The forum, one of Africa’s largest annual gatherings on agriculture and food security, runs from August 31 to September 5, 2025, at the CICAD and Diamniadio Expo Center in Dakar.
This year’s summit is being held under the theme “Africa’s Youth Leading Collaboration, Innovation, and Implementation of Agri-Food Systems Transformation.” The theme highlights the central role of young people in shaping the future of Africa’s food systems through entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership.
Over 5,000 delegates are expected to attend, including heads of state, ministers, business leaders, researchers, farmers, development partners, and young entrepreneurs. Discussions will focus on harnessing science, digital technologies, sound policies, and strategic investments to achieve sustainable and inclusive food systems.
Key issues on the agenda include youth-led agribusiness, the use of financial tools such as agricultural insurance to build resilience, the inclusion of marginalized groups—such as displaced youth and people with disabilities—and the link between food systems, nutrition, and public health.
The Africa Food Systems Forum, formerly known as the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF), has been held annually since 2010. Its rebranding in 2022 broadened its scope beyond the annual summit to promote year-round engagement on food security and agricultural transformation.
Last year’s edition took place in Kigali, Rwanda, from September 2 to 6, 2024, at the Kigali Convention Centre.
This edition marks a historic first for Africa, as the championship, held annually for 103 years, comes to the continent for the first time. The under-23 category is also debuting, with the inaugural winner set to make history.
The elite men’s road race will cover 267.5 km, with 5,475 metres of climbing, making it one of the toughest courses in recent championship history.
Historically, Spain’s Alejandro Valverde holds the record with seven world championship medals: one gold (2018), two silvers (2003, 2005), and four bronzes (2006, 2012, 2013, 2014). Three riders, Italy’s Alfredo Binda, Belgium’s Rik Van Steenbergen, and Spain’s Óscar Freire, have each won the title three times.
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The event is expected to feature 1,000 riders from around the world. Confirmed stars include Tadej Pogačar (Slovenia), reigning world and Tour de France champion, and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (France), current women’s world champion.
Other riders to watch include Oscar Onley (UK), Remco Evenepoel (Belgium), Juan Ayuso (Spain), and Thymen Arensman (Netherlands).
Final team selections are still underway, as riders compete in other major events. This includes La Vuelta, which, for its 2025 edition, is a rare multi-country race passing through Italy, France, Andorra, and Spain. The competition at these events will play a key role in the final rider selections for the UCI championships.
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The championship will involve 5,000 officials and commissaires. Around 15,000 visitors are expected in Rwanda over the eight days.
Media coverage is projected to include 700 accredited journalists from 124 countries and 80 TV channels, reaching a global audience of over 330 million cycling fans. Social media engagement is expected to exceed 7 million, with 1.5 million visitors anticipated on the UCI website.
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Rwanda’s moderate climate (21°C–27°C), strong safety record, and world-class infrastructure make it an ideal host for international competitions. According to the World Economic Forum, Rwanda is the safest country in Africa and fifth globally.
Kigali was ranked the second-best city in Africa for living and investment by the Africa Report 2024. The country also ranks second in Africa for hosting international conferences (ICCA 2024).
Major events like Tour du Rwanda (UCI 2.1) and the Kigali International Peace Marathon have cemented Rwanda’s reputation for organising high-level sporting competitions.
Rwanda’s accessibility will make it easier for thousands of international riders, officials, and fans to attend the championships.
Kigali is served by major airlines, including RwandAir, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, Qatar Airways, Brussels Airlines, EgyptAir, and Turkish Airlines. Visitors from AU, Commonwealth, and La Francophonie member countries enjoy visa-free entry, while facilitated visas are available for other travellers.
The program, launched on August 29, 2025, in Ruhuha Sector, builds on an approach first piloted in Kigali in 2020. Drones will be deployed to spray insecticides in rice paddies and swampy areas, which are key mosquito breeding sites.
Bugesera ranks third in malaria cases nationally, with 6,386 recorded recently, after Gasabo and Kicukiro districts. Nationwide, more than 90,000 malaria cases were reported in July 2025 alone, and RBC data shows 657,365 cases between 2024 and February 2025.
