4th Africa Food Systems Transformation in Accra, Africa

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.