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The African Development Bank (AfDB) is moving forward its agenda for the transformation of Africa’s agriculture sector at the ongoing African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF), which kicked off in Nairobi, Kenya, on Monday. President of the AfDB, Akinwumi Adesina, is expected to deliver a keynote address at a plenary on the “Role of Policy in Enabling Public-Private Partnerships to Achieve African Agricultural Transformation,” as part of the Bank’s Feed Africa Strategy.  

The 2016 AGRF, which is taking place between September 5-9, has the theme: “Seize the Moment: Securing Africa’s Rise Through Agricultural Transformation.” According to a statement by the AfDB on Monday, Adesina will take part in and speak at several high-level events.

“The African Development Bank will work with the governments of its Regional Member Countries to facilitate the creation of an enabling environment needed by local and international private sector to make the necessary investments for Africa’s agricultural transformation,” the AfDB President said.

The AGRF is a multi-stakeholder dialogue platform that brings together local, regional and global stakeholders with an aim to foster constructive engagement and promote public-private partnerships in support of the African Green Revolution. The AGRF was established in 2010, following the Oslo series of three African Green Revolution Conferences (AGRC) from 2006–2008.

The AfDB's Director for Agriculture and Agro-Industry, Chiji Ojukwu, will deliver a presentation on “Enabling the Adoption of Technology, Infrastructure and Mechanization.” Other highlights at the forum will include AfDB’s ENABLE (Empowering Novel Agri-Business Led Employment) Youth initiative, which seeks to stimulate youth entrepreneurship in agriculture and agri-business. The multi-billion dollar project aims to train the next generation of agriculture entrepreneurs, also referred to as ‘agri-preneurs’ and assist to finance their bankable business plans.

Agriculture is one of AfDB’s five key priority areas, also referred to as the High 5s. The Bank’s Feed Africa Strategy aims to, among other things, see about 320 million additional people enjoy access to adequate nutrition. The agenda also aims to lift 150 million people out of poverty, representing 25% of the estimated 550 million currently living below the poverty line. The programme will also reduce the $110 billion annual import bill incurred by African countries on food.

The other High 5s are: Light up and Power Africa; Industrialize Africa; Integrate Africa; and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa

The 2016 African Green Revolution Forum hopes to help advance policies and secure the investments that will ensure a better life for millions of Africa’s farmers and families – as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.