Africa will take another important step towards reshaping its food future as leaders, partners and institutions gather for the 4th Africa Food Systems Transformation Meeting in Accra, Ghana, on 4–5 May 2026.

The hybrid event will bring together National Food Systems Convenors and representatives from across the continent to review progress and strengthen action on national food systems pathways developed in recent years.

The meeting comes at a crucial moment following key regional developments such as CAADP Kampala in January 2025 and the UN Food Systems Summit +4 Stocktake (UNFSS+4). It aims to provide a practical, country driven space where governments and partners can assess what has worked, identify persistent challenges and coordinate stronger support for food systems transformation as the continent moves towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Organised by the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub in partnership with the UN Economic Commission for Africa, the African Union Commission, AUDA NEPAD and other regional institutions, the gathering will bring together a wide range of voices. Participants will include government leaders, UN agencies, development partners, civil society organisations, youth networks, Indigenous Peoples’ groups, research institutions and private sector representatives. Their shared goal is to create stronger collaboration and deliver solutions that reflect Africa’s realities.

Since 2021, more than forty African countries have designed national pathways to transform their food systems. These strategies show a growing political commitment to improving nutrition, supporting livelihoods, strengthening climate resilience and driving economic growth. Yet the pace of implementation remains uneven. Fragmented governance, gaps in financing, climate shocks, conflict and limited investment in science, innovation and technology continue to slow progress.

Recent regional dialogues, including the 2024 Africa Food Systems Transformation Meeting and the 2025 regional gathering ahead of UNFSS+4, underlined the need to shift from planning to delivery. There is increasing recognition that stronger policy alignment, greater investment and locally driven solutions are essential. Women, young people, smallholder farmers and community organisations are expected to play a central role in this transition.

The Accra meeting will focus on sharing lessons between countries, strengthening partnerships and promoting scalable solutions through the Ecosystem of Support and the Hub’s flagship initiatives. Discussions will be guided by the six priority areas outlined in the UNFSS+4 Secretary General’s Call to Action, with the aim of accelerating meaningful food systems transformation across Africa in the years leading to 2030.

VIV Worldwide is entering a new phase of global development with the appointment of Natasha Hall as Vice President VIV Worldwide by Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs | VNU Group.

The move signals a renewed focus on expanding the international reach of the VIV brand and strengthening its role as a leading platform for the global livestock and agrifood industry. The announcement also comes at an important time as preparations gather pace for major upcoming VIV events around the world.

The appointment arrives just months ahead of VIV Europe 2026, which will take place from 2 to 4 June at Koninklijke Jaarbeurs in Utrecht. This edition is particularly significant as it marks the 25th anniversary of the event, one of the most recognised trade gatherings for professionals across the feed to food chain. At the same time, the organisation is also preparing to launch VIV Select India, which will make its debut from 22 to 24 April in New Delhi, opening new opportunities in one of the fastest growing livestock markets.

Hall’s promotion reflects the organisation’s confidence in her leadership and international outlook. Jeroen van Hooff, President and CEO of Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs, emphasised the impact she has already made within the organisation. "From the very start of her time at Jaarbeurs in 2025, Natasha has made a clear mark on the development of VIV Asia, where her international work experience and strategic vision contributed to growth, positioning and market connection. Her new role sets her up for the next step within the organisation and for further developing VIV as a globally leading B2B platform for the poultry and livestock sector."

In her new role, Hall will oversee the complete global VIV portfolio across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East and Africa region. Her responsibilities include the international VIV trade shows along with VIV Connect and the VIV Trade Forums. A key priority will be expanding the global network of exhibitors, visitors and industry partners while strengthening the international visibility of the VIV brand.

With more than a decade of experience in the exhibitions industry in Dubai, Hall brings strong international expertise to the role. "I see VIV as a unique global platform that brings together the entire feed to food chain, and I consider that integrated approach to be an important differentiating strength," said Hall.

Her appointment also comes during a milestone year for the brand. VIV Europe 2026 will celebrate its 25th edition and will also mark the decision to move the event to a biennial schedule from 2028 onwards. "VIV Europe has grown into a reliable and forward-looking platform where strategy, technology and business come together. The anniversary edition in June will once again bring hundreds of international exhibitors and thousands of professionals from the global feed to food chain to Utrecht — a recognised hub for agrifood innovation, science and sustainable chain development."

