COMESA held the first Project Steering Committee (PSC) Meeting under Phase II of the Regional Food Balance Sheet (RFBS) initiative, from 30-31 July 2025 in Kigali, Rwanda.
The two-day meeting brought together a high-level delegation of regional and international stakeholders, including representatives from AGRA, the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF), the Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC), and technical leads from COMESA Member States. Directors of Agriculture from Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia, Malawi and Uganda contributed to the dialogue.
Also in attendance were key partners from Akademiya2063, and the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) who demonstrated how their advanced analytics systems can contribute data to the RFBS and offer collaboration to improve the RFBs’s early warning function.
Speaking on behalf of COMESA Secretariat, Director of Agriculture and Industry Mrs Providence Mavubi said “RFBS Phase II is more than a project – it is a shared commitment to building a robust, responsive, and enduring platform that strengthens food security monitoring, informs policy decisions, and supports regional trade and economic integration.”
Key outcomes of the meeting included the endorsement of the geographical and commodity expansion, with the onboarding of Egypt, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Mozambique and other Member States on a need basis, endorsement for additional crops – wheat, soy beans, millet, sorghum and others, as per country readiness and depending on their food security and trade importance. They also considered integration of advanced AI-driven analytics by Akademiya2063 to enhance crop forecasting and production estimates, in collaboration with national food balance sheet committees.
Other resolutions included the commencement of preparations for the launch of the RFBS Mobile App and the Knowledge Hub, which will enhance accessibility and engagement, especially for youth and smallholder farmers
Looking ahead, COMESA and partners will deepen policy dialogue, strengthen governance structures, and continue investing in digital and AI-driven innovations that support regional food system resilience and informed decision-making.
https://www.rfbsa.com