African agriculture stakeholders are seeking to mobilise $100 billion to increase farm production, reduce food losses and expand food trade across the continent.
The investment campaign was highlighted at the Africa Food Systems Forum 2026 in Kigali, where more than 5,000 participants from over 50 countries gathered to discuss Africa’s food systems.
The proposed investment aims to raise agricultural productivity by 45% and triple food trade between African countries by 2035.
The push comes as African farmers continue to face challenges including limited access to improved technologies and finance, weak value chains and losses between harvest and the market.
Dushimirimana Fidelle, a farmer from Rwamagana District, said access to agricultural research and improved seeds had helped increase her bean harvest from 800 kilogrammes to 1.5 tonnes per hectare.
She said increased investment in agriculture was necessary to help farmers raise production and contribute to food security.
Gender inequality was also identified as a major obstacle to unlocking Africa’s agricultural potential.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates a 24% gender gap in agricultural productivity and says closing it could increase agricultural productivity by 19%.
Heifer International has also highlighted the gap, calling for greater opportunities for women to participate in and benefit from agricultural production and value chains.
Rwanda is targeting a sharp reduction in food losses under its second National Strategy for Transformation.
The country aims to reduce losses between harvest and the market from 13.8% in 2023/24 to 4.8% by 2028/29.
Pascal Murasira, Director of the African Food Fellowship, said stronger investment and coordination among farmers, businesses, governments and other food-system actors were needed to reduce losses.
“Africa cannot afford to produce food that never reaches the people who need it,” the discussions at the forum underscored, as participants focused on investment that can improve production, storage, processing and market access.
The forum has brought together policymakers, researchers, farmers, private-sector representatives and development organisations to discuss agricultural investment and food-system transformation.
Despite progress in food security, challenges remain. In Rwanda, 83% of households are considered food secure, leaving about 17% still facing food-security challenges.
The $100 billion investment target places the focus on closing gaps in production and value chains while ensuring that more of the food produced by African farmers reaches consumers and markets.
