Morocco Showcases “Green Generation” Strategy at African Food Systems Forum in Dakar

Morocco has sent a high-level delegation to the 19th African Food Systems Forum (AFSF) in Dakar, Senegal, where African leaders, innovators, and global partners are meeting to chart the future of the continent’s agriculture and food systems.

A Forum for Innovation and Transformation

Held under the theme “African Youth: Driving Collaboration, Innovation, and Transformation of Agri-Food Systems”, the five-day forum has drawn nearly 6,000 participants from Africa and abroad, including heads of state, government officials, and international organizations.

Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye opened the forum with a powerful call for a “revolution of investments” in agriculture. He urged African countries to honor the Maputo commitment of allocating 10% of national budgets to agriculture, warning that without urgent action, over 1 billion people could face chronic hunger by 2030, half of them in Africa.

“Agriculture must become a driver of sovereignty and growth,” President Faye declared, urging leaders to make farming more attractive to youth and investors through training, rural entrepreneurship, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Morocco’s Commitment to Food Security and Youth

Speaking to Morocco’s Press Agency (MAP), Ahmed El Bouari, Morocco’s Minister of Agriculture, emphasized that the forum provides a strategic platform to strengthen food security, build climate resilience, and follow up on continental commitments.

He highlighted Morocco’s “Green Generation” strategy, launched under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, which prioritizes youth empowerment and rural entrepreneurship as a foundation for the country’s long-term food sovereignty.

Flagship Initiatives for Africa

Morocco also showcased its flagship agricultural initiatives:

• Adaptation of African Agriculture Initiative (AAA) – addressing climate challenges through sustainable solutions.
• Royal Atlantic Initiative – promoting resilient and innovative farming practices across Africa.

El Bouari stressed Morocco’s readiness to collaborate with African and international partners to advance sustainable agriculture.

Strengthening International Partnerships

On the sidelines of the forum, El Bouari met with Ted McKinney, President and CEO of the US-based National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA). The talks focused on:

• Strengthening Morocco-US agricultural relations
• Expanding trade prospects
• Encouraging American investment in Morocco
• Exploring triangular cooperation with Africa

Looking Ahead

The AFSF will run through Friday, covering key areas such as entrepreneurship, investment, national policies, and knowledge-sharing under the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) 2026–2035.

The event will also feature the Africa Food Prize, recognizing transformative initiatives that drive prosperity and sustainable development in African agriculture.

Morocco’s delegation includes senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Mohamed Karim Halim, Chargé d’Affaires at the Moroccan Embassy in Dakar.

With its Green Generation strategy and strong continental vision, Morocco is positioning itself as a leader in shaping Africa’s agricultural future.