The National Seed Association of Rwanda (NSAR) participated in the Public-Private Dialogue on Mobilising the Private Sector for Sustainable Trade and Investment in Africa’s Agrifood Sector, held on 9–10 February 2026 at the Trademark Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. The high-level meeting, organised by the OECD in collaboration with the African Union Commission and the Governments of Romania and Kenya, brought together public and private sector leaders to address key constraints affecting Africa’s agrifood systems, including infrastructure gaps, limited access to finance, and the need for reforms to improve the business and investment climate. Discussions highlighted the importance of implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to enhance regional integration, strengthen agrifood value chains, and unlock private sector investment to drive sustainable agricultural growth and food security across the continent.

The dialogue featured strategic sessions on advancing trade and strengthening seed systems in Africa. The Hon. Prudence Sebahizi, Rwanda’s Minister of Trade and Industry, served as a panelist on implementing the AfCFTA to foster agrifood value chains within Africa and beyond. On the second day, Mr. Innocent Namuhoranye, Chairman of NSAR, contributed to the session on Seed Certification Systems for Africa, focusing on promoting continuous growth in the establishment of robust seed certification systems. The session emphasized the role of the OECD Seed Schemes and the G7-OECD initiative on strengthening seed certification capacities to improve seed quality, boost yields, increase farmer incomes, and enhance agricultural productivity across Africa.

 Link to Photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCK7FH