The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is advancing a new continental initiative aimed at strengthening the resilience of Africa’s food systems against climate change and other disruptions through coordinated investment, climate finance and strategic partnerships.

The proposed Africa Food Systems Resilience Flagship, known as RESILAFRICA, will be introduced at a high-level side event during the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, on 13 November 2026.

The initiative seeks to connect existing agricultural programmes, financing instruments and technical expertise to help African countries better anticipate climate-related shocks, protect agricultural production and livelihoods, and invest in long-term food systems resilience.

The proposed framework aligns with the AfDB Group’s Four Cardinal Points strategic vision, particularly its priority of developing resilient infrastructure and competitive value chains. It aims to integrate climate-risk intelligence, resilient agricultural infrastructure, market development and investment to support the continent’s agricultural transformation.

Addressing Africa’s growing climate risks

Africa’s agricultural sector faces increasing pressure from droughts, floods, extreme heat and disruptions to agricultural input and food markets. These challenges threaten food security, rural livelihoods and economic development across the continent.

Despite the availability of proven solutions and financing instruments, agricultural resilience efforts remain fragmented, while financial support frequently arrives after climate-related losses have already occurred.

RESILAFRICA seeks to address these gaps by promoting a more coordinated approach that shifts investment away from repeatedly responding to agricultural crises towards building long-term resilience.

By connecting governments, development partners, climate funds, research institutions, farmers’ organisations and private-sector stakeholders, the proposed initiative aims to mobilise resources and expertise to strengthen agricultural production, infrastructure, markets and regional value chains.

Mobilising investment for resilient food systems

The initiative highlights the importance of scaling climate finance and strengthening partnerships to accelerate investment in Africa’s agricultural resilience.

Improved coordination between existing programmes and financing mechanisms could help countries better prepare for climate shocks, safeguard productive agricultural assets and strengthen the systems that connect farmers to markets.

The proposed framework also presents an opportunity to support sustainable agricultural development by encouraging investment in infrastructure and value chains capable of withstanding environmental and economic disruptions.

The COP31 side event will provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss practical approaches to scaling climate finance, strengthening partnerships and shaping the proposed RESILAFRICA framework.

The discussion will take place at the Africa Pavilion (A240) from 16:30 to 18:00 UTC+3 on 13 November 2026.

Through RESILAFRICA, the African Development Bank aims to advance a more integrated approach to food systems resilience, helping African countries move from managing recurring agricultural crises towards sustained investment in climate-resilient production and long-term food security.