Wildlife Safari to Tsavo National Park or Mombasa City Tour

Wildlife Safari to Tsavo National Park Embark on an unforgettable safari adventure at Tsavo National Park, one of Kenya’s largest and most iconic reserves. Participants will experience breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife—including elephants, lions, and giraffes—and the unique beauty of Africa’s natural heritage. This excursion offers a perfect opportunity to relax, explore, and connect with the wonders of the wild after the Congress.

Mombasa City Tour Discover the rich history and coastal charm of Mombasa through a guided city tour. Participants will explore vibrant markets, cultural landmarks such as Fort Jesus, and the old town’s Swahili architecture, while experiencing the unique blend of African, Arab, and European influences that shape the city. The tour promises a memorable journey into the culture and heritage of Kenya’s coastal capital.

Business Session 2: APRACA: Leveraging Green Finance to Accelerate Sustainable Agri-food System in Asia and the Pacific

Moderator: Dr. Prasun Kumar Das, Secretary General, APRACA Panelists

• Mr. Chatchai Sirilai, President, Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) Thailand.
• Mr. Shaji K V, Chairman, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.
• HE Dr. Kao Thach, Chief Executive Officer, Agriculture and Rural Development Bank, Cambodia
• Mr. Biswo Nath Poudel, Hon’ble Governor, Nepal Rastra Bank
• Ms. Bernadette Fatima R Puyat, Deputy Governor, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Coffee & Networking / Exhibition

Pause for some coffee and light snacks. Use this time to relax, reflect on the sessions, and connect with other participants in a more informal setting. It’s a great opportunity to exchange ideas, strengthen networks, and spark new conversations before the next session begins.

Business Session 3: ALIDE: Support Mechanisms for Building Resilient Agrifood Systems in Latin America

Moderator: Edgardo Alvarez, Secretary General, ALIDE Panelists (Tentative TBC)

• Alan Elizondo, Director General, FIRA – Banco de México
• Manuel Otero, Director General, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA)
• Luiz Amorim de Andrade, Director of Agribusiness, Banco do Nordeste do Brazil (BNB)
• Alexandra Restrepo, President, Fondo para el Financiamiento del Sector Agropecuario (Finagro), Colombia
• Percy Medina, President, Agrarian Bank – Agrobanco, Peru
• Erlyn Menjivar, President, Banco Nacional de Desarrollo Agricola (BANADESA), Honduras.
• International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Latin America and Caribbean Division
• Ricardo Fort, Senior Research, Grupo de Análisis para el Desarrollo (GRADE), Peru
• Geoffrey Musyoki, Regional Agriculture Specialist Africa, OIKOCREDIT

Lunch

Recharge and connect over a delicious lunch. This is the perfect time to meet fellow participants, exchange ideas, and build valuable relationships in a relaxed setting. Take advantage of this informal networking opportunity to share insights, explore collaborations, and expand your professional circle.

Business Session 4: CICA

Business Session 4: CICA Presentation by Guillaume LEFEBVRE, Directeur Général, IFCAM Open Forum for Q & A

GLOBAL SESSION 2: Policy enablers and coordination frameworks for financing agri-food systems

Presentation by Expert from AFRACA - Priscilla Muiruri, Chairperson of the National Food Systems Technical Working Group of Kenya Panellists

• FAO
• IFAD
• AGRA
• UNDP

Registration of Delegates

The Registration of Delegates ensures a smooth check-in process for all participants, providing them with event materials, badges, and essential information. This session sets the stage for a well-organized experience, allowing attendees to familiarize themselves with the program and network with fellow delegates before the main activities commence.

Opening Session

The Opening Session marks the official start of the event, setting the tone for insightful discussions and meaningful engagements. It features keynote addresses from distinguished speakers, welcoming remarks, and an overview of the event’s objectives. This session provides a platform to highlight key themes, expectations, and the significance of the gathering in driving innovation and collaboration in rural and agricultural finance.

Coffee & Networking

The Coffee & Networking session offers a relaxed environment for attendees to connect, exchange ideas, and build valuable relationships over a refreshing cup of coffee. This informal gathering fosters collaboration, allowing participants to engage with industry peers, experts, and stakeholders in a friendly and productive setting.

