500,000 to expand production capacity, increase exports, and scale brand visibility.

Tresor participated in the official launch of NSYEAS and highlights its importance:

“One big idea from NSYEAS is working in clusters. When chili processors unite, we can meet international market demands that are too big for one company. Bringing youth together in value chain groups is essential for competing globally.”

Networking was another major takeaway:

“At the NSYEAS forum, I met more than 20 people within the chili value chain alone. These connections will shape joint production and market expansion.” He said

Looking ahead, Tresor’s greatest ambition is scaling Incuti Foods into Africa’s leading hot sauce brand.

“We want partners who help us expand into global markets. Our goal is to make Rwanda the home of Africa’s premier chili sauces. When you think chili in Rwanda or Africa we want you to think of Incuti.”

Key asks include Partnerships for market expansion, Investment in production scaling, Support in meeting global food safety standards and Linkages to international buyers and distributors

After three years on the market, Incuti Foods has built a fully equipped processing plant, a strong national brand, Seven commercially successful chili flavors, a chicken wings kitchen concept, a workforce dominated by youth and women, a network of 50 smallholder farmers and presence in five export markets

He has a Message to Youth Who Want to Start Something: “Start with what you have. Be confident, act fast, fail, learn, and improve. Know your numbers they run everything. And make sure your product is something people truly want to buy.” He said

In just three years, Incuti Foods has built an impressive foodprint on the market, developing seven unique chili flavors and expanding its workforce to 15 employees, 95% of whom are youth and women while partnering with 50 local chili farmers. The company has sold more than 100,000 bottles both locally and internationally, reaching five export destinations and establishing itself as a rising player in Africa’s agri-food landscape. With a current fundraising target of $500,000 to scale production and strengthen its global presence, Incuti Foods has launched a new kitchen concept on December 1, marking yet another milestone in its rapid growth trajectory.

Tresor Gashonga turned one farmer’s crisis into a solution now transforming Rwanda’s chili industry

Inside the Gahanga facility where Incuti Foods produces seven signature chili flavors for local and global markets

Shakira says she grew up with dreams of becoming an entrepreneur, though she did not know exactly what she wanted to do. She tried different ventures including making juice before observing that chili was a highly demanded product both in Rwanda and globally. She decided to build her business around it.

She says: “I grew up like any other child with dreams of becoming an entrepreneur but without knowing exactly what I would do. As I grew older, I tried different things, including making juice, but I eventually found myself in chili because I saw it was a product in high demand. I observed closely and saw its fast-moving market both locally and internationally, so I chose it.”

In her small processing workshop located in Runda, Shakira produces three types of chili sauce: Neza Chili, Neza Chili Oil and Neza Hits.

She explains that her unique value lies in making oil-free chili sauce.
She said: “People are used to chili that contains oil. I thought of those who are advised not to consume oil but still love chili, so I decided to make an oil-free product that anyone can enjoy.”

She works with chili farmers from the Eastern Province, especially in Kayonza and Bugesera districts, who supply her with raw materials.

“We work with different farmers from Bugesera and Kayonza who grow for us and deliver the produce which we then purchase.”

Like many who start agribusiness, Shakira faced challenges especially lack of capital and equipment. She started in her home kitchen, using basic household tools.

She said: “Starting wasn’t easy. I began working from home with less than Rwf 500,000. I would produce small batches and give them to family and friends to taste and give feedback. When they liked it, I started investing the little money I had, and slowly grew from there.”

In line with NSYEAS’ objective of creating jobs through value addition in agriculture, Shakira soon reached a point where she could no longer work alone. She now employs eight permanent workers’ young men and women from her community and four temporary workers, depending on market demand.

She said: “You cannot talk about value addition in agriculture and work alone. I now work with youth who help in sorting, processing, and packaging the chili. When we receive large orders, additional helpers join us, and together we can be up to 18 people.”

She believes that today’s youth should not only look for jobs but also create employment opportunities.

Regarding revenue, Shakira says her business earns between Rwf 4 million and Rwf 6 million per month.

Her biggest market is in Kigali from hotels and restaurants to retail shops but she also supplies customers in Kamonyi, Rubavu, Musanze, and Muhanga districts.

Shakira says she chose to build a brand grounded in quality rather than chasing quick profits. She collaborates with food inspection authorities, maintains strict hygiene, carefully measures ingredients, and uses certified packaging materials. She graduated from the “Zamukana Ubuziranenge” program and now holds all the required quality certifications.

She dreams of building a large, internationally compliant factory.
“I want to build a big factory that meets high standards and distributes products across the world.”

Her company, Shaky Ltd, can produce 800 kilograms of chili per week, enabling them to meet any order they receive.

While she acknowledges she has not yet reached where she wants to be, Shakira sees real progress.
“My dream was to create an agricultural product that supports my family and provides jobs for others. Now I can see the beginning of that dream becoming reality.”

For youth who constantly complain about unemployment, Shakira notes that the challenge is not always the lack of jobs but sometimes fear of starting small and limited access to accurate information.

“Many young people rely on misinformation or promises that don’t materialize. When you tell someone there are many business opportunities, they look at you like you say that because you have succeeded. But the opportunities are there you can start with very little and grow. People call it luck, but when you try and God blesses your effort, it works.”

She believes the future of youth in agriculture depends on sustained political commitment and support from partners especially in innovation and value addition.

Throughout her two-year journey, she has met various supporters and partners who helped her grow, including AGRA, which supported her with training and participation in expos; RYAF, which connected her to opportunities; the YouthConnekt Awards, where she won Rwf 5 million; and the Imali Agribusiness Challenge, where she won Rwf 10 million.

“I met partners who supported me, like AGRA which helped me with training and expanding my business, as well as participation in exhibitions and trade fairs. RYAF has always been close, linking me to opportunities. I also won Rwf 5 million in YouthConnekt and Rwf 10 million in the Imali Agribusiness Challenge. All these helped me reach where I am today.”

Shakira says that although she did not study agriculture, it hasn’t stopped her from excelling in value addition.

“I studied city all customs and tax operation not agriculture but I have attended various training sessions and continue to do so. Sometimes you study something and later find there are no opportunities in it, so you explore other options. That’s what I did, and it has paid off.”

As NSYEAS outlines billions of francs required for large national projects to create jobs and innovation in agricultural value chains, Uwineza Shakira’s journey from Runda shows that the strategy cannot be fulfilled by policy documents alone, it requires real people who take initiative.

In a broader sense, her story reinforces NSYEAS’ vision that the future of agriculture in Rwanda will be built by resilient, innovative young men and women who turn the harvests from their villages into products for national and global markets. 

Oil-free, youth-driven, job-creating: Shakira’s chili brand is redefining agribusiness in Kamonyi

Chili with a mission: Creating jobs, supporting farmers, and inspiring Rwanda’s youth

Behind every bottle of Neza Chili is a young woman proving that NSYEAS can work

(17) #TheRiseUp: Kuva mu gikoni kugera ku ruganda||Shaky Ltd Imaze guha akazi abantu 18 kubera urusenda - YouTube

The launch event, held at the Kigali Convention Centre, brought together government leaders, development partners, private-sector actors, over 400 youth agripreneurs, civil society, and innovation hubs making it one of the most important milestones of YouthFAST 2025.

In his opening address, Dr. Marc Cyubahiro, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, emphasized the urgency and opportunity embedded in the new strategy.

He said: “Today, we launch a strategy that is not just a document but a commitment to action a pledge to unlock dignified, profitable and sustainable employment opportunities for Rwanda’s youth in our agrifood systems.”

Minister Marc Cyubahiro launches NSYEAS, calling it a national commitment to creating dignified and profitable jobs for Rwanda’s youth.

The Minister said that if the country acted with unity and determination. He said: “If we act with unity and determination, we will mobilize financing at the required scale, accelerate the implementation of PSTA5 and the Youth Strategy, and return next year to celebrate measurable progress driven by our young agri-preneurs.”

He also mentioned role of the youth in implementing this strategy. He said: “With a median age of 20 and nearly 60% of our population under 30, our youth represent a dynamic and innovative force. They are not just beneficiaries they are central actors in shaping Rwanda’s agrifood future.”

The AGRA Country Director in Rwanda Jean Paul Ndagijimana emphasized that the organization is committed to supporting farmers and addressing any challenges they face.

He said: “If you have an institution, a company, an association, or a cooperative, even a youth group organized in a savings, we don’t want you to struggle with any challenge you encounter. We want to help you overcome it.”

He added: “Our goal is to bring about transformation in agriculture and agri-food systems in a way that creates jobs, increases food production, and enhances learning, ultimately helping to lift many people out of poverty and improve their livelihoods.”

AGRA’s Country Director Jean Paul Ndagijimana reaffirms AGRA’s commitment to helping farmers and youth overcome challenges in agriculture

He also stated that AGRA aims to work with Rwandans to increase the value of agriculture so that it moves from subsistence farming where people grow only for consumption to a form of agriculture that is oriented toward investment.

He said: “Another important aspect is that we want Rwandans and non-Rwandans to invest their capital in agriculture and benefit from it. We no longer want subsistence farming; we want farming that generates income, farming that makes someone proud and fulfilled because they are part of the agricultural sector.”

Young agripreneurs present at the launch shared optimism about what NSYEAS means for their future.

Hawa Chloe Niyigena Agro-processing entrepreneur said:
“For years, youth have been working hard but lacked a clear national framework. NSYEAS gives us a seat at the table. We now know where to plug in, what opportunities to pursue, and how government and partners will support us.”

Dany Vassyly Mugisha said that The biggest challenge for young entrepreneurs remains financing, and now they have hope. He said:
“The biggest challenge for young entrepreneurs remains financing. If NSYEAS can make financing more accessible and reduce collateral barriers, youth-led enterprises like ours will scale faster and create more jobs.”

The launch of the National Strategy for Youth Employment in Agri-Food Systems (NSYEAS) signals a new phase in Rwanda’s commitment to youth-led agricultural transformation.

Data presented during YouthFAST shows that the seven flagship youth projects require a combined investment of 35.4 billion Frw, of which 25.5 billion Frw has already been secured, leaving a financing gap of 9.8 billion Frw that government and partners including AGRA and Masters Foundation are now working to close.

These projects are set to create 4,393 jobs for young people across key value chains such as greenhouse horticulture, poultry, piggery, mechanization, seed production and fodder systems. Mechanization alone carries the largest investment at 19.3 billion Frw, while youth-led greenhouse farming, poultry and piggery projects collectively engage thousands and demonstrate strong profitability, with Internal Rate of Returns ranging between 22% and over 70% in some seed and fodder systems.

The Anchor Farmer-Based Youth Flagship Projects presented at YouthFAST outline seven high-impact initiatives requiring a combined investment of 35.4 billion Frw, with 25.5 billion Frw already secured and a remaining 9.8 billion Frw funding gap.

These projects include greenhouse horticulture 2.8 billion Frw with 400 jobs, poultry 695 million Frw with 300 jobs, piggery 3.99 billion Frw with 3,156 jobs, mechanization 19.3 billion Frw with 117 jobs, potato seed production 4.61 billion Frw with 70 jobs, rice seed production 1.31 billion Frw with 150 jobs and fodder production 1.02 billion Frw with 200 jobs. Together, they are expected to create 4,393 youth jobs nationwide, showcasing the scale and economic potential of youth-led agrifood enterprises.

Last year AGRA supported with the launch of PSTA 5 and immediately moved on the development of a national strategy that would crystallize the inclusion of Rwanda's youth population.

Dany Vassyly Mugisha emphasizes that accessible financing under NSYEAS will help youth enterprises grow faster and create more jobs

Young entrepreneur Hawa Chloe Niyigena says NSYEAS finally gives youth a national framework and a real seat at the decision-making table

Vice Mayors in charge of economic development from all 30 districts participated in the launch, reaffirming local government commitment to advancing youth-led agrifood transformation

Photos:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1dHQP6pwC3hBMyT0lLn8sYw3YvgOoSdKy?usp=sharing

This inaugural edition was made possible through major financial support from AGRA, the main funder of the YouthFAST Forum, working closely with national institutions to champion youth-led agricultural transformation.

Introducing the initiative officially, Dr. Chantal Ingabire, Director General for Planning in The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal resources, said the Youth FAST Forum was founded on a simple but urgent premise: co-creating the transformation of Rwanda’s agrifood systems together with young people.

She said: “YouthFAST is a national platform that brings together youth, private sector, public institutions and development partners to pool knowledge, expertise and resources for a youth-led transformation of agrifood systems,”

She also added: “It is an annual forum, and this first edition is a significant milestone for our country.”

She noted that Rwanda’s demographic profile makes youth central to agricultural modernization 32% of all farmers are youth, two-thirds of farmers are under 46 and youth unemployment stands at 20%, higher than the national average of 17.3%

Under NST2 and PSTA5, Dr. Chantal said, youth must be placed “at the heart of adopting digitalization, mechanization and climate-smart innovations that will drive the future of our sector.”

