Inside the Sahel Food Systems Changemakers Conference: 𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗘 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗔'𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗙𝗨𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘
- Posted on July 27, 2026
- Author: Esther Onuoha
- Articles
When people hear the word 𝗦𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗹, they often think of the dry region that stretches across several African countries. In this case, however, Sahel Consulting Agriculture & Nutrition Limited is a Nigerian consulting company that focuses on agriculture, food systems, and nutrition.
Founded in 2010, the company is headquartered in 𝗔𝘀𝗼𝗸𝗼𝗿𝗼, 𝗔𝗯𝘂𝗷𝗮, 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮. Instead of growing or selling food, Sahel Consulting works with governments, farmers, food companies, investors, and development organizations to improve agriculture and food production across Africa. The company carries out research, advises businesses, develops policies, and supports projects that help make food systems stronger and more sustainable.
Sahel Consulting is led by 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗿𝗼𝘆𝗲, its Managing Partner, and has partnered with organizations such as AGRA, GIZ, the European Union (EU), the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and many private companies.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗹 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲
To encourage collaboration in the food industry, Sahel Consulting launched the Sahel Food Systems Changemakers Conference (SCC) in 2022. Since then, it has become one of Nigeria's leading annual food and agribusiness conferences.
The conference brings together:
- Farmers
- Food manufacturers
- Startup founders
- Investors
- Government officials
- Researchers
- Development partners
- Students
- Business leaders, etc
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲: to discuss practical solutions that can improve food production, reduce waste, create jobs, and make food more affordable across Nigeria and Africa.
𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗱:
The conference is held in Abuja, Nigeria, with previous editions taking place at the NAF Conference Centre and Suites, Kado. Every year, hundreds of participants attend from different parts of Nigeria and other African countries.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲?
The conference features keynote speeches, panel discussions, exhibitions, networking sessions, and presentations from industry experts.
Some of the major topics discussed include:
- Food security
- Climate-smart agriculture
- Food processing
- Food technology
- Agribusiness investment
- Modern farming
- Food storage
- Supply chains
- Youth participation in agriculture
- Women's role in food production, 𝗲𝘁𝗰
Speakers explain how businesses can use technology to improve farming, reduce food waste, increase productivity, and connect farmers directly with buyers.
𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀
Over the years, the conference has featured respected leaders in Nigeria's food and agriculture industry, including:
- Ayodeji Balogun, CEO of AFEX
- Aminu Nyako, CEO of Sebore Farms
- Nkiru Okpareke, CEO of EnviroGro Farms
- Winifred Okafor, CEO of Bonita Treats
- Kolade Dada, Managing Director of SeedCo Nigeria, 𝗲𝘁𝗰
Government representatives, investors, and development organizations have also participated in discussions on strengthening Nigeria's food system.
𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 2026 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲
The 2026 Sahel Food Systems Changemakers Conference is scheduled to hold in Abuja on 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 29-30, 2026.
According to the organizers, this year's conference will focus on:
- Building stronger food systems in Africa
- Climate-smart agriculture
- Innovation and food technology
- Investment in agribusiness
- Better food processing
- Partnerships between government and private businesses
- Creating more opportunities for young people and women in agriculture, 𝗲𝘁𝗰
The organizers expect another large gathering of policymakers, entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, food companies, startups, and development partners from across Africa. As of now, the full list of speakers, special guests, and conference outcomes has not yet been officially released.
𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀
Nigeria has one of Africa's largest agricultural sectors, yet the country still faces challenges such as rising food prices, post-harvest losses, poor storage facilities, and climate change.
The Sahel Food Systems Changemakers Conference provides a platform where people from different sectors come together to discuss these challenges and share practical solutions. Many partnerships, business ideas, and policy recommendations have emerged from previous editions.
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻
The Sahel Food Systems Changemakers Conference has become an important event for anyone interested in agriculture, food businesses, or food innovation in Nigeria. By bringing together experts, entrepreneurs, investors, and government leaders, the conference is helping to shape a stronger and more sustainable food industry. As the 2026 edition approaches, it is expected to continue inspiring new ideas, partnerships, and solutions that will benefit farmers, businesses, and consumers across Africa.
𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀
- Sahel Consulting Agriculture & Nutrition Ltd. – Sahel Food Systems Changemakers Conference
- BusinessDay Nigeria – Coverage of the Sahel Food Systems Changemakers Conference
- Centre for Family Health Initiative – Conference summary and highlights
- AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa) – Partnership information