On the occasion of World Food Safety Day 2025, four EU-funded initiatives — FCI4Africa, FoodSafety4Africa, HealthyDiets4Africa, and the Uprise Food Safety Project — came together to host the “World Food Safety Day Symposium for Next Gen Food Safety Practitioners.” With over 150 registrations, this online gathering, held on 4 and 5 June, brought into sharp focus the vital role of science, policy, and collaborative innovation in strengthening food safety systems across Africa.

The Symposium opened with a welcome from moderator Dr. Fadel Ndiame of Food Systems Transformation Solutions in South Africa, who set the scene by emphasising the need to build more resilient, equitable, and science-informed food systems, followed by a powerful keynote address by Dr. Amare Ayalew of the African Union Commission. His intervention underscored the urgency of harmonised continental action and the need for investments in capacity-building, especially for youth and early-career professionals.

FS4Africa in action

The spotlight then turned to the four projects behind the Symposium, each presenting how their work contributes to safer and more sustainable food systems in Africa. A major highlight was the presentation by FS4Africa’s coordinator, Dr. Titilayo Falade from the Institut International d'Agriculture Tropicale (IITA) in Nigeria. Her intervention illustrated how FS4Africa is tackling food safety challenges in informal markets, which account for a significant portion of food trade and consumption across the continent. By focusing on risk assessment, participatory training, and context-adapted technology, FS4Africa is equipping key actors in the food chain with the tools and knowledge to improve food safety on the ground.

A compelling panel discussion brought together experts from the European Commission, the African Continental Association for Food Protection, and project representatives from across Europe and Africa. Among the speakers was Dr. Rose Omari of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Ghana, who offered insights into the communication and behavioural aspects of food safety adoption, especially in contexts where formal regulation is limited but community trust remains high.

Insights from Europe-Africa Collaboration

Sarah De Saeger (Uprise Food Safety Project), Michael Frei (HealthyDiets4Africa), and Shiferaw Feleke (FCI4Africa) each outlined how their initiatives expand the EU–Africa research ecosystem. Together they cover every layer of the food-safety puzzle—from policy and nutrition-sensitive agriculture to fair-trade mechanisms and innovation platforms.

Poster presentations deepened knowledge exchange

The second day of the Symposium shifted to a series of engaging poster presentations. Each project showcased in greater detail the scope of its work, sharing findings, visualisations, and stories of innovation from the field. FS4Africa’s session stood out for its focus on grassroots engagement and its emphasis on co-creating knowledge platforms with African partners. The project’s beta Knowledge Platform, launched just ahead of the event, is already serving as a key resource for food safety practitioners working in and with African contexts. Aboudou Azim Bolalé from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture and National University of Agriculture (Republic of Benin) presented his research on the “Integrated strategies to reduce pesticides residues in cereal and legume grains: a pathway to comprehensive management in Benin Republic”, while Buba Daffeh (Egerton University Kenya) showcased findings on “Effects of Aflatoxin Inhibiting Technologies on the productivity of groundnuts in Elgeiyo-Marakwet and Baringo Counties, Kenya”. Lastly, Sylvia Baah-Tuahene from Science and Technology Policy Research Institute (CSIR-STEPRI) presented her research on “Aflatoxin Mitigation and Adoption Barriers in Ghana’s Groundnut Sector”.

Next Generation Leadership for Safer Food Systems

The event concluded with closing remarks by Dr. Parvez Haris of De Montfort University, who moderated the second day. He reiterated the significance of building bridges between scientific research and practical implementation, and the importance of nurturing the next generation of food safety leaders who understand both.

By the end of the Symposium, one message rang clear: the future of food safety in Africa depends on sustained partnerships, investment in local capacities, and trust in science. FS4Africa’s contributions — grounded in participatory action, African ownership, and systemic thinking — continue to be at the forefront of this movement, proving that collaborative science can indeed serve as a catalyst for transformation.