Location: Investment Room - Deal Room 2
Category: Investment Room
Location: Investment Room - Deal Room 1
Category: Investment Room
Location: Investment Room - Main Stage
Category: Investment Room
Moderator
Mr. Frank N.J. Braeken, Chairman of the Board, Feronia Inc & Board Member, AGRA
Segment 1
Dr. Alpha Ba, State Secretary for Cooperatives and Farmers, Republic of Senegal
H.E. Ambassador Berik Aryn, Director General, Islamic Organization for Food Security
Mr. Amadou Gallo Fall, President, Basketball Africa League (BAL)
Ms. Djeneba Pilabre, Wendinkonte Consortium, People’s Republic of Burkina Faso
Segment 2
Mr. Isaac Kwaku Fokuo, Curator, Amahoro Coalition
Ms. Sefora Kodjo, Board Chair; Member of the Civil Society Committee, Foundation Sephix; AFDB Group
Ms. Fiona Hofmann, Director of Strategic Partnerships, PULA
Mr. Robert Mwanamanga, Director for Debt and Aid, Republic of Malawi
Closing Remarks
Ms. Chania Frost, Associate Partner, McKinsey & Company
Location: Investment Room - Main Stage
Category: Investment Room
In partnership with the MasterCard Foundation and aligned with the theme of AFSF 2025, this session brings together youth leaders and senior experts to explore how Africa can foster an environment that accelerates investment in young people. These bright young entrepreneurs will share firsthand experiences on what it takes to build successful ventures. Financiers, thought leaders, and policymakers will frame the work of the Investment Room, including deal rooms, B2B spaces, and national incentive programs that advance agri-food sectors. Whether you're an investor, policymaker, or emerging founder, this session offers valuable insights and opportunities to scale youth-led innovation across the continent.
Moderator
Keynote Remarks
The Power of Collaboration
Fireside chat
The Great Munk Debate
Closing Reflections
Location: Investment Room - Deal Room 2
Category: Investment Room
Location: Investment Room - Deal Room 1
Category: Investment Room
Heifer International’s Deal Room at AFSF 2025 will provide a half-day platform for open, cross-sector conversations on inclusive finance, youth-led agri-innovation, and pathways to scaled smallholder farmer impact. The sessions will spotlight African agri-innovators who are already delivering results, giving investors a unique chance to see emerging talent, explore practical solutions, and identify the right opportunities for mutually beneficial investment.
New Face of Grants – Catalyzing Innovative Finance to Drive Sustainable and Scalable Impact
Moderator:
Speakers:
Built to Attract - How to Make Capital Flow to You (Hot Seat, Hard Talk)
Moderator
Speakers
Powering Agricultural Transformation in Africa with Disruptive Technology (Innovator Showcase)
Location: Investment Room - Deal Room 2
Category: Investment Room
Join this dynamic pitching session to meet standout African entrepreneurs transforming food systems. These investment-ready SMEs, selected in partnership with Welthungerhilfe (WHH), are tackling hunger and driving sustainable impact. From across the continent, they bring innovative solutions and are seeking support through grants, equity, debt, or blended finance. Whether you're a financier, policymaker, or ecosystem builder, this is your opportunity to invest in Africa's development through the lens of bold, future-focused entrepreneurship.
Speakers
SMEs
Location: Investment Room - Main Stage
Category: Investment Room
Building on the Global Future Foods Forum 2024, this session will reinforce the forum’s mission to connect regions, catalyse partnerships, and create actionable pathways toward a secure and sustainable global food future. The session will place a special spotlight on UAE–Africa investment opportunities, recognising the strategic alignment between the UAE’s position as a global food trade and innovation hub and Africa’s vast agricultural potential.
Discussions will focus on unlocking value chains from farm to fork, mobilising capital for climate-smart agriculture, enhancing food processing and logistics infrastructure, and fostering joint ventures that accelerate economic growth while ensuring long-term food security.
Speakers
Mr. Amath Pathe Sene, Managing Director, Africa Food System Forum (opening speaker)
Mr. Saleh Lootah, Chairman, United Arab Food Cluster
Ms. Sylvia Vitale Rotta, CEO, Team Creatif
Mr. Walid Hareb Al Falahi, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Consultancy
Mr. Abdul Vaheed, Secretary General, UAE Food & Beverage Business Group
Location: Investment Room - Main Stage
Category: Investment Room
Location: Investment Room - Deal Room 1
Category: Investment Room
Entrepreneurship is the promise of food systems. Come and see it in action at the AFSF SME Pitching Sessions! Hosted in the dynamic Investment Room, these sessions spotlight innovative, scalable businesses driving change across sectors, from climate-smart farming to nutrition tech. Each entrepreneur has been selected and prepared in partnership with Advance Consulting team.
