Common Grounds: Pathways to Tackling Post-Harvest Losses in West Africa

This edition of Common Grounds - a series of conversations shaping Africa’s agrifood systems, economies, and futures - explores one of West Africa’s most pressing challenges: post-harvest losses. Every year, millions of tons of food grown across West Africa never reach the market or the table. The losses are more than agricultural; they erode livelihoods, weaken economies, and waste opportunity. Yet within this challenge lies an enormous frontier for innovation, investment, and collaboration.

Common Grounds brings together the voices shaping that frontier, from farmers and agripreneurs to financiers, policymakers, and researchers, for a 90-minute virtual exchange that explores the root causes of post-harvest losses and how strategic partnerships and financing can unlock scalable, inclusive solutions.

🌾 For Agrifood Practitioners and Entrepreneurs

Discover pragmatic approaches to reducing loss across value chains, from infrastructure and cold-storage innovations to last-mile logistics and market access models that actually work.

💰 For Investors and Development Partners

Gain insight into the real barriers and investment opportunities that can drive measurable impact in food security, job creation, and climate resilience across the region.

🏛️ For Policymakers and Ecosystem Builders

Engage in systems-level dialogue on regional coordination, enabling environments, and the public-private synergies needed to move from fragmented efforts to coherent transformation.

🔬 For Researchers and Academics

Hear first-hand accounts that bring data to life - providing empirical grounding for emerging research on sustainable food systems and post-harvest innovation.

Why Attend this Edition of Common Grounds?

• Dynamic Exchange: Hear from four leading experts across finance, policy, infrastructure, and innovation, with live audience Q&A.
• Cross-Sector Collaboration: Connect with professionals and changemakers committed to reimagining Africa’s agrifood future.
• Actionable Insights: Leave with tangible ideas, partnership pathways, and investment perspectives to drive real change.

Speakers include:

• Benson Iji [CEO, Cold Sylos]
• Dara Adekunle [Founder & Managing Partner, Farmties Capital]
• Muhammad Bubayaro [Exective Director, Infrastructure Network for Africa Food Systems (INAFS)]
  Moderator: Dr. Oluwabukola Makinde [Global Development Scholar & Practitioner]

Date & Time: Saturday, November 8, 2025 | 9:00 AM EST/3:00 PM WAT
Format: Virtual (Zoom) · 90 minutes
Admission: Free (registration required)

About Common Grounds
Common Grounds is an ongoing series of conversations convened by Graft Africa to connect ideas, people, and pathways shaping West Africa’s agrifood systems, economies, and futures. Each edition spotlights a pivotal challenge - transforming insight into action for a more resilient, inclusive food future.