AGRF Summit Side events day 2: REGENERATE

 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

06/09 09:00 - 11:00 : PLENARY: Transforming African Food Systems for Stronger Nutritional Benefits

This session delved into the crucial intersection of productive systems, nutrition, human health, resilient and sustainable food production, with a focus on transforming our food systems for the betterment of all individuals- including women - and the planet.

Sequence 1: The Status of Women in Food Systems

• Brief introduction and Moderation: Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, Chief Scientist, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
• Inspirational Moment Mr. John Dumelo, Ghanaian Actor, Politician, Agriculturist – TEDx- Make agriculture work again

Fireside Chat

• Hon. Anne Beathe Tvinnereim, Minister of International Development, Norway
• H.E. Mariam Mwinyi, First Lady of Zanzibar
• H.E. Angeline Ndayishimiye, First Lady of the Republic of Burundi

Sequence 1: Women Leaders in Food Systems Roundtable - Panel Discussion

• Hon. Ummy Ally Mwalimu, Minister of Health, Tanzania
• 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
• Ms. Wilma van Esch, Head of the Food Security and Nutrition Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Netherlands
• Dr. Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted, Global Lead for Nutrition and Public Health, World Fish & World Food Prize Laureate
• Mrs. Hiwot Darsene Dimd, Nutrition Coordination Lead Executive Officer, Ministry of Health, Ethiopia

Sequence 2: State of Nutrition and Sustainable Diets

• Moderator Ms. Adesuwa Ifedi, Africa Senior Vice President, Heifer International

Fireside Chat on Implication to African Food Systems

• Prof. Ruth Oniang’o, Editor-in-Chief and Founder, African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development (AJFAND)
• Hon. Ms Josephine Joseph Lagu, Minister, Agriculture and Food Security, South Sudan
• Dr. Lawrence Haddad, Executive Director, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition
  "Keys to transform food systems. 1. Prioritize outcomes 2. Develop a plan 3. Know your food system (data) 4. Know your resources (budgets) 5. Get policy coherence (policy & process) 6. Develop coherent ecosystem of support 7. Assess progress & adapt"
• Keynote Speaker Dr. Namukolo Covic, ILRI DG Rep & CGIAR East & Southern Africa Regional Director, EAT Lancet 2.0 Commissioner

Panel Discussion

• Ms Afshan Khan, Assistant Secretary-General, United Nations, Coordinator of Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement
• Dr. Robert Bertram, Chief Scientist, Bureau for Resilience and Food Security, USAID
• Dr. Roy Steiner, Senior Vice President, Rockefeller Foundation
• Ms. Liz Ogutu, Policy and Advocacy Officer; Regional Coordinator, Africa, HarvestPlus
• Ms. Christine Campeau, Global Advocacy Director, Food Systems, CARE International

Closing remarks

H.E. Ambassador Gabriel Ferrero, Ambassador at Large Global Food Security, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Spain & Chairperson Committee on World Food Security (CFS)

06/09 11:30 - 13:30 : The Cost of a Healthy Diet

During the session, the speakers and panel explored the multifaceted factors that contribute to the cost of a healthy diet, including affordability, availability, and cultural considerations.

• Keynote Speaker Mr Stanlake Samkange, Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships, WFP
• Framing Remarks H.E. Reuben Mtolo Phiri, Minister of Agriculture, Zambia

Panel Discussion 1: Access and Affordability

• Hon. Ummy Ally Mwalimu, Minister, Ministry of Health, Tanzania
• Dr. Obai Khalifa, Deputy Director, Africa, Director of Agricultural Development, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF)
• Prof. Joachim von Braun, Professor at the Center for Development Research (ZEF), Bonn University & AGRA Board Member
• Ms Afshan Khan, Assistant Secretary-General, United Nations, Coordinator of Scaling Up Nutrition, (SUN) Movement
• Mr. Emmanuel Ampadu, Co-Founder & COO, Pure and Just Co, Ghana

Panel Discussion 2: Inclusive Diets

• Mr. Ishmael Sunga, CEO, Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions (SACAU)\
• Ms. Elizabeth Swai, CEO, AKM Glitters Company Limited, Tanzania
• Ms. Gladys Mugambi, Head, Division of Family Health and SUN Movement Executive Committee Co-Chair
• Ms. Elizabeth Imbo, Country Project Manager – Nutrition in City Ecosystems, Syngenta Foundation
• Dr. Lunna Kyungu, Senior Technical Advisor Organisation; COUNSENUTH
• Ms. Betty Kibaara, Director Food Initiative, Rockefeller Foundation

06/09 11:30 - 13:30 : Food Safety, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Systems, and Post-Harvest Management

This session delved into food safety, sanitary and Phytosanitary Systems, as well as post-harvest management discussions. Food safety and post- harvest practices are critical to Africa’s food security. Africa faces SPS challenges to its agricultural and food systems. Poor handling and inadequate storage lead to large quantities of food lost and wasted.

