KIGALI, REPUBLIC OF RWANDA – September 4, 2026 — His Excellency Ambassador Berik Aryn, Director General of the Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS), led an IOFS delegation to the 20th Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) in Kigali, Rwanda, from 2 to 4 September 2026. The participation provided a high-level platform to strengthen Africa–IOFS cooperation on food security, agricultural transformation, investment and resilient agri-food systems.
Strengthening Food Security Through Global Partnership
Addressing the Opening Plenary on “Strengthening Food Security Through Global Partnership” on 2nd September, the Director General highlighted 136 million undernourished people across the 27 African OIC Member States, calling for a shift from financing the consequences of food insecurity towards investing in resilient agricultural production, water-smart agriculture, value chains and food-system infrastructure.
The Director General also participated in the High-Level Ministerial Roundtable on strengthening food-system resilience amid geopolitical, climate and energy-related shocks, as well as the Second Ministerial Deep Dive on Livestock, which examined regional value chains, strategic partnerships and investment to unlock Africa's livestock potential.
Strengthening Strategic Partnerships
A key outcome of the mission was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between IOFS and the Africa Food Systems Forum Secretariat on 4th of September, establishing a framework for joint activities in areas of common interest, as well as a more active participation of the IOFS at the AFSF2027.
On the margins of the Forum, the Director General held bilateral discussions with H.E. Sen. Dr. Aliyu S. Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security of Nigeria; H.E. Mr. Cheikhou Oumar BA, Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Livestock of Senegal; Dr. Bram Govaerts, Director General of CIMMYT; Mrs. Silvia Massruhá, President of EMBRAPA; and Mr. David Butler, Director of Sustainable Food System Ireland (SFSI). Discussions focused on strengthening practical cooperation in food security, agricultural research and innovation, resilient agriculture, livestock, value chains and investment towards supporting the Member States, especially those located in Africa.
Particular attention was given to advancing the IOFS–CIMMYT maize project in Kazakhstan, including the finalization of the relevant MoU and Action Plan, as well as advancing the draft cooperation framework with EMBRAPA both to be soon finalized for signature and implementation.
Advancing Investment and Inclusive Value Chains
Representing the Director General at the session on “Tapping into the 4P Model for Agri-Value Chain Investment,” Mr. Abdula Manafi Mutualo, Chief Multilateral Relations Officer, highlighted the importance of bringing together Public, Private, Producer and Partnership actors to unlock investment and ensure that farmers participate in value creation while seeking local solutions. The intervention also highlighted the role of the International Islamic Food Processing Association (IFPA), an IOFS subsidiary, in connecting producers and agri-food businesses with processing, investment, trade and market opportunities across the OIC geography.
It is worth mentioning that throughout the AFSF2026, the Director General was assisted by Mr. Abdula Manafi Mutualo, Chief Multilateral Relations Officer, and Ms. Mathaba Agab, Project Manager.
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