Delivering his keynote remarks, Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye, Minister of State in The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal resources, praised youth for redefining Rwanda’s agricultural landscape through innovation, resilience and enterprise.

He said: “It is my great honour to welcome you to the 2025 YouthFAST Forum,” he said. “Today we gather to unlock the talent, innovation and energy of Rwanda’s young people as the driving force of our agrifood systems transformation.”

He highlighted recent labor force findings that 30.8% of all youth are employed in the agriculture sector, 56% of employed youth in agriculture are now in commercial, not subsistence, activities, yet nearly 60% of youth remain underutilized

He said: “These numbers show both the immense potential and the urgency, Youth are not just beneficiaries. They are architects of Rwanda’s agrifood future.”

This year’s theme, “Catalyzing Investments for Transformational Impact under PSTA 5,” challenges partners to align financing, skills development, and market systems to national priorities.

AGRA’s support is central to these ambitions, with the organization continuing to back innovations, youth skilling, and enterprise growth as part of its broader commitment to strengthening Africa’s agrifood systems.

During the youth dialogue sessions, young agripreneurs expressed optimism but emphasized the need for sustained support, affordable financing, and access to market-oriented training.

Shakira Uwineza, agro-processing entrepreneur from Kamonyi, said the Forum validates the aspirations of many young innovators who have long felt overlooked.

She said “What I like about YouthFAST is that we are not here to be lectured, we are here to contribute to solutions. We want to build companies that solve problems in post-harvest losses, value addition and digital extension. Give us finance and mentorship, and we will deliver.”

Evariste Sibobugingo, youth from Nyanza District, said YouthFAST shows a shift in how the country views young people in the agrifood value chain.

He said: “It is motivating to see government putting youth at the center digital platform helps smallholder farmers access weather-based advice, but scaling requires partnerships. Forums like this give us the door we have been knocking on for years.”

Among the young innovators attending the YouthFAST Forum, Elie Nsengukuri, the founder of Amaboko y’u Rwanda Ltd in Musanze District, stands out as a powerful example of how youth-led enterprises are reshaping Rwanda’s agrifood sector.

Elie shared his perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing youth agripreneurs, as well as what this national platform means for the future of value addition in Rwanda.

He said: “What we expect as youth is a more accessible financing system. In Musanze, we see countless opportunities for value addition, but high interest rates and collateral requirements keep many young entrepreneurs behind. Affordable loans would allow companies like ours to scale.”

In his concluding remarks, Dr. Telesphore reaffirmed MINAGRI’s commitment to youth-centered transformation He said: “As MINAGRI, we commit to unlocking finance, expanding skills, strengthening markets, and scaling youth-led flagship programs. But above all, we commit to listening to you because your ideas will shape the future of this sector.”

Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye, Minister of State, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Ressources 

As the first-ever YouthFAST Forum draws to a close, one message stands out clearly: Rwanda’s agrifood transformation cannot succeed without the full participation, creativity, and leadership of its young people. With AGRA as the main funder, this platform sets a new foundation for sustained youth engagement and investment in the years ahead. From digital innovators to agro-processors and climate-smart solution designers, youth demonstrated not only their readiness but their determination to shape the sector’s future.

Dr. Chantal Ingabire, Director General for Planning in The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal resources

Shakira Uwineza, agro-processing entrepreneur from Kamonyi

Evariste Sibobugingo, youth from Nyanza District, said YouthFAST shows a shift in how the country views young people in the agrifood value chain

Elie Nsengukuri, the founder of Amaboko y’u Rwanda Ltd in Musanze District, stands out as a powerful example of how youth-led enterprises are reshaping Rwanda’s agrifood sector

She says: “Coffee is life, and it is love more than many people think. It started as an idea my husband and I had when we were both baristas. We loved coffee so much that we decided to start a project of serving and processing it. That’s where the idea of establishing a training school came from the school that now teaches the entire journey of coffee, from the farm to the cup.”

Serge Iradukunda, who has been training for three months, says he began simply by enjoying watching others prepare coffee until he eventually embraced it as a profession.
He recounts: “I came to learn coffee because my brother, who studied it before, kept encouraging me to join. At first, things didn’t feel natural, but as days passed, I found myself not wanting to go home after classes because I was falling deeply in love with it.”

Similarly, Sandrine Ange Urusaro, who has been training for two months, says she always loved coffee but never knew how it was made.
She says: “I came because I loved coffee and wanted to understand everything about it from the farm to the cup and here they teach us all of that.”

These young people, like many others who passed through Elite Café, emphasize that the journey of coffee processing is far more complex than what the coffee drinker at the table imagines. It is a craft that demands skill, dedication, and a deep sense of passion.

Some pursue coffee only for profit or prestige, but Nkundira Coffee, the coffee brand by Elite Café was founded on one mission: “Make Rwandans fall in love with their own coffee.”

This is what inspired the “Coffee Hour” initiative, aimed at popularizing quality coffee among Rwandans, including giving out free coffee to the public as a way of introducing them to its value. This is explained by Muhorakeye Annet.

She says: “We offer a free coffee hour so that Rwandans can taste good coffee and feel the love behind it. Once they love it, they become curious, and curiosity draws them closer to coffee.”

In a country with a large youthful population, many of whom hold degrees but struggle to find employment Elite Café became an answer to the problem of unemployment. Here, unemployment is not viewed as destiny but as a classroom for innovation and finding new pathways.

Elite Café is fully certified to operate in Rwanda and works with the Rwanda TVET Board, making its certificates valid both locally and internationally. Many of its graduates are now employed, transforming their own lives and those of their families.

Mbabazi Anitha, now an employee of Elite Café, says: “I studied here for two months, and through their generosity, I got a job and started training others. I was unemployed before, but now I earn my own salary.”

According to Muhorakeye Annet, the fact that their certificates are approved by Rwanda TVET Board gives students an advantage.

She explains: “We are privileged to work with the Rwanda TVET Board, meaning our certificates are fully recognized. So far, 800 students have trained here, and 80% of them are employed both in Rwanda and abroad. About 100 have secured jobs in countries such as Oman, Qatar, and Dubai.”

Elite Café Founder, Muhorakeye Annet, guiding youth on how to produce high-quality coffee that meets global standards

She also expresses gratitude to the Government of Rwanda and other partners who have supported their journey, including YouthConnekt who awarded them a prize and partners such as AGRA, Profemme, and RYAF.

She says: “We wouldn’t have achieved this without the support of our country. YouthConnekt gave us 25 million Rwandan francs, which helped us buy machines for roasting and processing coffee. AGRA has been a strong partner they visit, support us in various ways, especially through their ‘Value for Her’ project. I am also part of Profemme and RYAF initiatives, all aimed at empowering youth. This support motivates me to help others the same way I have been helped.”

In 2024, Rwanda produced 21,295 tons of coffee, with only 5% consumed domestically.
Between 2024–2025, compared to 2023–2024, Rwanda’s coffee production increased by 25%, reaching 21,295 tons, while national revenue grew from USD 78.7 million to USD 116.1 million a 48% increase.

Serge and Sandrine, two of the trainees, sharing how their growing passion for coffee is transforming their life paths

Graduates of Elite Café who have secured jobs in Rwanda and abroad, proof that skills create sustainable opportunities.

Elite Café trainees during hands-on sessions, exploring the full journey of coffee from the bean to the cup

Our case in Belém is direct. Move the youth from the margins to the center of food and climate finance. The stakes are continental and immediate. By 2050 more than 600 million Africans will join the working age population and one in three people aged 15 to 34 on earth will be African. That surge will decide whether food systems create dignity and jobs or feed frustration and flight. Ministers and financiers gathering at COP30 have the chance to back proven youth led models with real money and clear metrics, starting now.

Over the course of 2025, youth from across the continent came together through regional Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture  (YEFFA) convenings in Botswana, Rwanda, and The Gambia to build a shared vision for their future. They brought stories of ingenuity and strain, of confronting climate shocks with improvisation and grit, of building businesses in fragmented markets, and of carrying the emotional and economic weight of households where farming remains both a livelihood and a gamble.

What emerged from the convenings was a collective assertion of agency.

And it is this agency that underpins the Unified Youth Statement on Advancing Climate-Resilient Food Systems in Africa, a declaration shaped by realities on the ground and infused with the urgency of a generation that cannot afford another decade of slow reform.

It calls for finance designed for young entrepreneurs, for formal representation in the spaces where food and climate decisions are made, for systems that recognise indigenous knowledge alongside modern tools, for value chains that do not collapse under climate pressure, and for accountability that cannot be softened by rhetoric.

The declaration reflects the practical terrain young people navigate every day. Youth already power agrifood systems worldwide, with 44 percent of working young people earning their livelihoods somewhere along the chain from soils to supermarkets. Yet food insecurity among youth has climbed sharply since the mid-2010s, hitting young Africans hardest. In Sub-Saharan Africa the share of young people not in employment, education or training stood at 21.9 percent in 2023, with young women most affected. That is lost talent and a warning flare for stability.

Skeptics will say youth programs come and go, that agriculture is risky, margins thin and shocks rising. They are not wrong about the risks. But risk falls fast when climate smart inputs, price discovery and aggregation come together with value chain finance. That is what corridor approaches and last mile services are designed to do. When youth run these services, adoption jumps because they move with speed, speak the language of their peers and compete on service.

For AGRA and the multitude of youth voices echoed over the course the year, we insist on bringing these realities to Belém. Because young Africans are already building the solutions we all say we want. Take Tafadzwa Chikwereti of Zimbabwe, whose work at e-Agro uses AI and satellite data to give farmers tailored crop advice and access to credit, transforming how smallholders adapt to unpredictable rains. Or Imungana Malikana in Zambia, whose solar-powered tools at Cranitech help farmers track their yields, irrigate efficiently, and unlock climate-smart finance. Or Fatima El Khou in Morocco, who is creating eco-friendly value chains with solar-powered processing that reduces waste and strengthens rural incomes. They are proving what is possible when youth have the tools and the trust to lead.

Yet their leadership persists in systems that were not built for them. Across Africa, 53 million young people are outside employment, education, or training. Young women remain structurally locked out of land and finance. Too many youth-led enterprises break at the point where ambition meets bureaucracy. And climate shocks are amplifying every inequality young Africans already face. COP30 offers a rare chance to take youth leadership seriously, not as a side event, nor a moral appeal, but as a proven pathway to deliver climate and food security goals that have stalled for years. Africa’s youth arrive in Belém with clarity, unity, and solutions already in motion. What they need now is political will and the financing to match it

Lead for Advocacy and External Engagements at AGRA

Mr. Rogito a Specialist for Soil Health Climate and Food and Land Use Coalition (FOLU) at AGRA 

The Belém Declaration on Hunger, Poverty, and People Centered Climate Action calls for urgent investment to support climate adaptation, eradicate hunger, and build climate-resilient food systems. Africa’s farmers are ready. With nearly USD 2.8 billion already announced for climate-smart agriculture, funding exists; what matters now is ensuring it reaches farmers through tangible interventions like healthy soils, timely seeds, and reliable market access.Healthy soils underpin climate resilience. The AU’s 10-year Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan provides a clear pathway to restore soils and lift yields if countries and financiers back science-driven agriculture, extension and input markets. Success should be measured in hectares restored, yield gains, and losses reduced, ensuring investment translates into concrete farm-level results. 

Alice Ruhweza is the President of AGRA

Speeding up the time it takes seed from the lab to the local shop could transform African agriculture as powerfully as any new financing pledge. Across the continent, climate-smart and nutritious varieties already exist, yet too many are stuck behind slow release, certification, and distribution systems. AGRA’s SeedSAT tool and other regional efforts show how to cut those delays and crowd in local enterprises so that a farmer can buy the right seed on time, close to home. At the Growing Innovations Showcase in the AgriZone at COP30, we’ve seen practical solutions, from climate-resilient seeds to digital advisory services, demonstrate that delivery innovations are achievable. 

Equally critical is connecting farmers to markets and finance.  Corridor approaches linking surplus zones to demand centres with storage, cold chains, harmonised rules, and value chain finance reduces waste and attract private capital. AGRA’s consortia approach, working with agro-dealer networks, anchor firms, and the Africa Corridor Initiative, strengthens input-output linkages, and gives smallholders visibility to buyers, builds trust and attracts investments. COP30 must ensure governments, donors, and financiers scale these proven approaches quickly.

Some argue we should wait for new funds, flawless data, or perfect safeguards before acting. Accountability matters, but progress cannot pause. We already have tools to target innovations and track progress. The AU Soil Plan provides a clear delivery framework, the CAADP Biennial Review offers mutual accountability, and the Emirates Declaration united over one hundred and thirty countries around a shared intent on food systems. Building on this, AGRA is scaling proven solutions across borders, coordinating innovation and finance for maximum impact. The sensible path is to use what exists, scale what works, fix what doesn’t, and spread proven methods. That is how public money attracts private capital and how farmers see real change within seasons, not decades.

So what should happen now?

