Malawi has positioned itself at the heart of Africa’s efforts to reset its food systems, as stakeholders across the continent converge to accelerate agricultural transformation.
Speaking at the opening of the Feed Africa Summit in Lilongwe, Malawi’s President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera emphasized the urgency for Africa to break free from the cycle of food insecurity. He described the summit as a “turning point” in the continent’s efforts to become self-reliant in food production.
“This is no ordinary summit. It is a rallying call for action—Africa must grow what it eats and eat what it grows,” said President Chakwera.
The summit, jointly organized by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Malawian Government, brought together heads of state, ministers, development partners, and private sector leaders. The goal: to unlock billions in financing to bolster agriculture-led economic growth and food sovereignty across Africa.
AfDB President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina called for stronger political commitment and investment in climate-smart agriculture, noting that Africa has 65% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, yet remains dependent on food imports.
“Malawi’s role in this effort is significant,” said Dr. Adesina. “With the right policies and partnerships, Malawi can serve as a model for agricultural success on the continent.”
The summit explored key interventions to increase productivity, strengthen food value chains, and improve access to markets and technologies for smallholder farmers.
Also in attendance were Presidents of several African countries and representatives from international organizations such as the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, all pledging support for a unified push toward food system resilience.
By hosting the summit, Malawi has not only reaffirmed its commitment to agricultural reform but has also demonstrated regional leadership in driving forward Africa’s vision for food security and sustainable development.
By MBC, Malawi
