GAIN at AFS Forum 2026
2026 Forum Theme
Nourishing nations, growing jobs, building resilience
Overview
Under the summit theme, "Investing in Africa's Agri-Food Systems: Nourishing Nations, Growing Jobs, Building Resilience" GAIN’s participation will focus on how investment can move beyond commitments to practical action that improves nutrition, strengthens markets and supports more resilient communities.
Across these messages, GAIN will use AFS Forum 2026 to connect evidence, partnerships and implementation experience with the investments needed to make nutritious foods more available, desirable and accessible for the most vulnerable, in a sustainable way.
GAIN’s participation
GAIN’s participation at the Africa Food Systems Forum 2026 will include side events, breakthrough sessions, plenary contributions, innovation hub engagements and webinars. This section will be updated as dates, speakers and session descriptions are confirmed.
| Engagement format | Event title | Date and time | Organisers | GAIN role | Focal point | GAINers involved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Side event | Working Together to Accelerate Agrifood Systems Transformation in Africa | Thursday, 3 September, 8:00–9:00 | GAIN, FAO, SUN Movement, NFP, Akademiya2063, AGRA, UNFS Coordination Hub, GIZ, FIAP, Expertise France | Lead | Ninon | To be confirmed |
| Side event | Financing Home-Grown School Feeding | Thursday, 3 September, 8:00–9:30 | Nutrition and Health Thematic Platform | Co-organiser | Aimé | To be confirmed |
| Side event | Rwanda Pavilion: Beyond Production: Strengthening Food Systems for Safe, Affordable and Healthy Diets | Wednesday, 2 September 2026, 11:00–12:30 | NCDA, MoH, GAIN, UNICEF | Co-lead | Jean Claude | Silver Karumba-Speaker |
| Side event | Power the Plate: Energy for Nutrition | 31 August, 10:30–11:30 AM | GOGLA, Energy Coalition | Speaker / panellist | Aimé / Sowrya | Aimé Kwizera-Speaker |
| Side event | Data for Informed Investment Decisions: Lessons from the Food Systems Countdown for Accelerating Transformation in Africa | Monday, 31 August, 9:00–10:00 AM | GIZ, FSCI, GAIN | Co-organiser | Catia Pedro | Lawrence Hadaad, Executive director, GAIN - Speaker |
| Breakthrough session | Public Procurement for Nourishing Nations | 1 September 2026, 13:30–15:30 | FOLU, GAIN | To be confirmed | To be confirmed | To be confirmed |
| Plenary | Charting Consumer Demand Trends & Our Food Environment | Friday, 4 September 2026, 13:30–15:30 (CAT) | AGRA, GAIN, SNV, ATNI, Rockefeller Foundation, etc. | Organisation | Aimé | Lawrence Hadaad, Executive director, GAIN - Speaker |
| Innovation Hub | Powering Agri-Food Systems Value Chains Amid a Global Energy Crisis | Tuesday, 1 September, 16:00–18:30 PM | To be confirmed | Co-organiser | Sowrya | Sowrya Kilaru-Speaker |
| Webinar | How Food Trade and Markets Shape Diets in West Africa | 26 August 2026 | GAIN, AGRA, OECD | Co-lead | Stella | To be confirmed |
| Webinar | Shaping Consumer Demand for Nutritious Diets in Africa | 28 July 2026 | GAIN, AGRA, OECD, ATNI, Alliance Biodiversity-CIAT, IRDC | Lead | Wanjiru / Aimé | Wanjiru Kamande and, Laura Wekesa -Speakers |
Session details, speakers and timings will continue to be refined as the programme is confirmed.
Meet the GAIN team
Executive Director, GAIN
Country Director, Nigeria
Country Director, Benin
Food Fortification Manager-Innovations-Business Models & PPPs
Country Director, Rwanda
Programme Lead, Nutrition Enterprise Development
Rwanda Policy Advisor
Digital Production Associate
Ethiopia Country Director, GAIN
Country Director, GAIN Uganda
Senior Manager, Consumer Demand and Partnerships
Regional Marketing Advisor, GAIN
Senior Associate - Innovative Finance
Communications and Project Manager
Pre-forum webinar
Ahead of AFS Forum 2026, GAIN and partners convened a webinar exploring how consumer demand can support healthier diets and stronger agri-food systems. The discussion looked at the factors that shape food choices, including knowledge, affordability, pricing, convenience, access, taste, trust and marketing.
Having trouble viewing the video? Watch it directly on YouTube .
This webinar was led by GAIN and convened in collaboration with AGRA, ATNI, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, OECD and IDRC.
The webinar examined how private-sector action and enabling policies can help shape healthier food environments in Africa’s rapidly evolving food systems.
It also reflected on the opportunities, constraints and trade-offs involved in aligning commercial objectives, affordability and nutrition goals.
