Building resilient African food systems through insurance, investment and policy innovation
Food insecurity remains a pressing challenge across Africa, driven by climate shocks, conflict and systemic vulnerabilities in agricultural markets. In 2024, over 1 billion Africans—nearly two-thirds of the continent’s population—could not afford a healthy diet. African governments and development partners are making strides toward resilient, integrated food systems, but the impacts of drought, floods and market instability continue to undermine progress.
From the Malabo Declaration to the CAADP Kampala Strategy (2026–2035), African leaders have committed to transforming agriculture and building resilience. However, delivering on these ambitions requires strong risk management systems that protect both farmers and financiers. Without mechanisms to absorb shocks, efforts to promote productivity, investment and climate adaptation remain fragile.
Agricultural insurance is a missing link
De-risking instruments, like agricultural insurance, are important to attract investment, build resilience and unlock inclusive rural finance. Yet insurance penetration across Africa remains low, reaching less than 3 percent of smallholder farmers. Only six African countries have operational, government-led agricultural insurance schemes.
UNDP’s Insurance and Risk Finance Facility (IRFF) is pioneering efforts to institutionalize agricultural insurance, creating enabling environments, innovative delivery models and strong market foundations. Through the Financial Resilience in Agriculture (FRA) initiative, UNDP supports governments in designing and scaling agricultural insurance schemes that are inclusive, climate-smart and financially sustainable. Through technical partnerships, policy support and on-the-ground implementation, UNDP is helps countries to embed insurance into national strategies, ensuring smallholder farmers can weather future shocks.
Join us in Dakar to engage with UNDP and its partners in building the financial resilience of Africa’s food systems.
De-Risking Food System Resilience through an Institutionalized National Agricultural Insurance Agenda
4 September | 8:30–10:00 AM GMT+2
Co-hosted by UNDP and the Government of Senegal
This high-level side event brings together senior government officials from Senegal, Ethiopia, Uganda and Zambia, alongside Aceli Africa and ISF Advisors, to share concrete experiences institutionalizing agricultural insurance as a tool for risk management, resilience and rural finance. The session will highlight national strategies, such as Senegal’s CNAAS model, Ethiopia’s new Rural Finance Service Unit, Uganda’s public-private insurance scheme and Zambia’s integration of insurance into the Farmer Input Support Programme. Additionally, ISF Advisors will present a Framework for Government Action in Rural and Agri-Finance.
Moderator: Mr. Enock Sing’oei, Agricultural Insurance Specialist, UNDP
Speakers:
Mr. Moustapha Fall, Director General, Compagnie Nationale d'Assurance Agricole du Sénégal (CNAAS), Senegal
Dr. Bob Munene, Assistant Commissioner, Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development, Uganda
Mr. Dominic Mabumba, Principal Agribusiness Development Officer, Ministry of Agriculture, Zambia
Ms. Clara Colina, Associate Director, ISF Advisors
Mr. Freddy Bob-Jones, Managing Director, Aceli Africa
Attend the in-person session by registering to join the Forum: https://agrf-inperson.com/
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