A renewed sense of urgency marked the UN Food Systems Summit +4 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where African leaders and global stakeholders converged to reassess progress and accelerate reforms in how food is grown, distributed, and consumed. The African Union Commission Chair, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, called on international partners to step up support for Africa’s food systems transformation.
“Food systems transformation is not just a moral imperative: it is a strategic necessity central to achieving the SDGs, especially ending hunger, reducing poverty, and building climate-resilient economies,” Youssouf declared during a high-level plenary session.
The summit, co-hosted by Ethiopia and Italy, brought together a diverse range of voices, including heads of state and policymakers, civil society leaders, private sector executives, researchers, Indigenous communities, and youth representatives. It served as a milestone four years after the landmark 2021 UN Food Systems Summit, aiming to evaluate actions taken, reinforce global commitments, and set new benchmarks for reform.
The AU Commission Chair praised Africa’s progress through initiatives such as the CAADP-Kampala Declaration, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and a collective drive to mobilize $40 billion in food systems investment. But he emphasized that African countries cannot succeed alone.
“We cannot do this alone,” he warned. “Global partners must honour commitments, unlock financing, and support African-led solutions.”
Call To Unlock Financing Globally
Central to the summit’s agenda were discussions on climate resilience, inclusive growth, and innovation within the food sector. Experts highlighted that while policy reforms are underway in many countries, fragile food systems across Africa continue to suffer due to underinvestment, conflict, climate shocks, and global economic instability.
The gathering also featured an “Action Day,” showcasing on-the-ground initiatives ranging from support for smallholder farmers and Indigenous food practices to scaling school feeding programs and developing affordable nutrition models. Side events focused on investment dialogues, encouraging stronger public-private partnerships and increased private sector capital to deliver lasting food security.
Speakers echoed the AUC Chair’s sentiments, underlining that food systems transformation is essential to meeting the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. As part of that mission, technical support continues to be provided by UN agencies, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which helps member states implement science-based solutions and engage in national dialogues.
The stakes, however, are high. Despite years of global pledges, the gap between ambition and action remains significant. With hunger and poverty on the rise due to compounding crises, leaders fear Africa’s food systems will remain vulnerable unless systemic financing and policy alignment are achieved at scale.
“These challenges are deeply interconnected and must be tackled through collective will and aligned international cooperation,” Youssouf reiterated. “Africa is taking bold steps, but our efforts must be matched by tangible global solidarity.”
In particular, summit attendees called for a reshaping of how resources are deployed and how accountability is enforced to ensure the transformative ambitions of the summit do not fade into rhetoric. Multiple sessions emphasized that no region should be left behind in the global race to build climate-smart, inclusive, and resilient food systems.
As the world edges closer to the 2030 deadline for the SDGs, the Addis Ababa summit acted not just as a report card, but as a catalyst for renewed commitment. Leaders stressed that real progress will depend not just on declarations but on sustained financing, national ownership, and international cooperation grounded in mutual respect and shared goals.
“With political will, knowledge exchange, and serious investment, we can build a food-secure future for all,” said one summit delegate during a closing discussion.
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