Organizer: Ministère de l'Agriculture et APIX

This session will showcase concrete examples of agricultural transformation and food system successes from countries that have made remarkable progress in strengthening their food and agricultural sectors. Through rapid-fire presentations, government representatives and development partners will share “how they did it” — highlighting the strategies, innovations, and enabling policies that contributed to measurable results.

Designed as an interactive and practical exchange, the event aims to provide lessons that can inspire replication and adaptation in Senegal and across Africa. Participants will gain insights into what worked, the challenges faced, and the key conditions required to unlock agricultural potential at scale.

Moderators

• Dr Ndeye Hélène Diallo-Diagne, Conseillère Technique, Ministère de l'Agriculture, de la Souveraineté Alimentaire et de l'Elevage (MASAE)

• Dr Astou Diao Camara, Directrice, ISRA BAME

Speakers

• Mr. Paul Troy, Nutrition Lead, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ireland

• H.E. Dr. Cyubahiro Marc Bagabe, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources of Rwanda

• H.E. Carmen Hagenaars, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Senegal, Kingdom of the Netherlands

• H.E. LI Zhigang, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Senegal

Organizer: APIX

Session Overview

Despite being fundamental pillars of sustainable economic development through food sovereignty and job creation, agriculture and livestock continue to suffer from a chronic lack of private and public investment.

Indeed, constraints of all kinds (regulatory and legal, financial, fiscal, etc.) are observed, which hinder the development and transformation of agriculture and food systems.

This session aims to concretely identify the main barriers to investment in these agro-silvo-pastoral sectors and to discuss pragmatic solutions to address them.

The speakers — drawn from the public, private, financial sectors, and farmers’ organizations — will exchange views on the following issues:

• Access to land

• Financing

• Quality inputs

• Infrastructure (transport, storage, irrigation)

• Markets

• Regulatory framework

Particular emphasis could be placed on the role of public policies, public-private partnerships (PPPs), technological innovation, and innovative financing mechanisms (such as credit guarantees or agricultural insurance).

Moderator

• Monsieur Bilaly DICKO – IFC-Banque mondiale

Speakers

• M. Nadjirou SALL – CNCR

• Dr Fatou Touré – Directrice Générale, SOPEL

• Monsieur Cheikh TOURE – APIX-SA, Directeur du Guichet unique et des plates-formes de l'investissement

• Représentant FONSIS

Organizer: Interprofession Laitiere du Senegal- Interlait/ Senegal 

The event aims to outline a vision, missions, values, and principles that are firmly focused on the development of the local dairy sector in Senegal and across Africa. It is primarily oriented toward the social inclusion of youth through innovation and the creation of sustainable jobs, by making optimal use of local milk to contribute to economic development, improved food security for the population, and the generation of national wealth. It also aims to showcase strategies for engaging young people in dairy production through a national industry in agropastoral areas, as well as the tangible results achieved in this regard. 

Organizer: APIX 

• Introduction & Opening

• Screening of the institutional film

• Presentation – Address by the Director General of APIX

  • DG Bakary Séga BATHILY

• Interactive exchanges

• Closing and key recommendations

Moderators

• Ms. Diatou Ndiaye & Ms. Mariama Diop, Senegalese Institute for Agricultural Research (ISRA)

Speakers

• Dr. Lauren Phillips, Deputy Director, Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

• Ms. Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, World Food Forum, Ghana Youth Chapter

Organizer: IFAD & FIDA

This session demonstrates how rural youth can improve their socioeconomic conditions through well-designed programs that have a long-term impact on the lives of young boys and girls living in rural areas of Senegal.

By sharing the experiences of beneficiaries of AGRIJEUNES and other successful programs, the session emphasizes the importance of involving communities, investing in training, and providing start-up capital so that young people can launch activities that generate monthly income. The session will also highlight the impact of such initiatives on the well-being of communities, including keeping young people in rural communities (combating rural exodus), thanks to the new employment opportunities offered.

Young people will be the main speakers at this interactive session. Videos of the project will be shown during the event. The audience will have the opportunity to ask questions. The session will be moderated by an IFAD representative or an IFAD partner.

Organizer: Dynamique pour une Transition Agroécologique au Sénégal (DyTAES) 

This session explores partnership models that promote local knowledge, agroecological practices, and the central role of family farms in building sustainable food systems. Through the combined perspectives of farmers, policymakers, researchers, and private sector actors, it will highlight the political, economic, and institutional conditions conducive to scaling up these partnerships. The panel will also examine the levers that support these agricultural models and emphasize the importance of multi-stakeholder approaches for a just and inclusive transition. The goal is to identify concrete courses of action to make family farms a pillar of food and climate policies on the continent. 

