Africa Regional Food Systems Transformation Meeting advances implementation, regional collaboration and country-led action

The 4th Africa Regional Food Systems Transformation Meeting concluded in Accra, Ghana, bringing together National Food Systems Convenors, governments, regional institutions, UN entities, researchers, youth representatives and development partners to strengthen coordinated action on food systems transformation across the continent. 

Organized by the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and the Government of Ghana, in collaboration with the FAO Regional Office for Africa and with support from partners including the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and the UN Economic Commission for Africa, the three-day meeting focused on accelerating implementation of national food systems pathways, strengthening regional collaboration, advancing financing and investment priorities, and reinforcing alignment with the CAADP-Kampala Declaration, Agenda 2063 and the outcomes of the UN Food Systems Summit +4 (UNFSS+4). 

Participants exchanged experiences and lessons learned from across the region, highlighting progress in governance, coordination, private sector engagement, youth inclusion, science and data, and efforts to build more resilient and sustainable agrifood systems in increasingly complex global conditions. 

Opening the meeting, Augustus “Goosie” Tanoh, Presidential Advisor on the 24-Hour Economy Initiative, Office of the President of Ghana, emphasized that “Ghana is committed to ensuring that the messages emerging from this meeting are grounded in the realities of our farmers and feeding communities, in the realities our agribusiness face.” 

Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed noted that “we meet at a decisive moment, with just a few years remaining to achieve the 2030 Agenda. Food systems remain one of our most powerful drivers for delivering food security, healthy diets, decent livelihoods and climate resilience.” 

Discussions throughout the meeting reflected a strong emphasis on practical implementation and country leadership. National Convenors emphasized the importance of stronger coordination around national priorities at regional, national and local level, while strengthening collaboration across governments, regional institutions, development partners and the private sector. Participants also highlighted the need for stronger investment pipelines, more aligned financing, and practical approaches that can strengthen resilience, livelihoods and economic opportunity across the continent. 

H.E. Moses Vilakati, African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment, noted that “this meeting provides a critical opportunity to accelerate implementation of national food systems pathways and align them with CAADP national investment plans, climate strategies and nutrition priorities.” 

The meeting also reinforced the growing role of regional cooperation in addressing shared food systems challenges, including climate pressures, economic shocks, food insecurity, trade barriers and the need to expand opportunities for young people across Africa’s food economy. 

Participants emphasized that food systems transformation is taking place in a rapidly evolving and increasingly complex environment shaped by climate change, conflict, economic volatility and growing pressure on food security and livelihoods. Discussions highlighted the importance of stronger resilience-building measures, locally grounded solutions, and inclusive governance systems that can respond to diverse national and subnational realities. Abebe Haile Gabriel, Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa at FAO, stressed that “the question is no longer whether transformation is necessary but how to deliver with stronger governance, measurable results and country-level accountability.” 

Edmund Moukala, Director of the UNESCO Office in Accra and Representative to Ghana, affirmed that “food systems transformation is not a task of any single ministry. It is a whole-of-government and a whole-of-society endeavor.” 

Several countries also shared examples of progress and innovation, including efforts to strengthen multisectoral coordination, improve accountability systems, expand climate-smart agriculture, support youth-led agrifood entrepreneurship, and develop more investment-ready national pathways and financing strategies. 

Carlos Watson, Director of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, emphasized that “the diversity of experience, expertise and leadership expressed here today reflects both the scale of the challenge before us, and the collective determination to address it.” 

Khaled Eltaweel, Senior Programme Coordinator at the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, added that “achievements are happening at the national level, albeit at different speeds and in the face of diverse challenges, but at the same time delivering for food systems transformation.” 

The meeting also provided an opportunity for National Convenors and partners to strengthen relationships, identify shared priorities and deepen peer exchange across countries. Participants highlighted the value of continued collaboration, knowledge sharing and coordinated support to help accelerate progress toward more resilient, inclusive and sustainable food systems across Africa.

Notes to editors 
The 4th Africa Regional Food Systems Transformation Meeting took place in Accra, Ghana from 18-20 May 2026. 

The meeting was organized by the Government of Ghana and the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, in collaboration with the FAO Regional Office for Africa and partners including AUDA-NEPAD and the UN Economic Commission for Africa. 

More information 
https://www.unfoodsystemshub.org/latest-updates/events/detail/4th-africa-food-systems-transformation-meeting  

Photos from the meeting 
https://faoregionalofficeforafrica.pixieset.com/unfss/