Nairobi: At least one thousand stakeholders from across government, finance, development, and the private sector are set to convene in Nairobi for the Financing Agri-Food Systems Sustainably (FINAS) 2026 Summit. The summit, scheduled to take place from 30th June to 2nd July, is expected to drive a dialogue to unlock sustainable financing for Africa’s agri-food systems.
According to Kenya News Agency, the conference will operate under the theme ‘Towards Sustainable Financial Architecture for Africa’s Food Systems’ and will be anchored on the outcomes of previous editions. FINAS 2026 aims to place a strong emphasis on implementation, investment mobilisation, and measurable outcomes across Africa’s agri-food systems financing landscape.
‘Africa’s agri-food systems remain central to economic growth and livelihoods, contributing up to 20-30 per cent of GDP in many countries and employing more than 60 per cent of the workforce. Yet the sector continues to face a financing gap estimated at over USD 100 billion annually, with agriculture receiving less than five per cent of formal bank lending in most markets,’ the statement read in part.
Speaking during a breakfast media briefing, the Principal Secretary, State Department for Agriculture, Dr. Paul Ronoh, said the summit provides an opportunity to take stock of the funding in the sector and check if goals were realised. ‘Building on the strong track record of previous editions, this summit will unlock key opportunities for Africa. Financing must be results-oriented, delivering measurable outcomes to enhance agri-food sustainability,’ he said.
Dr. Ronoh emphasized the need to improve efficiency, ensuring that every shilling invested delivers value. He noted that FINAS 2026 was set to accelerate action, aligning policy, finance, and partnerships to unlock investment and deliver tangible results for farmers, agribusinesses, and economies.
Dr. Sophia Baumert, Project Manager, Sustainable Agricultural Systems and Policies (AgSys) at GIZ Kenya, described the summit as a crucial platform for advancing collaboration and partnerships towards reliable agri-food systems in Africa. She stated that FINAS, which began as a national platform in 2024, has evolved into a continental forum advancing agri-systems dialogue from a pan-African perspective.
FINAS 2026 will be preceded by a series of high-level pre-summit dialogues, targeted engagements focused on structuring an Agricultural Development Fund, unpacking the Kampala Declaration, and advancing green finance as a lever for meaningful change. The three-day summit will feature a ministerial and CEO roundtable, keynote addresses, side events, and deal-making sessions centred on policy alignment, innovative finance, green economies, and multilateral cooperation.
According to Prof. Hamadi Boga, Vice President in charge of Programme Delivery at AGRA and the Chair of the FINAS Secretariat, the summit represents a turning point for the food systems finance agenda. ‘FINAS 2026 is about moving beyond commitments to coordinated delivery. By bringing together policymakers, financiers, and practitioners, the summit provides a platform to unlock capital at scale and translate policy ambitions into bankable investments that reach farmers and agri-enterprises.’
The summit will also place a strong emphasis on climate-smart finance, recognizing the need to align agricultural financing with climate adaptation and mitigation goals. Jared Ochieng’, Agriculture Finance Lead at FSD Kenya, highlighted the importance of collaboration for innovative financial models, noting that Africa’s food systems face challenges such as funding, market issues, wars, and climate change.
The summit comes at a time of growing momentum around agri-food systems transformation across Africa. Governments are increasingly prioritising agriculture through budget allocations and policy reforms, while private sector players and development finance institutions are expanding investments into sustainable agriculture and food systems. Stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the summit as delegates, partners, or exhibitors to contribute to shaping a more inclusive, resilient, and investment-ready future for Africa’s food systems.
