Rwanda, September 2026

Toward the rice value chain development in West Africa: Africa Food Systems Forum 2026 was held in Rwanda

The Africa Food Systems Forum 2026 (AFSF26) was held in Kigali, Rwanda, from August 31 to September 4. The Africa Food Systems Forum is the continent’s most important annual convening, where heads of state meet broader stakeholders such as scientists, development partners (DPs) and private sectors, capital meets projects, and commitment becomes action. In its 20th year, the Forum has catalyzed billions in agricultural investment, shaped continental food policy, and built an unrivalled network of stakeholders committed to advancing Africa’s food systems. AFSF26 convened under the theme “Investing in Agri-Food Systems” and brought together more than 5,000 delegates from over 50 countries for high-impact programming, deal-making and policy dialogue. Mr. Shinjiro Amameishi, General Coordinator (GC) of CARD, physically represented the CARD Secretariat at AFSF26.

During AFSF26, many side events were held, including events focused on African rice development. One of these was “Moving Beyond Rice Development Plans to Innovating Financing”, which is an event targeting West Africa organized by AGRA in collaboration with the Gates Foundation, GIZ, and the Partners in Food Solutions (PFS), with involvement from the CARD Secretariat. More than 100 people including DPs and private sector attended this side event. Enhancing access to finance for private actors such as aggregators, rice millers, and processors is key to the development of the rice value chain. This session was held with the aim of strengthening the rice value chain by establishing innovative financing mechanisms using public and private capital, and thereby promoting agricultural sector transformation, food security, and regional economic growth. At this side event, following a keynote address by Mr. Jonathan Said, Vice President of AGRA, under the attendance of the Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Food Security of Sierra Leone, discussions were held on advancing rice value chain development with the involvement of the private sector, particularly focusing on innovative financing. As a “call to action,” several organizations made pledges regarding future actions. Along with CARD GC, three CARD Focal Point persons from West Africa, where rice value chain development involving the private sector is progressing, namely Dr. Waly Diouf, Senegal, Mr. Bi Kouassi Christiane Cyrille Kouame, Cote d’Ivoire, and Dr. Abdulmalik Yawale Nura, Nigeria, also participated in this side event. These three countries are expected to lead the rice value chain development through private sector involvement under the governments’ strong leadership and provide a positive impact to the neighboring countries.

CARD GC also participated as a panelist in the side event “From Commitments to Implementation: Scaling Investment for the Rice Agenda in West Africa”, organized by AfricaRice in collaboration with ECOWAS. At this side event, it was confirmed that it is necessary to build on the momentum generated by the high-level event “West Africa Regional Rice Investment Round Table” held last June in Accra, Ghana, and to take follow-up actions at both the regional and national levels going forward. In addition, a presentation was made on a regional project, “The Regional Resilient Rice Value Chains Development Project in West Africa (REWARD)”, promoted by the AfDB in collaboration with AfricaRice across 14 West African countries. A panel discussion, moderated by AfricaRice, was then held to discuss the drivers necessary for value chain development in West Africa.

Multiple high-level events were held during the AFSF26. Among them, “the Council of the Wise” and “the Presidential/Youth Town Hall” were particularly insightful sessions that provided participants with opportunities to hear directly from African leaders. At the Presidential/Youth Town Hall, young African entrepreneurs posed questions such as the factors behind Rwanda’s miracles of economic development to Rwandan President and President answered to each entrepreneur.

During AFSF26, CARD GC exchanged views with several partner organizations and CARD member countries. One of the valuable aspects of AFSF is the opportunity to hold face-to-face discussions with broader partners. Through AFSF26, momentum for promoting rice value chain development has been significantly strengthened in West Africa. To further build on this momentum, CARD Secretariat will continue to push forward with activities at the regional and national levels. We also look forward to expanding these efforts from West Africa to other regions.