AU-SAFGRAD’ pathways for catalyzing Innovative Investments in foodgrains

The African Union' Semi-Arid Food Grains Research and Development (AU-SAFGRAD), organized a plenary session during the 11th African Agribusiness Incubation Conference and Expo (AAICE 2026). The Panel intervention addressed innovative pathways for catalyzing investments in foodgrains value chain development.

The event was organized from 4th - 7th August as part of the domestication of the African Union' guidelines for inclusive agricultural value chains development. The panel intervention was preceded by a keynote presentation given by Dr. Mure Agbonlahor (Senior Production & Marketing Officer, AU-SAFGRAD). The keynote addressed opportunities and pathways for developing inclusive and competitive agricultural value chains for job and wealth creation as well as for boosting intra-African trade.

The Panel discussants were drawn from a wide range of food grains value chain stakeholders in the continent; processing agribusinesses, public agribusiness managers and implementers. The Panelists discussed specific national and enterprise specific challenges that limit inclusivity and competitiveness in food grains transformation. The Panel orchestrated the importance of value addition to African agricultural value chains. It, however, emphasized that proximity is not enough condition for trade among nations, even in the same trade bloc. It stressed that value addition processes should minimize transaction cost and promote chain efficiency to develop products with both price and quality competitive advantages.

Using the chain-wide approach, the Panel identified key investments challenges to developing inclusive and competitive food grains value chains. The discussions leaned on lessons learnt from implementing innovative investment models as "gamechangers" adopted by government and agribusinesses along the food grain value chains.

The Panel agreed on the role of government in providing enabling policy environment and the facilitating institutional and infrastructure regimes to de-risk investments and build competitive advantages of food grain products in the continent.

For further information please contact:

Dr Mure Agbonlahor - Senior Production and Marketing Officer, African Union's Semi- Arid Food Grain Research and Development office (African Union-SAFGRAD), Directorate of Agriculture and Rural Development, (DARBE) African Union Commission Email: [email protected]

For media inquiries:

Mr. Molalet Tsedeke, Senior Communication Officer, Information Communication Directorate (ICD) Tel. +251-115182014; WhatsApp+251-911-630631; Email: [email protected] ; [email protected]