4th Africa Food Systems Transformation Meeting

Date:  TBC
Location: TBC
Registration: More information coming soon.

Overview

The 4^th Africa Food Systems Transformation Meeting brings together National Food Systems Convenors and African countries, alongside regional partners to advance implementation of national food systems pathways following the advent of CAADP-Kampala (January 2025) and the UN Food Systems Summit +4 Stocktake (UNFSS+4). The meeting provides a focused country-led space to take stock of progress, cross-country learning, align priorities, and strengthen coordinated support for food systems transformation toward 2030.

Convened by the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub in collaboration with the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and other UN agencies, the African Union Commission and AUDA-NEPAD, Regional Economic Communities, and other regional and sub-regional stakeholders and partners, the meeting brings together governments, UN entities, development partners, civil society, youth networks, Indigenous Peoples’ organizations, research institutions, and the private sector.

 

Africa’s regional context

Since 2021, more than forty African countries have developed national food systems pathways, reflecting strong political engagement and recognition of food systems as central to nutrition, livelihoods, climate resilience, and economic transformation. However, implementation remains uneven and constrained by fragmented governance, limited and misaligned financing, climate shocks, conflict, and insufficient investment in science, innovation, and technology.

Recent regional milestones, including the 2024 Africa Food Systems Transformation Meeting and the 2025 Africa convening ahead of UNFSS+4, highlighted the need to move from planning to delivery. Discussions emphasized stronger policy coherence, increased investment, and regionally grounded solutions that are inclusive, African-led, and responsive to local realities, with women, youth, smallholder farmers, and community organizations playing a central role.

 

Purpose of the meeting

The meeting aims to:

• Enable peer-to-peer learning through shared post-UNFSS+4 regional insights and priorities
• Strengthen collaboration among countries and partners to advance national food systems pathways
• Promote scalable solutions through Hub flagship initiatives and the Ecosystem of Support
• Catalyze country-level implementation and investment aligned with national pathways and the SDGs

Discussions will be anchored in the six priority areas of the UNFSS+4 Secretary-General’s Call to Action, supporting accelerated delivery of food systems transformation across the continent through 2030.