More than half of Africa’s population goes to bed hungry, a staggering 58% in 2023, the highest rate of food insecurity anywhere in the world.
Drought, conflict, weak governance, and the lingering effects of COVID-19 have deepened the crisis, leaving millions of children malnourished and families unable to meet basic needs.
It is against this backdrop that African leaders, including President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, have converged in Dakar, Senegal, for the Africa Food Systems Summit 2025.
The high-level gathering, which runs until September 5, is dedicated to finding lasting solutions to the continent’s chronic hunger.
The summit has brought together around 600 participants; heads of state, agricultural experts, economists, and policymakers; to exchange ideas on how Africa can achieve food self-sufficiency.
This year’s agenda places special emphasis on the role of youth in transforming agriculture through technology, boosting productivity, and adding value to farm products.
Speaking during the Youth Town Hall, President Kagame urged Africa’s young people to take ownership of the continent’s future, stressing that they must be both empowered and accountable.
“We have to focus on young people, who constitute the largest portion of our population, through education, through financing, through different partnerships, so that all these young minds with their innovation and ideas in terms of entrepreneurship can thrive,” he said.
Kagame also challenged young people not to run away from Africa’s problems but to confront them with purpose and resilience.
“There is no sitting back and waiting until there is a problem and you expect somebody else to come and help. Young people, my simple message to you is: let’s not run away from problems. Because even where you run to, you will find problems ; maybe even more problems , especially when they send you back where you came from. But alongside that, find a purpose. Know there are going to be problems. Try and fail, but don’t fail to try.”
His remarks echoed the broader theme of the summit: Africa’s path to food security depends not only on governments and institutions but also on the energy, innovation, and resilience of its youth.
With Africa’s population now at 1.55 billion and rising rapidly, leaders in Dakar face mounting pressure to turn pledges into concrete action.
The summit is not only about ending hunger today but also about ensuring the continent can feed itself for generations to come.
