In 2003, African Union (AU) member countries made a bold commitment to end hunger by 2025. The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) was born, with a focus on achieving a 6% annual growth rate in the agricultural sector. However, as the program’s initial decade came to a close, it became clear that more needed to be done.
A New Declaration, A New Direction
In 2014, AU heads of state signed a new declaration in Malabu, setting concrete goals for the continent’s agricultural transformation by 2025. The objectives remained the same: ending hunger, halving poverty through inclusive agricultural growth, and transformation. However, a review of the declaration revealed that countries were not on track to achieving these targets.
A Shift in Strategy
At the AU Extraordinary Summit in Kampala, Uganda, in January this year, member countries adopted a new 10-year agricultural development strategy. This new plan aims to transform the agrifood systems, with the goal of becoming food secure by 2035. Experts say the key to success lies in investing in agribusiness and allocating at least 10% of national budgets to agriculture.
Financing Agrifood Systems Sustainability
In May 2025, Kenya will host the Financing Agrifood Systems Sustainability (FINAS) summit, with the theme “Taking Ownership: Rethinking Sustainable Financing for Africa’s Food Systems.” The event comes at a critical time, as USAID funding for major sectors in Africa has been cut. Dr. Charity Mutegi, Director of the FINAS Summit, emphasizes the need for African governments to take ownership of their agricultural development and allocate resources accordingly.
A New Era of Cooperation
As Africa embarks on this new chapter in its quest for food security, experts say cooperation and prudent spending will be key. The FINAS summit aims to bring together stakeholders to rethink sustainable financing for Africa’s food systems. With a focus on innovation, technology transfer, and strengthening agricultural value chains, the continent may finally be on the path to achieving its long-held goals.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