Residents say they expect drones to help where traditional measures have fallen short.
“Malaria had weakened us greatly since we live near swamps where mosquitoes breed. We believe this new method will help us because it complements existing prevention measures,” said Innocent Harerimana, a Ruhuha resident.
Bugesera Mayor Richard Mutabazi noted that while prevention methods such as indoor spraying have been in place, drones will directly target mosquito breeding grounds.
“The difference is that instead of only killing mosquitoes in houses, we can now act earlier by spraying swamps where they originate,” he said.
Dr. Emmanuel Hakizimana, the Director of Vector Control at RBC, described the initiative as a milestone in long-standing efforts to curb malaria in Ruhuha.
He explained that drones can reach areas previously inaccessible to field sprayers, enabling more effective coverage in both rainy and dry seasons.
Paul Kamali Karenzi, head of the malaria control program at Charis UAS, said the project will be implemented in four sectors of Bugesera District.
“This malaria control project will be carried out in four sectors of Bugesera, starting in Ruhuha, where we will spray more than 93 hectares of rice-growing swamps,” he said.
He added that drones will address many challenges, especially reaching areas inaccessible to people, and will also save time. What would normally take a person an entire day to spray can now be done by a drone in just ten minutes.
According to RBC, from 2024 to February 2025, Rwanda recorded 657,365 malaria cases nationwide.
Currently halfway complete, the 43.5-megawatt dam is expected to be fully operational by 2028. Once completed, it will generate electricity, support irrigation on over 20,000 hectares of farmland, reduce downstream flooding, and create a reservoir holding 803 million cubic metres of water—the fourth-largest in Rwanda.
According to Amb. Uwihanganye, the lake will stretch 67 kilometres from Nyabugogo to Vunga, reshaping the landscape of eight districts, including Nyarugenge, Rulindo, Gakenke, Muhanga, Kamonyi, Nyabihu, Ngororero, and Musanze.
The project opens up opportunities across various sectors in the capital, Kigali, and beyond.
“The opportunities are endless—from maritime transport and real estate to water sports and irrigation, all of which will revolutionise the way we connect in Kigali, the North, South, West, and beyond!” the state minister said in a post on X.
The Nyabarongo II Hydropower plant is being built between Kamonyi, Gakenke, and Rulindo districts, with the Chinese company Sinohydro serving as the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor.
The project is financed through a $214 million concessional loan from China Exim Bank, stemming from a 2020 framework agreement.
Felix Gakuba, the Managing Director of Energy Development Corporation Ltd (EDCL), told parliament in late June that nearly half of the works had been completed.
“The powerhouse structure has reached its first level, and the dam’s foundation is finished. Construction of the transmission line is underway, and equipment from China is on its way,” he said.
Once complete, the dam will provide irrigation to areas along the Nyabarongo, Akagera, and Akanyaru rivers, as well as upstream zones near Lakes Cyohoha and Rweru in Bugesera District, via a major canal from Shyorongi.
The Nyabarongo Dam is expected to be a transformative project for Rwanda, combining energy, water management, agriculture, and recreation, with widespread economic benefits.
In a communiqué dated August 29, 2025, RAB reminded owners that all dogs must be vaccinated against rabies every year and properly registered with local authorities.
The move comes in line with national laws governing the prevention and control of animal diseases, as well as ministerial regulations on the movement and management of domestic animals.
The guidelines emphasise that dogs found outside homes must be accompanied by an adult and kept on a leash. Additionally, owners are required to ensure their dogs wear muzzles or other protective equipment to prevent them from biting people.
Failure to comply with these regulations, RAB warned, will result in penalties as provided by law. The measures are particularly targeted at urban and densely populated areas where the risk of rabies transmission and dog attacks is higher.
“Anyone who violates the provisions of the laws and regulations mentioned in this announcement will be punished in accordance with the law,” said Dr. Solange Uwituze, the Acting Director General of RAB, citing Law No. 54/2008 of 10/09/2008, which governs the prevention and control of animal diseases in Rwanda, and Ministerial Order No. 009/11.30 of 18/11/2010 from the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) regarding the movement of livestock and other domestic animals.
