Africa Food Systems Forum 2025 is underway this week, with urgent conversations on how to tackle the continent’s deepening hunger crisis.
According to the United Nations, more than 280 million people across Africa face hunger, as climate change, conflict, and rising costs make food security a daily struggle for millions of families.
Yet amid the stark statistics, inspiring stories of resilience and transformation are shining through, demonstrating the power of investing in local farmers.
One such story is that of Fresha Wamboi, a young mother of two in Kenya.
Fresha began her journey with just 10 chickens and five goats.
With training and support from Citi Foundation and Concern Worldwide, she expanded her agribusiness by learning new farming practices, animal husbandry, and business management skills.
Today, her farm boasts more than 30 chickens, guinea fowls, and a steadily growing goat herd.
The sale of eggs, chicks, and breeding services has earned her more than Ksh 20,000 in profit, ensuring both food security and a reliable income for her household.
But for Fresha, the impact goes beyond financial stability.
“I dream of giving my sons futures as bright as they imagine them to be,” she says, reflecting the hope that agribusiness brings to her family’s future.
Her story underscores the central theme of AFS Forum 2025: that when women and young people thrive, entire communities move closer to achieving food security.
As policymakers and partners gather to shape Africa’s agricultural future, Fresha’s journey is a reminder that real progress lies not only in high-level strategies, but also in empowering those at the grassroots, the women and youth farmers who are the backbone of Africa’s food systems.