About the Event:

Africa is the fastest growing region of the world. In 2019, countries across the continent signed the Africa Free Trade Agreement, which is slated to open new markets across the continent. It is an exciting time for Africa, which has so many natural resources to feed itself and the global population.

However, until African countries can develop their agricultural sector, it will be a major challenge for them to meet their economic potential and ultimately to address problems with hunger and poverty in the rural sector.

Today, much of sub-Saharan agriculture is organized in small-plot farms with little innovation and access to markets. Of its 51 million farms, 80% are less than an acre. Not enough attention or investment has gone into creating business support for small-scale farmers as entrepreneurs. Yet, there are new opportunities to invest in nutritious supply chains and strategies to preserve, package food for local and national food markets.

As Minnesotans, with a rich community of leaders from the African Diaspora, the food and agricultural business community, and as leaders in international philanthropy and stewardship, please join Global Minnesota and Bountifield International for a roundtable discussion on current trends in African agribusiness and strategies for growth that end hunger and make this world a better place.