AFS Forum 2025: Thousands Come Together in Dakar to Innovate, Collaborate and Implement

Next week, the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS Forum) 2025 comes to Dakar, Senegal from August 31- September 5, bringing together leaders, policymakers, farmers, and innovators to shape the future of African agriculture under the theme “Africa’s Youth: Leading Collaboration, Innovation, and the Implementation of Agri-Food Systems Transformation”.

 

A Key Moment for Advancing Commitments Towards SDG2

A key agri-food summit, the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS) hosted under the leadership of H.E. Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar FAYE, President of the Republic of Senegal, this year’s Forum will focus on the theme: “Africa’s Youth Leading Collaboration, Innovation, and Implementation of Agri-Food Systems Transformation.”

This year’s Forum comes at a pivotal moment, following the adoption of the new CAADP Strategy, which sets ambitious goals for food security, resilience, and inclusive growth. It provides a vital platform to turn these commitments into action by galvanising political will, mobilising financing, and fostering collaboration across governments, the private sector, civil society, and development partners. Broad-based commitment will be key to using the CAADP Strategy as a springboard for building sustainable, resilient food systems capable of withstanding climate, conflict, and economic shocks while unlocking the potential and securing prosperity for future generations.

 

The SDG2 Advocacy Hub: Driving Transformative Action Through Food and Culture

The SDG2 Advocacy Hub is honoured to again curate the Culinary Village Stage,  connecting,  convening and catalysing diverse actors across the private sector, civil society, and UN agencies to drive forward positive food systems transformation. With less than five years to achieve the SDGs, and rising food insecurity and malnutrition across Africa, this event offers an opportunity to expedite transformative. The Culinary Village stage will spotlight diverse African voices, feeding conversation on accelerating action towards Good Food for All.

Culinary Village

In collaboration with SOS Sahel, the African Crops Alliance, the Fortified Wholegrain Alliance and in partnership with AGRA, the Culinary Village will bring different ingredients and recipes together and featuring local and international chefs, to create a dynamic and accessible space to engage across the food system. 

From 1 to 3 September, the Culinary Village stage will host curated programming focussing on Lost and Forgotten Crops, Fortified Foods and Wholegrains, and Youth & Local Spotlights.

  • Day 1 | Monday 1 September 2025, 13:00-16:00
  • Day 2 | Tuesday 2 September 2025, 12:00-15:00
  • Day 3 | Wednesday 3 September 2025, 12:00-15:00 
Day 1: Collaboration
Day 1: Collaboration

The opening day of the culinary stage at the village will focus on collaboration: showcasing a collaborative, regenerative food system. Chefs will use ingredients and underutilised crops from across Africa which help improve soil and biodiversity, underscoring how working with scientists and farmers can improve what we eat. Chef masterclasses will showcase multiple recipes, along with farmers, a scientist and local voices to discuss the importance of regenerative farming practices and how they impact taste, nutrition and flavour. The day will cover three thematic areas, delivered through a mix of masterclasses and informative on-stage panels including our partners, , Niani Wulli Federation, Compagnie Africaine Agroalimentaire, Fortified Whole Grain Alliance, Pan-African Bean Research Alliance (PABRA) and the Rockefeller Foundation.

 
Day 2: Innovation
Day 2: Innovation

Day two will focus on innovation: showcasing food innovation through climate-friendly actions that support both people and planet. From beans, forgotten crops to fortification, this session will showcase innovative approaches to help drive change in scaling sustainable, nutritious and affordable meals for Africans.

The village will be brought to life through a vibrant mix of interactive sessions and thought-provoking discussions in partnership with CIRAD, the Forgotten Crops Society, the African Crops Alliance, the Innovation Lab for Peanut, Gates Ag One, PABRA, the Fortified Whole Grain Alliance, Partners in Food Solutions, Haskè Nutrition and Tailored Food.

 

Opening with Cooking Demo on ‘Lost Crops Culinary Masterclass’, showcasing the versatility of Bambara groundnut and grain legumes, followed by a panel: ‘Finger on the Pulse’, where experts will explore how pulses can drive sustainable food systems and nutrition. A scene-setting session will highlight the benefits of fortified foods, followed by another cooking demo: Fortify Your Plate Culinary Masterclass, featuring the creation of an energising ‘Power Porridge’. The day will conclude with ‘Reimagining Your Grains’, a panel offering fresh perspectives on giving traditional dishes a modern twist, before closing with a youth-focused discussion on emerging culinary innovations in Dakar.
Day 3: Implementation
Day 3: Implementation

We will close Day three at the Culinary Village  by looking at how we can collectively implement positive food systems solutions that champion good food for all, to scale. The programme opens with Cooking Demo 1: Lost Crops Culinary Masterclass, showcasing the versatility of baobab and other tree superfoods. This will be followed by #Forests4Food, a thought-provoking session on protecting forests as a pathway to fixing our food systems and securing our future. The spotlight then turns local with the Senegalese Chef Association, before a scene-setting introduction to one of the most anticipated highlights of the Culinary Village, the Jollof Rice Competition where chefs will showcase their creativity and passion in reimagining this much-loved West African dish.

If you are attending the forum, be sure to stop by the Culinary Village or look out for the SDG2 Advocacy Hub team and make yourself known to the team!

 

  • To see the full program of the 2025 AFS Forum, please visit here.

  • For registration, check here.

  • For more information about the Chefs’ Manifesto, check here.

  • For more information about the Beans is How campaign, check here.

  • For more information about the AFSF, check here.

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