Nairobi to host Africa food financing summit

Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Ronoh/HANDOUT

Nairobi is set to host an African food summit aimed at finding sustainable financing solutions for the continent’s agri-food systems.

The summit comes at a time when African countries are pushing for increased investment in agriculture and food systems transformation to address rising hunger, climate shocks and declining agricultural productivity.

More than 1,000 stakeholders drawn from governments, financial institutions, development partners, agribusinesses and the private sector are expected to attend the Financing Agri-Food Systems Sustainably (FINAS) 2026 Ssummitscheduled for June 30 to July 2 in Nairobi.

Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Ronoh said in a statement that Africa’s agri-food systems remain central to economic growth and livelihoods, contributing between 20 and 30 per cent of GDP in many countries and employing more than 60 pper centof the workforce.

However, the sector continues to face a financing gap estimated at more than USD 100 billion annually, with agriculture receiving less than five per cent of formal bank lending in most African markets.

The financing constraints disproportionately affect smallholder farmers, women, youth and agri-SMEs, despite the groups producing up to 70 to 80 per cent of the continent’s food supply.

Ronoh said the summit is expected to build momentum around sustainable agriculture financing while accelerating partnerships and investments across Africa’s food systems' value chains.

It will further provide an opportunity for stakeholders to assess progress made in financing agriculture and identify areas requiring urgent intervention.

“Building on the strong track record of previous editions, this summit will unlock key opportunities for Africa. Financing must be results-orientated, delivering measurable outcomes to enhance agri-food sustainability,” said Ronoh.

He added that Africa has spent years discussing challenges facing food systems and that the focus must now shift towards implementation and delivery of practical financing solutions for farmers and agribusinesses.

The summit coincides with growing efforts by countries, including Kenya, to improve tracking and allocation of financing towards food systems transformation.

A recent financing agenda developed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Bank under the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub shows that Kenya is strengthening efforts to map financing flowing into food systems through the Financial Flows to Food Systems (3FS) tool.

According to the report, Kenya has at least 20 ministries, departments and agencies investing in food systems-related programmes covering agriculture, livestock, fisheries, nutrition, health, water, infrastructure and social protection.

The initiative seeks to improve transparency and accountability by helping governments identify how much financing goes into food systems, which sectors receive the largest allocations and where funding gaps still exist.

Globally, transforming food systems is estimated to require between Sh38.7 trillion and Sh51.6 trillion annually (USD 300 billion) and (USD 400 billion annually), yet investments remain below required levels.

Dr Sophia Baumert, Project Manager for Sustainable Agricultural Systems and policies at GIZ Kenya, said FINAS has evolved from a national dialogue platform into a continental forum driving agri-food systems financing discussions across Africa.

“The platform holds all actors accountable and fosters stronger collaborations towards reliable, secure and timely agri-food systems in Africa,” she said.

Prof. Hamadi Boga, Vice President in charge of Programme Delivery at AGRA and Chair of the FINAS Secretariat, said the summit represents a turning point for Africa’s food systems financing agenda.

“FINAS 2026 is about moving beyond commitments to coordinated delivery. The summit provides a platform to unlock capital at scale and translate policy ambitions into bankable investments that reach farmers and agri-enterprises,” said Boga.

Jared Ochieng’, Agriculture Finance Lead at FSD Kenya, noted that climate change, market disruptions and global conflicts continue to strain Africa’s food systems. He pointed out the need for innovative financing models and stronger collaboration among stakeholders.

The summit will be held under the theme "Towards Sustainable Financial Architecture for Africa’s Food Systems".