Food systems stakeholders to convene in Senegal this August to discuss African youth investment in agriculture

Senegal’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Livestock is expecting over 6,000 food systems leaders from around the world including Heads of State, Ministers, Investors, Youth and Women agripreneurs, Researchers and Donors to assemble in Dakar this August during the 19th edition of the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF).

The theme of the forum is “Africa’s Youth: Leading Collaboration, Innovation, and Implementation of Africa’s Food Systems Transformation”, marking Africa’s most significant agriculture and food-systems moment, hosted by a nation that is budding with youthful innovation.

According to the organizers, Africa’s young people are driving food systems transformation now, and this year’s AFS Forum will amplify their leadership, connect them to resources and ensure they’re at the center of Africa’s food future.

While making the announcement, Senegal’s Minister of Agriculture Food Sovereignty and Livestock, Dr. Mabouba Diagne, said in a statement released on Monday, 21^st July 2025 that “With nearly 60% of Africa’s population under 25, youth are the most potent force shaping the continent’s future. Senegal is therefore honored to convene Africa’s most influential agriculture leaders and hopes that this year’s Forum will shape policy, investment, and innovation. We welcome the world to Dakar and reinforce our belief that Africa can achieve food resilience and sustainable systems”.

Amath Pathe, The Managing Director, Africa Food Systems Forum said that “This year’s convening is a catalyst for reaching youth and young women in Africa so we can engage them as leaders, co-creators and movement builders. 6,000 voices from across the world will converge in Senegal to exchange ideas and build the future of food systems and we can’t wait for the impact this will have”.

Amath said that there is a strong commitment from the government of Senegal to deliver a high impactful event. Comprehensive security protocols, visa facilitation, advanced logistics, multilingual interpretation, and protocol arrangements are in place to ensure smooth execution.

Amath Pathe, Managing Director, Africa Food Systems Forum

Delegates from more than 90 countries are expected to arrive in Dakar, with participation from key international institutions including the Africa Union, UN agencies and major development institutions. Representation will span public and private sectors, academia, NGOs, media, youth, women and farming communities.

Agriculture employs nearly 69% of Senegal’s labour force, contributing roughly 17% of GDP. As a Sahel nation, Senegal has invested aggressively in irrigation, storage infrastructure, and resilient farming systems. Hosting this forum reinforces Senegal’s leadership in regional food systems transformation.

Online registration for delegates is now open on the official AFS Forum website through this link - www.afs-forum.org/summit/2025 

The Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS Forum) is the world's largest forum on agriculture and food systems, bringing together stakeholders (policy makers, farmers, private sector, youth, women, research) to take practical action and share lessons that will move African food systems transformation forward.

The AFS Forum’s core objective is to scale up Africa’s food systems and agricultural transformation agenda through Agenda Setting, Evidence-based Policy Reform, Investment Facilitation and Finance, Knowledge Sharing and Learning, Partnership Development and Coordination. Since 2010, the Africa Food Systems Forum has been an annual convening platform and overtime, includes investment facilities (deal rooms) and technical assistance through its thematic platforms.

The Africa Food Systems Forum has fully rebranded to expand its scope to include a greater emphasis on all areas around food systems (agricultural production, nutrition, gender and youth, climate resilience, market and trade, infrastructure, energy) and integrated approaches, government engagement, reporting and accountability, and mobilizing the private sector.