Belém is not the place to rehearse promises. It is the place to fund delivery that puts smallholders first, especially women who carry much of the labour in our value chains. By acting decisively, we can make the scene on the Makueni road an everyday reality rather than the exception. If we stall, floods and droughts will continue to devastate communities and we will keep rehearsing grief.

The choice at COP30 is stark. Fund and scale tested methods that put smallholders first. African governments should also integrate climate action finance into their annual budgets. Or explain to our children why hunger rose in a decade of promises. If we get it right, smallholders can thrive when finance, delivery, and knowledge converge, and COP30 can be the turning point.

Director for Climate Adaption, Sustainable Agriculture and Resilience at AGRA.

“Africa’s farmers are not waiting for the future; they are shaping it,” said Alice Ruhweza, President of AGRA. “A farmer-first climate breakthrough means turning promises into progress, converting finance into resilience, and transforming ambition into action where it matters most, on farms.”

AGRA believes COP30 offers a vital opportunity to advance the adaptation and resilience agenda through agriculture and food systems. Across its engagements in Belém, AGRA will spotlight proven pathways for scaling impact, including coherent policies, fit-for-purpose finance, functioning markets, and soil health systems that sustain productivity, with a view of putting youth and women at the center of Africa’s agricultural transformation.

This call aligns with the newly adopted Belém Declaration on Hunger, Poverty, and Human-Centered Climate Action, endorsed by 43 countries and the European Union. The Declaration recognizes that climate action and social justice are inseparable and urges a rebalancing of climate finance to support people most exposed to climate shocks. It highlights the need for climate-responsive social protection, insurance for smallholder farmers, and livelihood programs that build long-term resilience.

AGRA supports this global shift and emphasizes that small-scale producers are not just victims of the climate crisis, but are key drivers of resilience and transformation.

“Resilience is built when the right policies, finance, and technical solutions meet at the farm level,” said Tilahun Amede, AGRA’s Director for Sustainable Farming, Climate Adaptation, and Resilience. “At COP30 together with partners, we aim to show how soil health, water management, inclusive finance and stronger value chains can turn climate ambition into practical results for farmers for short term gains and longer-term resilience.”

The UNEP Adaptation Gap Report 2025 warns that developing countries face an annual shortfall of USD 284 - 339 billion in adaptation funding. Current flows meet barely a tenth of that need. AGRA is calling for a stronger push to direct climate finance where it has the greatest impact, into the hands of farmers and rural enterprises that power food and job systems across Africa.

The farmer-first approach reflects African negotiators’ calls for adaptation that delivers tangible improvements for producers. AGRA is working with governments to streamline regulations for climate-resilient seed, support risk-sharing mechanisms that attract private capital, and align donor programs with national priorities rather than short-term pilots.

Soils and Youth at the Center of Action

Years of land degradation have depressed yields and weakened resilience across smallholder systems. According to the Africa Food Systems Report 2025, nearly 65 percent of productive land in Africa is degraded, reducing yields and eroding resilience. AGRA is highlighting the urgent need to invest in soil health, promote diversified cropping, and improve nutrient management through both organic and mineral sources. It is also advocating for data systems that track soil health and productivity to guide national planning and investment.

AGRA’s youth agenda focuses on skills, enterprise financing, and procurement opportunities that bring young Africans into higher-value roles in processing, logistics, and input distribution. AGRA wants measurable progress on youth employment indicators and financing pathways for agri-SMEs that can retain young talent.

From Declarations to Delivery

Drawing on its work in fifteen African countries, AGRA argues that a delivery-first approach, tying finance to evidence-based actions, can help governments achieve climate and food security goals faster. The ultimate test of COP30, AGRA says, will be whether commitments channel resources into practical solutions that farmers can access.

AGRA is also a partner in the Growing Innovations showcase, co-hosted by the Gates Foundation, Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Embrapa, AIM for Scale, CGIAR, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), and the United Arab Emirates. The showcase both a high-level event on November 10 and a physical exhibition, will highlight affordable, climate-smart solutions designed for and, in many cases, by farmers.

AGRA is an African-led organization that works with governments, the private sector and partners to transform agriculture by improving smallholder access to quality inputs, markets, finance and policy support. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Nairobi, AGRA supports country-led delivery and continental initiatives that strengthen resilience, drive inclusive growth and improve food security.

Parliamentarians sit at the center of this transformation. They bridge citizens and policy, turning continental commitments into national priorities that change lives. They carry the mandate to turn continental frameworks such as the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) into national priorities that change lives. Beyond policy debate, their advocacy must secure the budgets and governance systems that drive delivery while ensuring inclusion of youth and women in shaping and owning solutions.

Encouragingly, several countries are demonstrating what delivery looks like. Uganda’s agro-industrialization policy anchors its national development plan, creating value-added jobs for smallholders. Kenya’s devolution model has brought agriculture closer to communities through county-led agribusiness and extension programs. Zambia is opening regional trade corridors and attracting private investment into processing and logistics. These are deliberate choices that increase incomes, stabilize prices, and restore dignity in rural homes.

Ambition is also rising elsewhere. Tanzania’s Agriculture Master Plan has placed agriculture as a driving force for economic propensity and projected  over $100 billion by 2050 from $18 billion in 2022, with commitments to triple rice exports, double sunflower revenues, and expand horticulture. Malawi’s Vision 2063 prioritizes commercialization, value addition, and export diversification in maize, soy, and groundnuts. These strategies go beyond GDP; they seek to transform livelihoods through productivity and inclusive growth.

Innovation is amplifying what strong leadership can achieve. The Africa Digital Crop Variety Catalogue, launched in July 2025 with support from AGRA, puts decades of crop data at the fingertips of breeders, farmers, and investors across seven countries. Scaled continentally, it could modernize seed systems and make climate-smart, high-yield, nutrient-dense varieties more accessible. Such data-driven governance, backed by parliamentary oversight, turns good ideas into measurable results.

However, the gap between international pledges and domestic resource allocation remains wide. Many commitments made on global stages rarely translate into national budgets or local action. African leaders must bring these commitments home, aligning them with local priorities and making food systems transformation central to national development.

The Kampala CAADP Declaration marks a shift from focusing on agriculture alone to building integrated food systems that link nutrition, health, climate, trade, and jobs. Parliamentarians can drive this shift by ensuring food systems are treated as cross-government priorities rather than confined to agriculture ministries.

Equally important is a change in mindset. Agriculture must be seen as enterprise and innovation, not subsistence. With over 600 million young Africans, the continent can turn agri-entrepreneurship, technology, and green solutions into engines of prosperity. Empowering youth and women through inclusive investment and policy frameworks will be essential to unlocking this potential.

Transformation also requires enabling infrastructure. Seeds and fertilizer alone cannot drive change without reliable energy, transport, irrigation, storage, and digital connectivity. Parliamentarians can champion integrated planning that aligns sectoral budgets, ensuring that roads, power, and broadband investments directly enhance productivity and market access.

At the regional level, trade integration remains a major opportunity. Bottlenecks at borders raise costs and shrink markets. Through the Pan-African Parliament and regional blocs, legislators can push for harmonized standards, lower transaction costs, and efficient logistics, turning the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) into a living reality for food producers.

With debt pressures mounting, every dollar invested in agriculture must deliver measurable results. Parliamentarians have both the mandate and tools to enforce accountability under CAADP’s 10 percent public expenditure and 6 percent annual growth targets. Partnerships with think tanks, universities, and civil society can enhance evidence-based policymaking and ensure smarter, more transparent spending.

Effective communication is also vital. Food systems reform cannot remain an elite or technical conversation. Legislators can make progress tangible by showing how better policies lower food prices, improve family nutrition, create jobs, and strengthen economies. Partnerships with media, academia, and digital platforms can amplify impact and sustain citizen engagement.

Africa’s food systems transformation will not be built on new declarations but on the courage to deliver existing ones. The next decade, the Kampala Decade, must be defined by leaders who move from vision to action, from frameworks to fields, and from promises to progress. Africa does not lack ideas; it needs implementers who can turn policy into productivity and vision into victory.

Dr. Siliya is a former Minister of Agriculture in Zambia and Communications Advisor to the African Food Systems Parliamentary Network.

Mr. Keizire is the Director of Policy and State Capability at AGRA

This year’s CAADP Partnership Platform saw AGRA and partners align on the top priorities driving tangible outcomes in Africa’s Agri-food systems. During the forum, AGRA showcased the Africa Food Systems Report (AFSR) 2025, which contains indicators to track progress across supply chains, diets, food environments, systemic drivers, and outcomes.

Jonathan Said, Vice President, Technical Expertise at AGRA, noted.

“The CAADP Partnership Platform is where partners align on what we will deliver together. Our role is to support the AUC and AUDA-NEPAD to secure partner coherence and focus on key priorities, such as food corridors, end-to-end value chain development, and seed system commercialization, so that countries can implement their National Agriculture Investment Plans (NAIPs) faster, crowd in private investment, and expand access to finance for farmers and SMEs.”

The shared commitments centered on priority areas such as tangible support for governments to strengthen the coordination and delivery of flagship agricultural programs and policies that drive food systems transformation. Another priority agreed upon is advancing regional trade integration while supporting the private sector to invest in value addition and market access.

“AGRA’s initiatives are designed to connect smallholder farmers to regional markets, de-risk investment in agro-processing, and mobilize new financing models that catalyze growth along entire value chains toward Africa’s self-sufficiency and inclusive agricultural growth.” Jonathan Said, Vice President, Technical Expertise at AGRA, noted.

The partners also agreed on accelerating the African Soil Health and Fertilizer Agenda, recognizing that soil degradation remains a major constraint to Africa’s food security. Interventions are underway to promote integrated soil fertility management, the efficient use of fertilizers, and the development of farmer-centered extension systems that improve access to knowledge and inputs.

The partners convening in Kigali also agreed on fast-tracking the implementation of the AU’s Seed and BioTechnology action plan, with a strong focus on the commercialization and adoption of climate-smart, high-yielding, and nutrient-dense seed and technologies. Through its Centre of Excellence for Seed Systems in Africa (CESSA), AGRA showcased a tri-partite model linking it (AGRA), One CGIAR, and National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) to develop and deploy climate-resilient, nutrient-dense varieties.

Renewed emphasis has been placed on accelerating the inclusion of youth and women as intentional drivers of Africa’s food systems transformation. Recognizing that women and young people form the backbone of Africa’s agricultural economy, AGRA is promoting targeted programs that expand access to finance, land, and skills.  The African Union Commission convened a side event focusing on tracking youth entrepreneurship and employment in agrifood. CAADP-PP organizers say countries lack coherent metrics to judge progress, making it harder to steer finance and skills toward viable youth enterprises.

Speaking on Rwanda’s progress in promoting women’s access to finance, Jean Bosco Iyacu The Chief Executive Officer of Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR) said the country’s success story is rooted in accountability and evidence-based policymaking. He explained that the Finscope Survey, conducted every four years, has been a key instrument in tracking inclusion levels.

“What gets measured gets done,” Iyacu noted. “Rwanda’s culture of accountability where government, private sector, and civil society work as one team has driven progress in closing the gender gap in finance.”

He highlighted that access to finance for women has risen from 92% in 2020 to 96% in 2024, crediting both data-driven decisions and institutional mechanisms such as the Gender Monitoring Office and the Central Bank’s inclusive finance guidelines that encourage banks to design products for women entrepreneurs.

For Sakina Usengimana ,CEO of Afrifoods and Chairperson of Rwanda Youth in Agribusiness (RYAF), the progress achieved so far should not overshadow the challenges that remain. She pointed out that many women still struggle to access credit due to the lack of collateral and limited access to public procurement opportunities.

“Collateral remains the biggest wall for women,” she said. “Women are not asking for favors; they’re asking for opportunities and recognition.”

Usengimana also praised Rwanda’s Gender Seal Certification, an initiative recognizing institutions that adopt gender-responsive practices, saying it is helping to institutionalize inclusivity in both public and private sectors.

Jonathan Said, Vice President for the Centre of Technical Expertise at AGRA, emphasized that while policies are crucial, their implementation must be closely monitored. He introduced AGRA’s Gender Mainstreaming in Agriculture tool, piloted in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi, which helps governments assess how gender-responsive their policies are.

“The tool allows governments to evaluate each policy and determine whether it’s gender-blind, neutral, sensitive, intentional, or fully responsive,” Saidi explained. “This ensures that commitments on paper translate into real action for women.”

He encouraged African countries to integrate such monitoring tools into their national planning systems to make gender equality a measurable part of development outcomes.

Representing the African Union Commission, Nsama Chikolwa Nsemiwe, Land Governance and Gender Specialist at the African Union Commission reaffirmed the AU’s commitment to advancing women’s empowerment in agri-food systems. She said the AU is developing a Framework for Women in Agri-Food Systems, aligned with Agenda 2063, the CAADP Strategy, and the Kampala Declaration.

“This is not just a policy document,” Nsemiwe said. “It’s a reform agenda to position women as central actors in resilient and inclusive agri-food systems.”

