How Africa can co-create resilient food systems

As the world gathers in Yokohama for the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), AGRA brings to the table a bold, actionable agenda: deepening partnerships, scaling innovations, and unlocking transformative investments to reshape Africa’s food systems for people and the planet for generations to come.

AGRA’s vision aligns with Japan’s commitment to fostering innovation, sustainability, and inclusion. Our participation at TICAD 9 themed "Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa," builds on a strong collaboration with the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Together, we are co-hosting high-level events, including the AGRA Innovation Day and a flagship seminar with Nippon Biofuel Co., Ltd. (NBF), focused on “Small and Smart Villages.” These engagements reflect our shared dedication to sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and inclusive growth. Japan’s technological expertise, combined with AGRA’s deep-rooted presence across African countries, forms a powerful alliance to tackle systemic challenges, from mechanization and irrigation to youth employment and market access for smallholder farmers.

AGRA is not arriving at TICAD 9 empty-handed. We are showcasing country investment cases developed with partners to support government priorities. These tailored strategies from countries like Ethiopia, Ghana, and Nigeria highlight scalable models in seed systems, policy reform, and climate-smart agriculture.

Besides, AGRA will present evidence of how duty-free policies and private sector engagement have boosted mechanization and productivity in Ethiopia and Nigeria. We recently facilitated a landmark Mutual Recognition Agreement between Zambia and Malawi to harmonize trade rules, ease the movement of key agricultural commodities, and remove policy barriers to trade. This model, which we hope will inspire other countries in the COMESA region, is also being explored with the East African Community (EAC).

Guided by the African Union, AGRA is advancing the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and trade efforts by clustering agricultural production in high-potential “food baskets” and connecting them to regional demand centers through trade corridors. For example, the Northern Corridor, linking Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and beyond, offers a strategic route to move food from surplus zones to deficit areas, reducing reliance on volatile global imports.

A key pillar of CAADP is increasing agricultural production. AGRA is championing the Coalition for African Rice Development (CARD), a continental initiative to double rice production in Africa. Our youth-led digital initiatives, including the selection of 11 agri-tech companies, demonstrate how innovation can drive employment and entrepreneurship.

In partnership with organizations like the Green Climate Fund, AGRA is working with countries to develop climate and nutrition solutions. With a renewed focus on transforming African diets and building resilience, we will share our work on soil health, regenerative agriculture, and nutrition-sensitive farming at TICAD 9.

AGRA has high expectations for TICAD 9. I am particularly excited about exploring solutions to expand private sector engagement. We aim to deepen ties with Japanese companies in agri-tech, biofuels, and irrigation for joint ventures with African counterparts to deliver for farmers. The August 21 event with Nippon Biofuel Co., Ltd. will spotlight opportunities for technology transfer and collaboration, which we are eager to champion.

AGRA will also advocate for increased concessional financing and blended finance models to support smallholder farmers and agri-SMEs. Discussions with JICA and MAFF will focus on unlocking new funding streams and policy support for our partner governments in Africa.

At TICAD 9, I look forward to engaging with African leaders to reinforce our strategic partnership with the African Union Commission, aligning TICAD outcomes with continental frameworks like CAADP and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to advance food security and climate action.

Africa’s food systems stand at a crossroads. With the right partnerships, policies, and innovations, we can build a future that is productive, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. TICAD 9 is more than a conference; it is a platform for co-creating innovative solutions with Africa, as this year’s theme emphasizes.

I invite governments, donors, and private sector leaders to join us on this journey. Together, we can turn ambition into action and deliver on the promise of a food- and nutrition-secure Africa.

The writer is the President of AGRA