The Africa Food Systems Forum Podcast

What is the role of youth and women in accelerating food systems transformation? In this episode, Reem Metwally Nafea, co-founder of Biomasr Ltd, hosts a discussion with Jean Muthamia-Mwenda, Global Lead for Youth Employment at SNV. Together, they explore the roles of youth and women in Africa's food systems. Jean shares valuable insights on empowering Africa's youth and women to drive this transformation. From tackling the unique challenges of climate change to opening up markets and access to sustainable, climate-friendly practices, Jean highlights how SNV's initiatives are breaking down barriers for young entrepreneurs and enabling lasting economic growth across the continent. As we explore the Forum's 2024 theme, "Innovate, Accelerate, and Scale: Delivering Food Systems Transformation in a Digital and Climate Era," Jean shares practical strategies to address climate resilience, economic equity, and sustainable food systems. SNV's initiatives are helping African communities lead the way toward a secure, sustainable food future by fostering partnerships, scaling effective solutions, and nurturing entrepreneurial skills.

Sara Mbago-Bhunu, Director of IFAD's East and Southern Africa Division, Dr Edward Isingoma Matsiko, Managing Partner at Pearl Capital Partners, and Reem Nafea, the winner of AgriHack Prize 2023 and co-founder of BioMasr Limited. They discuss how private sector investment is a critical driver of transformation in Africa's food systems and the impact finance plays in scaling SMEs. Plus, they provide practical steps that each of us can take to contribute to a more food-secure future.  If you enjoyed this episode and want to stay engaged, please leave us your comments on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  

The Rockefeller Foundation food team is focused on increasing access to good food. We describe good food as that, which is nutritious, grown regeneratively and farmers and all other actors are compensated fairly. In Africa, over 80 percent of services in agriculture are provided by small and medium-sized businesses, from growing the food distribution and Retail. Therefore, if we want to change the food system, there are key a key influencer.  At Rockefeller Foundation, we are working to support SMEs with capital to enable them increase the availability and affordability of nutritious foods. Through the Good Food Innovation Fund, SMEs in several African countries, are able to access funds to increase their reach, test new products targeting vulnerable communities, and also to ente new markets. For this episode we are joined by Shalem, one of the investees of the Fund. Shalem, a family business, has its root starting as an aggregator of produce from farmers and slowly expanding to a million business. In addition to milled wheat and maze flour, they also have innovative products, including blended flour, with traditional crops and also catering for modern concerns and ensuring that we can make this meals first.

For our first episode of this series Pathé Sene, Managing Director of the AFSF is interviewed by the 2023 AgriHack Prize Winner, Reem Metwally Nafea, Business Development, External Training, and Partnerships Manager at BioMasr Limited, where she also serves as a Co-Founder.  They discuss key highlights from the 2024 AFS Summit as well as the wider topic of the need for multi-stakeholder collaboration.  You can let us know what you think via Twitter @theagrf, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. 

Siki Kigongo speaks with Dr. Donald Kelechi Madukwe, Head of Agronomy at OCP Africa, about the vital role of soil health in transforming Africa's food systems ahead of the 2025 Summit in Senegal. They discuss the continent's soil challenges—acidity, nutrient loss, and low productivity—and why customised, data-driven solutions are needed instead of one-size-fits-all approaches. Dr. Madukwe highlights OCP Africa's work in soil testing, nutrient mapping, and tailored fertilizer blends, along with innovations such as digital soil kits and AI-powered advisory tools that are already boosting yields and restoring degraded land. Emphasising collaboration among governments, researchers, the private sector, and farmers, the episode points to AFSF25 as a catalyst for scaling climate-smart, youth-led soil solutions. It concludes with a call for young Africans to champion soil care and for listeners to stay connected with AGRA and summit platforms to drive soil innovation forward.

Edson Mpyisi, Chief Financial Economist and Coordinator of the Enable Youth Program at the African Development Bank Group talks with Harriette Foulkes-Arnold of the Africa Food Systems Forum about Africa's youth and how critical it is to encourage entrepreneurship among the youth.

French : Jessie Lafourcade-Morena, Responsable Communication Régionale, était aux côtés du Dr. Pathé Sène, Directeur Général du Forum Africain sur les Systèmes Alimentaires, de l'Hon. Dr. Mabouba Diagne, Ministre de l'Agriculture, de la Souveraineté alimentaire et de l'Élevage du Sénégal, de l'Hon. Youba Ba, Ministre de l'Élevage et de la Pêche du Mali, ainsi que de l'Hon. Redouwane Ag Mohamed Ali, Ministre Commissaire à la Sécurité Alimentaire du Mali, lors du Sommet AFS au Sénégal. Découvrez une discussion passionnante sur l'avenir des systèmes alimentaires au Sahel, et sur la manière dont le leadership, l'innovation et la collaboration transfrontalière façonnent une agriculture à la fois moteur de croissance inclusive et levier stratégique pour la résilience et la sécurité alimentaire. Du renforcement des corridors commerciaux à l'autonomisation des jeunes, en passant par l'essor de l'agriculture climato-intelligente, les invités présentent leur vision et leurs stratégies pour un avenir prospère et sécurisé sur le plan alimentaire, tout en mettant en lumière le potentiel de la région en matière de résilience, d'opportunités et de stabilité.   Jessie Lafourcade-Morena, Senior Regional Communications Officer is joined by Managing Director of the Africa Food Systems Forum, Pathé Sene, Hon. Dr. Mabouba Diagne, Senegal's Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignity and Livestock, Hon. Youba Ba, Mali's Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, and Hon. Redouwane Ag Mohamed Ali, Minister Commissioner for Food Security in Mali, at the AFS Summit in Senegal. Listen to a fascinating discussion on the future of food systems in the Sahel, and how leadership, innovation, and cross-border collaboration are shaping agriculture as both an engine for inclusive growth and a strategic pathway to resilience and food security. From strengthening trade corridor, to empowering youth, and advancing climate-smart agriculture, the guests are discussing their visions and strategy for a prosperous for a food-secure and prosperous future, as well as the region's potential for resilience opportunity and stability.

Let's explore the untapped potential in agriculture by hearing directly from young voices who are making a difference. Our guests, Sharon Akanyana, founder of Ishyo Foods, and Sangwa Sifa, a passionate young farmer, will share insights, challenges, and valuable tips to empower youth and women in Rwanda and throughout Africa eager to drive change in agriculture. Join this empowering conversation as Cynta Bonuke leads a deep dive into learning, growing, and sparking change from the ground up.

This episode focuses on one of the most pressing topics from this year's Africa Food Systems Forum: strategies for fostering enabling policy environments for food systems transformation. Our conversation today features Dexter Tangocci, Director & Co-founder of Integrated Aerial Systems. He is joined by Mrs Marie Claire Kalihangabo, coordinator of the Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism at the African Development Bank. She shares key insights into how financing models, policy advocacy, and trade guarantees are reshaping the agricultural landscape for Africa's smallholder farmers. Financing is pivotal in transforming agricultural productivity, especially for smallholder farmers who form the backbone of Africa's food supply. Together, they explore the financing gaps, the hurdles to scaling fertilizer access, and the strategies for unlocking Africa's potential to feed itself and the world. The discussion will shed light on how organizations like the Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism (AFFM) are tackling barriers and pioneering solutions to build sustainable food systems in Africa.