Africa Food Systems Forum 2025

Group of women outside on a farm holding tools

Transforming food systems across the continent

Africa Food Systems Forum 2025 brings together key stakeholders, including young people, to share ideas, innovations, and strategies to move African agriculture forward.

A critical gathering of public and private-sector leaders, policymakers, researchers, development partners, and youth champions who are dedicated to transforming food systems across the continent. This year, young people are at the centre.

AFS 2025 takes place at the CICAD & DIAMNIADIO Expo Center in Dakar, Senegal, from August 31 to September 5, 2025. Attendees include government and business decision-makers, academic and technical experts, development partners, NGOs, young entrepreneurs, and more. The Mastercard Foundation is pleased to support young women’s participation in the event to help amplify their voices and share their entrepreneurial journeys. As we scale our work to accelerate impact, the Foundation supports AFS 2025 in co-creating solutions for unlocking Africa’s demographic dividend, meeting the demands of marginalized urban areas, supporting innovation and digital solutions, especially in the areas of climate and sustainability.

Two people in light blue t shirts recording some details of their work using a hand held digital device

A group of young women sitting together and smiling.

A group of women using brushes to clean around some crops in a field.

Two people in white jumpsuits working in a food manufacturing facility

Agriculture and Agrifood Systems are areas of great potential for young people in Africa, offering opportunities for innovation, job creation, and inclusive growth. Young people are at the forefront of reimagining agriculture as an aspirational business, building agrifood enterprises, adopting new technologies, developing climate-smart solutions, and transforming value chains.

Integrating entrepreneurship into Africa’s agrifood systems offers one of the strongest pathways to creating dignified and fulfilling work for young people, especially young women. A combined, intersectional and inclusive approach is required to succeed. As we scale our work to accelerate impact, the Foundation supports AFS 2025 in co-creating solutions for unlocking Africa’s demographic dividend, meeting the demands of marginalized urban areas, supporting innovation and digital solutions, especially in the areas of climate and sustainability.