Organizer: International Society for Horticultural Science 

Local and traditional species are at the heart of African countries' sovereignty: seed, food, and nutritional sovereignty. The collapse of biodiversity makes access to these forms of sovereignty even more difficult, because it mainly affects local species that are deeply rooted in dietary, social, and cultural habits and traditions. Horticultural species, fruits, vegetables, spices, aromatic and medicinal plants are among the most useful and most affected. Beyond genetic heritage, it is intangible heritage, knowledge, and know-how that are disappearing: the knowledge, experience, cultivation, association, conservation, and preparation practices that promote soil and climate adaptation and socio-economic roles. The round table provides an opportunity for various stakeholders in research, development, and higher education to illustrate the benefits for younger generations of good material and intangible management of these traditional species. 

Organizer: Initiative Prospective Agricole et Rurale (IPAR) 

Co-organized by IPAR, IFPRI, and IDRC, this side event explores how school meal programs can serve as powerful levers for building resilient and inclusive agrifood systems in Africa. By creating demand for indigenous, climate-resilient crops and promoting regenerative agriculture, school meals offer a unique opportunity to improve both nutrition and environmental outcomes. The session will showcase evidence and case studies from multiple African countries, demonstrating how school feeding initiatives are being used to advance gender equality, youth empowerment, and local procurement at national scale. It will also provide a platform for dialogue among stakeholders from research, policy, civil society, and the private sector to identify concrete pathways for scaling up sustainable school meals across the continent. Ultimately, the event aims to foster collective action and policy innovation to transform food systems from the ground up—starting with schools. 

Speakers 

• Dr. Laure Tall, Directrice de recherche, IPAR 
• Ms. Fanta Camara, Présidente, Climate Linguere Club 
• Dr. Ibrahima Hathie, Chercheur Émérite, IPAR 
• Mr. Bathie Ciss, Conseiller Technique du Secrétariat d’État au dévelopement des PMI/PMI 
• Mr. Badou Diongue, Président du Collège des jeunes, CNCR 
• Ms. Claudia Ringler, Directrice IFPRI, Natural Resources and Resilience (NRR) 
• Mr. Sidy Tounkara, Sociologue, chercheur, IPAR 

Organizer: Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) 

This panel will discuss the often invisible but essential role of soil health in African food sovereignty. It will bring together researchers, farmers, processors, entrepreneurs, and public decision-makers to discuss the links between soil, agricultural practices, processing, and access to sustainable food. Moderated by a student, it will be introduced by a short video filmed in the field. The aim is to highlight a key issue for food security, climate, and economic resilience, while illustrating the concrete contribution of young scientists and South-South collaborations. 

Speakers 

• Dr. Dominique Masse, Directeur de Recherche HDR, IRD (Institut de recherche pour le Développement) 
• Dr. Alfred Tine, Directeur Général, Institut Nationale de Pédologie du Sénégal 
• Dr. Diaminatou Sanogo, CNRF (Centre National de Recherches Forestières) 
• Dr. Ndeye Hélène Diallo Diagne, Conseillère technique du ministre de l’agriculture. Chargée de recherche à l’ISRA-CDH, Ministère de l’Agriculture et de la Souveraineté Alimentaire et de l’élevage 
• Dr. Sidy Diakhaté, Chargé de mission du projet PeA PETTAL et fondateur de la startup Green Agro Consulting, Université du Sine Saloum El-Hâdj Ibrahima NIASS (USSEIN) 
• Ms. Maryame Diakité, Chargée d’animation scientifique et de transition au pôle de recherche, IESOL Institut de Recherche pour le Dévloppement 

Organizer: ENABEL 

This session will focus on youth training, integration, and support for MSMEs in key value chains, with panelists from Benin, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and Niger. Enabel is the Belgian development agency, working with national and international partners to address global challenges such as climate change, inequalities, and peace and security. With 2,500 staff, it manages over 200 projects across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Present in West Africa for 25 years (including in Mauritania, Senegal, Burkina Faso, and Benin), Enabel supports the transition to sustainable food systems, ensuring food and nutrition security while addressing environmental and socio-economic issues. 

Presentation 1 – Mauritania 

• Mr. Djiby Moussa Ba et Mr. Guedié Kane 

Presentation 2 - Burkina Faso 

• KABORE Baogoam 

Presentation 3 – Benin 

• Geoffroy Mele et Irmine 

Presentation 4 – Niger 

• IKIC et PRISMA 

Organizer: Alliance Bioversity International and CIAT 

This pitch session will give entrepreneurs the opportunity to present their projects, their financing needs, and their expected financial results and impacts in five minutes, followed by a five-minute question-and-answer session with a panel of judges composed of impact investors and local banks. Participants will have been prepared in advance through a boot camp on climate-smart agriculture and sustainable practices and will have received support in integrating these elements into their business plans. With the help of a presentation template and targeted coaching, they will be ready to capture the attention of the jury and partners in attendance. The goal: to promote solid, inclusive projects and create concrete opportunities for financing and collaboration around sustainable agricultural solutions. 

