EZULWINI: Eswatini is set to host the inaugural African Union Seed Investment Summit from 5 to 7 October 2026, bringing together African Heads of State, agriculture ministers, government officials, farmers, researchers, seed industry representatives and development agencies to discuss the future of seed systems and food security on the continent.
The summit will take place at the Palazzo Convention Centre in Ezulwini under the theme, “Resilient Seed Systems for a Food Secure Africa.”
The African Union Commission is convening the summit as part of efforts to strengthen Africa’s agricultural systems through investment, policy reform, technology and greater cooperation among governments and other stakeholders.
The AU says access to high quality and appropriate seed remains critical to agricultural productivity and food security. The meeting is therefore expected to examine ways of improving seed systems while mobilising investment to support agricultural development across member states.
For Eswatini, the summit places the Kingdom at the centre of a major continental discussion involving agriculture, food security and investment.
The three day programme will begin on 5 October with a meeting of senior officials. Agriculture ministers will meet on 6 October, while the final day on 7 October will bring together AU Heads of State and Government.
The detailed programme is still being updated, with the AU cautioning that session times and other details could change as preparations continue.
The summit is expected to consider the Ezulwini Declaration on Africa’s seed systems, mobilise sustainable public and private investment in the seed sector and examine policies that can create a more supportive environment for private sector investment.
The meeting will also launch the Seed Sector Performance Index 2025 Status Report for Africa, which the AU plans to use as a monitoring tool under the CAADP Biennial Review framework.
The summit’s objectives include translating political commitments into coordinated action, increasing public investment in Africa’s seed sector and creating investment and co investment opportunities for country led transformation of seed systems.
The AU also expects participating Heads of State to make commitments towards stronger policy and regulatory environments for the seed sector.
Five areas have been identified for discussion: implementation of seed policies and regulatory instruments; mobilisation and sustainability of public and private investment; alignment of the Africa Seed and Biotechnology Programme with the Kampala CAADP Declaration; inclusive development of the seed sector; and the use of technology to accelerate agricultural development.
Among the speakers listed by the AU is the Prime Minister Russell Dlamini, alongside senior officials and ministers from across Africa.
The speaker list also includes Moses Vilakati, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Development at the African Union Commission; Ghana Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security John Dumelo; South Sudan Undersecretary for Agriculture and Food Security Dr Michael Roberto Kenyi Leggi; and Zimbabwe Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka.
Other listed speakers are Somalia Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation Zahra Ige, Sierra Leone Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Dr Isata Kamanda, Liberia Minister of Agriculture J Alexander Nuetah, African Union Commission Ambassador Abdellah Bah El Mad of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Botswana Minister of Lands and Agriculture Dr Edwin Gorataone Dikoloti, Central African Republic Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Prof Emmanuel Mbetid Bessane, and Seychelles Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Blue Economy Wallace Jude Keith Cosgrow.
The AU says the summit will provide a platform for political leaders, public institutions, farmers, researchers, private companies and development agencies to work around practical investment, policy and technological approaches aimed at strengthening seed systems.
The gathering will also advance the CAADP Kampala Declaration and Action Plan and the Africa Seed and Biotechnology Programme.
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