Rabies, a viral disease transmitted through bites, remains a serious public health concern globally, but it can be effectively prevented through vaccination and responsible dog ownership.
The U.S. Department of State said Friday in a statement that it is “denying and revoking visas from members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority (PA) ahead of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly.”
The meeting also discussed the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, but the participants were deeply divided over whether to impose further sanctions against Israel.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told a press conference that while member states broadly agree on the gravity of the situation, consensus has not been reached on concrete measures.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, who chaired the meeting, said an increasing number of member states believe Israel is unlikely to change course without stronger pressure.
Outside the meeting venue, demonstrators gathered, urging Denmark and the EU to take stronger action over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The U.S. Transportation Department on Friday rescinded funding for projects in 11 states, including 435 million dollars for a floating wind farm in California, 47 million dollars to boost an offshore wind project in Maryland, and 48 million dollars for an offshore wind terminal project in New York’s Staten Island.
“Wasteful, wind projects are using resources that could otherwise go towards revitalizing America’s maritime industry,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement.
The canceled funding will be redirected to upgrade ports and other infrastructure in the country, where possible, the Transportation Department said.
This is the latest step by the Trump administration against renewable energy sources, according to U.S. media reports.
In another development, the U.S. Energy Department decided Friday to withdraw a 716 million-dollar loan guarantee approved by the Biden administration to upgrade and expand transmission infrastructure to accommodate an offshore wind project in New Jersey.
The Trump administration has stepped up efforts cutting federal support for wind and other renewable energy sources in recent weeks, slashing funding and canceling projects approved by the Biden administration. Last week, the administration halted construction of a nearly completed offshore project near Rhode Island.
The 54-year-old lawmaker was gunned down at midday in central Lviv. According to Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office, the attacker fired multiple rounds before fleeing the scene. A large-scale police operation, codenamed Siren, was immediately launched to track down the suspect.
Unverified video circulating online appears to show the gunman disguised as a food courier, carrying a yellow delivery bag and leaving the scene on an e-bike. Authorities have not confirmed the footage but described the killing as carefully planned.
President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced the murder as a “horrific crime,” pledging that all security resources had been mobilised to capture those responsible.
“All necessary forces and means are engaged in the investigation and search for the killer,” he wrote on X, extending condolences to Parubiy’s family.
Lviv’s mayor Andriy Sadovyi warned that the assassination underscored the vulnerability of Ukrainians even far from the front lines.
“This is a matter of security in a country at war, where, as we can see, there are no completely safe places,” he said.
Parubiy rose to national prominence during the 2013–2014 Euromaidan movement, where he coordinated protest self-defence units that resisted riot police during months of demonstrations demanding closer integration with Europe. After the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych, he briefly served as secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council in 2014, at the onset of Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
He later held the position of parliamentary speaker from 2016 to 2019 and was an influential member of the committee on national security, defence and intelligence. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Parubiy had also joined Ukraine’s territorial defence forces.
Political leaders paid tribute to Parubiy’s role in shaping Ukraine’s democratic path and strengthening its defences.
Former president Petro Poroshenko described his death as “a shot fired at the heart of Ukraine,” praising him as both a loyal ally and a central figure in building Ukraine’s armed forces.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called him “a patriot and statesman who made an enormous contribution to the defence of Ukraine’s freedom, independence and sovereignty,” adding that he “rightfully belongs in the history books.”
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko called the killing “a profound loss,” urging investigators to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice.
Law enforcement officials have not yet identified the shooter or suggested a motive, though prosecutors have said all possible leads are being pursued, including potential Russian involvement.
Police chief Oleksandr Shliakhovskyi confirmed that at least seven shell casings were recovered at the scene and said the weapon used has not yet been identified.
As investigations continue, the killing of Parubiy – a symbol of Ukraine’s struggle for sovereignty – is being seen by many in Kyiv as both a personal tragedy and a stark reminder of the risks facing the country’s political leadership during wartime.