Join us to discover high-impact ventures, champion Africa’s next generation of business leaders, and help build inclusive, sustainable agri-food systems across the continent.
Speakers
Mr. William Wathuta (Moderator)
SMEs
Mr. Wisdom Abodakpi, CEO, Cycle Farms
Mr. Henry Abraham, CEO, HJA Africa Limited
Mr. Jason O Odigo, Managing Director, Harvester Road Organic
Mr. Kennedy Comba, COO, Jumbo Fish Farm LTD
Closing Reflections
H.E. Mizengo Pinda, Former Prime Minister, United Republic of Tanzania
Mr. Harris Hounton, Senior Investment Officer, IFC
Location: Investment Room - Main Stage
Category: Investment Room
Senegal’s agricultural sector is a key driver of the country's economic and social development. The sector plays an essential role in reducing poverty and is a major source of job creation and income for poor households, most of which are located in rural areas. Despite recent progress, the agricultural sector suffers from slow productivity growth and struggles to meet food demand. Senegal imports almost 70% of its food requirements, particularly for basic products such as rice, wheat, maize, dairy products, vegetables, and sugar, heightening the country’s vulnerability to recurring shocks.
Against this background, Senegal has engaged in the transformation of its food systems through several avenues including the promotion of community-based agricultural cooperatives (CACs). The CAC programme supports the inclusive development of agriculture and livestock farming by organising producers into cooperatives with the aim of helping them to modernise the sector through core investment in infrastructure, training, extension, financing, and access to input and output markets. This way, the CACs will be catalysts for food sovereignty through the emergence of a competitive, inclusive, and sustainable national agricultural economy.
The government has already committed key resources for the development of the CACs pilot programme. The African Food Systems Forum will provide an opportunity for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Livestock to present the Senegal Legacy programme to donors and investors and seek their contribution for the expansion of the programme.
Moderator
Speakers
Honorable Dr. Mabouba Diagne, Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Livestock, Senegal (opening speaker)
Closing Reflections
H.E. Lionel Zinsou, Former Prime Minister, Republic of Benin & Founder and Managing Partner, SouthBridge
Mr. Bayella Thiam, Regional Director, West Africa, Technoserve
Mrs. Nouma Dione, Senior Country Head for Senegal, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Mr. Sapan Kumar, Business Head – Wheat Milling Operations, Olam Agri
Mr. Serge Ekue, President, West African Development Bank (BOAD)
Location: Investment Room - Deal Room 2
Category: Investment Room
Climate-smart and nature positive innovations are needed to accelerate the shift of Africa’s agriculture and food systems to be low-carbon, climate resilient while ensuring food security to support growing population and to support economic development. To help support this transition, the CLIC Agribusiness Connector has provided technical assistance to eight Africa-based agribusinesses on impact assessment and investor engagement preparation.
In partnership with AFSF, the CLIC Climate and Nature SME Investment Room welcomes you to come meet these businesses with bold ideas, scalable solutions and primed for growth.
These entrepreneurs come from a cross-section of sectors and are working to advance food systems in their countries while addressing critical climate and nature challenges. They’re seeking visionary investors open to grants, equity, debt, or blended finance to help scale high-impact solutions. This is an opportunity to support climate-forward entrepreneurship, expand employment, and accelerate development across the continent.
