CAADP 2026-2035: Transforming Africa’s Agriculture for Food Security and Economic Growth

About CAADP

Established in 2003 through the Maputo Declaration and reaffirmed in the 2014 Malabo Declaration, the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) is the cornerstone of Africa’s agricultural transformation agenda under AU Agenda 2063. Its mission is to enhance agricultural productivity, foster economic growth through agriculture-led development, and eradicate hunger and poverty across the continent.

The African Union (AU) has launched a pivotal three-day extraordinary summit in Kampala, Uganda, where ministers of agriculture from the 55 AU member states are convening to adopt the groundbreaking Kampala Declaration and a 10-Year Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Strategy and Action Plan. This ambitious initiative is poised to redefine agricultural development, sustainability, and food systems across Africa, setting a transformative path for 2026-2035.

A Strategic Vision for Africa’s Agricultural Future

The CAADP Strategy and Action Plan, developed over the past 10 months with input from diverse stakeholders, embodies the African Union’s commitment to addressing systemic challenges in agriculture. Its roots lie in the Malabo Declaration of 2014, which called for accelerated agricultural growth and transformation to enhance prosperity and livelihoods on the continent. The strategy aligns with the African Common Position on the 2021 United Nations Food Systems Summit and AU Agenda 2063, ensuring a cohesive and inclusive framework for agricultural innovation and sustainability.

Collaborative Stakeholder Engagement

The strategy reflects extensive collaboration among regional economic communities, researchers, development partners, parliamentarians, farmers’ organizations, women in agriculture, youth groups, and the private sector. It underwent rigorous review processes, including evaluation by the AU Specialized Technical Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water, and Environment (ARDWE). This collaborative effort ensures that the strategy not only addresses the complex realities of African agriculture but also empowers marginalized groups to participate equitably in the agrifood system.

Core Objectives of the CAADP Strategy

The 10-Year CAADP Strategy emphasizes:

• Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Developing systems to withstand climate change impacts and other environmental challenges.
• Enhanced Food Security: Reducing chronic hunger and ensuring Africa’s capacity to feed itself sustainably.
• Economic Growth and Job Creation: Transforming agriculture into a leading economic driver, creating millions of jobs for youth and women.
• Intra-African Trade Expansion: Boosting agricultural value chains and fostering regional trade in agricultural goods.
• Infrastructure Development: Improving rural infrastructure and reducing post-harvest losses to support efficient food production and distribution.
• Inclusive Growth: Ensuring women, youth, and marginalized groups have access to resources and decision-making processes.

Addressing Africa’s Pressing Food Security Challenges

Africa faces significant agricultural and food security challenges, exacerbated by climate change, conflicts, rapid population growth, and economic disruptions. Over 280 million Africans currently suffer from chronic hunger, and the continent remains heavily dependent on food imports, costing over USD 100 billion annually. The CAADP Strategy seeks to change this narrative by prioritizing local production, reducing food waste, and building resilient food systems.

Leadership and Calls to Action

Ugandan Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, emphasized the urgency of achieving food self-sufficiency:
“For us to guarantee our future as Africans, we must feed ourselves,” she stated, urging delegates to develop actionable proposals for reducing Africa’s food import dependency.

H.E. Ambassador Josefa Sacko, AU Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment, underscored the transformative potential of the CAADP strategy:
“This plan aims to boost food production, expand value addition, and create millions of jobs, all while building resilient and inclusive agrifood value chains.”

Ethiopia’s Minister of Agriculture, H.E. Dr. Girma Amente, highlighted Ethiopia’s success in integrating CAADP principles into its National Agricultural Investment Plan (NAIP), achieving consistent agricultural growth and resilience.

Uganda’s Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, who chaired the drafting of the strategy, stressed the need for immediate implementation:
“We must move into execution mode to make a meaningful impact on our people. This calls for technological innovation, agro-industrialization, and climate-resilient agricultural systems.”

Towards a Prosperous and Food-Secure Africa

The Kampala Summit marks a critical juncture in Africa’s journey toward food security, sustainable development, and agricultural transformation. The meeting will conclude on January 11 with the adoption of the Kampala Declaration by AU Heads of State and Government, marking the beginning of a decade-long commitment to reshaping Africa’s agricultural landscape.

The adoption of the Kampala Declaration and the 10-Year CAADP Strategy and Action Plan represents a bold step toward transforming Africa’s agricultural landscape. By prioritizing sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience, this initiative aims to address the continent’s pressing food security challenges while driving economic growth and empowering marginalized communities. As Africa embarks on this transformative journey, the unwavering commitment of all stakeholders will be crucial in building a prosperous, food-secure future that ensures no one is left behind.