By tailoring education to each child’s passions, whether it’s art or science, SkillSeed promises to unlock a future where kids don’t just learn, but thrive.
The platform uses artificial intelligence to create unique learning profiles, drawing on data from interactive assessments, engagement with videos and books, and feedback from mentors.
“Based on the data that has been collected, when the child answers questions in the assessment, we get to know what they are interested in, and we now give them the content that aligns with what they like,” says Juliet Kelechi, Wekraft’s Chief Technology Officer.
“We have modals that they interact with as well, and they can create things on their own depending on what their interest is.”
The platform offers gamified challenges, like puzzles and creative tasks, that make learning fun and hands-on. Parents receive detailed progress reports, with stars and badges marking their child’s growth.
“It’s not as serious as I make it sound; it’s more game-like,” Kelechi adds. “A six-year-old watches cartoons, of course, so we use those kinds of avatars to portray, so it’s fun and colourful.”
For co-founder and Chief Operations Officer (COO) Agnes Wambui, SkillSeed’s mission, which started in 2023, is deeply personal. Growing up, she excelled at debating on a national level but felt demoralised by a system that valued grades above all else.
“I felt that I would never amount to anything because I was not really good academically, but I never got much support for these other passions that I had,” Wambui recalls.
“We started Wekraft to show parents there are more levels and more measures of intelligence.”
SkillSeed complements the traditional education system, recognising what Wambui calls “up to nine types of intelligence.” The platform is aimed at nurturing diverse talents like art or debate, even helping kids build digital portfolios to showcase their work globally.
“You have a kid who can draw really well. Why don’t you have a portfolio for them that they can showcase to the rest of the world?” Wambui asks, noting opportunities like international exchange programs that such exposure can unlock.
Wekraft’s journey began with in-person workshops, where kids engaged in hands-on activities to spark their curiosity.
“We started with the in-person program where we were going to schools and having physical activities with the kids,” says Staphord Nkumbuye, Wekraft’s CEO.
The team soon realised the need for a broader reach, leading to the creation of a learning toolkit kids could take home.
“Kids wanted to take some of these activities home… learning continues even after school,” Nkumbuye explains. This toolkit laid the groundwork for SkillSeed’s digital platform, scaling its impact to reach more children with personalised, AI-driven experiences.
The platform’s practical impact resonates with students like Stalon Mbanda, who recently finished high school. Using SkillSeed’s toolkit, he created a vivid illustration of a kidney’s structure.
“It helped me bring out the vivid description of what I had in my mind,” he says, noting how the toolkit bridged theory and practice in his pursuit to become a doctor.
Commenting on the current platform, he noted, “Such programs help me to envision how I would be so that more of my knowledge is no longer theoretical but also practical.”
Beyond academics, SkillSeed connects kids with professionals through virtual mentorships and career excursions, exposing them to fields from science to creative arts.
“The goal is to expose kids to as many careers as possible, including the ones which are not here in Rwanda, because the world is an oyster,” Wambui says.
Recognising the digital divide in developing countries like Rwanda, the platform offers offline content for rural areas through partnerships with schools and community centres.
“We are using a hybrid approach to help children in rural areas access the platform,” Kelechi explains.
Wekraft also runs a donation program, where a portion of each subscription, starting at 15,000 Rwandan francs per month, subsidises access for those who can’t afford it.
The company is calling on organisations to donate refurbished computers to equip underserved schools.
For Wekraft’s CEO, SkillSeed is about shaping a generation. “We’re trying to tell parents we are in an era where passion and love for what you do take you further than following someone else’s path,” Nkumbuye says.
The journey to build SkillSeed wasn’t easy. But with support from Jasiri, a program empowering high-impact startups in Rwanda and the region, Wekraft found the wings to lift their idea.
“I never believed someone could help me when I just have an idea. Jasiri provided the best coaches in Africa, office spaces, and funding that made it easier to create something really wonderful,” Nkumbuye remembers those early days.
“Entrepreneurship can be brutal, but I was having fun because I loved it,” he adds.