She noted that the framework aims to promote equal access to inputs, land, and finance, while strengthening women’s leadership and participation in markets. It also seeks to establish gender-responsive data systems to track progress across member states.

The discussion concluded with a shared message: empowering women is not just about fairness but about transforming Africa’s food systems. Through Proofs (data), Policies (inclusive reforms), and Partnerships (collaboration across sectors), countries can unlock women’s potential and accelerate sustainable growth.

As one panelist summarized, Africa’s future food security depends on how fully women are included in its transformation journey.

Nsama Chikolwa Nsemiwe, Land Governance and Gender Specialist at the African Union Commission.

Jean Bosco Iyacu, The Chief Executive Officer of Access to Finance Rwanda

Jonathan Said, Vice President for Technical Expertise at AGRA

Sakina Usengimana ,CEO of Afrifoods and Chairperson of Rwanda Youth in Agribusiness (RYAF)

According to Dr. John Ulimwengu, Senior Research Fellow at IFPRI, the 2025 report introduces a comprehensive monitoring framework. He said: “This report introduces a comprehensive monitoring framework built on five domains food supply chains, diets, food environments, systemic drivers, and outcomes.” These domains will guide how Africa measures progress in food systems transformation and accountability across countries.

Dr. Chantal Ingabire, Director General of Planning at Rwanda’s Ministry of Agriculture, emphasized that Rwanda’s experience offers valuable lessons. “We are integrating food systems thinking into our national agricultural policies to ensure resilience, from irrigation and mechanization to post-harvest management,” she said. “The goal is efficiency and long-term sustainability.”

Dr. Chantal Ingabire, Director General of Planning at Rwanda’s Ministry of Agriculture, emphasized that Rwanda’s experience offers valuable lessons

Dr. Hamady Diop, CAADP Post-Malabo Process Coordinator, noted that the findings of the 2025 AFSR will guide implementation of the CAADP Kampala Declaration, which places food systems transformation at the center of Africa’s development strategy for the next decade. “Transitioning from Malabo to Kampala requires a mindset change, one that links policy, investment, and innovation,” he explained.

Panelists also explored how multi-stakeholder partnerships can finance and strengthen Africa’s agri-food value chains. Jonathan Said, Vice President at AGRA, said the shift from agriculture to food systems “deepens our understanding of resilience and inclusion.” He added, “AGRA’s technical expertise in finance and market systems will support countries to operationalize the Kampala CAADP Strategy and Action Plan (2026–2035).”

Jonathan Said, Vice President at AGRA, said the shift from agriculture to food systems

For Dr. Getachew Legese of ILRI, monitoring and evaluation are key pillars in this transition. Sharing lessons from Ethiopia, he explained how data-driven tracking of progress can align national efforts with continental targets.

Ultimately, the Kigali session underscored a shared belief that transforming Africa’s food systems is not only about feeding the continent, but also about fostering economic growth, equity, and climate resilience.

As the discussions continue toward the CAADP Kampala Declaration, Africa’s vision for the next decade is clear: a food system that is data-informed, youth-driven, and capable of nourishing both people and the planet.

Kigali panelists discuss the Status of Africa’s Food Systems and pathways toward a resilient and inclusive future

Sakina Usengimana, a Rwandan youth agripreneur, highlighted the financial and systemic challenges that continue to constrain young farmers and agribusiness owners.

“Some of the challenges still affecting youth include fragmented supply chains and limited access to financing,” she said. “Most banks offer post-financing instead of pre-financing. Even if you are generating $200 million in cash flow, you can still fail to find $1 million because the banking system is built on collateral.”

She called for “smart partnerships” that value youth as equal players in Africa’s agribusiness ecosystem.

“People think the youth are small, but we are not small we are simply alone because no one wants to partner with young people,” Usengimana added. “We need win-win partnerships and inclusive investment models that address pre-financing, insurance, and digital credit scoring.”

Adding to the youth perspective, Cynthia Ndayishimiye, Operations Manager at JR Farms Rwanda, underlined the need for innovation and cross-border collaboration to integrate African farmers into global markets.

“We are working to bridge the gap between African agrarian production and global marketable products,” she explained. “Climate change has reduced production, so we are conducting research to develop climate-resilient seeds and promote irrigation.”

From a policy standpoint, Mrs. Estherine Fotabong, Director for Agriculture, Food Security, and Environmental Sustainability at AUDA-NEPAD, emphasized that Africa’s food transformation must go beyond yields to focus on nutrition, dignity, and justice.

“We cannot speak of development while millions of Africans face chronic hunger and malnutrition,” she said. “Achieving food security is not charity, it is justice.”

She underscored that 282 million Africans still go hungry, while nearly a billion people face some form of food insecurity.

“Africa imports food worth $50 billion every year while losing nearly 48% of its own harvests. This must change,” Fotabong noted. “By producing, eating, and trading what is truly ours, we strengthen our sovereignty and pride.”

Representing the African Union Commission, Dr. Janet Edeme, Acting Head of Agriculture and Food Security Division, reinforced the AU’s commitment to tackling hunger through evidence-based, nutrition-sensitive agriculture.

“Over 282 million Africans face hunger. These are not just statistics they represent mothers who skip meals and children who go to bed hungry,” she said.

Dr. Edeme presented key AU frameworks, including the Africa Regional Nutrition Strategy (2026–2035) and the Kampala Declaration on CAADP, as guiding tools for linking nutrition with agriculture, health, and education.

“Food security is not only about calories, it’s about dignity, equity, and the farmer who prospers,” she asserted. “We must act with urgency and unity to secure a nourished Africa where no one is left behind.”

Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, urged African leaders to move from policy to practice, emphasizing that transformation will come from within the continent.

“Africa’s transformation will not be driven from outside, it will be built by Africans through partnership, innovation, and collective purpose,” he declared.

He highlighted the three key engines of Africa’s agricultural transformation: governments, farmers, and the private sector, each with a crucial role in aligning investment, productivity, and innovation.

“We must strengthen digitalization, AI-driven research, and data-based decision-making,” he said. “Healthy soils mean healthy diets, so we need a continental ‘Healthy Soils for Healthy Diets’ initiative.”

Minister Bagabe highlighted the key engines of Africa’s agricultural transformation

Dr. Bagabe also emphasized youth inclusion through Agri-preneurship Hubs that offer mentorship, incubation, and blended-finance models to de-risk youth-led innovations.

“Let Kigali be remembered as the place where Africa moved from statements to signatures, from concepts to contracts, and from pilots to scale,” he concluded, invoking President Kagame’s words: “Well-crafted ideas mean nothing if they remain just written in documents.”

The session concluded with a strong message: unlocking the potential of youth agripreneurs is not just an economic necessity, it is Africa’s greatest opportunity to build a resilient, inclusive, and nourished continent.

Mrs. Estherine Fotabong, Director for Agriculture, Food Security, and Environmental Sustainability at AUDA-NEPAD

Dr. Janet Edeme, Acting Head of Agriculture and Food Security Division in African Union Commission

The meeting, hosted by the Government of Rwanda in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and AUDA-NEPAD, provides a platform for stakeholders to assess progress and chart new strategies toward sustainable agricultural transformation across Africa.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), welcomed delegates to Kigali and called on African nations to transform commitments into measurable results.

“Africa’s future depends on how effectively we move from commitments to coordinated action,” she said. “We must sustain the momentum of the Malabo Declaration and build on it through the Kampala Strategy and Action Plan, ensuring that our agrifood systems are productive, inclusive, and resilient to shocks.”

Dr. Ndabamenye Highlighted that achieving food security requires more than simply increasing production volumes.

“Food security is not just about producing more; it is about producing better ensuring that every African, especially children and vulnerable groups, has access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food,” she noted.

Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources

Delivering the keynote address, H.E. Moses Vilakati, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment at the African Union Commission, underscored the importance of unity and political will in achieving Africa’s food sovereignty.

“Rwanda’s performance in all the CAADP Biennial Reviews is living proof that transformation happens when political will is matched with practical implementation,” he said.

Commissioner Vilakati drew attention to the alarming state of food insecurity in Africa, where more than 280 million people remain undernourished and one in five children suffers from chronic malnutrition. He warned that Africa’s food import bill could exceed USD 150 billion annually by 2030 if current trends persist.

“No nation can be truly free if it cannot feed its people,” he declared. “Food security is not only a technical issue; it is a question of justice.”

Jean Paul Ndagijimana, AGRA’s Representative in Rwanda, urged participants to focus on measurable impact and shared accountability.

“The 21st CAADP Partnership Platform comes at a defining moment. It must mark the decade where we move from commitments to measurable outcomes through bold and collective action.”

Highlighting AGRA’s experience across the continent, Ndagijimana emphasized that sustainable transformation requires partnership where governments, private sector, and farmers’ organizations work hand in hand under strong local leadership.

“Transformation is possible when partnerships are anchored in capable and reliable local leadership. Governments must create enabling environments, the private sector must invest, and development partners must align with country-led strategies.”

Linking his remarks to the African Union’s 2025 theme, “Year of Reparations: Justice for Africans and People of African Descent,” the Commissioner said that true reparative justice goes beyond financial restitution.

“True reparative justice must mean reclaiming control over our food systems, restoring the dignity of our farmers, and creating fairer trade and investment pathways,” he emphasized.

Adding a voice from Southern Africa, Tuto Tsegafatso, an Agricultural Economist and CAADP Focal Point for Botswana, shared insights into his country’s progress in implementing the CAADP framework.

“I’m the one coordinating all the CAADP processes in Botswana. When you look at the first Biennial Review, we were on track. Although we faced challenges in Biennial Review 2 to Biennial Review 4, I’m happy to say that by Biennial Review 5, the results show we have really improved,” he explained.

Tsegafatso noted that youth participation in agriculture remains relatively low but is beginning to grow.

“The youth is not yet much into agriculture, but we’re seeing an improvement in participation recently. We are at an infancy stage, but the momentum is building,” he said.

The opening day was not only about policy it also highlighted the lived experiences of farmers. Beatha Uwimana, a smallholder farmer from Rwanda’s Eastern Province, said she was inspired by the discussions but urged leaders to ensure practical impact.

“We are ready to feed our continent, but we need access to affordable seeds, irrigation, and markets that value our produce. Climate-smart agriculture should not stay in documents, it must reach the fields,” she said.

Her message echoed the broader sentiment of the conference: that transformation must start at the grassroots level, where the realities of climate change, limited access to inputs, and market barriers continue to affect millions.

As the first day of deliberations concluded, delegates reaffirmed their resolve to accelerate the Kampala Strategy, deepen cooperation, and build an Africa that is self-reliant, just, and food-secure.

The Kigali meeting set the tone for the next decade of agricultural transformation, one grounded in accountability, inclusion, and justice.

Jean Paul Ndagijimana, AGRA’s Representative in Rwanda, urged participants to focus on measurable impact

Moses Vilakati, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment at the African Union Commission

African leaders, farmers, policymakers, and partners gather in Kigali to shape a decade of just, resilient, and inclusive agrifood transformation

Research presented at the dialogue showed that agricultural insurance is not only a risk management mechanism but also a potential source of new employment opportunities for youth in cooperatives, microfinance institutions, or agricultural advisory services.

Emmanuel Ndagijimana, a tomato farmer from Huye District who has farmed for over five years, explained:

“We have insurance for other crops, but companies often tell us tomatoes are excluded. If tomato insurance becomes available, it will restore our confidence and help us treat farming as a genuine profession rather than a gamble.”

Similarly, Gaudence Dukuzumuremyi, a tomato farmer from Nyabihu District, noted that the absence of crop insurance has discouraged youth from investing in tomato farming.

“Tomatoes are vulnerable to diseases and natural disasters, and without insurance, many young people fear the risks. Once insurance is introduced, we’ll invest without hesitation and in turn, create jobs for other youth,” she said.

According to Emmanuel Ntagozera, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Officer at Pro-Femmes / Twese Hamwe, empowering young people who view agriculture as a profession is a long-term investment in the nation’s future.

“When youth decide to take up farming as a career, they deserve structured support. Insurance is one of the most critical tools that protect them from losses and give them confidence to invest,” he emphasized.

Currently, Rwanda’s National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS) provides insurance for maize, beans, potatoes, and rice, with the government covering up to 40% of premiums. However, tomatoes are not yet included despite their high market value both domestically and in agro-processing industries.

Lucia Zigiriza, Senior Partners Coordination Officer at AGRA-Rwanda, explained that the meeting brought together all key players to advocate for the inclusion of tomatoes under national crop insurance.

“This dialogue is about pushing for change. Youth have repeatedly highlighted the lack of tomato insurance as a barrier. We want to demonstrate the potential of this crop to create jobs and promote food security, and we are working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture to make this a reality.”

Alice Mukamugema, Director General for Agriculture Value Chain Management and Trade at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), said the government is conducting feasibility studies to determine the best way to integrate tomato farming into the national insurance scheme.

“The national insurance program is still relatively young launched in 2019 and we began with a few priority crops. Because the funds come from the government, we must ensure the system benefits all citizens. Tomatoes are indeed among the essential crops we are assessing, and there is a strong possibility they will be added soon,” she explained.

