In light of persistent weather fluctuations and a decline in food production, which have contributed to rising food prices, stakeholders in the climate, agriculture, and technology sectors have gathered to discuss new strategies aimed at stabilizing food systems and ensuring a reliable food supply. The forum, organized by the Digital and Technological Empowerment Innovation Initiative for Next Generation (Diniti8tive), brought together experts to discuss policies, research, agricultural technology, and development.

The discussions highlighted how Africa’s food systems are being increasingly affected by climate change, and the need for innovative solutions to adapt. Blessing Allen-Adebayo, the forum’s moderator, emphasized the critical need for resilient and sustainable food systems across Africa. Her experience with communities across Nigeria and other African countries demonstrated that a single farming season could dictate whether households thrive or struggle.

Allen-Adebayo stressed that unpredictable weather patterns and market price fluctuations had become routine challenges for farmers. Africa’s climate is warming faster than the global average, which has made agricultural systems more vulnerable to climate shocks. She said, “Many of these stories used to sound like isolated shocks, but today they have become a part of our wider continental pattern.”

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Fidelis Ekom, an expert on the subject, described Africa’s climate crisis as no longer a distant risk but a present-day challenge. He spoke about how farmers were facing the loss of crops due to unpredictable rainfall patterns, and communities being displaced by flooding and climate shocks. He stressed the importance of climate innovation in transforming African agriculture, noting the rise of a new generation of agri-tech developers, climate scientists, data analysts, and youth-led enterprises working to create resilient agricultural systems.

Ekom also pointed out that climate adaptation requires a shift in how policies are designed, technology deployed, and farmers—particularly women and youth, who are the backbone of food systems—are supported.

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Nkemjika Onuoha, another speaker at the forum, warned that without climate adaptation, Africa could see a reduction in crop yields by up to 20%. He highlighted that, in Nigeria alone, extreme weather conditions, including floods and droughts, are already costing the country $9-$10 billion annually. Onuoha further projected that 26.5 million Nigerians could face acute food insecurity in 2025, underlining the urgent need for action.

He stressed that climate-smart agricultural practices, such as improved seed varieties, water management systems, IoT-enabled monitoring, and artificial intelligence for early warning systems, could be key solutions.

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The discussion also underscored the need not only for increased food production but also for smarter, more connected systems of storage, logistics, and market access to ensure food is sustainably produced and efficiently distributed.