More than 5400 delegates from 90 countries – including 5 Heads of State and Government, 30 Ministers, 6 former Heads of State and Government, more than 80 heads of international agencies and businesses were present. Chief Executive Officers of global, regional, and national companies, combining to create a private sector delegation of 1200, including SMEs. We ensured the inclusion of farmers, youth and women represented 57% of the speakers. Together we made the Africa Food Systems Forum 2023 Summit at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania from 5th to 8th September 2023 a reality. The Summit represented the full food system. The programme featured 41 sessions over four full days (5-8 September 2023) with more than 500 speaking roles and, over the course of the week, more than 800 speakers and dignitaries, including pre-summit activities held on September 3rd and 4th. Delegates participated in site visits, side events, partner events, plenary sessions, thematic sessions, special events, CEO chats and the deal room. They were joined by over 140 journalists. The Summit explored the pathways and actions needed to accelerate this process and steer the continent towards food systems transformation under the theme “Recover, Regenerate, Act: Africa’s Solutions to Food Systems Transformation.” The 13th Summit provided a platform to reflect on the coordinated large-scale action by the continent’s leading thinkers, policymakers, and innovators to explore the latest breakthroughs and best practices in agriculture and food systems transformation. It called for bold thought leadership to accelerate action towards translating food systems pathways and commitments into actionable strategies, particularly to address climate. Key announcements to accelerate investments in youth and women and to build a better tomorrow were highlights of the event.
The Summit was hosted under Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania. Fifty-six partners and sponsors provided the resources and technical support under the AGRF Partners Group.
LCIC was one of the sponsors of the 2023 Summit and its CEO, Dr Amos Rutherford Azinu participated in panel discussion on seed company financing in Africa.
