In this fourth proposed event, we will explore the channels through which trade and industrial policies can help launch a renewed, job-rich and sustainable development agricultural agenda in African countries; one that leverages immense untapped national and regional potential, enables homegrown innovation to thrive and opens up new opportunities for local business to create new and better jobs.

Context: COVID-19 is taking its toll on Africa, reemphasising persistent structural weaknesses that overexpose countries across the continent to the social, health and economic impacts of the pandemic. These include a high dependency on food imports, weak local production systems, limited digital connectivity and the prevalence of informal micro businesses.

However, as well as highlighting reasons for concern, African policymakers' response to COVID-19 also has the potential to accelerate innovation, improve the responsiveness of agricultural and food systems and ignite a growth recovery, unlocking industrialisation, modernisation and continental integration. With local manufacturing and expertise emerging as critical components in igniting the post-pandemic recovery, this means prioritising large increases in production but also in innovation.