Collins Sefa With Africa’s population projected to hit 2.5 billion by 2050 and more than 280 million people already facing hunger, the urgency is clear: Africa must secure sustainable food solutions while creating meaningful opportunities for its young people. Within this challenge lies a rare opportunity—to harness artificial intelligence (AI), digital tools, and youth-led innovation to reshape the future of food.
Why the Food Systems Forum Matters
This year’s Food Systems Forum comes at a pivotal moment. AGRA emphasises that the future of Africa’s food security will be digital, inclusive, and youth-driven, but achieving this requires bold policy choices, investment in digital infrastructure, and deliberate youth engagement.
The 2025 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report highlights worsening food insecurity across Africa between 2022 and 2024, with women and youth disproportionately affected. Meanwhile, the continent welcomes 12 million new jobseekers annually, but only three million formal jobs are created, leaving the agri-food sector—already employing 70% of Africa’s workforce—undercapitalised and underutilised.
AI as a Game-Changer for Agriculture
For young Africans, AI is no longer a futuristic concept—it is already reshaping farming, distribution, and market access. From climate-smart predictive analytics to AI-powered trade platforms, the technology is proving invaluable.
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In Nigeria, AGRA-backed platforms are delivering personalised agronomic advice via machine learning to over 87,000 women and youth farmers.
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In Ghana, digital voucher systems for fertiliser subsidies have reduced leakages and improved targeting.
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AGRA’s 2024–2028 Strategy prioritises real-time data systems to better guide agricultural interventions and track climate impacts.
AGRA is also championing youth as innovators, not just beneficiaries. Its Youth Agripreneurs Platform provides e-learning, mentorship, and market access across seven countries, helping young agripreneurs scale their businesses with digital tools.
Governments Hold the Key
While technology and youth innovation are critical, AGRA underscores that policy remains the most powerful lever for lasting change:
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In Ethiopia, AGRA and partners are co-developing a national food systems roadmap integrating digital agriculture and youth employment goals.
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In Ghana and Rwanda, ministries are embedding AI into agricultural investment plans.
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In Rwanda, a National Food Systems Coordination mechanism is aligning donor funds and local government planning.
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In Ghana, AGRA-supported reforms have enabled the release of 41 new crop varieties and over $80 million in government co-investment.
At the UNFSS+4 Africa Youth Session in Addis Ababa, AGRA showcased how youth are shaping continental food policy—proving that meaningful inclusion goes beyond tokenism.
Building Africa’s Food Future
To unlock Africa’s potential, AGRA calls on governments to:
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Expand rural digital infrastructure for connectivity and data access.
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Integrate AI and digital systems into food strategies and monitoring.
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Reform education to include entrepreneurship and digital agriculture.
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Provide enabling environments for youth-led startups through tax incentives, grants, and policy support.
Africa’s food future is not a distant aspiration—it is already unfolding. From a young farmer in Kaduna optimising harvests with AI, to a startup in Kisumu building a climate-smart supply chain, to policymakers in Addis Ababa designing data-driven strategies—the transformation is in motion.
The message from Dakar is clear: when policy, technology, and youth align, Africa’s food systems transformation is not just possible—it is inevitable.
