CALA Equips African Leaders with Strategies to Drive Food System Innovations

Kigali, Rwanda, 4th September 2024 – The Centre for African Leaders in Agriculture (CALA)
Leadership Forum, held during the African Food Systems Forum 2024, successfully equipped 40
delegates with actionable strategies and expanded their knowledge to lead food system innovations
effectively.

The forum, themed “From Local Fields to Global Impact: Leading Food System Innovation in a Digital
and Climate Era,” provided delegates across governments, civil society, private and public sector
with practical insights and strategies for navigating the complexities of food system innovation amid
digital advancements and climate challenges.
Participants leveraged connections with leading innovators and thought leaders to collaborate on
cutting-edge technologies and developments in agriculture, and were introduced to the principles of
Action Learning, enabling them to design impactful projects aimed at addressing real-world food
system challenges.

“Young people need to push themselves harder to do more and be problem solvers.”” Remarked Dr.
Agnes Kalibata AGRA President. “That is what CALA is about, nurturing the next generation of
problem solvers. Use us as your platforms to do more. We look forward to seeing your project and
being part of your success.” She added.

The forum reaffirmed CALA’s commitment to supporting African leaders in driving sustainable
practices to radically transform African food systems, enhance local food production and bolster
resilience to climate change and uplift the livelihoods of African farmers.
Jonathan Said, Vice President, Centre for Technical Expertise, AGRA emphasized the need to address
the leadership gap in the agricultural and food systems transformation across Africa. “Empowering
key actors in the continent with practical insights and strategies to lead innovation and implement
transformative food systems solutions is essential to achieving Africa’s food security agenda” he
noted.

The CALA Leadership Forum also served as the inaugural meeting for incoming CALA Cohort 4
delegates inspiring them to initiate relevant and impactful projects that contribute to food systems
transformation.
CALA also called upon all leaders, stakeholders, and partners in the agricultural sector to take bold
and immediate actions towards transforming Africa’s food systems.
Ends…

Notes to the Editor
About CALA
CALA is a flagship program under AGRA, convened a Leadership Forum to equip African Leaders with
strategies to spearhead innovative food systems and foster collaborative efforts amidst climate
change.
About AGRA

Established in 2006, AGRA is an African-led and Africa-based institution dedicated to placing
smallholder farmers at the core of the continent’s burgeoning economy. AGRA’s mission is to
transform agriculture from a mere struggle for survival into a thriving business. In collaboration with
its partners, AGRA catalyzes and sustains an inclusive agricultural transformation aimed at increasing
incomes and enhancing food security in 11 countries.

Media contact
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