Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has declared on September 1, that Africa has the potential to feed not only itself but the entire world, provided young people are placed at the forefront of agricultural transformation.
Speaking at the Africa Food Systems Forum in Dakar on Monday, he stressed that with 65% of the world’s arable land, abundant resources, and an innovative youth population, the continent has all it needs to achieve food sovereignty. He urged massive investment in water management, local processing, innovation, and intra-African trade to build a self-reliant and resilient food system.
Echoing his sentiments, Rwandan President Paul Kagame warned that Africa must stop depending on external support when it already has the capacity to meet its own needs. He urged a shift from “talking to doing,” calling on young people to align their demands with practical action. The annual Africa Food Systems Forum, which runs until 5 September, is bringing together policymakers, investors, and stakeholders to promote sustainable and inclusive food systems across the continent.