Kenya is set to host a global summit focused on agricultural financing next month. The 2nd annual Financing Agrifood Systems Sustainably (FINAS) 2025 summit aims to unlock sustainable financing solutions for Africa’s food systems.
Scheduled to take place from May 20-22 at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, the summit is themed “Taking Ownership: Rethinking Sustainable Financing for Africa’s Food Systems.” It will bring together world leaders, policymakers, financiers, and innovators to address key challenges facing Africa’s agriculture and food security sectors.
The event will serve as a critical platform to explore and revolutionize sustainable financing solutions that secure Africa’s food future. By convening global leaders, policymakers, innovators, and financiers, the summit will seek to create meaningful solutions to long-standing challenges in agricultural financing.
This initiative comes at a time when African governments are increasingly prioritizing self-sufficient financing mechanisms. The summit aims to rethink agri-food financing by promoting innovative models, digital transformation, and strategic partnerships aligned with the Africa Union’s Kampala Declaration on food security and sustainability.
A call has been made to visionaries worldwide to participate in shaping a resilient and inclusive future for agri-food systems across Africa. The agricultural value chain is complex, with farmers forming the backbone of the sector. To thrive, they require access to financing for essential inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, land leases, livestock, and costs associated with harvesting and marketing. The summit provides a crucial opportunity to explore financing solutions that address these needs.
The event is expected to offer a framework for channeling financial resources into initiatives that enhance agricultural productivity, improve food security, and promote sustainable practices. Additionally, the summit will examine the shifting global funding landscape, which has seen a significant reduction in financial support for key sectors, including agriculture.
This changing reality necessitates a reassessment of existing financing and investment models. Innovative solutions such as blended financing, green bonds, diaspora remittances, and increased private-sector participation are being explored to bridge these gaps.
As Africa faces unprecedented challenges, including climate change, political instability, and shifting international funding policies, the summit presents a unique opportunity for stakeholders to engage in focused dialogue. It aims to unlock sustainable financing solutions that will ensure a resilient and prosperous agri-food future for the continent.
The summit holds significant potential to drive transformative change in how food systems are financed, from both public and private sources of capital. Proper financing can either create inefficiencies or serve as a key ingredient for transformation.
The role of digital innovation in transforming agricultural financing will also be a central focus. Kenya’s leadership in fintech innovation is expected to play a pivotal role in these discussions. By leveraging digital solutions, stakeholders can find new ways to improve agricultural financing across Africa.
The summit arrives at a pivotal moment when digital transformation offers unprecedented opportunities to rethink agricultural financing. Initiatives like this are essential in focusing the conversation on food systems transformation and providing a platform for stakeholders to propose sustainable financial solutions for Africa’s agri-food systems.
The future of food systems transformation in Africa depends on the ability of African governments to develop homegrown solutions that are not reliant on foreign aid. With a decline in external financial support, it is crucial to innovate and leverage domestic resources to build self-sustaining food systems.
