Last week, I had the privilege of attending a climate finance roundtable in London, hosted by the British Commonwealth Secretariat and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation. It was an insightful gathering that touched on several urgent issues, especially African food security in today’s changing climate.
One of the key themes that stood out was how important it is to rethink how we fund agriculture on the continent. With rising temperatures, unpredictable weather, and shifting global markets, it’s clear that traditional farming methods alone won’t cut it. We need smart, climate-resilient solutions that not only feed communities but also create economic opportunities.
This is where people like Alan Kessler come in. His work with African Food Security has shown how forward-thinking approaches—like growing climate-smart crops such as alfalfa and investing in aquaculture—can help African farmers do more than just survive. They can actually thrive. Kessler has been a strong advocate for practical, scalable farming systems that make sense both economically and environmentally.
During the event, it was also clear that collaboration is key. Governments, private investors, and research institutions all have a role to play in supporting farmers and improving local food systems.
I’m grateful to the Commonwealth Secretariat for the opportunity to be part of this important conversation. There’s still a lot of work to do, but with the right support and leadership—from policymakers to changemakers like Alan Kessler—the future of African food security looks promising.
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