Africa needs more than just pledges, commitments to build resilient food systems

NAIROBI: For the past year, I have had a front-row seat in shaping conversations on building resilient food systems in Africa. I have told the story of the urgent need to empower smallholder farmers with the right tools, knowledge, and financial support. More importantly, I have witnessed firsthand the power of these stories in driving action.

From governments to private sector players and policymakers, one truth stands out: sustainable food systems can only be achieved through collective effort. In this journey, I have engaged with brilliant minds working tirelessly to ensure Africa’s food systems are not only resilient but also sustainable. I have seen how new financing models, smart agriculture, and technological solutions are transforming the sector.

Yet, the work is far from over. Climate change continues to threaten food security, while millions of smallholder farmers struggle with limited access to markets and financial services. The urgency to act has never been greater.

Through my communications and advocacy work, I have engaged with policymakers, industry leaders, and key stakeholders, amplifying the voices of those at the heart of Africa’s food security agenda. The consensus is clear food insecurity remains a pressing challenge. As Africa’s population is projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, the need to strengthen our food systems cannot be overstated.

Fortunately, the conversation around food system transformation has gained momentum globally.

Last year I attended the Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali, the urgency was evident, stakeholders rallied around the need to harness innovation and technology to transform Africa’s food systems, particularly in the face of climate change. At COP29, agriculture’s climate adaptation needs were highlighted once again. The UN Food Systems Summit and other regional and global initiatives have consistently underscored the need for urgent policy shifts, investment in technology, and the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.

However, while momentum exists, pledges and declarations alone will not create change. We must transition from commitments to concrete action. This means ensuring that smallholder farmers receive tangible benefits and that policies translate into meaningful support.

The shift towards sustainable and resilient food systems requires more than discussions it demands action, investment, and collaboration across all sectors. The World Bank Food Security Summit emphasized that Africa must take charge of its food agenda. Similarly, the African Union’s recent adoption of the 10-Year Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Strategy reinforces Africa’s leadership in shaping its agricultural future.

The stakes are high. The past few years have exposed the vulnerabilities of our food systems prolonged droughts, erratic rainfall, and climate shocks continue to threaten agricultural productivity. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), over 280 million Africans face food insecurity. This makes it critical to rethink how we support and strengthen our food systems.

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Building a solid food system is not just a policy issue, it is a matter of survival and economic stability. As Africa navigates this journey, we must harness the existing momentum, leverage technology, and ensure smallholder farmers who form the backbone of the continent’s agriculture, are not left behind. Traditional farming methods can no longer sustain the growing population in a way that is both sustainable and profitable. A paradigm shift in agricultural approaches is essential.

The path to food security in Africa is clear, action must follow commitment. Conversations, summits, and strategies have laid the groundwork, but real change will come when policies translate into direct support for smallholder farmers, when investments drive large-scale innovation, and when collaboration yields visible impact.

I will continue engaging with those driving change, telling the stories that matter, and pushing for action beyond declarations. The journey to food security is ongoing. While progress has been made, there is still much work to do.

The writer is a Public Relations and Communications expert with extensive experience in strategic communications, media relations, and thought leadership across Africa. He works at Woodrow Communications

leninlumumba@gmail.com