Rwanda hosted the world's premier gathering on African agriculture and food systems this year, as the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS Forum) 2026 brought together thousands of policymakers, innovators, investors, and young entrepreneurs to Kigali for the summit's 20th anniversary edition, running from 31 August to 4 September under the theme "Investing in Africa's Agri-Food Systems: Nourishing Nations, Growing Jobs, Building Resilience."

Among the more than 5,000 delegates from over 50 countries, the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA) was represented by its CEO, Antoine Sebera, who joined a high-level panel discussion on "Youth driving Agri-Food Systems transformation."

Speaking to young entrepreneurs, development partners, and fellow panelists, the CEO made the case that digital technology is central to unlocking Africa's next generation of agri-food entrepreneurs. He pointed to two of RISA's flagship youth initiatives as concrete examples of what's possible when young people are given the right tools: 1 Million Coders, (national digital skilling program equipping young Rwandans with in-demand tech skills); and Hanga Hubs, (a network of innovation spaces supporting youth to turn ideas into viable, job-creating businesses).

With Africa's food and agriculture market continuing to expand, Antoine Sebera urged young entrepreneurs in the room and across the continent to see the moment as an opportunity rather than an obstacle. His message centered on three pillars for aspiring agri-preneurs: embrace lifelong learning by treating skills development as a continuous journey rather than a one-time milestone; become problem solvers by approaching agriculture and food systems challenges with an entrepreneurial, solutions-first mindset; and lead with passion and resilience, the qualities he identified as the true differentiators for young people building lasting, value-creating businesses.

RISA's participation at AFS Forum 2026 reflects the institution's broader mandate: positioning digital technology as a cross-cutting enabler of national development including in sectors like agriculture that remain central to Rwanda's economy and job creation strategy. The panel underscored a theme echoed throughout AFS Forum 2026's programming: that Africa's youth bulge, paired with the right digital tools and entrepreneurship ecosystems, represents one of the continent's greatest assets for transforming food systems at scale.