Global Session 1: Regional Perspectives on Integrating Innovative Financing Mechanisms in National Food System Pathways

Global experts will present and discuss how innovative financing mechanisms have been integrated in national food systems pathways across regions. Out of the 127 national food systems pathways developed across the globe only 40% have managed to link finance to national pathways.

Lunch

The Lunch Break provides attendees with a chance to relax, enjoy a delicious meal, and network in an informal setting. It offers an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas, reflect on key discussions, and build meaningful connections with fellow participants.

Business Session 1: AFRACA - Maximizing Transformative, Inclusive Financing Models and Policies to Build Resilient Agri-food Systems in Africa

Session Chair - Mr. Thomas T. Essel, Secretary General, AFRACA

• Setting the scene – Kwame Oppong, Director, Bank of Ghana
• Co-operative Bank of Kenya - Special case 1 - Digitizing Agricultural Value Chain Finance for Inclusiveness in Kenya (Co-op Soko model) – Vincent Marangu, Director of Co-operatives, Co-operative Bank of Kenya
• Presentation by Credit Agricole du Maroc /Credit Mutuel du Senegal/BNDA Mali/FCPB Burkina Faso - Special case 2
• Presentation on practical policies to promote inclusiveness of youth and women in Agrifood systems – NYDA South Africa
• De-risking Agri-food system finance for impact – GIRSAL

CEO Executive Breakfast

Masterclass Workshop on "Artificial Intelligence in Rural & Agricultural Finance”. Strictly by Invitation Only

Networking / Health Break

Take a moment to refresh and recharge with healthy snacks and beverages. This break also offers a great opportunity to connect with fellow participants, exchange insights, and build new professional relationships in a relaxed setting.

Climate Intelligence Tools for Finance

Alliance for Bioversity & CIAT is developing tools, platforms, analytics, and partnerships that help financial institutions, investors, value chain actors, smallholder farmers, projects etc. better integrate climate risk, adaptation, and mitigation into financial decision-making.

Catalysing Rural Resilience

Financing Innovations for Agri-SMEs through Local Institutions. Panellists: • Vista Bank Sierra Leone • The Alternative Bank Nigeria • The Africa Resilience Investment Accelerator (ARIA)

The Role of Digital Lenders in Financing Local Agribusiness Value Chains in Africa

Digital lenders are increasingly essential players in financing local agribusiness value chains in Africa. They offer promise through more accessible credit, lower transaction costs, improved risk assessment, and better alignment of financial services with agricultural realities. However, realisation of that potential depends on a supportive policy environment, good data, infrastructure, and product design that matches farmers’ needs and risk profiles.

Lunch

Recharge and connect over a delicious lunch. This is the perfect time to meet fellow participants, exchange ideas, and build valuable relationships in a relaxed setting. Take advantage of this informal networking opportunity to share insights, explore collaborations, and expand your professional circle.

Arrival of Delegates & Registration

AFRACA Policy Dissemination

Insights into Central Bank Policies on Rural and Agricultural Finance: The Case of AFRACA Members: Panelists from Central Banks • Central Bank of Kenya • Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe • Bank of Uganda • Bank of Ghana • Banque de la République du Burundi • AFC Kenya

Tea Break

Pause for a refreshing tea break and light snacks. Use this time to relax, reflect on the sessions, and connect with other participants in a more informal setting. It’s a great opportunity to exchange ideas, strengthen networks, and spark new conversations before the next session begins.

Knowledge Exchange

Presentation of the Special Report on Financing Agri-Food Systems Transformation Session Moderator • Ruth Oryjong, AFRACA Panellists • Niclas Benni, FAO • Harsha Vishnumelakala, Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) • Kamal Elharty, Shamba Centre for Food & Climate

FAO Lunch & Networking Break

Recharge and connect over a delicious lunch. This is the perfect time to meet fellow participants, exchange ideas, and build valuable relationships in a relaxed setting. Take advantage of this informal networking opportunity to share insights, explore collaborations, and expand your professional circle.

AgriPDB Platform

Unlocking the potential of Public Development Bank Investment towards more Inclusive Food Systems for youth and women. Case studies from Africa, Asia and Latin America.