IDRC at the 2024 Africa Food Systems Forum

Monday, September 2

Gender responsive approaches driving food systems transformation   

9:45-11:15 CAT │ Room AD12

This session will present strategies, policy frameworks and best practices that have worked to improve the engagement of women and their meaningful participation in food systems towards gender equality.

Hosted by IDRC, African Women in Agricultural Research and Development, CABI, the Global Solutions Initiative and the Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition  

Nourishing today, for tomorrow's future — The transformational power of school meals  

11:45-12:45 CAT │ Room MH2

This session will highlight the potential of school feeding programs as catalysts for broader food system transformation. Through country case studies and an expert discussion, the panel will demonstrate how locally sourced school meals can enhance climate resilience, sustainability, inclusivity and gender equality. It will also show how these meals can be beneficial in providing better diets of fortified whole grains to improve child nutrition.

Hosted by IDRC, the Rockefeller Foundation and the Fortified Whole Grain Alliance

Nourishing nations: Transforming Africa's food systems through a planetary and population health lens 

13:45-14:45 CAT │ Room MH2

This session will examine how integrated food policies can address the growing burden of malnutrition and non-communicable diseases in Africa by drawing on country case studies. Government representatives, civil society experts and researchers will explore how effective national food policy bundles can drive healthier and more sustainable and equitable outcomes. 

Hosted by IDRC, the International Development Law Organization and the Rockefeller Foundation

Wednesday, September 4

Crafting food system investment pathways: Learning from leading countries  

9:00-10:00 CAT │ Location TBC 

This event aims to explore effective strategies and frameworks for transforming food systems in Africa, focusing on lessons learned from Malawi, Ghana, Rwanda and Ethiopia. The session will facilitate a dialogue among policymakers, private sector representatives, civil society and experts to generate actionable knowledge for developing more resilient, efficient and equitable food systems. 

Hosted by IDRC, AGRA and the International Food Policy Research Institute

Redefining women’s participation in African agrifood systems for accelerated transformation 

19:00-21:00 CAT, followed by a reception │ Room MH01

This session will focus on the findings, key messages and recommendations for accelerating and scaling gender-equitable food system transformation in the upcoming global Food and Agriculture Organization’s Women in African Agrifood Systems report.

Hosted by IDRC, African Women in Agricultural Research and Development, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, CGIAR GENDER Impact Platform and CARE International

Wednesday, September 4

Nourishing the tourism, hospitality, and hotel industries in Africa and procuring jobs for African youth   

11:15:13:30 CAT │ Main plenary room

During this session, industry leaders will share best practices and models for structuring the tourism, hospitality and hotel sectors. Branding and procurement will also be addressed.

Thursday, September 5

Accountability Room: Climate CLOCK  

14:00-16:00 CAT │ Main plenary room

During this session, the continent’s experts who are championing the work at the intersection of food systems and climate will discuss the latest developments, research findings, and current and potential actions in this field. In addition, as we prepare for the 30th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30), African countries will share progress and best practices on how countries are mainstreaming food systems into their climate policies, investments and plans.