African governments, development partners, and the private sector have been urged to significantly increase investment in proven agricultural innovations to accelerate food systems transformation, strengthen climate resilience, and reduce the continent’s dependence on food imports.
The call was made during the Harvesting the Future Africa Summit in Nairobi, where policymakers, researchers, financiers, and private sector leaders agreed that scaling up existing technologies and innovations offers the fastest pathway to achieving sustainable food and nutrition security across Africa.
Speaking during the summit convened by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Director General Dr. Bram Govaerts said Africa already has technologies capable of transforming agriculture and improving livelihoods, but the priority should now be expanding their reach to millions of farmers.
The meeting focused on aligning science, policy, finance, and private sector investment to help African countries respond to climate shocks, rising production costs, market disruptions, and growing food demand.
“Our ambition is food security innovation that will nourish communities, create jobs, and drive sustainable growth across Africa. The challenge is getting proven solutions into the hands of more farmers in more places, faster,” said Dr. Govaerts.
CIMMYT Board Member Dr. Agnes Kalibata said governments, researchers, businesses, and farmers had already demonstrated that agricultural transformation was achievable, but sustained financing was essential to expand successful innovations.
“Our opportunity is to ensure they have access to the resources they need to succeed,” she said.
Delegates noted that Africa’s food systems continue to face mounting pressure from climate change, conflict, fertilizer supply disruptions, high production costs, economic uncertainty, rapid population growth, and urbanization, all of which are increasing demand for food.
Speakers emphasized that greater investment in agricultural research and innovation would strengthen local food production, improve resilience to climate change, reduce food imports, expand agricultural value chains, and create employment opportunities, particularly for young people.
The summit showcased innovations already being implemented across the continent, including improved crop varieties, climate-smart farming practices, soil health technologies, digital extension services, strengthened seed systems, and inclusive market-based business models designed to boost productivity and farmers’ incomes.
Mexico’s Ambassador to Kenya, Gisele Fernández Ludlow, said the partnership between Mexico and CIMMYT had shown how investments in agricultural science could strengthen food security and resilience beyond national borders.
The summit concluded with a renewed commitment to mobilize greater public and private investment, strengthen partnerships, and accelerate adoption of proven agricultural technologies to build resilient, productive, and food-secure systems across Africa.
By Wangari Ndirangu
