AGRF Summit Side events day 1: RECOVER

 5 - 8 September 2023. Africa's Food Systems Forum 2023 Summit’s theme, “Recover, Regenerate, Act: Africa’s Solutions to Food Systems Transformation

The AGRF Summit, which takes place from September 5th-8th, is an annual gathering that brings together heads of states and governments, agriculture ministers, members of the civil society, private sector leaders, scientists and farmers in discussions meant to define the future of Africa’s.

Extracts of the main events

05/09 @9:00am The Africa Agriculture Status Report AASR.

One of the highlights of the 13th AGRF (Africa Green Revolution Forum) Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, wis the launch of the 2023 Africa Agriculture Status Report (AASR23).

• 
  Dr. John Ulimwengu (see picture),  Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI (lead author) - Presentation of report 
  
  “The findings in this year’s AASR are not just a reflection of the current challenges but also a roadmap for future actions, guiding the continent towards food systems where every African will have access to sustainable healthy diets”
  
  
• Dr. Shenggen Fan (see picture), Senior Chair Professor, China Agricultural University
  
• 
  Dr. Simeon Ehui, Director-General, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and
  Regional Director for Continental Africa, CGIAR
• Ms. Sodfa Daaji, Co-Chair, Afrika Youth Movement
• Prof. Joachim von Braun (see picture) Professor at the Center for Development Research (ZEF), Bonn University & AGRA Board Member
• Mr. Omid Kassiri, Managing Partner of McKinsey East Africa, Co-Leader of Agriculture Practice in Africa, McKinsey & Company, Nairobi

05/09 @10:00am The Food Systems Stocktaking: Critical parameters for Food Systems
transformation

• Moderator Ms. Nadine Gbossa (see picture), Director, Food Systems Coordination, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
• 
  Framing Presentation Dr. Lawrence Haddad, Executive Director, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition GAIN
• Dr. Jean Jacques Muhinda, Regional Manager for East Africa, AGRA
• Hon. Sam Kawale, Minister of Agriculture, Republic of Malawi
• Ms. Elizabeth Nsimadala (see picture), President, Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF), Director, Pan African Farmers Organization (PAFO)& Director, Africa of World Farmers Organization (WFO)
• 
  Hon. Abdallah Ulega, Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, United Republic of Tanzania
• Dr. Sylvia Lopez-Ekra, Deputy Director, UN Food Systems Coordination Hub

05/09 @11:30 - 13:30 : Policy: The Power of Data, Information & Research for Sustainable Food System- Parallel Session

This session focused on the critical role of data and information in driving innovation and progress in the agricultural sector and food systems value chains. Robust data and informed research can drive evidence-based policies and interventions, paving the way for transformative change in public policies, programs, projects and investments. Data-driven decision-making can promote efficient resource allocation, enhancing food security, and improve nutrition. 

Panel Discussion 1

• Ms. Esther Kimani – 2022 Pitch Agrihack Winner & CEO, FarmerLifeLine Technologies
• Ms. Sarah Coughlin, Senior Policy Associate, J-PAL Global
• Mr. John Kamara, Founder & CEO, Adanian Labs
• Ms. Rose Goslinga, Co-Founder & President, Pula Advisors
• Mr. Sriram Bharatam, Founder, Kuza Biashara

Panel Discussion 2 - Challenges and Opportunities related to Data and Digital Solutions

• Hon. Fred Bwino Kyakulaga, Minister of State for Agriculture, Animal Industry & Fisheries, Republic of Uganda
• Mr. Omondi Kasidhi, Senior Manager, Digital Growth & Commercialization Africa, YARA
• Dr. Dave Watson, Livelihoods Adviser, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), UK
• Mr. Kunal Prasad, CEO, CropIn
• Dr. Mduduzi Mbuya, Director Knowledge Leadership, GAIN

05/09 15:00 - 17:00 : Plenary: Africa’s Fertilizer and Soil Health Vision

This session offered insights into fertilizers sovereignty, the pivotal role of nutrient management in achieving food security and fostering sustainable development in Africa.

Panel Discussion 1: Re-Inventing Africa’s Fertilizer Industry in a Context of Global Crisis

• 
  Hon. Dr. Demba Sabally, Minister of Agriculture, The Republic of The Gambia
• Hon. Ernesto Max Elias Tonela, Minister of Economy & Finance, Mozambique
• Hon. Chipoka Mulenga, Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Zambia
  
• Ms. Dina Esposito, Assistant to the Administrator - Resilience and Food Security (RFS) at USAID, Feed the Future Deputy Coordinator for Development, & Global Food Crisis Coordinator
• Mr. Mehdi Filali, VP Farmer Solutions, OCP Africa, Morocco
• 
  Mr. Svein Tore Holsether, President and CEO, Yara International
• Mr. Henk van Duijn, President and CEO, International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)
• Mr. Patrick Heffer, Deputy Director General, International Fertilizer Association (IFA)

Panel Discussion 2: Soil Health in the Food Systems: Feeding a Growing Continent
Africa's population is projected to double by 2050, and feeding this growing continent is a major challenge. In this session, we will explore innovative solutions for ensuring food security in the future, such as sustainable agriculture practices, food waste reduction, and value chain innovation. Our panel of experts will share their insights and experience on how to create a more resilient and sustainable food system that can feed Africa's growing population and demand in the next coming years particularly in countries in fragile contexts through diversification. 

• 
  Moderator: Dr. Nteranya Sanginga (see picture), former Regional Director, West and Central Africa, CGIAR,
  and Director General of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
• Introductory Remarks: Building and Safeguarding Soil Health - Hon. Dr. Ildephonse Musafiri (see picture), Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), Rwanda
• 
  Hon. Dr. Peter Mutuku Mathuki, Secretary General of the East African Community
  
• Dr. Bernard Vanlauwe (see picture), Deputy Director, Director R4D, and Director for Natural Resources Management, International Institutes of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
• Dr. Tilahun Amede, Head of Resilience, Climate and Soil Fertility, AGRA
• Dr. Joe Cornelius, CEO, Bill & Melinda Gates Agricultural Innovations
• Dr. Leigh Ann Winowiecki, CIFOR & Co-Lead, Coalition for Action on Soil Health
• Mr. Nico Janssen, Programme Manager Agricultural Livelihoods, IKEA Foundation

05/09 Nutritious Foods Financing Facility, an innovative approach to strengthen Africa’s food systems.

GAIN N3F The Nutritious Foods Financing Facility (‘N3F’) is the first nutrition impact-first fund with consumer nutrition at its core. It catalyzes private sector financing to help scale up the production and distribution of nutritious safe foods for local consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa. N3F will provide SMEs with financing and technical assistance support tailored to challenges hindering their pathways towards sustainable growth. An innovative partnership between the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), with nutritional expertise, and Incofin Investment Management(Incofin), an experienced impact fund manager, backed by the United States Agency for international Development (USAID), the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC), and Eleanor Crook Foundation, amongst others.