African Food Summit to explore growing agri-food innovation
The African Food Summit at SIAL Paris, scheduled for October 22, 2024, is set to highlight Africa’s emerging trends in gastronomy and product design. This summit will showcase the continent’s resilience and innovation in agri-food amidst climatic and geopolitical challenges.
Key discussions will include employment in the agri-food sector, preserving Africa’s rich food heritage, and the influence of new-generation entrepreneurs on the industry. The event, featuring networking opportunities, promises to offer fresh insights and potential solutions for the global food market.
Africa’s agri-food sector is crucial in addressing demographic growth, requiring the creation of 30,000 jobs per million inhabitants annually. However, micro and small enterprises, vital for rural manufacturing and urban distribution, struggle with financing due to their size. This summit will explore strategies to overcome these barriers and foster investment.
The summit will address the impact of westernisation and standardisation on African food culture. Despite changing consumption habits and new distribution methods, African cuisine remains rich and varied, continuously evolving with local and external influences. Discussions will focus on how to maintain this cultural heritage and resist uniformity while embracing innovation.
New-generation entrepreneurs: Shaping the future of African food
A new wave of entrepreneurs is transforming Africa’s food industry. Often internationally connected leaders, they are promoting local products, fostering solidarity, and embodying a modern “Afropolitanism.” Their innovative approaches and perspectives are set to redefine the food sector, contributing to its dynamic evolution.
Networking and collaboration opportunities
Following each summit session, participants will have the chance to engage in networking moments with speakers and fellow attendees. These interactions aim to foster collaboration, share knowledge, and build connections that could lead to future projects and partnerships.
Partners: Chaire UNESCO and CIRAD
The UNESCO Chair in World Food Systems, founded in 2011 by Professor Jean-Louis Rastoin, bridges the gap between food science disciplines and supports stakeholders in delivering sustainable food systems. It emphasises the importance of food as a vital link between humans and the environment, embedding societal issues in training and research, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.
CIRAD, France’s agricultural research and international cooperation organisation, focuses on sustainable development in tropical and Mediterranean regions. With a global network of 200 partners, CIRAD mobilises science, innovation, and training to achieve sustainable development goals, promoting biodiversity, agro-ecological transitions, and the resilience of rural areas.
Photo credit: Omotayo Tajudeen Unsplash
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