Nairobi: AUDA-NEPAD stressed the need for Africa to unlock climate-smart, inclusive financing that supports smallholder farmers and reduces investment risks in order to truly transform its food systems.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, at the United Nations Food Systems Summit +4 Preparatory Meeting in Nairobi, AUDA-NEPAD’s Director of Agriculture, Food Systems and Environmental Sustainability, Estherine Lisinge-Fotabong, delivered a crucial message. She stated that Africa requires 100 billion USD in public and private investments by 2035 to effectively transform its food systems.
To achieve this transformation, she highlighted the need to unlock climate-smart, inclusive financing that supports smallholder farmers and reduces investment risks. She also emphasized the importance of strengthening regional value chains by investing in agro-industrial corridors, post-harvest infrastructure, and trade facilitation in alignment with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Furthermore, Estherine Lisinge-Fotabong mentioned the significance of leveraging innovative financing mechanisms, such as diaspora bonds, green finance, and blended models, to bolster agrifood small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). She called for bold investments, innovative thinking, and inclusive actions to secure Africa’s future food security.