Over 2,000 dignitaries and stakeholders have convened in Kampala for the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) African Union (AU) Summit. The three-day gathering, under the theme “Sustainable and Resilient Agrifood Systems for a Healthy and Prosperous Africa,” began yesterday at Speke Resort Munyonyo and will conclude today.
Representatives from 49 AU member states are expected to adopt the draft CAADP Strategy and Action Plan (2026–2035) and the Kampala CAADP Declaration. These frameworks aim to overhaul Africa’s agrifood systems, addressing critical challenges such as food insecurity, climate change, and reliance on imports.
Ambassador Josefa Sacko, AU Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment, underscored the summit’s significance in shaping Africa's agrifood landscape for the next decade.
“This summit and the Kampala Declaration signify a pivotal moment in our collective mission to achieve food sovereignty and build a prosperous, food-secure Africa. Through collaboration, we can achieve these ambitious goals,” Ambassador Sacko stated.
The new 10-year CAADP strategy seeks to boost agricultural production, enhance value addition, expand intra-African trade, and create jobs for youth and women. It also aims to build inclusive and sustainable agrifood value chains capable of withstanding future shocks and stressors.
Uganda’s Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, challenged African agriculture ministers to prioritize reducing the continent’s dependency on food imports. She emphasized that Africa, blessed with fertile soils, abundant water resources, and favorable climates, must harness its potential to feed itself.
“Africa has 65% of the world’s remaining uncultivated arable land, yet we continue to rely on imports to feed our people. This summit must produce actionable solutions to end this trend,” Nabbanja declared.
She also highlighted the need to align agriculture with technological advancements and ensure resilience to climate change and other external shocks.
Agriculture Minister Frank Tumwebaze, tasked with spearheading the post-Malabo CAADP agenda, confirmed that Uganda is poised to lead the adoption of the 2026–2035 Strategy and Action Plan.
“I am honored to have been entrusted with this responsibility. We are now at the final stages of developing a comprehensive strategy that will transform Africa’s agrifood systems,” Tumwebaze said.
The CAADP initiative, established in 2003 under Agenda 2063, has been a cornerstone of Africa’s efforts to eradicate hunger and poverty through agriculture-led development. It calls for member states to allocate at least 10% of national budgets to agriculture and achieve 6% annual growth in the sector.
Ambassador Sacko pointed out that the February 2024 AU Biennial Review revealed no country was on track to meet the Malabo CAADP targets by 2025. In response, AU leaders directed the development of a new agenda to address the persistent challenges and opportunities within Africa’s agrifood systems.
The Kampala Declaration is expected to mark a turning point, committing African nations to resilient agrifood systems and fostering a healthier and more prosperous continent.
As the summit progresses, the collective vision of transforming agriculture into a driver of economic growth, job creation, and food security for Africa remains steadfast. The decisions made here will echo across the continent, shaping a sustainable future for generations to come.
