13 May 2025

Event: Implementing Africa’s Agricultural Transformation for Food and Climate Security

On 3 June 2025, at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, the Paris Peace Forum and OCP Group will co-host a high-level session focused on unlocking the full potential of Africa’s agricultural transformation. Held under the joint banner of ATLAS (Agricultural Transitions Lab for African Solutions), the event will take place on the sidelines of the Ibrahim Governance Weekend (1-3 June 2025), bringing added visibility to the urgent challenge of building resilient, sustainable agri-food systems in Africa.

Africa’s agri-food systems hold transformative power—not only for the continent but for global sustainable development. Strategic investments in innovation, sustainable farming, and rural infrastructure could enable Africa to close up to 50% of global Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) gaps. Yet today, African agriculture faces major hurdles: a $200 billion annual funding shortfall, minimal global investment, and exposure to growing climate risks.

To help overcome these barriers, the Paris Peace Forum launched the ATLAS initiative, a multi-stakeholder platform that convenes over 30 leading institutions. ATLAS aims to harmonize policies, align investments, and drive accountability through tools like its Investment Barometer. Earlier this year, it issued the “2x30 Challenge” at the World Economic Forum, calling for global agricultural investment in Africa to double by 2030.

This session in Marrakech will center on three key goals: scaling up proven, climate-resilient agricultural practices; fostering African-European cooperation; and exploring innovative financing models to close the funding gap. It will also address how policy reforms, private sector engagement, and strategic philanthropy can help build a resilient and self-sufficient African agricultural model—one that supports both SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

In an era of deepening global interdependence, advancing Africa’s agricultural transformation is a global common good. This session will emphasize the urgent need to build bridges across continents, sectors, and agendas to secure a sustainable future for all.