According to Wekraft’s CEO, SkillSeed has enrolled over 600 students and earned crucial backing from Rwanda’s Ministry of Education.
“We even have the backing from the Rwandan government through the Ministry of Education,” he says, adding that the startup’s journey has been shaped by guidance from experts in early childhood education.
In a recommendation seen by IGIHE, the Ministry of Education states that Wekraft, through the SkillSeed platform, significantly advances inclusive, skills-based education, preparing youth for the future of work.
“Their learner-centred approach equips young people with essential 21st-century skills such as creativity, critical thinking, digital literacy, and problem-solving.
“Their pilot programs have engaged hundreds of learners, demonstrating a commitment to community development through collaboration with schools, educators, and local artisans. The SkillSeed platform also aligns with global frameworks, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for quality education and decent work.”
Sarah Mukundwa, an educationist and parent, sees platforms like SkillSeed as a game-changer in shaping the next generation of experts across diverse fields.
“My son is 10. He likes football so much. He told me, ‘Mommy, I can be a footballer and a doctor.’ This platform tests his skills, so he can know what he can excel in. It will help kids do what they love, not just what they’re told by their parents,” she says.
Wekraft plans to expand the program to the United Arab Emirates and Kenya in the near future as it gains momentum.
For parents and guardians, the platform is accessible at: [https://parents.wekraft.co/->https://parents.wekraft.co/]
Watch the video to discover more about the platform.
The project, named Kinigi Horticulture Hub, covers 1,250 square metres on the outskirts of the park and uses modern agricultural technology to cultivate flowers, vegetables, and fruits. It is part of a larger $50 million (approximately Frw 72 billion) initiative aimed at increasing the park’s area and enhancing local livelihoods.
The expansion plan includes the creation of Smart Green Village, a model community set to accommodate 510 households. The Kinigi Horticulture Hub represents a small portion of this village, with an investment of $3.4 million. The village will be built on 50 hectares with environmentally sustainable homes powered by solar energy and equipped with water purification and reuse systems.
The village will feature three main sectors—agriculture, livestock, and tourism—each designed to generate income while protecting the environment. Initial crops planted include peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers, which are expected to generate Frw 45 million annually against a setup cost of Frw 11 million. The area will be managed by the local Volcano Community Association, which has already trained 211 residents in modern farming techniques, agribusiness management, and food quality standards.
The livestock sector will accommodate chickens, sheep, and pigs, while the tourism section will focus on biodiversity conservation, handicrafts, and cultural activities.
Volcanoes National Park, located in northwestern Rwanda, is home to the world’s remaining mountain gorillas and spans 16,000 hectares. The park’s expansion will add 3,740 hectares—23% of its current area—to improve habitat space for the endangered gorillas.
The overall expansion project is planned to be implemented in phases over 10 to 15 years, with a total estimated cost of $230 million, funded by the Rwandan government, development partners, loans, and donations.
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At the inauguration, RDB Director General Jean-Guy Afrika highlighted the connection between tourism growth and local development.
“The goal is to improve livelihoods, create jobs, and empower youth and women. When tourism grows, community development also increases,” he said.
The government has allocated Frw 600.4 million to Musanze and Nyabihu districts, Frw 450.3 million to Burera, and Frw 150.1 million to Rubavu to support community welfare near the park.
Northern Province Governor Maurice Mugabowagahunde described the project as the first phase of the park expansion.
“This initiative addresses key challenges faced by local communities, including land pressure due to population growth and human-wildlife conflicts,” he said.
Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Ndabamenye Telesphore, emphasised the importance of technology in agriculture.
“These solutions are sustainable and will increase productivity. Market-oriented agriculture will allow farmers to expand beyond local demand to other districts and even abroad,” he said.
Since the launch of the tourism benefit-sharing programme 20 years ago, 10% of park revenues have been invested in community projects. RDB reports that these initiatives, valued at Frw 18 billion, have supported schools, housing, health centres, agriculture, livestock, and conflict mitigation efforts.
In 2025, 83 community projects worth over Frw 4 billion were implemented across 14 districts, with plans to increase support to more than Frw 5 billion in 2025–2026.