The five-year SERVE project (2023–2027), funded by the Mastercard Foundation, aims to create decent and resilient employment for over 80,000 youth, particularly young women, through agribusiness, access to finance, and market-driven opportunities. It focuses on value chains such as tomatoes, chili, and beans crops with strong potential for youth-led enterprise growth.

According to recent research by Pro-Femmes / Twese Hamwe, Rwanda produces over 81,000 tons of tomatoes annually, yet farmers face significant losses due to pests, diseases, and climate variability. Participants at the policy dialogue called for a comprehensive national framework to extend insurance coverage to tomato farmers a step they say will unlock access to credit, stimulate investment, and accelerate job creation in the tomato value chain.

Under the SERVE project, which is funded by the Mastercard Foundation, Pro-Femmes / Twese Hamwe conducted research resulting in a position paper titled “Extending Agricultural Insurance to the Tomato Value Chain in Rwanda.” The study highlights the economic importance of tomatoes and calls for three key policy actions: Inclusion of the tomato value chain under NAIS, development of tailored insurance products for tomato farmers and bundling insurance with inputs, finance, and market access to maximize impact.

The research also revealed that Rwanda produces over 81,000 tons of tomatoes annually, yet farmers lose a significant share due to pests, diseases, and climate variability. Among the 23,504 youth profiled in the SERVE project, 8,111 mostly young women are engaged in tomato, chili, and bean value chains across 10 districts.

The five-year SERVE project (2023–2027) aims to create decent and resilient employment for over 80,000 youth, particularly young women, through agribusiness, access to finance, and market-driven opportunities. By extending agricultural insurance to the tomato value chain, stakeholders believe Rwanda can unlock access to credit, stimulate investment, and accelerate job creation across the agricultural sector.

Ms. Alice Mukamugema, Director General of Agriculture Value Chain Management and Trade

Lucia Zigiriza, Senior Partners Coordination Officer at AGRA-Rwanda

Emmanuel Ntagozera, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Officer at Pro-Femmes / Twese Hamwe

Emmanuel Ndagijimana, a tomato farmer from Huye District

Tomato farmers in Rwanda are calling for insurance that covers their crops and secures their future

Many farmers lose almost half of their tomato harvests before reaching traders, according to Francois Munyengabe, a farmer from Rugalika Sector in Kamonyi District, who told KP Media:

“It’s hard to get your produce to the market in good condition. Once we harvest, we rush to pack and transport it quickly before it spoils under the sun. If we had a way to preserve it longer, it would help us a lot.”

According to Dr. Toby Peters, Executive Director of the African Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-chain (ACES), the festival aims to highlight the vital role of cooling in daily life from food to medicine.

“We’re doing two things. First, we’re making cooling more visible. We all use mobile phones to record videos, but data centers rely on cooling to function. Our food is cooled; our vaccines are cooled. Second, there’s no single solution for everyone. There are many technologies, but what we’re doing is creating a strong system training cooling technicians, helping farmers identify the right technology for their needs, and building an efficient chain from farm to fork.”

He went on to say that cooling should be treated as basic infrastructure:

“Cooling is an essential part of modern society. It’s like water pipes or power lines because it moves vital goods food and medicine from factories to the people who need them.”

Dr. Florence Uwamahoro, Deputy Director General in charge of Agriculture at the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), acknowledged that there is still a long way to go in preserving agricultural produce but expressed optimism that food losses will decline thanks to ongoing initiatives.

She said: “Indeed, we still have a long journey ahead in preserving harvests, especially fruits and vegetables, but the technologies showcased here at this festival are part of the solution to reducing post-harvest losses, in line with the government’s five-year plan.”

She also announced that training sessions would be organized for farmers at ACES to raise awareness on proper storage and post-harvest handling.

“Some farmers will participate in training here, but we will also partner with this center to reach farmers across the country, understand their needs, and work together to reduce post-harvest losses.” She added.

As outlined in Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), the country aims to increase agricultural productivity by 50% for selected priority crops to achieve food security and expand agricultural exports.

Meanwhile, the Strategic Plan for the Transformation of Agriculture (PSTA 5) focuses on promoting knowledge-based, productive, and environmentally friendly agriculture that supports national development. It sets clear annual targets to reduce post-harvest losses for key crops from 13.8% in 2023 to 8% by 2028/29.

The plan also aims to increase the value added by agro-processing industries by 10% per year (up from 8.8%), while strengthening farmer cooperatives increasing cooperative membership from 13% in 2020 to 23% in 2028/29, with special emphasis on youth and women leadership.

Additionally, the plan envisions a rise in agro-processing facilities, including animal feed factories and cold storage centers, which are expected to increase from 90 to 120 by 2029.

Dr. Florence Uwamahoro, DDG at RAB said With solar-powered cold storage, farmers can now preserve their harvests longer

Dr. Toby Peters, DG of ACES, Explains Cooling is not a luxury, it’s essential infrastructure for food and medicine

Reducing post-harvest losses is key to improving incomes and nutrition

PSTA 5 and cooling innovations are helping Rwanda build a knowledge-based, productive, and environmentally friendly agricultural sector

Opening the meeting, Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, reminded participants that farmers remain at the center of national security but can only thrive if supported with modern tools.

“Farmers are the heartbeat of food and the backbone of national security. We must invest in agri-tech to close productivity gaps and adapt to climate change,” he said.

Rwanda’s current priorities include expanding climate-smart agriculture, scaling up digital advisory services, and strengthening the Food Innovation Hub to accelerate solutions across value chains.

For EAFF President, Elizabeth Nsimadala, said that farmers are not resisting change but waiting for opportunities.

“Our farmers are feeding not just Africa, but the world. With agri-tech, they can cut losses, boost yields, and link directly to global markets,” she emphasized.

On the ground, smallholder farmers still face hurdles. Ms. Kantarama Césarie, a farmer leader from Syndicat INGABO, said many remain excluded from tools and finance that could transform their output.

“We have the potential, but practical solutions must reach grassroots farmers. Access to finance, innovation, and knowledge is still a big challenge,” she noted.

Ms. Elise Hartman, who led the delegation from the organization, said they have worked with the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF) for many years because of their strong belief in the value of farmers’ organizations.

She stated: “We have partnered with EAFF for many years because we believe in the critical role of farmers’ organizations in ensuring food reaches communities across the region. This is not an easy task, yet it directly contributes to people’s well-being and to sustaining peace. We will continue to strengthen this partnership, and I am pleased to announce that in addition to the support we have provided through IFAD, we have secured an extra €26 million to further boost our collaboration.”

The Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF) was established to unite farmers’ organizations across the region and represent them at the continental and global level. Today, it brings together 10 countries, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania (including Zanzibar), Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Djibouti, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Sudan, and Eritrea. Its headquarters are located in Nairobi, Kenya, where the secretariat coordinates all the federation’s activities.

Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe said Farmers are the heartbeat of food and the backbone of national security

EAFF President, Elizabeth Nsimadala

Ms. Kantarama Césarie, a farmer leader from Syndicat INGABO

Ms. Elise Hartman, who led the delegation from European Union

With over 200 delegates and 20 exhibitors showcasing innovations from high-yield seeds to digital marketplaces

Innovation is no longer optional, it’s the lifeline of Africa’s farming future

From high-yield seeds to digital markets, agri-tech is reshaping African food systems

Another notable pitch came from Irakoze Christian, who is developing a hydroponic strawberry farming initiative. He is requesting over 400 million Rwandan francs to scale up his innovative approach to agriculture. "Hydroponics offers a sustainable solution to farming challenges, and with the right support, we can revolutionize how we grow and consume strawberries in Rwanda," Christian stated.

The Rwandan delegation, comprising over 30 SMEs, showcased their products and engaged in financing-related knowledge sessions at the Rwanda Pavilion, a key attraction at the Forum. These sessions focused on finding solutions to current financing challenges faced by Rwandan SMEs.

Rwanda’s Ambassador to Senegal, who oversaw the youth project showcase, emphasized the critical role of youth in transforming agriculture. "To our outstanding presenters, your passion, creativity, and dedication are truly inspiring. You remind us of the immense potential that lies within African youth and small businesses," he said. He further noted, "This pitching session is more than a series of presentations; it is a milestone in our collective journey to transform food systems through innovation."

The Ambassador also echoed President Kagame's sentiments on self-reliance, stating, "As President Kagame has often reminded us, dignity and self-reliance must be our compass. The future of Africa does not lie in dependency on foreign aid, but in our ability to stand tall, to innovate, to create, and to compete on equal footing with the rest of the world."

The Forum highlighted the importance of youth involvement in agriculture, with significant commitments made to support young entrepreneurs. The Deal Room facilitated over 60 in-person SME investor meetings, with participating SMEs seeking USD 70 million in financing. The Rwanda Pavilion served as a dedicated space for activities related to supporting financing for Rwandan SMEs, ensuring they had the opportunity to exhibit their products and present pitches to investors.

Overall, the Africa Food Systems Forum 2025 underscored the transformative potential of youth-led agribusinesses in Africa, emphasizing the need for continued investment and support to drive sustainable agricultural development.

Gashonga Tresor, CEO of Incuti Foods, presenting his chili value-addition project in the Deal Room

Irakoze Christian showcasing his hydroponic strawberry farming initiative as a sustainable solution for agriculture

Rwandan youth entrepreneurs demonstrating innovation and commitment to transforming agriculture at the Africa Food Systems Forum 2025

Rwanda’s Ambassador to Senegal commending the youth for their inspiring pitches before investors and partners

In return, Rwanda could export several agricultural products to Tunisia, including powdered milk, tea, and coffee, among others.

After visiting the Rwanda pavilion at the forum, Minister Ben Cheikh praised the quality and innovation of the products on display especially those developed by young agri-entrepreneurs.

“I was truly impressed by the agricultural products showcased by Rwanda, particularly those created by the youth. This is a clear sign of a vibrant and innovative sector,” said Minister Ben Cheikh. 

Rwandan and Tunisian ministers discuss strengthening ties in agriculture at the Africa Food Systems Forum

 He added: “Tunisia is eager to work closely with Rwanda to build resilient, modern agricultural systems that benefit both our people.”

For his part, Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture welcomed the collaboration: “This partnership with Tunisia opens new doors for investment, skills exchange, and trade,” said Dr. Bagabe. 

He also added: “We are committed to creating strong bilateral ties that drive innovation in agriculture, boost productivity, and create market opportunities for Rwandan farmers.”

Rwanda’s agriculture sector contributed about 25–27% of GDP in 2024, grew by 5%, and employs roughly 40% of the workforce, while the country’s overall GDP expanded by 8.9% in 2024 and 7.8% in Q1 2025. In Tunisia, agriculture represents about 11.6% of GDP, with olive oil as a key export: between Nov 2024 and Jun 2025, Tunisia exported 224,600 tonnes of olive oil (up 35.9% from the previous year), but revenues dropped 31% to TND 3.03 billion due to falling prices; packaged oil remains limited at 13.6%, and organic exports mainly to Europe and North America accounted for 45,000 tonnes worth TND (Tunisian Dinar) 610.8 million

This meeting between Rwanda and Tunisia marks the beginning of a strategic agricultural partnership focused on investment, knowledge exchange, and trade. By combining Tunisia’s expertise in areas like olive cultivation and water management with Rwanda’s innovative agri-products and youthful entrepreneurship, both countries aim to build resilient, modern farming systems. The collaboration is expected to enhance productivity, create market opportunities, and strengthen bilateral ties for mutual growth and food security.

Tunisia to invest in Rwanda’s olive farming, training, and water management initiatives

Rwandan youth showcase innovative agricultural products at the forum pavilion

Speaking after receiving the award, Dr. Diebiru-Ojo expressed her gratitude and commitment: “Today, I feel so blessed. I feel very grateful being a recipient of the African Food Prize Award for 2025. As a laureate, it shows that indeed the work that I'm doing on the crops that I'm working on has been recognized. I know that this is the start of more work, and I'm going to do that.”

She also highlighted the significance of women’s leadership in agriculture: “I’m especially grateful that the two laureates for this year are women. This shows the significant role that women are playing in the space of agriculture. It’s giving more encouragement to more women to come into the space and show that we can do more, we can create the impact, we can create the difference.”

Looking ahead, Dr. Diebiru-Ojo stated: “What next is to do more. I’m not going to limit myself to just Nigeria. We are working on improving and expanding what we are doing to other African countries. We must ensure that the varieties being developed address issues like climate change and get to the intended users and industries.”

Dr. Mercy Diebiru-Ojo from Nigeria and Professor Mary Abukutsa Onyango from Kenya Win 2025 Africa Food Prize for Groundbreaking Work in Agri-Food Systems

Professor Mary Abukutsa Onyango of Kenya was honored for over three decades of research and advocacy on African indigenous vegetables. Her work repositioned crops such as amaranth, spider plant, and African nightshade as vital superfoods for combating malnutrition, conserving biodiversity, and building resilience against climate change. Onyango’s advocacy has changed how these crops are valued in nutrition and agricultural systems across the continent.

