Small and medium agricultural enterprises (agri-SMEs) are Africa’s largest employer and economic engine—and the key to transforming food systems and improving food security for the continent. Yet three out of four agri-SMEs can’t access formal bank financing, and are too large for microfinance, creating an estimated $100 billion gap in unmet demand for financing.

How can donor governments, development finance institutions, African governments, and the private sector catalyze action to strengthen food value chains in Africa through innovative financing, and better support small and medium agricultural enterprises?

The event is co-hosted with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This special Leadership Panel on strengthening food value chains was held September 18, 2023 at the World Economic Forum's New York headquarters.

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Speakers: William Samoei Ruto, President of Kenya, Office of the President of Kenya; Scott Nathan, Chief Executive Officer, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation; Samantha Power, Administrator, US Agency for International Development (USAID); Rebecca Enonchong, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, AppsTech;Janet L. Yellen, Secretary of the Treasury, US Department of the Treasury; Jacqueline Novogratz, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Acumen; Børge Brende, President, World Economic Forum Geneva; Anne Beathe Tvinnereim, Minister of International Development, Norway Government; Akinwumi Ayodeji Adesina, President, African Development Bank (AfDB).

Watch the session here: https://www.weforum.org/events/sustainable-development-impact-meetings-2023/sessions/leadership-panel-bridging-the-gap-financing-africas-agricultural-growth

About the Sustainable Development Impact Meetings: https://www.weforum.org/events/sustainable-development-impact-meetings-2023