The future of the African Food Prize, one of the continent’s most prestigious agricultural honours, was the focus of a high-level strategic meeting in Arusha, Tanzania, as committee members gathered to strengthen the award’s long-term sustainability and impact.
Chaired by former Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, the meeting brought together members of the African Food Prize Committee to develop a sustainable financing strategy and outline the future direction of the award, which recognizes outstanding individuals and institutions transforming African agriculture.
The committee also formulated recommendations that will be presented during the 20th anniversary of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), scheduled for September 3, 2026, in Kigali on the sidelines of the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF).
Widely regarded as one of the pillars of Africa’s agricultural ecosystem alongside AGRA and the Africa Food Systems Forum, the African Food Prize honours leaders whose innovations have advanced food security, agricultural productivity and rural development across the continent.
According to the committee, the credibility of the award is anchored in the independence and expertise of its selection process, ensuring winners are chosen based on excellence, innovation and measurable impact.
Since its establishment, African Food Prize laureates have collectively helped improve the livelihoods of more than 50 million African farmers through breakthroughs in seed systems, soil fertility, nutrition, market access, agricultural data and public policy.
The strategic discussions reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to ensuring the African Food Prize remains a leading platform for recognising transformative leadership and accelerating the modernization of Africa’s food systems at a time when the continent faces growing challenges related to food security, climate change and agricultural resilience.