On the initiative of the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a high-level dialogue brought together African and world leaders on April 29 and 30, 2021 by videoconference. The goal is to urgently strengthen food systems as part of efforts to overcome the pandemic and build the resilience of African countries.

Exchanges between Heads of State, Ministers of Agriculture, Economy and Finance of the continent and other heads of pan-African and global institutions took place around the theme "Feeding Africa: leadership to intensify successful innovations. The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated food and nutrition insecurity in Africa, which is already critical due to the adverse effects of climate change, the worsening of fragility and the multiplication of conflicts and events such as the locust invasion. .

According to Akinwumi A. Adesina, President of the AfDB, Africa must find the ways and means to fight not only against the Covid-19 pandemic but also and above all the hunger which poses a greater threat to the continent. And for that, he will say, it is important to adopt adequate policies and a synergy of actions to promote access to financing, the development of agricultural research and the dissemination of results, the creativity of young people and women. in agriculture and food processing.
The AfDB President insisted on financing and making available technologies for improving crop varieties and agricultural transformation for the benefit of farmers and other promoters of agribusiness.

The former Togolese Minister, Gilbert Houngbo, President of Fida, recalls the importance and the contribution of research in improving food security, access to product markets and the reduction of imports. He advocates the creation of good circumstances for companies interested in technologies, the development of research centers and better governance of the agricultural sector are also necessary to take advantage of opportunities.