Africa’s agrifood systems are key to improving food and nutrition security.

Africa’s agrifood systems are key to improving food and nutrition security, creating jobs, protecting the environment, and building resilience to climate change.

The new Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Strategy and Action Plan puts food systems transformation at the centre of its efforts.

The Kampala Declaration, which introduced the updated CAADP plan, focuses on speeding up progress. Mayaki, the African Union’s Special Envoy for Food Systems, stresses the need for faster change, warning that progress is too slow. The Food Systems Countdown Report by FAO shows that only 20 of 42 key indicators are heading in the right direction—and none fast enough to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Transforming food systems is complex. These systems are made up of many moving parts—farmers, traders, processors, governments, civil society, and policies. Rather than thinking of food systems as machines, they can be seen as woven fabrics. “Each thread - farmers, processors, traders, governments, civil society - adds strength, colour, and purpose to the whole. When threads are tangled or frayed, the fabric weakens. When they are aligned, the weave is strong, adaptable, and beautiful" Mayaki added. 

The aim is to strengthen that weave by helping decision-makers act faster and more effectively. To do this, a set of practical tools has been developed over the past eight years in different countries, including eight in Africa. These tools were created with input from hundreds of experts and institutions, many of them African. Leaders are encouraged to adapt and use these tools to make better, more impactful decisions.

The tools include:

Food System Dashboards – Combine data from many sources to identify problems and opportunities, and help target investments.

Policy Coherence Tool – Shows how well different policies support food system goals, avoiding conflicting actions.

Political Economy Assessment Tool – Helps spot political openings for action in real-world contexts.

3FS Tool – Maps public and donor funding to see if spending matches priorities.

Diet Quality Questionnaire – A quick survey to assess diet quality, which gives early warnings of food-related problems.

I-CAN (Climate Action and Nutrition) – Helps align actions on climate and nutrition, useful especially for policymakers and climate leaders.

Food System Countdown Initiative – Tracks progress and supports accountability in system transformation.

These tools can support the design of projects that are fundable, practical, and make a real difference. In a time of rising debt, uncertain trade, and shrinking aid, it’s vital to stay focused and act fast. UNFSS+4 is the right moment to step up and move forward to build strong, inclusive, and sustainable food systems across Africa-for today and generations to come.

Wetlands are vanishing quickly.

As global leaders gather in Zimbabwe for the 15th Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP15), there is a major opportunity to protect both food security and the environment.

Wetlands, which support global food production and provide many other benefits, are vanishing quickly.

Today’s food systems are under increasing pressure. To meet rising food demand, many wetlands are being drained and water is being overused. These actions may offer short-term solutions, but they damage long-term food productivity. Already, one-third of agricultural land is degraded, and wetlands continue to disappear.

To truly “Protect Wetlands for Our Common Future”—the official COP15 theme—three key actions are needed. First, clear targets should be set for wetland restoration, linked to climate and food security plans. Second, financial incentives should be created to reward farmers and communities for protecting wetlands. Third, wetland protection should be fully included in national policies on development and climate change.

The link between wetlands and agriculture is strong. Wetlands provide fish, support millions of livelihoods, supply irrigation water, recharge groundwater, and filter out pollutants. Over 95% of food production depends on healthy water and soil—both of which wetlands help protect.

Beyond farming, wetlands are vital for the climate. Peatlands, a type of wetland, hold more carbon per acre than any other ecosystem. Though they cover just 3% of the Earth's surface, they store 30% of all soil carbon. When looked after, they absorb carbon. When drained or burned, they release large amounts of CO₂ and methane.

Wetlands also help prevent disasters. They reduce flood risks, store water during dry periods, and provide 75% of the world’s accessible freshwater. But despite their huge value, the people who protect wetlands often receive nothing in return, while those who destroy them profit.

Currently, only 0.25% of global wealth goes to nature protection. Yet wetlands offer trillions in benefits. Restoring and protecting them would cost about US$275–550bn—just 0.5% of the world economy. With the right support, farmers could be paid for the services their wetlands provide, such as carbon storage and clean water.

These finance systems must work for countries at all stages of development. Local training and sharing of technology are key. It is also more cost-effective to protect healthy wetlands than to fix damaged ones.

