Agroecology: A Bold Vision for Africa’s Food Future

AFRICALEADNEWS – (Dakar, Senegal – August 2025) — As the African Food Systems Forum (AFSF) gathers high-level leaders – including heads of state, ministers, heads of international organizations and CEOs of multinational companies from around the world. in Dakar to shape an agenda for the future of African agri-food systems, an alternative dialogue is taking place just across the city. From August 29–30, policymakers, donors, investors, and civil society leaders from across the continent will convene for a regional workshop on “Scaling Agroecological Entrepreneurship in Africa through Finance and Policy”—a bold response to the shortcomings of the input-intensive, commercial farming models championed by past forums.

Hosted by the Biovision Foundation, this two-day workshop aims to reframe the conversation on African food systems by shining a light on agroecological enterprises (AEEs) — agri-food business that are deeply rooted in local food systems and whose practices are embody environmental sustainability and social equity. The first day of the workshop will foster a Donor-Investor Dialogue exploring the latest insights about the viability, performance, and positive impacts of AEEs and contributing to a robust data and evidence strategy for informing future investments. The second day will focus on policy-finance collaboration, particularly how National Agroecology Strategies (NAS) can be implemented through public-private support for AEEs.

A Counter-Narrative to Business-as-Usual

Since its inception by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), the AFSF has largely promoted a model of industrial agriculture reliant on the heavy use of synthetic inputs, hybrid seeds, and export-oriented production. Yet after nearly two decades and over $500 million in funding from AGRA, the model has struggled to deliver on its promises of increased yields, improved farmer incomes, and greater food security. In fact, many smallholder farmers in AGRA focus countries now face higher levels of hunger and mounting debt from purchases of external inputs.

By contrast, the agroecology-focused workshop offers an evidence-based, inclusive, and forward-looking alternative, for the sustainable of transformation of food systems grounded in African realities and led by African voices such as the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA), the largest pan-African civil society movement representing farmers, pastoralists, fisher folk, indigenous peoples, women and youth.

While governments across the continent are developing National Agroecology Strategies –  comprehensive frameworks that prioritize local knowledge, sustainability and inclusive participation – investors are increasingly taking notice of agroecological business models that are demonstrating profitability while contributing to local job creation, climate resilience and food security. At the 2-day workshop, policymakers from Kenya, Burkina Faso, Zambia, Ethiopia, and Uganda will be joined by representatives from national development banks, social impact investors, technical assistance providers, and civil society leaders.

Toward Resilient and Equitable African Food Systems

[insert quote] said [event participant]. “This workshop is about giving agroecological entrepreneurs and policymakers the platform, tools and partnerships they need to lead Africa’s food transition from the ground up.”

In the face of accelerating climate change, soil degradation, and rising food insecurity, the time for a new response to these interconnected crises is now. Agroecology offers pathways that are science-based, climate resilient, farmer-centric, and that celebrate African ingenuity.

This theme of this year’s AFSF – “Africa’s Youth Leading Collaboration, Innovation and Implementation of Agri-Food Systems Transformation” – resonates closely with agroecology, which embraces local innovations and prioritizes meaningful employment for local youth through agroecological entrepreneurship. This marks an opportunity for the AFSF to shift away from the model of industrial agriculture it has been promoting. For the firs time, agroecology will be representing in the official forum program, with a thematic session co-organized by Biovision: “Regenerating Africa: How Young Agripreneurs are Leading Food Systems Transformation through Agroecology for People and Planet” – Wednesday 3^rd September.