𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗔𝗙𝗦𝗔 || 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗕𝗘𝗟𝗔𝗬 || 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗧𝗪𝗢

In the second part of his interview for The Voice of AFSA Newsletter, Dr Million Belay takes us inside the story of how the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa took shape. He traces AFSA’s beginnings from early conversations among African networks, through the first meetings in Addis Ababa, to its formal launch and registration. Rather than a single founding moment, he describes #AFSA as a collective journey built over time, shaped by shared principles, trust, and a deep commitment to African led thinking on #foodsystems.

He speaks candidly about the choices AFSA made early on, why #FoodSovereignty mattered, how #agroecology became central, and what it meant to build a continental movement with political clarity, bold positions, and a strong African voice.

Million also reflects on AFSA’s journey and achievements over the years, from the establishment of working groups on #land, #seeds, #climate, and #citizens, to major milestones such as continental food systems conferences, seed and soil initiatives, agroecological entrepreneurship, and campaigns like #MyFoodIsAfrican and #SeedIsLife. He explains how AFSA grew by remaining member driven rather than secretariat led, with these spaces becoming engines of learning and action across the continent.

At the end of the conversation, Dr Million reflects on continuity and responsibility. He explains why he launched The #BattleForAfricanAgriculture podcast as a space for learning, documentation, and deeper engagement with Africa’s food systems struggles.

When asked how he hopes to be remembered, he shifts away from titles or recognition and speaks instead of trying to do the right thing, walking with others, and helping remove obstacles so movements, ideas, and people can move forward together.

Read Part Two of the interview in The Voice of AFSA Newsletter
https://mailchi.mp/afsafrica.org/meet-million-belay-part-two

Listen to the full conversation here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7bXBFhmttw

𝗧𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗔𝗧 #𝗖𝗢𝗣𝟯𝟬, 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗲́𝗺, 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗹

AFSA’s Programmes and Networking Coordinator, Bridget Mugambe, joined government authorities, global movement leaders, and civil society partners in a high-level panel on Territorial Agroecology Networks: Integrating Climate Resilience with Food and Nutritional Security. The session highlighted how territorial #agroecology, supported by public policies, is driving climate justice, food sovereignty, and resilient local food systems, with lessons drawn from Brazil and global alliances.

In her remarks, Bridget highlighted AFSA’s major continental initiatives that are strengthening #agroecology as a just #climate solution. These include the #SeedIsLife Campaign promoting farmer managed seed systems, the Healthy Soil Healthy Food Initiative implemented through 15 soil learning centres across Africa to regenerate soils using biofertilisers and biopesticides strictly through an agroecological approach, and the #MyFoodIsAfrican Campaign celebrating traditional African cuisines for healthy diets, cultural revival, and sustainable food systems. She emphasised that food is more than what is on our plate , it is political, and our choices impact the planet, the communities growing food, and the farmers who nourish us.

In her intervention, Bridget shared AFSA’s continental advocacy to position agroecology as a just climate action and to institutionalize agroecology within global climate frameworks, including under the #UNFCCC processes. She underscored the power of social movements, youth and women leadership, community-driven knowledge, and solidarity networks across Africa.

Watch her short video below as she speaks from the Action Agenda venue, hosted by the #COP30 Presidency, amplifying Africa’s voice for system-wide transformation.

#Agroecology4Climate