Why Pascal Murasira is Swapping Tech Hubs for Food Security

Kigali — On January 26, 2026, Rwandan tech leader Pascal Murasira began a new chapter focused on one of Africa’s most urgent challenges; transforming food systems. He took on the role of Executive Director of the Africa Food Fellowship (AFF), a pan-African network working to strengthen sustainable and inclusive food systems across the continent.

From Tech Hubs to Food Systems Leadership

Murasira is best known for his role in advancing Kigali as a growing technology and innovation hub in Africa, including serving as the first Managing Director of Norrsken East Africa Kigali. In his new position, he brings experience in innovation, ecosystem building, and leadership development to a sector where agriculture, economics, policy, and communities intersect.

While technology remains part of the solution, Murasira has stressed the importance of looking beyond tools alone. In a public statement, he noted:

“Technology is not a magic bullet, it only works when you have the right people, leadership, and policies in place.”

His message reflects a shift from purely tech-driven solutions toward broader, system-level approaches that emphasize coordination, leadership, and implementation.

What the Africa Food Fellowship Does

The Africa Food Fellowship focuses on supporting leaders working in what Murasira describes as the “missing middle”, the space between policy design and real-world execution.

AFF provides:

• Leadership training and mentorship for food systems practitioners
• Collaborative networks across government, private sector, and civil society
• Strategic support for governments implementing food security commitments

The Fellowship’s work aligns with the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), an African Union framework guiding food systems transformation from 2026 to 2035. CAADP prioritizes coordinated action, increased investment, innovation, and the development of resilient and inclusive food systems across Africa.

Why Food Systems Matter

Food systems go far beyond agriculture alone. They influence nutrition, food prices, employment, and overall economic stability. Murasira has emphasized that when households spend a large share of their income on food, even small price increases can affect access to healthcare, education, and housing.

Stable and affordable food systems, he argues, can help unlock growth in other sectors and support long-term economic resilience.

Bridging Vision and Action

What draws Murasira most to the Africa Food Fellowship is its focus on turning commitments into action. Reflecting on his experience supporting technology ecosystems, he has pointed to the importance of building strong teams, leadership capacity, and enabling environments; lessons he now hopes to apply to food systems transformation.

AFF aims to help leaders translate national and continental frameworks into measurable, on-the-ground outcomes that improve food security and livelihoods, and Murasira’s transition highlights a growing recognition that innovation alone is not enough without effective leadership and policy execution.

As he settles into his new role, the focus will be on bridging policy and practice ensuring that frameworks like CAADP deliver real improvements in food security, income opportunities, and resilience for communities across Africa.