Reflecting on the award, Professor Onyango said: “Being a laureate of the Africa Food Prize, I feel very humbled and encouraged because African indigenous vegetables have been undervalued and they have not been used. With this prize, I think many people will realize that these vegetables are very important. African indigenous vegetables are a gold mine to be harvested for the Africans and for the world.”

On what makes this achievement special for women, she added: “For a long time, women have played an important part in transforming agriculture, from keeping the seeds from our grandparents and so on. This prize shows that their work is recognized. It will boost women farmers, consumers, and even the youth who are trying to grow these vegetables and get money from it.”

Professor Onyango explained what set her apart: “I was not working as a typical researcher. I worked with farmers, policy makers, students, and everybody along the value chain. Inclusivity helped me bring many people together and ensured that technologies were developed and taken up by farmers. This improved productivity in Kenya by 200% within 10 years.”

Looking ahead, she revealed ambitious plans: “We are planning, if funds are available, to document all African indigenous vegetables across Africa and have pictures so people know about them. We also want to establish centers of excellence for indigenous vegetables in Kenya, Uganda, Senegal, and every country, so that anybody can access information and promote these crops for consumption and commercialization.”

Speaking at the press conference in Dakar, former Tanzanian President H.E. Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Chair of the Africa Food Prize Committee, praised the laureates as the very best of African innovation, adding that their achievements highlight the importance of science, technology, and traditional knowledge in driving transformation.

Established in 2005 as the YARA Prize and renamed in 2016, the Africa Food Prize celebrates bold initiatives that improve food security and agricultural sustainability across Africa.

This year’s recognition underscores a powerful message: Africa’s food future depends not only on innovation but also on elevating indigenous crops and empowering local communities.

The 2025 Africa Food Prize Winners Dr. Mercy Diebiru-Ojo and Professor Mary Abukutsa Onyango stand as a testament to this vision.

Dr. Mercy Elohor Diebiru-Ojo of Nigeria and Prof. Mary Oyiela Abukutsa-Onyango of Kenya are leading African agricultural scientists whose work has advanced food security across the continent. Dr. Diebiru-Ojo, awarded the 2025 Africa Food Prize, has transformed cassava breeding by improving flowering and seed production, phenotyping over 700 genotypes, and strengthening stem multiplication and breeder seed systems in Nigeria through the NextGen project at Cornell University and Prof. Abukutsa-Onyango, inspired by a childhood allergy to animal proteins, has pioneered research on African indigenous vegetables (AIVs) to combat malnutrition, mentoring generations of students and promoting the health and sustainability benefits of crops like amaranth and African nightshade through her work at Maseno University and JKUAT.

Dr. Mercy Elohor Diebiru-Ojo is transforming cassava in Africa

Prof. Mary Oyiela Abukutsa-Onyango champions nutrition and wellbeing

Celebrating Africa’s agricultural heroes: Innovators transforming food security, nutrition, and sustainability across the continent

Yet the report also makes clear that this transformation is urgent. Despite billions of dollars in commitments to agriculture and food systems, hunger and malnutrition remain alarmingly high. In 2023 alone, nearly 300 million Africans were undernourished, more than one in five people on the continent. Without decisive action, Africa is projected to overtake Asia by 2030 as the region with the highest number of undernourished people.

Governance as the Gamechanger: Countries with strong governance and policy coherence consistently show lower hunger and better nutrition outcomes. By contrast, fragile states with weak governance report food insecurity rates above 80 percent. It stresses that good governance is not just an enabler but the foundation of resilient food systems.

Sustainable Farming Under Pressure: African crop yields remain far below global averages. Cereal yields stand at just 1.7 tons per hectare compared to 4.2 tons globally. While Eastern Africa recorded a 30 percent rise in cereal productivity in the last decade, other regions stagnated or expanded farmland at the expense of forests and soil health. Vegetables and oil crops remain underproductive, with worrying signs of “extensification” - (farming more land instead of producing more per hectare).

Climate and Demographics as Drivers: Climate shocks, from droughts to floods, combined with rapid population growth and urbanization, are reshaping African food demand and supply. The report calls for urgent scaling of climate-smart and regenerative farming, integrated soil management, and water efficiency to safeguard Africa’s future.

Finance as the Missing Link: Despite agriculture’s central role in African economies, the sector receives less than 5 percent of commercial bank lending. Public investment averages just USD8 per rural inhabitant. The report urges governments, development partners, and private investors to scale up innovative instruments like blended finance, digital credit, and agricultural insurance to unlock growth and resilience.

Infrastructure as the Backbone: Africa loses up to 30 percent of its food before it reaches markets, largely due to poor roads, weak storage, and inadequate cold chains. Closing the annual infrastructure financing gap of USD67–USD108 billion could halve post-harvest losses and boost farmer incomes by up to 40 percent.

The report argues that the transformation of Africa’s agrifood systems is no longer optional, it is existential. With the African population projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, the cost of inaction will be measured not only in hunger but also in economic stagnation, social unrest, and lost opportunities for the continent’s youth.

The 2025 CAADP Kampala Declaration of 2025, endorsed by African Union member states, provides a blueprint for this transformation. It calls for policies that put farmers, especially women and youth, at the center, integrate sustainability and resilience into every step of the value chain, and harness the AfCFTA to unlock intra-African agricultural trade.

Voices from the Report

“The evidence is clear: Africa cannot feed its future with the tools of the past. We must invest not just in seeds and soil, but in governance, finance, and infrastructure that empower farmers as entrepreneurs and innovators,” the report states.

Dr. John Ulimwengu, Lead Author of the 2025 AFSR, added: “This year’s AFSR is more than a call to action — it is a roadmap for systemic transformation. Africa has the vision, capacity, and collective leadership to shift from fragmented progress to integrated, resilient food systems.

By aligning investments, strengthening institutions, and leveraging innovation, the continent can build inclusive agri-food systems that deliver decent jobs, healthy diets, and sustainable growth for all”

It adds: “The transformation of Africa’s food systems will define the prosperity, health, and stability of the continent for generations. The choice before us is stark; act boldly now, or risk locking millions into cycles of hunger and poverty.”

The Africa Food Systems Report (AFSR) is the continent’s leading annual review of food and agriculture systems. Produced with contributions from African researchers, policymakers, and international partners, it provides evidence, data, and policy pathways to guide Africa’s journey toward resilient, sustainable, and inclusive food systems.

AGRA is an African-led, farmer-focused institution dedicated to sustainably transforming Africa’s agriculture sector and food systems. Since its establishment in 2006, AGRA has significantly impacted millions of smallholder farmers through strategic partnerships and targeted investments.

Since 2021, the NSFP has expanded rapidly, now reaching more than 3.8 million learners in primary and secondary schools across the country. According to Dr. Bagabe, this investment has significantly improved attendance, concentration, and learning outcomes while cutting dropout rates from 9.4% in 2020 to 6.4% in 2022. “School feeding is more than a social service it is a strategic investment in the health, education, and future productivity of our young people,” he stated.

NSFP has expanded rapidly, now reaching more than 3.8 million learners in primary and secondary schools across the country since 2021

The Minister highlighted Rwanda’s Home Grown School Feeding model, which deliberately sources food from local smallholder farmers, women’s groups, and youth cooperatives. This approach not only strengthens nutrition outcomes but also channels nearly 30% of the NSFP budget into local economies. “Every franc we spend on local procurement multiplies benefits nourishing children while creating jobs, empowering farmers, and driving local development,” Dr. Bagabe emphasized.

Innovation remains at the heart of Rwanda’s program. The introduction of high-iron beans and the planting of fruit trees in schools are bridging nutrition gaps, tackling anemia, and enhancing dietary diversity. Yet challenges persist, including protein and vitamin deficiencies, food safety concerns, and supply chain bottlenecks.

Looking ahead, the Minister called on partners to support Rwanda’s efforts to scale innovations and strengthen sustainability. “Our vision is clear: no child should learn on an empty stomach. School feeding must remain a continental priority if Africa is to unlock the full potential of its human capital,” he concluded.

Africa Food Systems Forum 2025 is taking  a place in Dakar, Senegal since Monday

Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Dr. Mark Bagabe Cyubahiro addressing to the delegates in Africa Food Systems Forum 2025

President of the Republic Of Rwanda Paul Kagame on the Panel with Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye 

Asked about the reforms Rwanda has implemented to promote environmentally sustainable agriculture, President Kagame highlighted that the first priority was changing mindsets and strengthening collaboration with various stakeholders, particularly the private sector. He pointed to a special fund created to promote green investment in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which helped the country develop technology-driven and environmentally friendly agriculture, starting with an initial investment of 100 million US dollars.

President Kagame reiterated that Africa lacks nothing not even the knowledge required to feed itself. “Finally, there comes a moment to ask ourselves: What are we lacking in Africa? What is it that we do not know? But there must also be a recognition of all that we are capable of and all that we already have, as well as an understanding of what we can do and that, these are many things, as mentioned, including land, workforce, and the knowledge to make use of them”. he said.

He explained that through collaboration with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Rwanda has already achieved significant progress in moving from traditional agriculture to modernized farming. However, he stressed that much remains to be done.

The President urged young people to take the lead and make their own contributions before waiting for support from various institutions. He emphasized that youth must first have clear goals in order to drive the development of their countries as energetic and capable individuals.” I want to tell the youth here that the first thing you should understand is that you are at the forefront of many government initiatives, as is the case in our country, but there should be something the youth can relate to. You, as young people, must realize that you should not just sit back and wait for a problem to arise and then expect someone else to come and solve it for you. You need to be alert, take action when needed, and your efforts will be supported; this way, your ideas can reach further than you initially imagined.” he told the gathering.

President Kagame told the youth to recognize their strengths land, workforce, and knowledge as africans to act and achieve what they are capable of

He also spoke about the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA), established in partnership with the philanthropist Howard Buffett, which brings together young students from different African countries. President Kagame noted that this university provides young people with the opportunity to contribute to the transformation of agriculture.

Daniel Chibwe from Malawi, founder of Imlato Farms and Agro-Learning Hub, emphasized innovation and sustainable practices: “We are a start-up focused on agroecology, with a strong emphasis on permaculture.” He added: ““I am here to learn more about what other young people are doing to transform agriculture through innovation, and I’m also looking forward to collaborating and building partnerships that will help me enhance my skills and create more impact back home in Malawi.”

Njoko a youth from Kenya highlighted the excitement and potential for youth in agriculture: “I’m really excited about the discussions and conversations around food systems, especially the role that youth will play in enabling Africa to feed herself.”

On visibility and recognition of youth projects, Sakina Usengimana another participant from Rwanda noted: “We are extremely grateful for this opportunity, especially seeing so many youth actively involved here…Seeing our project recognized as a flagship initiative for Africa is truly encouraging.” And she added: “We are deeply honored that President Paul Kagame is here to present and to speak, inspiring other African leaders to support their youth. This support is crucial for enabling young people to develop, thrive, and contribute meaningfully to the growing agri-food systems across Africa.”

These perspectives underline the central role youth are playing in shaping Africa’s agricultural future, echoing President Kagame’s call for energetic, innovative, and committed young leaders to drive the continent’s transformation.

Flanked by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, along with former Heads of State, AU leaders, and international partners, Ruhweza set the tone for a week of action and accountability.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, along with former Heads of State in the Africa Food Systems Forum 2025

She reminded the audience of the progress made:

Smallholder farmers adopting new technologies like drought-resistant seeds and digital market platforms, women farmers stepping into leadership roles and driving innovation, young Africans reimagining agriculture through startups, digital platforms, and climate-smart enterprises.

“Tomorrow, you will see many of these champions at the WAYA Awards, the Youth Dome, and the AgriFood Expo,” Ruhweza promised, highlighting how agriculture is being transformed from subsistence to enterprise.

But the challenges remain stark. In 2024, over 673 million people worldwide faced hunger, with Africa carrying a disproportionate burden. The continent still spends more than US$70 billion annually on food imports, while millions of young people remain jobless and vulnerable to climate shocks.

Against this backdrop, Ruhweza issued a call to action anchored in the AU Kampala CAADP Declaration (2026–2035), which sets ambitious goals:

Increase agrifood output by 45%, halve post-harvest losses, triple intra-African trade in food and inputs, mobilize $100 billion in investments, achieve zero hunger across Africa by 2035.

She urged governments, the private sector, researchers, and civil society to translate commitments into action by domesticating the Kampala agenda in national plans, increasing public investments, empowering women and youth, and prioritizing infrastructure, innovation, and technology adoption.

“The African agrifood sector is more than farming,” Ruhweza said passionately. “It is a powerful engine for transformation, hope, and prosperity. By nurturing this sector, we are investing in a brighter, more sustainable future for the continent and the world.”

In his address, President Faye of Senegal underscored the historic nature of hosting the Forum in Dakar for the first time. “We welcome you to the land of Teranga,” he said, calling the Forum a “unique platform to renew Africa’s collective commitment to transform our food systems with youth at the center.”

