POLICY SEMINAR

Taking Stock of Africa’s Agrifood Processing Sector

Key findings of the 2022 ReSAKSS Annual Trends and Outlook Report on Agrifood Processing Strategies for Successful Food Systems Transformation in Africa

Co-organized by IFPRI and Akademiya2063

FEB 9, 2023 - 8:00 TO 9:30AM EST

A high-performing, resilient, and competitive agrifood processing sector can create remunerative employment opportunities, link producers to growing and lucrative urban markets, and help to ensure that consumers have access to sufficient and healthy food. Africa’s food processing sector is growing in response to growing demand for processed and high-value foods in the continent. However, processing firms, many of them small and informal enterprises, still face serious constraints. The 2022 Annual Trends and Outlook Report (ATOR) examines Africa’s agrifood processing sector and its role in sustainable food systems on the continent. The report examines available evidence on the current status and performance of the sector, discusses key challenges, and identifies required policy actions to maximize its contribution to achieving sustainable food systems for all.

Please join us for this seminar where key research findings and policy recommendations of the 2022 ATOR will be presented and discussed by a distinguished panel of representatives from academia, the private sector, and international and regional organizations engaged in strengthening Africa’s agri-food processing sector.

Welcome Remarks

Johan Swinnen, Managing Director of Systems Transformation, CGIAR and Director General, IFPRI

Godfrey Bahiigwa, Director of Agriculture and Rural Development, African Union Commission

Setting the Scene

Ousmane Badiane, Executive Chairperson and Acting Managing Director, AKADEMIYA2063

Key Research Findings and Recommendations

Getaw Tadesse, Director of Operational Support, AKADEMIYA2063

Panel Discussion

Thomas Reardon, Nonresident Fellow, IFPRI

Janet Edeme, Head of Rural Development Division, Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (DARBE)

Dejene Tezera, Director of Department of Agribusiness Development, UNIDO

Ashish Pande, Country Head, Olam Nigeria

Moderator

Charlotte Hebebrand, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, IFPRI

Links:

2022 Annual Trends And Outlook Report: https://www.ifpri.org/publication/2022-annual-trends-and-outlook-report-agrifood-processing-strategies-successful-food

Akademiya2063: https://akademiya2063.org/

More about this seminar: https://www.ifpri.org/event/key-findings-2022-resakss-annual-trends-and-outlook-report-agrifood-processing-strategies

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