Shimo Yvette, Founder & Managing Director of FARMIZA Ltd, shared her key takeaways and day to day learnings after the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS Forum 2026).
“Honestly, the best thing I got from AFS Forum 2026 was a much stronger understanding that transforming food systems, is not something a single person or one organization can do by themselves,” Yvette said, adding “It takes people working together, real connections, new thinking, investment, and most of all, actually turning good ideas into action, not just talking about them.”
She also mentioned that the event was an opportunity to gain fresh knowledge and learn from actors across the sector.
“The Forum gave me new knowledge, inspiring connections, and a set of chances to learn from people who are working across different sections of the food system. Moving forward I want to lean on these connections to strengthen my agricultural projects, build more partnerships, and develop solutions that are not only sustainable but practical too, and accessible to farmers,” she said
Looking back on conversations with leaders, investors, innovators, and young people coming from all over Africa, Yvette pointed to a few key lessons about what already exists in agriculture.
“One of my biggest lessons is that we already have many brilliant ideas, and strong solutions in Africa. The issue is not always inventing something new. It’s more about connecting the right people, resources, markets, and the investment, so those solutions can actually scale,” she said
“For my work in agriculture, this also pushed me to think beyond production, and to look at the whole value chain, from sustainable farming and soil health, all the way to markets, value addition, technology and even access to finance,” Yvette added
She wrapped up by stressing how partnerships matter, when it comes to growing impact and moving toward broader food system goals.
“The connections I made at AFS Forum also made it clear to me that partnerships can open doors, that are hard to open alone. I want to build on those relationships to expand my projects, reach more farmers, create opportunities for young people, and contribute to a food system that is more sustainable, more inclusive, and more resilient.”
The Africa Food Systems Forum is the continent's most important annual convening where heads of state meet scientists, capital meets projects, and commitment becomes action.
The 2026 edition of the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS Forum 2026) took place in Kigali, Rwanda from 31 August to 4 September 2026, under the theme “Investing in Agri-Food Systems”.
This Forum gathered more than 5,000 delegates from across Africa over 50 countries, for four days of sessions, deal making and policy conversations, sort of a big round table thing.
Jean Bernard MUKUNDENTE/RYAF Communication and Public Relations
Email:b.mukundente@ryaf.rw/ryafcommunication@gmail.com