With over 2,000 young people present, the theme “Youth at the Heart of Africa’s Food Future” resonated across the opening plenary. From ministerial dialogues to deal rooms, from parliamentary forums to the AgriExpo, the week will showcase how Africa can feed itself, create jobs, and position agriculture as a driver of prosperity.

As the 19th edition of the Forum unfolds, one message is clear: Africa has the means to feed its children and the world. What is needed now is unity of purpose, bold leadership, and investment.

“Let us lead with courage, collaboration, and a shared vision,” Ruhweza concluded. “Together, we will build a vibrant, sustainable agrifood system that nourishes Africa, powers its economies, and secures futures for generations.”

6,000 Delegates Converge in Dakar as Africa Food Systems Forum 2025 Opens with a Call to Action

Ms. Alice Ruhweza, President of AGRA, Said this forum is a call to accelerate our collective commitment to strengthen Africa’s food systems

Mbadinga recalls with pride, as he gestures toward the well-built poultry structures that stand as a testament to his vision.

But this wasn’t his original plan. At first, Mbadinga set out to rear egg-laying hens layers that produce eggs. However, reality soon hit. The process was stressful, time-consuming, and not as rewarding as he hoped.

“I started with layers, but it was too stressful. So I switched to broilers because of time. With broilers, I only need about 21 days. With layers, it takes six months. Do you see the difference?” he explains, smiling.

Why Rwanda?

For Mbadinga, the choice of Rwanda was not random. Before settling here, he explored several countries.

“I went to Zimbabwe, it wasn’t suitable. Ivory Coast, no. Cameroon, no. Even in my own country, the conditions weren’t favorable,” he says. “But Rwanda stood out. In terms of investment security and flexibility, this is where I saw opportunity.”

He spent 300 million Rwandan francs sunk into building two poultry houses

His investment speaks volumes, 300 million Rwandan francs sunk into building two poultry houses and acquiring modern equipment.

“This country gives foreigners like me a chance to invest. That’s why I’m here,” he says confidently.

Breaking Cultural Barriers

Entering a new market is never easy. Mbadinga quickly learned that understanding local culture was key.

“Here, people love their village chickens. So when you bring broilers, it’s a challenge. You have to teach them that chicken is chicken. The meat is the same,” he explains with a laugh.

Challenges in the Journey

Every success story has its hurdles. For Mbadinga, the toughest season is the dry season.

“Water is a big problem during the three dry months. We need clean water for the chickens, and sometimes we struggle. I hope the government can help us with that,” he appeals.

Impact and Employment

From an idea to a thriving business, his project now employs 10 permanent workers and created jobs for about 300 people during construction.

“At first, I hired almost the entire neighborhood. Later, I trained 10 young people, and now they work professionally. I don’t have problems with them they work very well,” he says proudly.

A Former Prime Minister’s Advisor Turned Farmer

Surprisingly, poultry was not his first career. Mbadinga held prestigious positions in Gabon, including Principal Inspector of Telecommunications, Program Director, and even Advisor to the Prime Minister.

“You will ask me; how did I go from that to farming? It’s because I saw my retirement coming. I told myself: instead of sitting and doing nothing, I should invest,” he shares. “I want to be an example to young people, if you cross your arms, you won’t achieve anything.”

He raised over 25,000 broiler chickens

Even Gabon’s leadership recognized his efforts. “When the President heard about my project, he congratulated me and even asked me to open something similar in Gabon,” he reveals.

For Mbadiga, this is just the beginning. He plans to expand and make his farm a model of success in Rwanda’s poultry industry.

“The chickens sell very well. My goal is to grow the farm. It will take time, but we will get there,” he says with determination.

Besides selling chickens, he also sells manure from his poultry farming.

Michel Christophe Mbadinga’s journey is more than a business venture; it is a lesson in courage, adaptability, and vision. From the corridors of power in Gabon to the quiet farms of Nyamata, he has proven that true leadership is not about titles but about action and impact. With determination and a willingness to embrace change, Mbadinga has turned challenges into opportunities and in the process, he continues to inspire a new generation of Africans to dream big, start small, and never give up.

Christian specializes in hydroponic farming, a method of growing crops without soil, providing all the nutrients through water. It is a modern technique where crops can be grown either vertically or horizontally, reducing the risk of soil-borne diseases and increasing productivity on limited land.

He initially grew different crops, including tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplants, and others, but strawberries turned out to be the best crop with promising returns. Today, he has 37,000 strawberry plants, each capable of producing at least one kilogram of strawberries per year.
He explains: “A kilogram of strawberries can sell for more than Rwf 5,000, and sometimes even higher depending on how you cultivate them.”

He is doing agribusiness that specialises in hydroponics and greenhhouse farming

Although he never attended formal agricultural training, Irakoze says the knowledge he has come from determination and a willingness to learn every day.
He says: “I never went to school for agriculture, but I kept telling myself that opportunities lie in mastering what I do. The more I experimented, the more I learned, and eventually, I decided to fully commit to farming.”

To ensure efficiency and high yields, Christian invested in a technological irrigation system that delivers water mixed with fertilizer directly to the plants. The process is fully automated and doesn’t require manual application.

He says: “To make my farming successful, I use a tech-based irrigation system that mixes water and fertilizer automatically and applies it at once. It doesn’t require someone to manually add fertilizer or push water through; everything is done by a machine we designed, and it operates according to a schedule we set.”

On whether this technology reduced jobs for workers, Christian clarifies that it didn’t eliminate workers but instead freed up time for other tasks.
He explains: “This technology didn’t affect workers negatively. It only reduced time spent on pushing water, giving them more time to focus on other activities.”

Christian urges young people not to hold back because of fear of starting small.
He says: “Don’t be afraid to start. Even if you start small, those early lessons are important steps toward reaching your goals.”

He use a tech-based irrigation system that mixes water and fertilizer automatically and applies it at once.

This innovative young man has been selected to attend the Africa Food Systems Summit 2025. For him, it’s a big step and an opportunity to network with other entrepreneurs across Africa and seize new opportunities.
He says: “It’s a chance to explore development initiatives across Africa, meet farmers from different regions, and gain more knowledge. This will help me expand what I do and leverage new opportunities.”

Currently, Irakoze Christian employs 29 permanent workers on his strawberry farm. Local residents also benefit by accessing fresh fruit and securing temporary jobs whenever available.

Christian Starts this project in 2021

He produces only strwaberries since 2022

He practices strawberry farming on one hectare

He employs 29 permanent full time workers

She says the poultry project began as a savings group but has since evolved into a nine-member company named Golden Harvest Poultry Ltd.

“We started as a small savings group,” she explains in a calm but deep voice, recalling the journey. “It took us time to agree on which project to do. After many discussions, nine of us decided to venture into poultry farming.”

She says that he grew up loving chickens, and now she has become a poultry farmer.

That decision changed their lives. They now have 2,500 chickens and they have been in this business for three years, and it is their main source of livelihood. “This project transformed our lives, and it sustains us,” she says.

Her journey started in childhood. “Since I was young, I loved chickens,” she says with a gentle laugh. “At home we raised them, and that inspired me to plan to one day do it professionally. Today I am proud that I achieved it.”

Walking through their farm, one sees the professionalism of the project: well-built poultry houses, water tanks, properly measured feed, clean feeding areas with good lighting, and neat spaces where chickens lay eggs. Everything reflects a professional enterprise.

Now, the company has bigger ambitions. “We plan to reach international markets, but for now our focus is to first meet the local demand,” she says.

Marie Claire advises young people not to fear starting a project:
“Have confidence. Begin with the little you have. No big project starts big. Do what you can, be trustworthy, and be outstanding because it is possible.”

Being chosen to represent Rwanda at the Africa Food Systems Summit 2025, she considers a major milestone in her journey. She believes it will benefit her and Rwandans as a whole.

“Those who selected me saw the potential I have to share. Where I am going, I will share our poultry farming experiences, but I also want to learn from others across Africa because certainly there are things they have achieved that we haven’t yet. I will bring that knowledge back to Rwanda, and it will be useful for us.”

He imports the chicks from the Netherlands to Rwanda, raises them, and they grow into healthy chickens

Tuyishime Marie Claire acknowledges that their progress is not only due to their own efforts but also support from different institutions that have stood by them.

“FAO supported us with funding and opportunities for professional training in poultry farming. We also appreciate AGRA for its daily support, guidance, and financial assistance, as well as RYAF, which builds our capacity through training and connects us with partners who strengthen our projects,” she says.

Marie Claire’s story shows that loving what you do, striving for it, and working together can truly transform your future. In her eyes, one can see confidence in a tomorrow free of doubt.

Among those attending are 17 young Rwandans, who will showcase how Africa’s youth are reshaping the future of farming, food, and agribusiness.

“Youth Are Not Optional They Are Central”

For Alice Ruhweza, President of AGRA, this wave of youth-led innovation is not just inspiring it is indispensable. Speaking in Nairobi ahead of the summit, she underlined the urgency of putting youth at the heart of agricultural transformation.

“If you make the sector more productive and growth-oriented, it can create jobs. That is one. But you also have to be very intentional how do you really put money in the hands of youth to go out there and start their own businesses, whether it is horticulture, processing, or exports?”

She added that Africa’s demographic advantage makes this moment critical. “This continent is the youngest in the world, with 70% of the population under the age of 22. Isn’t that exciting? The energy, the innovation, the creativity we’re seeing so many youth enterprises coming up. We may not have figured it all out yet, but it’s a great journey, and we are very excited about this engagement.”

From Rwanda to the World: Stories of Innovation

In Rwanda, agriculture has long been the backbone of livelihoods. Now, young entrepreneurs are proving it can also be a path to wealth creation, job generation, and climate-smart solutions.

Onesphore Mutsinzi, a 30-year-old poultry farmer from Nyagatare, is among the delegates. Once struggling with subsistence farming, he now runs a profitable poultry enterprise after training with the YEFFA Program, backed by AGRA and the Mastercard Foundation. With better housing, feed management, and record-keeping, he expanded his flock from 450 to over 2,000 birds.“Since joining the YEFFA Program, I’ve learned to manage my farm like a business. This journey didn’t just change my farm it changed my life,” Mutsinzi says.

His mission at AFSS25: to seek partners who can help him establish a local feed plant, lowering costs for farmers across his community.

In Rwamagana, Niyitanga Grace turned a failed city hustle into a thriving greenhouse agribusiness. With just 1.5 million Rwandan francs and determination, she built a chili pepper enterprise now valued at 30 million RWF.

“Agriculture is not a last resort it’s a first-class opportunity,” Grace affirms. “With the right mindset and tools, it can be more profitable than you ever imagined.”

Her next step: building value-addition facilities to process chili into sauces and powders, moving from farming to agro-industry.

And in Nyanza, Evariste Sibobugingo is proving that waste can be wealth. His factory transforms discarded cassava peels into soap and organic fertilizer, employing dozens and supporting over 500 smallholder farmers.“Never abandon an idea just because it looks small. Every big thing starts as a small idea sometimes even one that seems impossible,” he says.

Beyond Production: Setting the Agenda

The stories of young agri-preneurs highlight a broader truth: Africa’s agricultural transformation will not come only from producing more food. It will come from innovation across the value chain from processing and packaging to exports, financing, and digital technologies.

This is the exact message Alice Ruhweza wants front and center at AFSS25“You can’t only look at production. You have to look at processing, at export zones, at financing youth enterprises. We’re seeing incredible creativity, and the task ahead is to scale it to make sure more young people have access to capital, markets, and mentorship,” she emphasizes.

Why Youth Matter in Africa’s Food Future

With more than 60% of Africa’s population under 25, the continent’s food future rests on its young people. Rwanda’s delegation of 17 youth is more than symbolic it reflects a generational shift: from subsistence farming to agribusiness, from necessity to opportunity.

As Mutsinzi puts it“If I can build a successful business in a rural village with limited resources, others can too. We just need the right support and belief in our own potential.”

A Call to Action

From poultry farms to greenhouses to cassava recycling, Africa’s young agri-preneurs are already demonstrating that they hold the keys to feeding the continent and driving economic growth.

The task for AFSS25 is clear: to turn these sparks of innovation into a continental fire of transformation.

His story is one of creativity, perseverance, and the power of seeing opportunity where others see waste. “Can Waste Be Valued?” A Question That Sparked a Movement

Evariste’s journey began five years ago, not with machinery or capital, but with a question:

“Is it possible that what is called waste can be valued?”

Living in a cassava-rich area, he noticed that the peels discarded in large quantities were an untapped resource. “One day I saw cassava peels being thrown away and wondered if they could be useful. That curiosity became my turning point,” Evariste recalls.

With little industry support and a discouraging environment, he turned to self-education and relentless research. “I once asked my boss about how soap is made. He said, ‘You’ll never know just keep working.’ That drove me to find the answers myself.”

Sibobugingo Evariste has been running a project of making soap from cassava peels for six years.

