The 9th African Agribusiness Incubation Conference & Expo, 23-26th July 2024, Lusaka, Zambia.

AU-SAFGRAD organized a high-level Panel discussion on the margins of the African Agribusiness Incubation Conference and Expo (AAICE) which held 23-26^th July 2024, Lusaka, Zambia. The panel discussed the Policy and institutional environment for developing competitive agro-food system transformation through value-addition in Africa. The event was organized as part of the regional internalization activities for the Guidelines for inclusive Agricultural Value Chains Development (iAVCD) in Africa. The AAICE was organized as a hybrid event with over 300 national and regional agribusiness stakeholders in attendance. The High-level Panel discussion which was moderated by Dr Clesensio Tizikara featured a keynote presentation by Dr Mure Agbonlahor (Senior Officer- Production and Marketing) and four (4) Discussants. The key note focused on the Policy, institutional governance and entrepreneurial ecosystems for developing Competitive Agro-food Systems through value addition in Africa in line with the prescription of the Guidelines for iAVCD. Members of the Panel who were drawn from across regional divides and on focused regional value chains. The Panel was composed of Dr Hezron Mogaka (Coffee/tea value chains, East Africa); Dr Ingrid Epezagne Ingrid (Cocoa Value chains, West Africa); Dr Hamid Baadi (Dates/horticultural crops value Chains, North Africa) and Mr. Yotam Mkandawire (Maize value Chains, Southern Africa). The Panel addressed critical elements for the successful development of Pro-poor and inclusive agricultural value chains. The panel recommended national and regional governments to improve the policy environment through adopting a holistic approach to the planning and implementation of policies that influence incentives and constraints (targeted support and protection policies). In addition, developing and facilitating access to quality rail and road networks, affordable and stable energy as well as ICT were also found to be critical for achieving food systems transformation through value chains development in the continent.