Publishing - The Message of AJFAND

As we approach the end of 2025, it is a moment for reflection on our journey with AJFAND manuscripts. The inception of this initiative dates back to 2001 when I woke up with a vision and a name. After reaching out to friends and colleagues for support - financial, technical, and contributions of articles - I was encouraged to move forward. Many organizations stepped up with financial contributions, and despite numerous challenges, we have proudly maintained an uninterrupted publication record since then. The transition to online publishing was crucial, as managing hard copies proved too demanding without the necessary resources or institutional backing. I assembled a diverse and international editorial board, whose support has been invaluable. Our mission has always been to share Africa's relevant content, scientific findings, and innovations. After three hard copy publications, we recognized the need for a name change to better reflect our focus. This shift led us to concentrate on food systems, which remains our core area today. Our ultimate goal is to raise awareness about the challenges Africa faces in food systems and to amplify the voices of African food systems professionals. Sharing our scientific findings with the global community is essential, as is influencing policy at all levels. My guiding principle was: No culture has a monopoly of knowledge. And as I researched, I discovered that one of the oldest centers of learning in Africa was Timbuktu in Mali, which got bombarded by conflict before I could visit. We are also excited to welcome articles from around the world, as knowledge thrives on sharing and collaboration, aligning with the spirit of SDG 17. Let us continue this journey together. Ultimately lasting solutions will be found.