Speakers
Ms. Wen E Chin, Manager, CLIC (Moderator)
Ms. Nachilala Nkombo, Country Director, Bridges to Prosperity (B2P) Zambia; Founder, Women Leaders on Climate Action (WLCA); Member, Africa Food Prize
Ms. Marina Kamanzi, Kagezi Seeds, Zambia
Dr. Asongo Abraham Iorkaam, Jaress Agriculture Agfinance, Nigeria
Ms. Loreen Wanjiru, Camino Ruiz, Kenya
Mr. Alexander Zanders, UfarmX, Nigeria
Ms. Chinwendu Nweke, Bridge Merchant Enterprises, Nigeria
Mr. Moustapha Kebe, Keblink, Senegal
Ms. Eneotse Unoogwu, AllTimeFresh, Nigeria
Mr. Eliud Rugut, Silo Africa, Kenya
Ms. Liz Kirk, Senior Manager, ClimateShot Investor Coalition (CLIC)
Mr. Qasem Bilbeisi, Senior Analyst, ClimateShot Investor Coalition (CLIC)
UK FCDO, Africa Programmes Expertise Department
Closing Reflections
Dr. Peter Mbanda Umunay, Thematic Lead – Food Systems and Land Use, Global Environment Facility (GEF)
H.E. Mohamed Beavogui, Former Prime Minister, Republic of Guinea
Location: Investment Room - Deal Room 1
Category: Investment Room
The Government of Ethiopia welcomes you to the Invest Ethiopia Session. This session highlights bold initiatives to boost employment, strengthen value-added food chains, especially in sorghum and oil seeds, and improve access to nutritious food.
Central to the discussion is the INVEST in Ethiopia platform, featuring high-potential, investment-ready opportunities driving agricultural innovation and economic growth. Join national leaders and partners to discover how Ethiopia is building a resilient food system that benefits farmers, consumers, and investors. Whether you're seeking strategic partnerships or impact opportunities, this session opens a window into one of East Africa’s most promising investment frontiers.
Speakers
Dr. Agnes Kalibata (Moderator)
Dr. Maru S. Bekele, Advisor to the State Minister of Agriculture on Sorghum Flagship Development, Ministry of Agriculture
Prof. Ali M. Ibrahim, Senior Advisor to the State Minister of Agriculture and Horticulture, Ministry of Agriculture
Mr. Saad Aouad, CEO, SAMANU Business Group, Ethiopia
Closing Reflections
Ms. Meghna Laxman, Director Corporate Affairs, PepsiCo
Mr. Dominic Schofield, Global Director for Agri-food Systems, TechnoServe
Mr. Mehdi Filali, Senior Vice-President, West Africa, OCP Africa
Dr. Maximo Torero Cullen, Chief Economist, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Location: Investment Room - Main Stage
Category: Investment Room
Uganda’s food sector is a cornerstone of its economy. With its fertile soils, favourable climate, and vast arable land, Uganda offers immense opportunities for investors looking to engage in agribusiness. The country’s strategic location in East Africa, with access to regional and international markets, further enhances its potential as a hub for agricultural production and export.
This session promises to provide insights into investment opportunities in the food systems of Uganda.
Speakers
Prof. Hamadi Boga (Moderator)
Hon. Fred Bwino Kyakulaga, Minister of State for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Republic of Uganda
David Wozemba, Country Director, AGRA Uganda Office
Peter Mulira, Investment Executive, Uganda Investment Authority
Location: Investment Room - Deal Room 2
Category: Investment Room
The Ghana Deal Room, themed “Feeding Prosperity Through Smart Investments in Ghana,” will spotlight high-impact opportunities that deliver tangible benefits for farmers, investors, and consumers. It will highlight how public-private collaboration is driving Ghana’s food systems toward prosperity while positioning the country as the gateway to West Africa’s 400 million people and a rising hub for agri-investment, value addition, nutrition, and climate-smart growth.
Moderator
Speakers
Hon. Eric Opoku, Ghana’s Minister for Food and Agriculture
Hon. Augustus Obuadum Goosie Tanoh, Ghana’s Presidential Advisor for 24 Hour Economy & Accelerated Export Development
Mr. Bayella Thiam, Regional Director, West Africa, Technoserve
Dr. Mahamah Abdul-Rahaman, Commercial Manager, Ghana, Yara International
Location: Investment Room - Main Stage
Category: Investment Room
Nigeria Postharvest Systems Transformation Program (NiPHaST)
Moderator
Ms. Rukayya Umar Farouk, SA Media to the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security
Speakers
Senator Abubakar Kyari, Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Federal Republic of Nigeria
His Excellency, Governor Umar A. Namadi, FCA, Executive Governor, Jigawa State, Nigeria
Dr. Kingsley Uzoma, Special Assistant to the President – Agribusiness & Productivity Enhancement, Nigeria
Dr. Kabir Ibrahim, President, Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG)
Mrs. Adesuwa Ifedi, SVP for Africa Programs, Heifer International
Closing Remarks
Mr. Mohammed A. Ibrahim, CEO & Executive Secretary, National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), Nigeria
Ms. Adesuwa Akinboro, Country Director, Nigeria, Technoserve
Location: Investment Room - Main Stage
Category: Investment Room
The CEO Chat experience offers practical guide for investment and business growth. Join us for an engaging conversation with leading CEO, Delphine Traoré, as she shares her personal journey in the food systems space and the lessons she’s learned along the way. This session provides a unique opportunity to hear firsthand insights on what it takes to build a successful business. It also includes interactive time with the audience, allowing young entrepreneurs and aspiring leaders to ask questions and gain tailored advice. Come ready to ask questions, take notes, and be inspired by leaders who’ve walked the road and are now lighting the way.
