NAIROBI, Kenya- At the 2024 Africa Food Systems Forum, over 40 delegates gathered at the Centre for African Leaders in Agriculture (CALA) Leadership Forum to gain strategies for leading food system innovations in an era dominated by digital technology and climate challenges.
With the theme From Local Fields to Global Impact, the forum served as a launchpad for fresh ideas aimed at transforming Africa’s food systems.
The CALA Leadership Forum was not just another event—it was a dynamic space for thought leaders, innovators, and agricultural stakeholders to connect and collaborate on groundbreaking agricultural solutions.
Delegates were introduced to the principles of Action Learning, which encourages designing impactful projects rooted in real-world challenges.
This approach is crucial for addressing Africa’s complex food system issues in a sustainable way.
One of the forum’s key goals was to help delegates explore technologies in agriculture, from AI-driven farming techniques to sustainable resource management.
The combination of innovative tools and collaborative problem-solving strategies offers a pathway to more resilient food systems on the continent.
The forum also marked the inaugural meeting for CALA Cohort 4 delegates, inspiring these incoming leaders to take action. AGRA President, Dr. Agnes Kalibata, emphasized the importance of young people pushing themselves to become problem solvers.
“That is what CALA is about, nurturing the next generation of problem solvers. Use us as your platform to do more,” Kalibata remarked, urging participants to take bold steps in developing projects that can lead to meaningful food system transformations.
By equipping these leaders with the tools and insights necessary to tackle food insecurity, CALA is setting the stage for impactful projects that could reshape how Africa approaches agriculture in a digital and climate-conscious world.
One of the forum’s central themes was the urgent need to address the leadership gap in Africa’s agricultural sector.
Jonathan Said, Vice President at the Centre for Technical Expertise at AGRA, highlighted this gap, noting, “Empowering key actors in the continent with practical insights and strategies to lead innovation is essential to achieving Africa’s food security agenda.”
This leadership gap isn’t just about knowledge; it’s about giving leaders the confidence and practical tools to implement change in their own communities and countries.
As Africa’s food systems face increasing pressure from climate change, population growth, and economic challenges, empowering leaders with the right strategies is essential for creating sustainable solutions that can stand the test of time.
The forum called on all agricultural stakeholders to take immediate, bold actions to drive meaningful transformations in food systems across the continent.
