Taking Stock of Africa’s Agrifood Processing Sector

POLICY SEMINAR Taking Stock of Africa’s Agrifood Processing Sector Key findings of the 2022 ReSAKSS Annual Trends and Outlook Report on Agrifood Processing Strategies for Successful Food Systems Transformation in Africa Co-organized by IFPRI and Akademiya2063 FEB 9, 2023 - 8:00 TO 9:30AM EST A high-performing, resilient, and competitive agrifood processing sector can create remunerative employment opportunities, link producers to growing and lucrative urban markets, and help to ensure that consumers have access to sufficient and healthy food. Africa’s food processing sector is growing in response to growing demand for processed and high-value foods in the continent. However, processing firms, many of them small and informal enterprises, still face serious constraints. The 2022 Annual Trends and Outlook Report (ATOR) examines Africa’s agrifood processing sector and its role in sustainable food systems on the continent. The report examines available evidence on the current status and performance of the sector, discusses key challenges, and identifies required policy actions to maximize its contribution to achieving sustainable food systems for all. Please join us for this seminar where key research findings and policy recommendations of the 2022 ATOR will be presented and discussed by a distinguished panel of representatives from academia, the private sector, and international and regional organizations engaged in strengthening Africa’s agri-food processing sector. Welcome Remarks Johan Swinnen, Managing Director of Systems Transformation, CGIAR and Director General, IFPRI Godfrey Bahiigwa, Director of Agriculture and Rural Development, African Union Commission Setting the Scene Ousmane Badiane, Executive Chairperson and Acting Managing Director, AKADEMIYA2063 Key Research Findings and Recommendations Getaw Tadesse, Director of Operational Support, AKADEMIYA2063 Panel Discussion Thomas Reardon, Nonresident Fellow, IFPRI Janet Edeme, Head of Rural Development Division, Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (DARBE) Dejene Tezera, Director of Department of Agribusiness Development, UNIDO Ashish Pande, Country Head, Olam Nigeria Moderator Charlotte Hebebrand, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, IFPRI Links: 2022 Annual Trends And Outlook Report: https://www.ifpri.org/publication/2022-annual-trends-and-outlook-report-agrifood-processing-strategies-successful-food Akademiya2063: https://akademiya2063.org/ More about this seminar: https://www.ifpri.org/event/key-findings-2022-resakss-annual-trends-and-outlook-report-agrifood-processing-strategies Subscribe IFPRI Insights newsletter and event announcements at www.ifpri.org/content/newsletter-subscription