Speakers
Location: Investment Room - Deal Room 2
Category: Investment Room
Step into the Investment Room and Deal Room to hear from brilliant businesses with bold ideas and real potential. Representing a cross-section of sectors, these investment-ready entrepreneurs are driving innovation to advance food systems in their countries. With support from the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF), these SMEs have been carefully selected and prepared to engage with investors across grants, equity, debt, or blended finance.
This is a chance to connect with scalable solutions that foster employment, development, and impact across the continent.
SMEs
Deborah Nzarubara, Founder and CEO, Grecom – 13:00–13:10
Ms. Salimata Toh, Founder & Manager, AGRIBANANA – 13:10–13:20
Mbumba Lapaque, Chief Vision Officer, ANTARCTIK – 13:20–13:30
Marlène Kindji, Founder & CEO, BADÉMÈ NATURAL FOODS – 13:30–13:40
Mr. Elhadji Malick Sagne, Founder & CEO, Cactus Innovation – 14:00–14:10
Mr. Bruk Getahun, Co-founder & CMO, ChipChip – 14:10–14:20
Mr. Imungana Malikana, Founder, Cranitech Ltd. – 14:20–14:30
Dr. Iddi Mohamed Faried, CEO, Kodu Technology – 14:30–14:40
Closing Reflections
Ms. Eva Bibee, Investment Officer, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Location: Investment Room - Main Stage
Category: Investment Room
The agricultural sector in Zimbabwe presents significant investment opportunities across all value chains, including production, farm infrastructure, machinery, irrigation development, processing, marketing, and export. This sector contributes between 12% and 17% to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The Zimbabwe Legacy Program focuses on seven key value chains: maize, soybeans, sunflower, blueberries, beef, dairy, and poultry. However, additional investments are required to meet and maintain current production levels, regional demand, and projections due to increased domestic and regional demands, given the growing population and increasing market needs.
At the upcoming Africa Food Summit 2025, the Government will present the Legacy Program Pitch Deck, highlighting tangible opportunities to enhance production, processing, and marketing within the selected value chains. This presentation will illustrate how targeted investments can stimulate inclusive rural transformation, economic growth, and yield substantial returns.
Speakers
Location: Investment Room - Deal Room 2
Category: Investment Room
Join this session to hear from brilliant small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with bold ideas and scalable models designed to advance food systems in their countries. These businesses come from a cross-section of sectors and are seeking the right investors, whether through grants, equity, debt, or blended finance.
In collaboration with World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) and the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF), each enterprise has been selected and prepared for investment readiness, with a particular focus on advancing Zero Hunger. Their stories reflect the potential to expand employment, improve nutrition, and foster development across Africa.
Speakers
Location: Investment Room - Deal Room 1
Category: Investment Room
Mali enters the Africa Food Systems Forum 2025 with a bold vision to transform its agriculture and food systems into engines of resilience, prosperity, and youth empowerment. Building on the national agenda for Food Security and Sovereignty, Mali is positioning itself as a strategic hub for investment in seeds, technology, and agri-food value chains.
The Mali Dealroom session will showcase how government leadership, youth innovation, and private sector dynamism are converging to unlock sustainable opportunities for smallholder farmers and rural communities.
Speakers
Location: Investment Room - Deal Room 1
Category: Investment Room
Entrepreneurship is the promise of food systems. Come and see it in action at the AFSF SME Pitching Sessions! Hosted in the dynamic Investment Room, these sessions spotlight innovative, scalable businesses driving change across sectors, from climate-smart farming to nutrition tech. Each entrepreneur has been rigorously selected and prepared in partnership with AFSF.
