Tanzania to host the AGRF, Africa’s Food System Forum 2023
Dar es Salaam Tanzania / Washington DC, USA, 12 December 2022 – Tanzania will
host the AGRF 2023 Summit, the announcement was made by Her Excellency Samia
Suluhu Hassan, the president of the United Republic of Tanzania and H.E Hailemariam
Dessalegn, the Chair of the AGRF Partners Group on the sidelines of the U.S. Africa
Leaders’ Summit currently taking place in Washington, DC.
The AGRF, Africa’s Food Systems Forum, is the premier platform for advancing the
agriculture and food systems agenda on the continent; from food security to agri-food
investments. The annual Summit convenes leaders, policymakers, scientists, heads of
governments and private institutions, farmers, and the youth in the agriculture and
food systems landscape to discuss and agree on practical actions and solutions that
drive Africa’s food security and better livelihoods for all.
The 2023 Summit aspires to position Africa as the place for innovation, investments,
and to advance a stronger more diverse, and resilient food system. The Summit will
look to energize and spotlight continental progress beyond the call for aid. The Summit
will showcase Africa’s solutions to Africa’s food systems transformation while
spotlighting leadership, accountability, inclusion and investment opportunities in
Africa in general and in Tanzania in particular.
Tanzania will be the first country to host the AGRF Summit since the forum was
rebranded to Africa’s Food Systems Forum in 2022 as a reflection of the partnerships’
ambition to move forward the transformation of Africa’s food system and sustain
engagement year-round.
In her remarks, Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan welcomed agriculture and food
systems experts, investors and stakeholders from across Africa and beyond to Tanzania
for the Summit and emphasized the importance for Africa to lead on its food security
for national and continental development. She highlighted that Africa’s food security
can collectively be attained if all parties join hands to advance localized solutions that
drive prosperity for all urging the youth to participate in agriculture to enable faster
growth of the continent’s growth.
“I am pleased to announce, that Tanzania has been selected to host the AGRF 2023
Summit. This important Forum will bring together global and local voices, will highlight
investment opportunities and will be looking to do business. We must chart ways to
protect our people from the current drought and climate change impacts and we
must make it possible for investments to move into this important sector.
“I have no doubt, that this Summit will provide actionable solutions for the continent
and our people,” President Samia said.
H.E. Hailemariam Dessalegn congratulated and recognized Tanzania’s leadership in
advancing food security and shared his appreciation to President Samia for hosting
the AGRF 2023 Summit.
“The AGRF, Africa’s Food Systems Forum 2023, comes at an integral time when the
continent, battered by the effects of climate change, is coming together to find
solutions that safeguard lives and livelihoods. It is commendable that Tanzania is
developing a national blueprint to drive its economy forward and food and agriculture
will play a huge role in ensuring the country’s prosperity. We urge all stakeholders
ahead of the Summit to kickstart these vital discussions and conversations while
surfacing innovative ideas that can be shared and deployed across the continent.”
The AGRF 2023 builds on the AGRF 2022 hosted by the Government of Rwanda in
Kigali. It was attended by more than 2700 delegates In-Person and over 4000 online.
In 2023, the AGRF secretariat and partners will build on the conversations, agreements,
and critical decisions from the AGRF 2022 Summit through in-country meetings and
roadshows with leaders, farmers, and the youth. The Summit is expected to convene
critical voices in Tanzania with the aim of strengthening Africa’s food systems
transformation through consensus.