Africa needs new ways of connecting finance with opportunities across the food sector if young people, women and smallholder farmers are to play a greater role in transforming agriculture, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and Prime Minister Dr Justin Nsengiyumva have said.
Africa needs new ways to connect finance with opportunities across the food sector, so that youth, women and smallholder farmers can play a greater role in transforming agriculture.
This was one of the points emphasized by H.E. President Paul Kagame and Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva at the Africa Food Systems Forum 2026, held in Kigali from August 31 to September 4.
The 20th edition of the forum brought together leaders, investors, researchers, farmers and other stakeholders in the food chain.
President Paul Kagame said that one of the challenges facing young people with business ideas in agriculture and food is the way financial institutions provide capital.
He said that people with assets or collateral are often given easier access to money, while those with good ideas but no capital face obstacles.
“Unfortunately, many parts of the financial institutions in Africa are designed in such a way that capital is mainly given to those with capital. That is, people with assets or collateral are given easier access to money, while those with a good idea but no capital face obstacles.”
President Kagame said that governments can play a role in helping to bridge this gap, especially for young people who have the ability to work but do not have enough money to start.
He gave the example of Rwanda, where the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) was established, and the government and partners contributed to the funding to make capital available to many people who do not have access to it, especially young people who want to start businesses.
Kagame also said that, if necessary, governments can guarantee youth projects, as they can yield results in the long term.
“Food is life”
President Kagame said that Africa should be food self-sufficient, based on the fact that food is one of the basic needs of human life.
“Food is life. A person cannot function well or live well without food. It is one of the basic elements of human life and human well-being in general. That is why all food-related programs, from production to market and consumer, are very important.”
He said that there are still problems in the food chain that can hinder young people who want to start businesses and innovate.
For Kagame, the youth should look at the gap in the food sector, find where their passion, knowledge and opportunities meet, and then look for ways to find capital or work with others to get started.
He said:
“I would encourage the youth to look at where their passion, knowledge or opportunities meet that gap, and put their energy into it. After choosing what you will do, the question remains of where to start; and look at how to find capital, connect with others or find what you do not have to get started.”
He also asked the youth to first look at the problems that may be obstacles to their development before getting involved in solving the problems of others.
Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva also said that Africa has a great opportunity to transform agriculture and food into an engine of economic growth.
He said that a food-based economy is not limited to agriculture and livestock, but also includes transportation and distribution of produce, irrigation, energy, mechanization, technological services, insurance, processing and trade.
He called on leaders, investors and others involved in this sector to build a reliable partnership that connects finance with these opportunities.
“Our task is to build a reliable partnership that connects finance with these opportunities, and ensures that the benefits from them reach all sectors, especially small farmers, women and youth.”
The Prime Minister said that for agriculture to grow sustainably, Africa must move away from viewing agriculture as a mere commodity, but rather as a business sector that connects farmers, processors, traders, service providers, investors and financial institutions.
He also noted that smallholder farmers, who make up the majority of the agricultural workforce, still face challenges in accessing capital, technology, insurance, equipment and markets.
Wider calls for action
After the remarks by Rwanda leaders, other speakers at the forum also said we need stronger investment, better policies, and closer cooperation across Africa food systems, like for real.
Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr Telesphore Ndabamenye, said the talk should turn into delivery, and commitment should turn into investment. He underlined coherent policies, solid institutions, and real accountability as the engine for agricultural transformation, not just speeches.
Alice Aruhweza, President of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), mentioned that change should start with acknowledging the power of Africa smallholder farmers. She said farmers need more than inputs, they need access to seeds soils and knowledge, plus finance, markets, and the kind of supportive policies that actually stick.
Andrew Cartridge, Special Adviser on Sustainable Development at Yara, pointed to the question of scale. He argued Africa will not reach what is needed while it works as 54 fragmented markets, so he asked for more cross-border cooperation and technical agreement to form bigger, integrated markets.
Moses Vilakati, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment at the African Union Commission, said Africa should cut down on food imports. He also called to boost domestic processing so that farming production creates more opportunities for farmers, in practice.
Dr Gérardine Mukeshimana, Vice-President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), noted that public money alone will not do everything. She said governments should use public resources in a targeted way to reduce investment risks, and to pull in private capital for farmers, rural businesses, women, and young entrepreneurs.
Hailemariam Desalegn, Chair of the AGRA Board and former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, said Africa should not just focus on producing more food. Instead, he urged the building of competitive, investment-ready agrifood systems, backed by stronger institutions, private investment, processing capacity, and access to finance, all together.
The Africa Food Systems Forum 2026 was held for the 20th time, bringing together leaders, farmers, traders, investors, researchers, youth, women and others involved in the agriculture and food sector.
Photo Credit: AFS Forum Communication Team
Written By Jean Bernard MUKUNDENTE