Join us to discover high-impact ventures, champion Africa’s next generation of business leaders, and help build inclusive, sustainable agri-food systems across the continent.
Moderator
Mr. William Wathuta
SMEs
Closing Remarks
Location: Investment Room - Main Stage
Category: Investment Room
Liberia’s economy is predominantly agrarian, with over 70% of the population relying on agriculture for their livelihoods. The country retains a rich endowment of natural vegetation, diverse soil types, high rainfall, and significant land arability. It also boasts a youthful population, with 75% under the age of 35. Despite these natural and demographic advantages, Liberia’s agrifood system remains under-productive, with underdeveloped value chains and limited private sector investment. Thus, investments are needed in Rice, Cassava, Palm Oil, Coffee and Maize.
Location: Investment Room - Deal Room 1
Category: Investment Room
The Government of Tanzania, in collaboration with AGRA, welcomes you to the Invest Tanzania Session. This session highlights bold initiatives to boost employment, strengthen value-added food chains, and improve access to nutritious food. Central to the discussion is the INVEST in Tanzania platform, featuring high-potential, investment-ready opportunities driving agricultural innovation and economic growth.
Join national leaders and partners to discover how Tanzania is building a resilient food system that benefits farmers, consumers, and investors. Whether you're seeking strategic partnerships or impact opportunities, this session opens a window into one of East Africa’s most promising investment frontiers.
Moderators
Speakers
Closing Remarks
Ms. Katerina Ntep, Senior Managing Director, Corus International
Location: Investment Room - Deal Room 1
Category: Investment Room
Join the Investment Room and Deal Room to hear from brilliant businesses with bold ideas and real potential. Representing a cross-section of sectors, these investment-ready entrepreneurs are driving innovation to advance food systems in their countries. With support from the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF), these SMEs have been carefully selected and prepared to engage with investors across grants, equity, debt, or blended finance.
This is a chance to connect with scalable solutions that foster employment, development, and impact across the continent.
SMEs
Irene Ivambi, CEO, Mrembo Naturals – 10:00–10:10
Bright B K Nezomba|, Founder & CEO, NEZOX-BRANDS – 10:10–10:20
Mr. Mochesane Albert Mpali, Founder & CEO, Lema Agrivest – 10:20–10:30
Riantsoa Mialinarindra, CEO, Sakafo Madagascar – 10:30–10:40
Ms. Arristine Mendes, Founder, Shaddaï Aquaculture – 11:00–11:10
Charles Oyamo, Fundraising Lead, SokoSafe – 11:10–11:20
Mr. Royford Mutegi, Founder & CEO, Vermi-Farm Initiative – 11:20–11:30
Terese Akpem, Founder, Vet Konect – 11:30–11:40
Closing Remarks
H.E. Amb. Festus Bizimana, Ambassador of Rwanda to Senegal, Republic of Rwanda
Mr. Younes Addou, Vice President Agribusiness & Sustainability Solutions, InnovX
Location: Investment Room - Deal Room 2
Category: Investment Room
Investment opportunities will be highlighted in Zambia including 5 exciting projects. Join Invest Zambia for highlights on these initiatives that cross multiple agri-food sectors.
Moderator
Speakers
Presenters
Project 1: Luombwa & Agro Luswishi Core Venture Farms
Establish bulk agricultural infrastructure and integrated farms that enhance food production and security by purchasing farm block products and adding value for local and export markets.
Project 2: Zambezi Cashews Limited
Investment in the establishment of a 25,000 ha cashew plantation and a 4MT processing plant to produce export-grade cashew nuts. To date, 517 hectares have been planted, translating into over 40,000 cashew trees.
Project 3: Lubona Meat Products
Expansion of operations with a modern meat processing factory that will double current slaughtering capacity from 18,000 (7.5 million per year) to 36,000 birds per day (15 million per year), positioning Lubona to meet fast-growing national demand.
Project 4: Zambia Food Security & Export (ZFSE)
Establishment of 4 production clusters (93,750 ha) and 3 processing hubs to expand maize, soybean & wheat production and exports.
Project 5: Lusaka Fresh Market (LFM)
Development of 50 Ha modern wholesale fresh produce market with 39,000m' trading space, 200MT/day storage, and 23,000m' rentals.
Location: Investment Room - Deal Room 2
Category: Investment Room