Why We Must Celebrate Africans Transforming the Continent’s Food Systems
- Africa’s food systems are undergoing a quiet revolution, led by visionary individuals and organizations dedicated to achieving food security and supporting the UN SDG of Zero Hunger.
As Africa approaches the SDGs deadline, the next five years are critical for transforming food systems. This July in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Africa will host another stocktaking moment, 4 years after the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS+4).
Africa’s food systems are undergoing a quiet revolution, led by visionary individuals and organizations dedicated to achieving food security and supporting the UN SDG of Zero Hunger. Despite the continent’s vast arable land, diverse climatic zones, and youthful population, over 280 million people face food insecurity according to FAO.
Across the continent, remarkable innovation is happening:
In Nigeria, Nnaemeka Ikegwuonu’s ColdHubs tackles post-harvest losses with solar-powered cold storage solutions.
In Kenya, women-led cooperatives pioneer drought-resistant crops and sustainable irrigation
Mobile platforms like Twiga Foods and FarmCrowdy connect farmers to markets, ensuring fairer prices
African scientists develop climate-smart crops resistant to drought and pests
Women produce up to 70% of Africa’s food, yet often lack access to land, credit, and agricultural inputs. Similarly, young people are bringing fresh perspectives, blending traditional knowledge with digital tools through programs like the African Youth Agripreneurs Forum.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents an opportunity to boost intra-African trade in agricultural products, reducing import dependency and strengthening food sovereignty.
Recognizing these food system champions isn’t just about praise—it amplifies their impact, validates their work, encourages further innovation, and attracts investments that scale solutions. Through storytelling, we can reshape narratives around African agriculture from a continent plagued by hunger to a land of opportunity.
Africa Food Prize – $100,000 Award
This is why we invite nominations for individuals—men and women, young and old—as well as institutions to compete for the $100,000 Africa Food Prize. By uplifting these heroes, we accelerate progress toward Zero Hunger, inspire future generations, and solidify Africa’s place as a global leader in sustainable agriculture.
Boaz Blackie Keizire is the Director for Policy and State Capability at AGRA – leading initiatives in shaping policies, flagships, capacities of governments to drive their inclusive and sustainable agri-food systems transformation agendas.