Not every major change begins with loud announcements or grand declarations. Some arrive quietly and slowly reshape the landscape.

In Tanzania’s agricultural sector, one of the most pressing yet often overlooked challenges is post harvest loss. While developed countries tend to lose around 40 per cent of food at the retail and consumer stages, Tanzania faces a very different reality. Nearly 40 per cent of food is lost during post harvest handling and processing.

For horticultural produce such as fruits and vegetables, the situation is even more serious, with losses climbing to nearly 70 per cent. Poor storage facilities, weak transport systems, pests, rodents, diseases and mould all play a part. Policy gaps, infrastructure challenges and limited coordination also contribute to the problem.

The impact reaches far beyond the farm. Food security is weakened and farmers lose potential income. Tanzania has avoided famine in recent years, yet the country has developed a large market for its grains and pulses across neighbouring nations and overseas. Demand from these markets remains strong and far from fully satisfied. Food lost after harvest could have helped bridge this gap, increase export earnings and improve farmers’ livelihoods.

With the population now at about 66 million and growing rapidly, pressure on food systems continues to rise while farmland steadily declines. Recognising these challenges, the government introduced the National Post Harvest Management Strategy under the Agricultural Sector Development Programme Phase II. The goal is to reduce post harvest losses by half.

Technology is playing an important role in this effort. The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, working through the Pan Africa Bean Research Alliance programme, partnered with the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute to launch the project titled “Scaling Multi-Crop Threshing Machines for Women and Youth Empowerment in Tanzania”.

Through this initiative, farmers were introduced to MultiCrop Thresher machines capable of threshing and cleaning crops including maize, beans, sorghum, pigeon peas, sunflower, soybeans, finger millet, cowpeas, lablab and green grams. Beyond cutting losses, the machines reduce labour demands, improve grain quality and open business opportunities for young people and women.

Most of the beneficiaries were women and youth who received the machines at a 50 per cent subsidy after training by Imara Tech Ltd. Founded in 2016 by Alfred Chengula, the company has grown into a promising agri tech enterprise producing equipment for smallholder farmers across several African countries. Its journey shows how local innovation can strengthen food systems, create jobs and support a more secure agricultural future for Tanzania.

New Holland tractors are set to play a bigger role in transforming agriculture in Kenya following a new partnership between Inchcape and NCBA Group, one of East Africa’s leading financial institutions.

The collaboration focuses on making New Holland’s modern tractor range more accessible to farmers through a flexible and affordable financing solution designed around real farming needs.

The initiative enables farmers to acquire New Holland tractors with financing of up to 95 percent of the purchase value, making advanced machinery attainable for both small and large scale operations. Repayment periods can extend up to 60 months, with options structured to suit farming cash flows. Farmers can choose monthly or seasonal repayments aligned with harvest cycles, helping them manage costs without disrupting day to day operations. The financing package also includes cover for up to two farm implements, allowing farmers to fully utilise the capabilities of their New Holland equipment. To further support customers, each financed tractor comes with one year of free insurance through NCBA Bancassurance, offering reassurance throughout the loan term.

New Holland tractors are known for their durability, efficiency and suitability for a wide range of farming applications, from land preparation to harvesting support. By pairing these machines with tailored financial solutions, the partnership aims to improve farm productivity while reducing the operational strain often associated with equipment investment.

Marion Gathoga Mwangi, Managing Director of Inchcape Kenya, said, “Through this collaboration, we are not just offering financing; we are driving mechanisation, which remains a key pillar in increasing agricultural productivity and efficiency. When farmers have access to modern, reliable machines, their yields rise, their costs reduce, and their work becomes more rewarding.”

NCBA Group also emphasised the importance of aligning finance with the realities of farming. Lennox Mugambi, Group Director of NCBA Asset Finance and Business Solutions, added, “This partnership with Inchcape Kenya marks a major step in our mission. We aim to support farmers by providing accessible and flexible finance. By matching repayment schedules to the realities of farming, we remove barriers that have held back mechanization. We believe this will empower farmers to boost productivity and improve their livelihoods across Kenya.”

The programme brings Inchcape’s Accelerate+ strategy to life by combining high quality New Holland products with value added services such as financing and insurance. By improving access to trusted machinery, the initiative supports sustainable agricultural growth and creates long term benefits for farming communities across Kenya.