30 June – 1 July 2026, Nairobi, Kenya
Agricultural leaders, researchers, farmers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and investors gathered in Nairobi for the inaugural DialogueNEXT Africa, organised by the World Food Prize Foundation under the inspiring theme "Born to Feed the Future."
The theme was rooted in the belief that Africa is not waiting for solutions from elsewhere. Instead, the continent is building its own future through innovation, science, research, and collaboration.
The conference focused on key areas shaping the future of food systems, including vision, policy, science, systems, markets, and the future of agriculture.
A Farmer-Centred Vision
The event was graced by Hon. Sen. Mutahi Kagwe, Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, who delivered the keynote address. He emphasised the need to shift from focusing on agricultural systems to a farmer‑centred approach, placing farmers at the heart of every decision.
This is in line with GFAiR's mission to advocate for and catalyse Collective Actions at national, regional, and global levels that strengthen and transform agrifood research and innovation systems, with women, youth, and farmers at the centre.
CS Kagwe also highlighted the importance of digital agriculture, noting that it provides advisory services that help farmers make better decisions. He added that digital transformation alone could not transform agriculture, and that knowledge, innovation, and research remained critical pillars – resonating with Inclusive Digital Agriculture, one of GFAiR's Collective Actions.
"Farmers are born to feed the future. Our responsibility is to ensure that the future feeds the farmer."
— Hon. Sen. Mutahi Kagwe, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Kenya
A Global Dialogue Rooted in Africa
DialogueNEXT Africa came ahead of the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue to be held in Des Moines, Iowa, from 20–22 October 2026.
The event explored how Africa can harness its scientific excellence, entrepreneurial talent, and agricultural diversity to become a global leader in sustainable food production. Throughout the day, speakers emphasised that the continent's food systems transformation must be driven by African farmers, youth, women, researchers, and innovators working together through strong regional and international partnerships.
"It is an honour to hold this conference in Africa, four decades after Dr. Borlaug made his first major visit to the continent in 1984. Borlaug came with a simple but powerful conviction: that science in the hands of farmers could defeat hunger. That mission is unfinished and more urgent than ever as Africa's food systems must feed a young, growing, and increasingly urban population."
— Mashal Husain, President, World Food Prize Foundation
"Hosting this conversation in Africa is not just symbolic, but necessary. This continent is home to some of the world's most dynamic agricultural systems and most resilient farmers, yet it remains chronically underinvested in. The challenges — climate shocks, fragile supply chains, growing populations — are real, but so are the solutions, which are increasingly being developed by African scientists, farmers, and entrepreneurs. The insights that emerge from Nairobi will help shape the global agenda."
— Akinwumi Adesina, 2017 World Food Prize Laureate; Member, World Food Prize Foundation Council of Advisors; and Former President of the African Development Bank Group
Key Sessions and Themes
The conference featured a series of high‑level dialogues addressing the major drivers of agricultural transformation. A recurring message throughout the conference was the importance of investing in the next generation. Youth and women were recognised as key drivers in shaping the future of agriculture and food systems, with emphasis placed on helping them understand agriculture as a field of opportunity, innovation, and influence.
Farmer-Centred Innovation
The session on Farmer‑Centred Innovation highlighted how research, extension services, and digital technologies can better respond to the needs of smallholder farmers.
- Elizabeth Nsimadala, President of the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF), stressed the importance of placing farmers at the centre of innovation.
- Canisius Kanangire, Executive Director of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), discussed the role of agricultural technologies in improving productivity.
- Andrew Mude, Principal Scientist at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), shared insights into strengthening resilience through innovative livestock systems.
Technology and Digital Agriculture
Discussions on Technology and Digital Agriculture explored how digital tools, artificial intelligence, mechanisation, and precision agriculture can accelerate productivity and resilience.
- Leena Tripathi, Director of the Eastern Africa Hub of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), joined fellow experts in demonstrating how scientific research and biotechnology continue to expand opportunities for African farmers.
Women Feeding Africa
Another session, Women Feeding Africa, celebrated the pivotal contribution of women across agricultural value chains.
- Doreen Irungu, Founder and CEO of Ustawi Afrika, highlighted the role of women entrepreneurs in transforming food systems.
Collaboration and the Way Forward
DialogueNEXT Africa underscored the importance of collaboration among governments, national agricultural research systems, CGIAR centres, regional organisations, the private sector, and farmer organisations – reflecting the very essence of GFAiR's commitment to equitable partnerships.
The conference concluded that achieving resilient and nutritious food systems will require sustained investments in research and innovation, supportive policies, stronger public‑private partnerships, and the active participation of youth and women – all principles that GFAiR champions through its Partnership Principles and Collective Actions.
Alignment with GFAiR and the Global NARS Consortium
DialogueNEXT Africa reflected many of the principles underpinning the Global NARS Consortium (GNC). The programme emphasised stronger collaboration between national research institutes, CGIAR centres, and universities – translating agricultural research into farmer‑centred innovations and scalable businesses. It also called for strengthening links among research, extension, policy, and the private sector, while investing in African scientific leadership – particularly through youth and women researchers and entrepreneurs.