Independent Dialogue
Geographical focus:
No borders
Main findings
The future transformation of food systems in Africa requires innovative research, education, and training approaches that are rooted in local contexts. Universities in Africa need to adapt and create knowledge to strengthen and transform the food systems through strengthening links and improving production, processing, storage, transport, food quality, and businesses that link them and consumers. Universities must play a crucial and more effective role in anticipating the skill-sets and knowledge demanded by rapidly changing food systems, and provide these skills and information in ways that t
... Read morerickle through the entire economy. In turn, the universities need to translate knowledge created into innovations that transform and develop potential to drive their own and Africa’s food system transformation. Now is the time to reassess and redesign the African universities and assist them to build their capacity to deliver Africa’s food system transformation. The COVID-19 pandemic was a wake up call to the glaring fragility and inequalities of the global, regional, and national agri-food systems, thus making the resolve for sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems extremely urgent. To build such food systems, there is need to examine existing systems and policies. Government leaders, policy makers, private sector, civil society, universities, research institutions, smallholder farmers, and other value chain actors, have a stake in shaping pathways for resilient and sustainable national food systems aligned with SDGs and Africa’s Agenda 2063. Read less
Action Track(s): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Keywords: Data & Evidence, Environment and Climate, Governance, Innovation, Policy, Women & Youth Empowerment