African leaders, policymakers and development partners on September 2 called for urgent action, increased investment and stronger public-private partnerships to transform the continent’s agri-food systems and tackle hunger, poverty and unemployment.

Speaking at the Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali, Rwandan Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva said Africa must turn its vast agricultural potential into greater productivity and prosperity.

He urged a shift from viewing agriculture as a traditional sector to positioning it as a modern source of jobs, entrepreneurship, innovation and economic opportunity, particularly for young people and women.

According to Moses Vilakati, the African Union commissioner for agriculture, rural development, blue economy and sustainable environment, Africa's challenge was no longer a lack of policies or knowledge, but the failure to translate commitments into results. He called for greater access to seeds, fertilizers, irrigation, mechanization, technology, finance, infrastructure and markets.

Meanwhile, Former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn warned that Africa's agricultural transformation continues to face deep structural challenges despite two decades of efforts.

He identified productivity, value-chain and implementation-related traps as major barriers to transformation, citing inadequate water control, low-yielding seeds, fragmented markets, post-harvest losses, weak transport and cold-chain infrastructure, trade barriers and limited access to finance.

The August 31-September 4 forum has brought together more than 5,000 delegates from over 50 countries, including leaders, policymakers, researchers, farmers, investors and development partners.