The goal is to make wetland protection rewarding and achievable for farmers and communities. This needs systems to track progress, measure results, and share success stories.

We already know what works. In Asia, water-saving rice farming protects wetlands. In Europe, constructed wetlands clean farm water and support wildlife. Practices like reduced tilling and tree planting also help.

With climate change and food demands rising, wetlands must be part of the solution. The time to act is now.

Ethiopia is encouraging international investors to take advantage of the country’s growing agriculture sector.

The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) of Ethiopia is encouraging international investors to take advantage of the country’s growing agriculture sector.

The government highlights a range of high-potential opportunities—from agro-processing and livestock production to agricultural machinery manufacturing.

In a recent interview with the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA), Sofia Kassa (PhD), state minister of the agricultural investment and input sector, said that Ethiopia offers a strong platform for agribusiness investment, supported by rising demand, abundant natural resources, and active government backing.

“Ethiopia's agriculture sector holds immense promise. From mechanization to agro-processing and livestock value chains, the opportunities for mutually beneficial investment are vast,” she said.

One key area identified by the state minister is the shortage of agricultural machinery. Sofia explained that Ethiopia’s efforts to modernise farming are slowed down by a lack of equipment, much of which must be imported using foreign currency. She urged investors to consider setting up local production or assembly of machinery, which would help meet domestic needs and encourage shared development.

Sofia also noted that Ethiopia has modern livestock facilities, including more than 10 internationally certified abattoirs. These are underutilised despite growing demand for quality meat—particularly from Saudi Arabia during the Hajj and Umrah seasons. This, she said, opens doors for investment in animal fattening and husbandry.

The State Minister also highlighted the potential in agro-processing, especially for seasonal crops like tomatoes and onions that often spoil due to limited processing facilities. Increased investment in this area could reduce waste and save foreign currency spent on importing processed foods.

She added that cold storage and cold chain logistics are lacking in the fruit and vegetable sector. With the European Union’s new regulations requiring better cold storage for perishable exports, she encouraged investors to help build the needed infrastructure.

“Ethiopia is ready for agricultural transformation, and we are calling on investors to partner with us in creating a modern, competitive, and sustainable sector,” she added.

Qu emphasised that food system changes must be fair, transparent, and inclusive.

At the UN Food Systems Summit +4 (UNFSS+4) Stocktaking Moment in Addis Ababa, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), QU Dongyu, urged global leaders to speed up the transformation of agrifood systems through bold action, increased investment, and stronger partnerships.

Speaking to ministers, leaders, and delegates, Qu stressed that agrifood systems play a key role in tackling global issues such as food insecurity, climate change, and inequality. “Transformation is not a distant ambition. It is already happening,” he said. “But the pace, scale, and coordination of our collective action will determine whether we succeed. The challenge now is not only action, but acceleration.”

Qu reflected on progress since the first UN Food Systems Summit in 2021. He noted that many countries have moved from promises to action, using policy changes, investments, and planning. Ethiopia was highlighted as a successful example, with FAO support helping cut post-harvest grain losses by up to 40% in some areas.

The Director-General identified three main areas to focus on for transformation:

1. Youth empowerment:
Qu stressed the need to support young people, especially young women, in agrifood systems. He cited FAO’s assessment on Youth in Agrifood Systems, noting that bridging gaps in education, jobs, and leadership could add up to US$1.5tn to global GDP—almost half coming from agrifood systems.

2. Innovation and technology:
Qu highlighted tools like the FAO-led Agrifood Systems Technologies and Innovations Outlook (ATIO) and the World Food Forum’s focus on investment, science, and youth empowerment. He also mentioned the FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative, which uses data to target funding where it is most needed, growing from us$1.5bn in 2022 to US$4.5bn in 2024.

3. The Right to Food:
Qu emphasised that food system changes must be fair, transparent, and inclusive. He pointed to FAO’s support for the Global Alliance Against Poverty and Hunger, launched under Brazil’s G20 Presidency.

“We are making systems transformation the new normal — hand in hand with governments, investors, academia, civil society, and the private sector,” Qu added.