Two months after the 20th anniversary Summit in Kigali, Africa Food Systems Forum Managing Director Amath Pathé Sène speaks at the 9th Paris Peace Forum, 10 and 11 November 2026 at the Palais de Chaillot, while the AFS Forum, with AGRA, and the Paris Peace Forum prepare to formalise a partnership on food systems, peace and resilience.
In Kigali, on 4 September 2026, the 20th Africa Food Systems Forum closed on one word: implementation. More than 5,000 delegates from over 50 countries had asked how to invest in Africa’s agri-food systems so that they nourish nations, grow jobs and build resilience. This week, that question travels to Paris.
The Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS Forum) takes part in the 9th Paris Peace Forum on 10 and 11 November 2026 at the Palais de Chaillot, place du Trocadéro, Paris. Managing Director Amath Pathé Sène speaks tonight, Monday 9 November, at the “Feeding Peace” workshop that opens the Forum’s official week, and on Wednesday 11 November at the high-level roundtable “Can Africa be a Major Agricultural Power? Two years of ATLAS”. The AFS Forum, with AGRA, and the Paris Peace Forum are also finalising a Memorandum of Understanding to be signed during the Forum.
Why is the Africa Food Systems Forum at the Paris Peace Forum?
The Forum’s theme this year is “From Sovereignty to Cooperation”. About 309 million Africans faced hunger in 2025, and the Hormuz shock showed how exposed African farmers are to imported fertiliser, fuel and food. No African country can produce all of its inputs alone. Food sovereignty on the continent will be built through cooperation, through regional trade under the AfCFTA, shared data, local input production and blended finance, not through 54 separate national strategies.
That is the message the AFS Forum brings to Paris. Food security is peace infrastructure. When bread or rice prices spike, instability follows. Sovereignty and cooperation are not opposites in food, and the next phase, agreed in Kigali, is about implementation and investment.
Where to follow the AFS Forum in Paris
Tonight, Monday 9 November, 7:30 pm:”Feeding Peace: Food Security, from Sovereignty to Cooperation”. Workshop organised by DiploCité with Classe internationale as part of the Paris Peace Forum’s official week, Cité internationale universitaire de Paris, 17 boulevard Jourdan, 75014 Paris. Amath Pathé Sène speaks in the opening roundtable before students, young researchers and young diplomats.
Wednesday 11 November, 1:15 to 2:15 pm CET: “Can Africa be a Major Agricultural Power? Two years of ATLAS”. Roundtable Room 3, Musée national de la Marine, Palais de Chaillot, 1 place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, 75016 Paris. The session launches the White Paper of ATLAS, the Agricultural Transitions Lab for African Solutions, a Paris Peace Forum initiative that has brought together more than 60 institutions since June 2024. The ATLAS co-chairs Dr Ibrahim Mayaki (African Union Special Envoy for Food Systems) and Pascal Lamy (former Director-General of the WTO) open the session, followed by Hajar Alafifi, CEO of OCP Africa. Amath Pathé Sène joins a panel of investors, development banks and research institutions, moderated by Patrick Dupoux (BCG). Three priorities on the table: investable agribusinesses, blended finance at scale and Africa-specific metrics for sustainable agriculture. The replay will be added to this page.
What is the partnership between the AFS Forum and the Paris Peace Forum?
AGRA, through the AFS Forum, and the Paris Peace Forum are finalising a Memorandum of Understanding to be signed during the Forum. It will connect African food systems priorities with global policy dialogue, investment and peace-building, and link the annual AFS Forum Summit in Kigali with the annual Paris Peace Forum. Details will be announced jointly once the agreement is signed.
The two agendas already meet in practice. The Kigali Summit, aligned with the African Union’s CAADP 2026-2035 and its goal of USD 100 billion of investment in food systems by 2035, delivered transactions: the USD 200 million Africa Rural Climate Adaptation Finance Mechanism (ARCAFIM), launched by IFAD and Equity Group, and a USD 500 million West Africa Rice Investment Facility. That is the record the AFS Forum brings to Paris.
During his stay, Amath Pathé Sène will hold bilateral meetings with French and European development and trade partners and with the African Development Bank, as well as with media covering the Forum. Requests for meetings or interviews can be sent to the AFS Forum communications team.
Follow the AFS Forum at the Paris Peace Forum with #PPF2026 and #AFSForum, and watch the 11 November roundtable live or in replay from 1:15 pm CET.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Amath Pathé Sène?
Amath Pathé Sène is the Managing Director of the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS Forum), the continental platform for African agriculture and food systems, headquartered in Kigali, Rwanda and supported by AGRA and a group of partners. A Senegalese agricultural engineer, he previously served as IFAD’s lead regional environment and climate specialist for West and Central Africa.
When and where does the AFS Forum speak at the Paris Peace Forum 2026?
On Wednesday 11 November 2026, from 1:15 to 2:15 pm CET, in Roundtable Room 3 of the Musée national de la Marine, Palais de Chaillot, Paris, in the session “Can Africa be a Major Agricultural Power? Two years of ATLAS”.
What is ATLAS?
ATLAS, the Agricultural Transitions Lab for African Solutions, is a Paris Peace Forum initiative launched in June 2024 that has brought together more than 60 institutions working on African agri-food systems. Its White Paper is launched at the Paris Peace Forum 2026.
What is the theme of the Paris Peace Forum 2026?
“From Sovereignty to Cooperation”. The 9th edition takes place on 10 and 11 November 2026 at the Palais de Chaillot in Paris and is an official event of the French G7 Presidency.
