The first session of the Africa Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes Stakeholders Conference offered powerful insights on how Africa can strengthen its food systems amid growing global uncertainty. Key points included:

• Global disruptions are now constant, making resilience an urgent priority.
• Smarter investments, stronger institutions, and evidence-led decisions are essential.
• Coordination across public, private, and development partners remains central to effective response.
• Shrinking donor funding means governments must achieve more with limited resources.
• Agriculture will attract young people when it becomes profitable and better organised.
• Advancing the AfCFTA and addressing policy harmonisation gaps will unlock greater intra-African trade.