AFS Forum in Kigali: #ZeroHunger is possible, but the clock is ticking
At the Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali, Welthungerhilfe highlighted the urgent need to incentivize and invest in transformative food systems that benefit both people and the planet. Together, we can build systems that eradicate hunger and restore ecosystems. The time to act is now—before the cost of inaction skyrockets.
The right to food is non-negotiable
One in five people in Africa faced hunger in 2023. Governments and the private sector must step up to their responsibilities to secure healthy and nutritious food for all at all times. The recent Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali, Rwanda—the largest annual conference on agriculture and food systems in Africa—provided a platform for meaningful discussions among diverse stakeholders, including private sector leaders, government officials, researchers, experts, and civil society, while also showcasing innovative approaches and technologies. Welthungerhilfe took part and presented its approaches for a fair and sustainable design of food systems.
Transforming Africa's food systems hinges on bridging the digital divide. By providing farmers with proprietary tech improving yields through soil health, and connecting them to carbon finance, we create a triple win for productivity, the environment, and financial security.
Ann Maina Project Lead East Africa at BoomitraTransforming food systems is urgent
Without immediate action, the costs of hunger and environmental degradation will continue to rise. Six years of underinvestment have pushed up the cost of ending hunger by 40% (ZEF and FAO 2024). If we don’t invest in sustainable food systems today, we’ll be left with even higher economic, social, and environmental costs in the future. Now is the time to act.
A holistic approach for people and planet
The transformation of food systems must benefit both people and the planet. We must tackle hunger, livelihoods, climate resilience and biodiversity together, holistically. Our approaches combine action on food systems, water and sanitation systems (WASH), and health systems. We opt for the greatest synergies between food and nutrition security, biodiversity, health, and climate.
The efforts to combat desertification and promote healthy soils have a threefold effect: they contribute to food security, adaptation to climate change and the preservation of biodiversity.
Bettina Iseli Chief Program Officer at WHHFocus on soil health
Healthy soils are the backbone of African food systems and a crucial lever in combating climate change. Over 90% of global food production depends on them, yet Africa’s soils are rapidly degrading due to unsustainable land management, shifting land use, and the impacts of climate change. This degradation threatens not only Africa’s ability to feed its population but also its potential to act as a carbon sink.
With Africa home to the world’s largest reserves of uncultivated arable land, urgent action is essential to restore soil health, safeguard food security, and enhance climate resilience for the future. Carbon sequestration in agriculturally used soils is the most cost-effective carbon sink according to the FAO (Soil Carbon Sequestration for Improved Land Management, FAO 2001). Soil health is one of the most important levers for climate change adaptation and mitigation. Successfully scaling market-based incentives for improving soil health might be critical to accelerate the restoration of soil health at scale (Soil Carbon Sequestration for Improved Land Management, FAO 2001).
In Kenya, for example, Welthungerhilfe's ProSoil project supported smallholder farmers in the large-scale implementation of tried-and-tested approaches to soil conservation and rehabilitation. The project has helped to protect and rehabilitate degraded soils, thereby increasing yields of important crops such as maize by 35 percent and beans by 30 percent. At the same time, the program has strengthened strategies and incentives for sustainable land use.
Locally-led, evidence-based solutions
The process of changing food systems must be evidence-based and locally driven. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. High-impact leverage points need to be identified in-context and co-developed by local leadership including by women and youth. Women, youth, and civil society at large have invaluable expertise that can shape effective national agendas.
Food systems innovation and climate finance must promote equity among the vulnerable, and enable and protect smallholder farmers who are at the center of it all.
Aaron Munza Strategy and Finance Director at Soil-carbon Certification ServicesBuilding resilience into food systems
Resilient food systems are critical in reducing fragility and securing rights for smallholder farmers. We are working towards food systems that leverage diversified food supply chains and food sources, reduce their environmental and climate impact, enhance agricultural productivity and de-risk economic choices for smallholders, and that uphold the rights of smallholder farmers and consumers. Investing in resilience now can reduce future costs and safeguard livelihoods.
We must harness investment into African knowledge and markets that accelerate a sustainable and resilient food system transformation for people and the planet.
Dr. Goudian Gwademba Food Systems Specialist at WHH KenyaInnovation at WHH
At WHH, we are at the forefront of developing, accelerating and scaling innovative approaches that transform food systems. Some examples of our innovative work and ventures include:
We need a paradigm shift for #ZeroHunger. Policies must make diverse, nutritious diets available and affordable for all.
Arno Bratz Head of Sector Strategy, Knowledge & Learning at WHH
