The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN), Amb. Dr. Salamatu Garba, is set to participate as a distinguished speaker at the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) 2026, scheduled to take place from September 1 to 4 in Kigali, Rwanda.
The forum, themed “Investing in Africa’s Agri-Food Systems: Nourishing Nations. Growing Jobs. Building Resilience,” will bring together Heads of State, policymakers, development partners, investors, researchers, innovators, private sector leaders and farmers from across Africa to explore practical solutions for transforming the continent’s food systems.
Dr. Garba, a prominent advocate for inclusive agricultural development, is expected to share WOFAN’s experience in empowering rural communities through the inclusion of women and young people, climate-smart agriculture, mechanisation, digital innovation, financial inclusion and sustainable agricultural value chains.
Her presentation will highlight WOFAN’s interventions, which the organisation says have reached more than seven million farmers across Nigeria, demonstrating the importance of investing in people alongside technology in driving agricultural transformation.
WOFAN also promotes the participation of women, youth and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the agricultural sector, with a focus on improving livelihoods, increasing productivity, creating employment opportunities and strengthening community resilience.
The organisation’s partnership with Bayero University, Kano (BUK), is also expanding opportunities in agricultural research, innovation and human capital development.
A key development under the partnership is the commencement of the WOFAN–CDA SIBLING Project, which is providing Bayero University students with practical entrepreneurial skills in agriculture to prepare them for careers as agripreneurs and potential creators of sustainable businesses.
According to WOFAN, the initiative is aimed at contributing to food security and economic development by equipping young people with the knowledge and skills required to participate effectively in the agricultural value chain.
The organisation’s participation in AFSF 2026 is expected to further strengthen its advocacy for inclusive agricultural transformation and contribute to continental discussions on building sustainable, resilient and prosperous food systems.
The Africa Food Systems Forum 2026 will hold in Kigali, Rwanda, from September 1 to 4, 2026.