Speakers 

• Ms. Evelyne DIOH, Managing partner, WIC Capital 
• Ms. Ndeye Awa Gueye, Responsable secteur privé – partenariats, LUX DEV 
• Mr. Pierre Gérard Diouf, Responsable Département PME-PMI, BOA 
• Mr. Mohamed Ngom, Financial and Access to Financing Manager, Teranga capital 
• Mr. Omar Toure, Chef de Réseau Ouest, La Banque Agricole 
• Ms. Ena DERENONCOURT, Senior Officer, AICCRA / Alliance Bioversity /CIAT 
• MS. Ouma Sani, Director, Women's Investment Club 

Moderators

• Ms. Diatou Ndiaye & Ms. Mariama Diop, Senegalese Institute for Agricultural Research (ISRA)

Speakers

Spotlight on the Ministerial Deep Dive: Livestock

• Dr. Siboniso Moyo, Deputy Director General, Partnerships & Impact, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

Spotlight on Agricultural Investments

• Ms. Chania Frost, Associate Partner, McKinsey & Company

Organizer: Réseau National des clubs de jeunes entrepreneurs du Sénégal (RENCJES) 

Organized in the form of open discussions, inspiring experience sharing, and meetings, it will bring together 50 young entrepreneurs from the region brought together by RENCJES. It will take place in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Youth, CONFEJES, and several economic actors already identified. By creating a stimulating and structured space, the Entre Pros Jeunes café complements the forum's technical and institutional panels by giving actors in the field the opportunity to discuss business opportunities (young entrepreneurs, investors, start-ups, etc.). It thus promotes the co-construction of concrete responses to the challenges of agri-food and sovereignty. This activity contributes to strengthening the local agricultural entrepreneurial ecosystem by facilitating connections between entrepreneurs, project leaders, and support actors (investors, institutions, etc.). 

Jeunesse, innovation et approche One Health : l'expérience des SOHIC pour transformer durablement les systèmes alimentaires en Afrique 

Organizer: Students One Health Innovations Club (SOHIC) 

This event, scheduled to take place in the Senegal Pavilion, aims to strengthen advocacy for the mobilization of domestic resources, in line with Strategic Objective 2 of the Malabo Declaration of the CAADP 2026-2035: “Stimulate investment and financing to accelerate the transformation of agri-food systems.” It will highlight three multisectoral projects focused on food safety, which offer decent employment opportunities for women and young people, but are also attractive to investors. These projects illustrate the impact of funding gaps in the dairy sector and inadequate production, storage, processing, and marketing practices. The proposed multisectoral and integrated solutions require greater commitment from the national private sector. The aim is to initiate a strong partnership to support the government in mobilizing local resources to achieve the food sovereignty ambitions set out in Senegal 2050. 

Organizer: CRES 

Reflecting on the interrelationships between factors contributing to the higher prevalence of malnutrition in women will highlight the importance of the gender perspective in understanding nutritional issues in Senegal and Africa. The strong participation of young people and women presenters will ensure the diversity of opinions and points of view on the issues to be addressed. The diversity of people invited (public actors, representatives of civil society organizations, associations of people suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, etc.) will ensure a plurality of opinions. 

Organizer: MEOSS, BWI, la SAED et Geomatica 

This workshop will highlight a joint initiative between MEOSS, BWI, GEOMATICA, and SAED aimed at improving water management for irrigated agriculture in Senegal through the use of satellite data, climate models, and artificial intelligence. The project enables the monitoring of water resources, the forecasting of river flows, and the anticipation of droughts and floods in order to optimize agricultural planning. The event will give a voice to young professionals involved in the initiative, highlight the contributions of satellite technologies to climate resilience, and pave the way for regional replication. 

Speakers 

• Mr. Amadou Thiam, Conseiller technique, SAED, 
• Mr. Abdoulaye Bouya Diop, Responsable programme de télédétection, SAED 
• Mr. Thomas Ferrero, President Directeur General, MEOSS 
• Mr. Mohamad Hamze, Expert en ressources eaux, BWI  

Organizer: Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles (ISRA) 

This event will highlight the decisive role of African youth and women in transforming agri-food systems in Senegal, with a focus on agroforestry and climate resilience. Co-organized by ISRA and Tree Aid, it will showcase innovative initiatives led by young people as part of the PROMUVER-SL project and other local actions. Through an interactive panel bringing together young leaders, experts, and community representatives, the session will promote a dynamic exchange on the challenges and opportunities related to youth engagement in agroecology and food security. The event will also emphasize gender inclusion, ensuring balanced representation. This platform will aim to inspire concrete actions to mobilize youth and strengthen their role in the sustainable development of rural areas in Africa. 