A brief but powerful encounter with a wealthy businessman also left a lasting mark:

“If you want to succeed, do research on cassava. ”And so he did. From 2018 to 2021, Evariste focused on learning how cassava peels could be transformed into soap and organic fertilizer. His findings showed that cassava peels contain oils suitable for soap-making, and their residues can be repurposed into high-quality agricultural inputs.

Building a Business from the Ground Up

In 2021, Evariste officially registered his business with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). Today, he runs a small but growing factory that produces liquid soap, bar soap, and organic fertilizer all from cassava peels.

His business now employs 8 permanent staff, over 30 casual laborers, works with 500 smallholder farmers for cassava peel supply ad sources additional raw materials from three large-scale cassava farms (over 30 hectares each).

By purchasing cassava peels at 40 Rwandan francs per kilogram, Evariste is not only creating employment but also incentivizing waste collection and promoting circular economy practices.

Recognition and Awards: Turning Ideas into Impact

Evariste’s work has received national and continental recognition: Top 100 in Africa at the 2019 Youth Connect Awards (RWF 500,000 prize),1st place in the Imari Agri-Business Challenge by Imbuto Foundation, earning RWF 10 million to scale up production, numerous participations in agricultural and agribusiness exhibitions and tenders. These achievements have allowed him to expand operations and build a vision beyond Rwanda’s borders.

Scaling Impact Through AGRA Support

Evariste's breakthrough was not a solo journey. He acknowledges the critical support received from the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), which identified his potential and provided both funding and capacity-building support.

AGRA, working through Rwanda Youth in Agribusiness Forum (RYAF), is instrumental in empowering young innovators like Evariste to lead Africa’s agricultural transformation.

“We are grateful to the Government of Rwanda and organizations like AGRA,” he says. “They gave us tools, training, and a voice. Without them, scaling this idea would have been nearly impossible.”

After making the soap, they put on the brands.

Through its initiatives, AGRA champions youth participation in shaping Africa’s food future and ensures that innovators have a seat at high-level discussions like AFSS25 and COP summits.

Africa Food Systems Summit 2025: A Platform for Change

Being selected to attend AFSS25 in Senegal is both an honor and a new chapter for Evariste. “This summit is more than a meeting; it's a platform to learn, to inspire, and to amplify our work. I want to tell Africa’s youth that opportunity lies in seeing value where others see waste.”At the summit, he hopes to exchange ideas, build networks, and share Rwanda’s homegrown innovations with the rest of the continent.

Advice to Youth: Believe in Small Ideas

To aspiring entrepreneurs, Evariste offers powerful words. “Never abandon an idea just because it looks small. Every big thing starts as a small idea sometimes even one that seems impossible. “Learn from the problems around you, because they hold tomorrow’s solutions.”

Looking Ahead

Evariste Sibobugingo is not just building a business he’s building a model for inclusive, sustainable, and youth-led development in Africa. With the support of organizations like AGRA and platforms like AFSS, his vision of turning waste into wealth is no longer a dream it’s a blueprint for the future.

The soap they produce is measured according to the standards set by the Rwanda Standards Board (RSB).

Cassava peels were waste, but Sibobugingo Evariste turned them into cash

Those are Liquid soaps are made using cassava peels.

Once they are ready, they are packed in cartons and sent to the market.

Japan has long been a trusted partner in this journey, and our collaboration already shows what is possible. In 2008, AGRA joined hands with Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and a wide network of African and international partners to launch the Coalition for African Rice Development (CARD). AGRA plays a critical role in hosting CARD and the goal remains simple yet ambitious: to double rice production in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030.

Why rice? Because for millions of African families, rice is not just another crop. It is the meal that fills the pot at night, the comfort food that binds communities, the difference between children going to bed hungry or nourished. Yet by 2023, Africa’s self-sufficiency in rice had fallen to just 54 percent, forcing us to rely on expensive imports that drain scarce foreign exchange.

Against this backdrop, the progress made by CARD is nothing short of remarkable. In its first decade alone, rice production doubled from 14 million tons in 2008 to 28 million tons in 2018. By 2023, output had climbed further to 36.6 million tons. That is not an abstract statistic. It is food on family tables. It is income in the hands of farmers.

Now CARD has set its sights on 56 million tons by 2030. This target is bold, but it is achievable, and it matters. It means stronger rural economies, greater food sovereignty, and more jobs for Africa’s youth. It also means less dependence on imports, insulating our continent from the shocks of volatile global markets.

As CARD prepares for its 10th General Meeting in Madagascar this October, we are sharpening our focus on regional leadership and mobilizing resources from both development partners and the private sector. Japan has shown the way, not only with rhetoric but with real action. Just days ago, JICA issued a $155 million bond to spur new investments in Africa’s agriculture. That is partnership made tangible.

But rice is only part of the story. Across the continent, a wave of innovation is redefining African agriculture. Young entrepreneurs are building digital platforms that connect farmers to markets, while agri-tech start-ups are devising tools to boost productivity and efficiency. With support for 11 youth-led companies, AGRA is demonstrating how innovation can create jobs, fuel entrepreneurship, and give young Africans a stake in feeding their continent.

We are also tackling the twin threats of climate change and malnutrition head on. With the support of the Green Climate Fund, AGRA is working with governments to promote soil health, regenerative agriculture, and nutrition-sensitive farming. These practices are not just environmentally sound, they are essential for protecting Africa’s future and ensuring that progress in agriculture also means progress in human health.

At TICAD 9, we are not only here to share what Africa is doing. We are here to call for greater collaboration and to deepen partnerships. We want to see more Japanese companies bring their world-class technologies in agri-tech, irrigation, and biofuels to African markets. We want to see more concessional financing and innovative blended finance models that allow smallholder farmers and agricultural SMEs to thrive. And we want to reinforce our alignment with African priorities, from the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) commitments to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), so that every step forward strengthens the continent’s own frameworks.

Africa’s challenges are undeniable. But so too are its possibilities. With Japan’s technological expertise and Africa’s vast agricultural potential, we can build a food system that feeds the continent, protects the planet, and powers growth. The only ingredient still in short supply is urgency.

TICAD 9 is a chance to turn ambition into action, to co-create a food-secure and climate-resilient Africa, and to do so now, before the cost of inaction is counted in hunger, instability, and lost opportunity. This year’s TICAD 9 will focus on how Africa and Japan can co-create practical solutions drawing on Africa’s resources and youth potential alongside Japanese innovation, across three urgent priorities: building resilient societies, securing peace and stability, and driving shared economic growth.

The path forward is clear. Let us choose action, and choose to do it now.

Ms. Ruhweza is the President of AGRA, an African-led organization that is focused on putting farmers at the centre of the continent’s growing economy.

“I tried different businesses in Kigali, but nothing seemed to work,” she recalls. “The day I visited my friend’s farm, I saw something I had never seen before potential, growth, life. That was the turning point.”

Grace Niyitanga started her farming career with little confidence, but thanks to her hard work, perseverance, and consistency, she has achieved success.

Grace Niyitanga says she started her project with only 1.5 million

Armed with a passion for building something meaningful and a determination to succeed, Grace moved to Rwamagana and began farming on rented land, benefiting from an irrigation scheme developed by the government in collaboration with the SAIP (Sustainable Agricultural Intensification Project). The results were immediate and transformational.

A Seed of Opportunity that Sprouted Success

Her first season’s investment of 1.5 million RWF yielded a staggering 7 million RWF. Encouraged by this breakthrough, she reinvested her earnings to acquire her own land and shift from traditional open-field farming to greenhouse agriculture a climate-resilient solution offering higher yields, quality produce, and year-round production.

Her first greenhouse alone generated 8 million RWF per season. Today, she owns four greenhouses, each built with a cost-effective combination of local and imported materials cutting construction costs from 20 million to 5 million RWF per unit.

“I realized that relying only on rain-fed farming was limiting,” she says. “Greenhouses gave me consistency, quality, and the ability to control my environment. That’s how I started scaling.”

Chili Peppers, Market Savvy, and a Growing Enterprise

Grace’s flagship crop is chili peppers a lucrative export product with growing demand across Africa and beyond. Through training and mentorship provided by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), she was equipped with critical skills in value chain development, market research, and marketing strategy.

“AGRA didn’t just teach me how to grow chili they taught me how to understand markets and operate like a businesswoman,” she says.

She has since diversified into tomatoes, bell peppers, and green beans, ensuring steady supply for both local and regional markets. Her business, now valued at over 30 million RWF, is a testament to how quickly a small idea can grow with the right support.

A Champion for Youth in Agribusiness

Beyond her own success, Grace has become a mentor and role model for others. As an active member of the Rwanda Youth in Agribusiness Forum (RYAF), she represents greenhouse farmers at national platforms and works to mobilize young people into agriculture.

“I always tell young people: Agriculture is not a last resort it’s a first-class opportunity,” she says. “With the right mindset and tools, it can be more profitable than you ever imagined.”

So far, she has helped friends launch farms and created jobs for young people in her community, contributing directly to youth employment and rural economic empowerment.

Looking Ahead: A Vision That Reaches Across Borders

Now preparing to represent Rwanda at Africa Food Systems Summit 2025, Grace sees the event as a powerful platform to connect with fellow young innovators and international partners.

“I’m eager to share my journey but more importantly, to learn from others,” she says. “Africa is full of young farmers doing amazing things. If we join forces, we can transform the continent’s food systems. “

Her future plans include acquiring more farmland, expanding greenhouse infrastructure, launching chili value-addition units (e.g., sauces and powders), tapping into export markets and strengthening brand presence.

Why Investors and Donors Should Take Note

Grace’s story is not just inspiring it’s investable. She represents the kind of climate-smart, youth-led agricultural enterprise that can drive Africa’s food security, employment, and economic transformation. With strategic investment and support, her model can be scaled across regions, benefiting more farmers, creating jobs, and boosting local economies.

She is currently open to partnerships that can support expansion of greenhouse farming systems, establishment of chili processing and packaging facilities, access to regional and international markets, training programs for youth and women in modern agribusiness

A Final Word from the Farm

Standing beside rows of vibrant chili plants under the morning sun, she reflects on the road she’s traveled.

“My journey started with failure. But I turned it into fuel,” she says. “Today, I farm with purpose not just for profit, but to feed, employ, and inspire.”

Grace Nititanga runs a modern tomato farming business in a greenhouse.

Grace Niyitanga also grows chili peppers in the greenhouse.

Standing beside rows of vibrant chili plants under the morning sun, she reflects on the road she’s traveled

Now preparing to represent Rwanda at Africa Food Systems Summit 2025

“We have to feed our soils before we feed people,” Dr. Ndabamenye emphasized. “Our soils have been degraded for long. The government has started local seed production, and we’re now moving into local manufacturing of site-specific mineral fertilizers.”

From Blanket to Site-Specific Solutions

Historically, Rwanda used generalized fertilizer recommendations, but recent research has shown the need for site-specific formulations to match the country’s unique soil composition especially its 60% hillside farmland and high acidity zones.

“Using blanket recommendations was like shooting in the air,” Dr. Ndabamenye explained. “Now, trials are completed, results are promising, and some site-specific fertilizers have already started to be distributed.”

“The government is also tackling acidity by introducing liming to neutralize soils, particularly in low-yield regions, and promoting household composting to build organic matter “He added

Extension Services and Digital Innovation

The new model relies heavily on customized extension services and digital solutions, such as the Smart Nkunganire System, a platform that allows farmers to register, order, and purchase seeds and fertilizers directly through agro-dealers.

“We are streamlining input supply channels. We want three million farmers on digital platforms. We’re training agro-dealers, building large warehouses in provinces, and equipping farmers with smartphones and modern tools.”Said Ndabamenye

Role of AGRA in Food Systems Development

A key partner in this transformation is AGRA, which is working alongside the Rwandan government to develop resilient seed systems, Empower local seed companies with marketing strategies, strengthen agro-dealer network, Promote horticulture value chains in avocado, chili, and poultry.

These efforts are focused not only on increasing production but also building a sustainable agricultural economy.

Asked how the government supports local seed producers, Dr. Ndabamenye said: “Seed producers are selling under the subsidy system, but they are part of the business. We help them with registration, training in seed quality, marketing, and storage.”

In addition, the government provides subsidized irrigation and inputs to support seed companies and ensure they are profitable and sustainable.

To achieve Rwanda’s ambitious targets, the Minister of State highlighted the need to fully engage the private sector:

He said: “We need to bring the private sector on board so there is a shared responsibility and speed. This is not a one man’s job.”

With improved seed varieties and site-specific fertilizer application, Dr. Ndabamenye emphasized that yields could increase by more than 55%, provided other conditions like water, soil health, and extension are met.

Rwanda’s agricultural strategy is no longer just about increasing inputs it's about transforming systems. From soil to seed, from agro-dealer to digital platform, the country is laying the foundation for a self-sustaining, tech-enabled, and private sector-driven food production future. And as Dr. Ndabamenye puts: “We are building a system where every stakeholder from farmers to seed companies understands their role, and together we are creating a more resilient food system