SAPPO recently participated in a successful FANRPAN Annual Regional Multistakeholder Policy Dialogue, held under the theme: “Aligning Regional Policies and Investments for Accelerated Agrifood Systems Transformation in Africa”.
The event offered an excellent opportunity for regional dialogue on policy research outputs and case studies from different countries, considering the various forward and backwards linkages between agriculture and other sectors.
Approximately 150 participants from 15 African countries attended the event, representing stakeholders in food, agriculture, and natural resources, including governments, policy research institutions, universities, farmers’ organisations, the private sector, media, and civil society. South Africa’s high-level strategic representation was very balanced, with representation from key stakeholders such as the National Department of Agriculture, the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), SAPPO, Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS), and the University of Pretoria.
Addressing the delegates and focusing on food systems transformation in Africa, Dr Simphiwe Ngqangweni from the NAMC highlighted the urgency of transforming Africa’s food system. “It challenges us to reimagine how we grow, process, distribute, and consume food in ways that are sustainable, equitable, and resilient. Transforming African food systems is not just about agriculture, but about livelihoods, health, climate resilience, and economic empowerment”.
Through panel discussions and breakaway sessions, one of the most promising enablers of this transformation was highlighted as the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). For the agricultural sector, AfCFTA is considered a chance to expand intra-African trade, reduce dependence on external markets, and promote value addition. It empowers smallholder farmers, agri-preneurs, and youth to access new markets while scaling innovations continent-wide.
With discussions focusing on issues at hand, such as advancing Africa’s priorities in the G20 process, advancing advocacy for policy reform, empowering the next generation by unlocking the power of water–energy–food ecosystems and many others, FARNPAN’s core mandate through forged partnerships remains to ensure the following:
- capacity building and piloting innovations;
- translating research into policy-relevant evidence; and
- convening multi-level policy platforms for inclusive dialogue
Listen to an engaging conversation with Dr Ngqangweni.
