Shared Solutions for Africa's Water-Energy-Food Systems

Water is the foundation of agricultural activities, yet the role of energy in boosting productivity and ensuring access to healthy and nutritious food is often overlooked. Smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa produce around 80% of the region’s food supply, but most live without access to electricity. Their productivity is further constrained by limited irrigation – only 4% of Africa’s farmland is irrigated. Decentralised renewable energy (DRE) solutions, in particular solar-powered irrigation systems, combined with sustainable farming practices have the potential to overcome these challenges and sustainably increase the production of healthy and diverse foods. Achieving this requires cross-sector collaboration throughout the areas of agriculture, water, energy, and nutrition.

This session, which is co-hosted by the Power for Food Partnership and the Agri-Energy Coalition, explores why effective cooperation that links water, energy, agriculture, and nutrition is key to achieving systemic transformation in Africa’s food systems. It will spotlight the key role of agri-energy solutions – especially ones which incorporate decentralised renewables (DRE) – to boost productivity, improve diets, and protect ecosystems, as well as discuss how these growing markets can be scaled responsibly and in harmony with ecological limits. Governments, investors, practitioners, and businesses will share best practices and invite others to join the nexus movement.