Organizer: Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles (ISRA) 

This cross-disciplinary activity led by CERAAS will highlight dry cereals and legumes through a series of highlights: discussions with researchers and innovators, live cooking demonstrations, and tastings of processed products. It aims to bring together science, nutrition, and food culture to illustrate the central role of these crops in sustainable, resilient, and inclusive food systems. By combining scientific approaches, local knowledge, and culinary creativity, this session will offer an immersive and sensory experience accessible to all audiences. 

Organizer : Conseil National de Concertation et de Coopération des Ruraux (CNCR) 

The objective of this activity is to award prizes to young rural women entrepreneurs. It will provide financial envelopes to three winners who will be named "best young Linguère 2025". The winners are chosen by a jury composed of professionals from the Ministry of Agriculture, the CNCR, the WFP and ECOJES. The candidates were proposed by the leaders after an initial selection made at the regional level. Each of the 6 intervention regions of the SALOUMA project (Kaolack, Tambacounda, Ziguinchor, Kolda, Saint-Louis and Matam) proposed two young women selected at the regional level. The jury at the national level will select 3 "best young Linguéres" from the 12. These will receive a grant and support for the growth of their businesses. During the event, videos of presentations of these women will be viewed. Cultural performances and a culinary tasting are also planned for the occasion. 

Organizer: UNDP Senegal, UNDP Insurance and Risk Finance Facility & Ministry of Finance and CNAAS 

Translating Africa commitments into national impact goes beyond ambition- it requires structured strategies, robust institutional coordination, and practical frameworks to manage complex agricultural and financial ecosystems. A whole-of-government approach is critical to effectively de-risk investments, promote market-driven insurance solutions, and build integrated agri-finance systems that drive resilient food system transformation. 

The panel session will feature senior government officials from Senegal, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Zambia who are leading efforts to de-risk food systems through agricultural insurance fully institutionalized and embedded in national policies and regulations, alongside a global case from India to share valuable lessons and best practices. 

Moderator 

• Mr. Enock Sing’oei, Agricultural Insurance Specialist, UNDP 

Speakers 

• H.E. Dr. Sofia Kassa, State Minister, Ministry of Agriculture, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia 
• Mr. Moustapha Fall, Director General, Compagnie Nationale d'Assurance Agricole du Sénégal (CNAAS)  
• Mr. Musa Lukwago, Senior Economist, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Republic of Uganda 
•  Mr. Zandonda Tembo, Senior Agricultural Economist &aissa Assistant National Coordinator, Administration of the Farmer Input Support Program (FISP), Republic of Zambia  

Moderators:

• Ms. Diatou Ndiaye & Ms. Mariama Diop, Senegalese Institute for Agricultural Research (ISRA)

Report presentation: Building Resilience in Agrifood Supply Chains

• Speaker: Ms. Sonya Hoo, Managing Director & Partner, Boston Consulting Group (BCG)

Organizer: Initiative Prospective Agricole et Rurale (IPAR) 

Co-organized by IPAR, IFAD, Senegal’s State Secretariat for SMEs and MSMEs and DER/FJ this side event explores concrete pathways to boost youth and women’s employment in agri-food value chains in Senegal. It will highlight barriers such as access to land, finance, and markets, and showcase innovative initiatives and partnerships that support entrepreneurship, green jobs, and inclusive growth. Bringing together young entrepreneurs, policymakers, and development partners, the event aims to share solutions, foster collaboration, and lay the groundwork for a flagship initiative to scale decent and sustainable agri-food employment. 

Speakers 

• Dr Laure Tall, Directrice de recherche, IPAR 
• Ms. Fanta Camara, Présidente, Climate Linguere Club 
• Dr Ibrahima Hathie, Chercheur Émérite, IPAR, 
• Mr. Bathie Ciss, Conseiller Technique du Secrétariat d’État au dévelopement, PMI/PMI 
• M. Badou Diongue, Président du Collège des jeunes, CNCR 
• Ms. Claudia Ringler, Directrice IFPRI, Natural Resources and Resilience (NRR) 
• Mr. Sidy Tounkara, Sociologue, chercheur, IPAR 

Organizer: Pôle Pastoralisme et Zones Sèches (PPZS) 

This event will bring together researchers, young pastoralists, civil society representatives, and decision-makers to discuss the key role of pastoralism in African food sovereignty in the face of climate change. Led by PPZS in partnership with CNCR, Enda Pronat, and IED Afrique, it will highlight the experiences of young pastoralists in arid areas and their ability to innovate despite constraints. Through testimonials, field exchanges, and forward-looking discussions, the panel will aim to identify levers for action to support inclusive, sustainable pastoralism that creates jobs for rural youth.