Dakar, Senegal — September 2025
Farming Wonder proudly took the spotlight at the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) 2025, held from 31 August to 5 September 2025 in Dakar, Senegal. The forum—Africa’s premier gathering for food and agricultural leaders—brought together over 6,000 stakeholders, including heads of state, investors, innovators, youth representatives, and civil society actors, all united under the theme: “Africa’s Youth: Leading Collaboration, Innovation, and the Implementation of Agri-Food Systems Transformation.”
Why AFS Forum Matters
As the continent accelerates toward sustainable and resilient food systems, AFSF provides an unparalleled platform to catalyze policy ideas, investment, and innovation, especially as Africa prepares to implement the new CAADP Kampala Strategy. The forum also hosts the Agri-food Expo & Exhibition, showcases technical reforms, and facilitates investment matchmaking—all critical for stakeholders committed to transformation.
Farming Wonder’s Footprint in Dakar
At the Expo, Farming Wonder showcased our Innovative Sustainable Multistorey Gardens—compact, vertical growing systems that enable households, schools, and institutions to dramatically surpass traditional planting limits (e.g., 120 vegetable seedlings on just 2 m²). This not only underscores our commitment to space-efficient, nutrition-focused agriculture, but also elevated our profile among the continent’s leading food systems actors.
Key Highlights from Our Presence:
Showcased at the Agri-Food Expo: We engaged with ministers, investors, peers, and technologists on how multistorey gardens inject daily nutrition into limited spaces.
Forged Strategic Connections: We connected with youth-led cooperatives, policymakers shaping food systems policy, and financiers seeking high-impact agri-tech solutions.
Inspired Dialogue on Urban & School-Based Agriculture: We shared insights on how vertical gardens can complement school feeding programs, urban resilience, and localized food access.
The Impact: From Dakar to Scale
1. Elevated Visibility
Our garden model grabbed attention among ministers and influencers shaping continental agendas—a powerful springboard for future partnerships.
2. Accelerated Investment Conversations
Several private sector actors and development partners expressed interest in piloting the gardens in urban schools and community hubs.
3. Strengthened Advocacy for Food Sovereignty
Engaging in discussions on CAADP’s new implementation phase, we positioned our gardens as a viable lever for achieving SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and improving micronutrient access.
4. Youth Engagement & Leadership Amplified
Participating alongside the track’s youth innovators emphasized how our approach appeals to young agripreneurs seeking scalable, tech-infused solutions.
What This Means for the Future
Scaling Pilots in East & West Africa: Based on interest generated, we’re planning pilots in Senegal and Kenya—with the goal of integrating multistorey gardens into school feeding and community nutrition strategies.
Nurturing Youth-Led Agri-Innovation: Post-forum, we’re developing mentorship networks and training modules to support youth champions in deploying vertical gardening systems.
Plugging into Financing Platforms: We’re exploring matchmaking opportunities through AFSF’s Deal Room and thematic financing streams to secure growth capital for equipment and training.
Contributing to Policy Networks: Recognized as a practical model, our gardens are now being positioned for inclusion in technical assistance platforms and spatial planning dialogues prompted by AFSF.
Join us on the next leg of this journey:
Partner with us to pilot multistorey gardens in schools, youth hubs, or peri-urban communities.
Connect on investment opportunities—we’re seed-to-shelf ready to scale.
Integrate our model into community nutrition, agriculture, or educational programming.
Contact us at farmingwonder@gmail.com to explore collaborations, pilot proposals, or speaking opportunities highlighting our multistorey garden impact in Africa’s food systems transformation.