• Moderator Mr. Sean de Cleene, International Systems and Partnerships 

Expert Fireside Chat

• Hon. Jeanine Cooper, Minister of Agriculture, Republic of Liberia
• Hon. Jenny Moffitt, Under Secretary, Marketing and Regulatory Programs, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Panel Discussion 1: Food Safety

• Ms. Peace Mutuwa, Knowledge Manager, PACA
• Mr. Watipaso Mkandawire, Regional Food Markets Adviser, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), UK
• Mr. Johnson Kiragu, East Africa Regional Director, Partners in Food Solutions
• Ms. Candida Shirima, Ag, Director of Compliance and Enforcement, Tanzanian Bureau of Standards
• Dr. Amare Ayalew, Program Manager, PACA

Panel Discussion 2: Innovative Technologies to reduce Post-harvest Loss

• Hon. Alfred Ombudo K’Ombudo, Principal Secretary, State Department of Trade, Ministry of Trade, Investment and Industry, Kenya
• Dr. Geeta Sethi, Advisor, Global Agriculture Practice, World Bank
• Dr. Marco Wopereis, Director General, World Vegetable Centre
• Ms. Emmastella Gakuo, COO, Savannah Circuit, Kenya
• Mr. Jordan Dey, President & CEO, GrainPro
• Dr. Bridgitta Steyn, Research Platform Manager for Microbials at Natural Plant Protection (NPP), UPL
• Eng. Godfrey Mwimama, Ag, Director of Research and Development, CRMARTEC

06/09 15:00 - 17:00 : Trade & Markets

The session explored the role of trade and markets in achieving a sustainable and resilient food systems. Critical to increased trade in the continent is ensuring an enabling environment that encourages increased private sector investments to address the significant gaps in infrastructure and access to finance. 

The successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement will require the combined efforts of governments and the private sector, and other critical stakeholders in trade such as the Regional Economic Communities, research institutions, among others.

• Moderator Ms. Femi Oke, International Journalist, Broadcaster 
• Keynote Speaker H.E. Lionel Zinsou, Former Prime Minister, Republic of Benin; Founder and Managing Partner, Southbridge

Framing remarks: 

• Ms. Melinda Bohannon, DG Humanitarian & Development, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), UK
• Hon. Simplex Chithyola Banda, Minister of Trade and Industry, Malawi
• Ms. Beth Dunford, Vice President, Agriculture, Human and Social Development, African Development Bank (AfDB) 

Launch Africa Agriculture Trade Monitor (AATM) 

• 
  Dr. Ousmane Badiane, Executive Chairperson, Akademiya 2063
  
• Video presentation, Launch of the AATM report 

Panel Discussion: Trade Infrastructure & Trade Finance and Investment

• Hon. Dr. Khalid Salum Mohamed, Minister of Infrastructure, Communication and Transport Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania
• Mr. Mulualem Syoum, CEO, AeTrade Group (AeTrade Group)
• Ms. Monica Hangi, Regional Senior Director, TradeMark Africa
• Mr. Mahesh Patel, CEO, ETG Group
• Mr. Tom Kehoe, Deputy Director of Agriculture, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and Sustain Africa
• Ms. Dorice Mgeta, Lawyer, Economist, Diplomat, Executive Board Member of the Tanzania Trade Development (TanTrade)
• Ms. Nelly Mukazayire, Deputy CEO, Rwanda Development Board
• Sir Danny Alexander, Vice President, Policy and Strategy, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
• Closing RemarksHon. Gérardine Mukeshimana, Vice President, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

06/09 17:00 - 18:30 : Program & Innovation: Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Food Systems

This session explored the urgent need to build resilient food systems in the face of global challenges such as climate change and environmental degradation. It delved into the key principles and practices of regenerative agriculture, a powerful approach that promotes sustainability, resilience, and food security.

Recording available as on demand video  

• Moderator Mr. Anthony Mhagama, Senior Programme Manager, SUSTAIN, IUCN

Fireside Chat

• H.E. Hon. Cecily Mbarire M.G.H, Governor of Embu County, Kenya

Panel Discussion 1

• Mr. Simon O'Connell, CEO, SNV
• Ms. Ada Osakwe, Managing Partner, Agrolay Ventures, AGRA Board Member, & Youth Ambassador Generation Africa (absent)
• Ms. Betty Kibaara, Director, Food Initiative, Rockefeller Foundation
• Ms. Hazel Awino, CEO, Agri Innovation Hub, Kenya
• Ms. Damilola Aminat Adeyemi, Co-Founder, D-Olivette Enterprise, Nigeria
• Ms. Edith Wheatland, CEO, Rockland Farms, Ghana
• Mr. Don White, CEO, Agventure Ltd.

Panel Discussion 2

• Ms. Elizabeth Nsimadala is the regional president of Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF) and board member of Pan Africa Farmers Organisation (PAFO)
• Dr. Sieglinde Snapp, Global Program Director – Sustainable Agri-food Systems, CIMMYT
• Dr. Bridgitta Steyn, Research Platform Manager for Microbials at Natural Plant Protection (NPP), UPL, South Africa
• Ms. Natasha Santos, Vice President, Head of Global Stakeholders Affairs & Strategic Partnerships, Bayer

Panel Discussion 3

• Ms. Marilia Bezerra, Chief Programmes Officer, IKEA Foundation
• Mr. John Ellenberger, SVP Venture 37, Land O’Lakes,
• Ms. Nancy Rapando, Africa's Food Future Initiative Lead, WWF
• Mr. Adam Gerstenmier, Executive Director, Food Action Alliance
• Mr. Apollo Owuor, Coordinator, COMESA – East Africa Horticultural Accelerator