• AU Heads of State have been urged to incorporate newly agreed Kampala Declaration’s commitments into national policies and budgets.
  • To succeed however, economies must confront climate change, economic instability, and rapid tech evolution head-on to build a resilient agricultural sector.
  • By prioritizing resilience, inclusivity, and innovation, the declaration sets a bold precedent for tackling the continent’s most pressing challenges.

The lush shores of Lake Victoria provided a fitting backdrop as African leaders, policymakers, and agricultural stakeholders gathered from January 9th to 11th, 2025, at Kampala’s Speke Resort. The occasion? The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Extraordinary Summit, which culminated in the adoption of Kampala Declaration—a 10-year roadmap for achieving food security and sustainable agricultural growth across the continent.

The Kampala Declaration embodies Africa’s commitment to revitalizing its ailing agrifood systems under the African Union’s Agenda 2063. For this vision to turn into reality, however, Ambassador Josefa Sacko, AU Commissioner for Agriculture, stressed that Africa must confront climate change, economic instability, and rapid technological evolution head-on to build a resilient agricultural sector.

“We must position the continent to adapt and thrive despite these challenges,” she asserted.

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni also weighed in, citing the need for African nations to shift from exporting raw materials to investing in value-added agricultural products. “Africa must harness its vast agricultural potential by focusing on research, irrigation, and modern practices,” he said, underscoring the summit’s ambitious goals.

Kampala Declaration: Focus on livestock, a pillar in African economies

Livestock, a vital cog in Africa’s agricultural economy, took center stage during the summit. Dr. Huyam Salih, Director of the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), highlighted its profound impact. “Livestock contributes over 30 percent of Africa’s agricultural GDP and supports millions through food security and social stability,” she noted.

Yet, persistent challenges such as disease outbreaks, feed shortages, and fragmented value chains continue to hinder progress. Uganda’s Minister of State for Agriculture, Dr. Bright Rwamirama, called for urgent investment in livestock productivity, citing its critical role in combating malnutrition and ensuring dietary diversity. “We cannot achieve food security without placing livestock at the forefront of our efforts,” he explained.

To this end, the Kampala Declaration outlined several key commitments for enhancing animal resources, including: strengthening disease surveillance and vaccine production, implementing one health protocols to safeguard human, animal, and environmental health, improving fodder crop varieties to boost livestock productivity, and harnessing the continent’s aquatic wealth

Africa’s fisheries and aquatic resources also received considerable attention at the summit. With vast water bodies teeming with life, the potential of fisheries to bolster food security is immense. Dr. Morris Akiri, Senior Regional Director at CABI, called for increased investment in resilient fishery value chains and innovation-driven youth engagement.

Dr. Salih advocated for sustainable governance of aquatic ecosystems, aligning her remarks with the Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa (PFRS). This approach aims to ensure that aquatic resources are managed equitably, with a focus on long-term sustainability.

The declaration’s commitments to fisheries include: promoting sustainable fishing practices, strengthening the resilience of fishery-dependent communities, and encouraging ecosystem-based management approaches.

The CAADP 10-year strategy: A vision for resilience

The Kampala Declaration dovetails with the CAADP 10-Year Strategy and Action Plan (2026–2035), an ambitious framework that identifies clear priorities for Africa’s agrifood systems. Among these priorities are:

  1. Integrated agrifood systems

By establishing interconnected crop, livestock, and fisheries value chains, the strategy seeks to enhance resilience across the agricultural sector. To this end, collaborative approaches will help mitigate supply chain disruptions and improve efficiency.

  1. Climate adaptation

Recognizing the existential threat of climate change, the strategy prioritizes advanced irrigation systems, drought-resistant crops, and sustainable practices in aquaculture and livestock farming.

  1. Market access and value addition

With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in full swing, expanding intra-African trade is paramount. The declaration emphasizes developing infrastructure and boosting competitiveness through value-added agricultural products.

  1. Inclusivity and equity

The strategy underscores empowering women, youth, and marginalized groups to innovate and actively participate in agricultural value chains, ensuring equitable growth.

The Kampala Declaration is a call to action for governments, regional bodies, the private sector, and civil society to align their efforts. AU Heads of State urged Member States to incorporate the declaration’s commitments into national policies and budgets while fostering private-sector investments in agrifood systems.

Key recommendations include:

  • Institutional Strengthening: Establishing apex teams for monitoring progress and creating effective coordination mechanisms.
  • Resource Mobilization: Leveraging domestic and international funding to implement the declaration’s objectives.
  • Capacity Building: Training farmers and agricultural workers to adopt innovative practices and improve productivity.

The African Union and its development arm, AUDA-NEPAD, have committed to supporting these efforts through the biennial CAADP Agricultural Review Process and facilitating regional collaboration.

Challenges and opportunities ahead

While the Kampala Declaration sets an ambitious agenda, its success hinges on overcoming significant hurdles. Climate change remains a formidable adversary, threatening crop yields and livestock health. Additionally, limited infrastructure, inadequate funding, and fragmented policy implementation pose challenges.

However, Africa’s agricultural potential remains unparalleled. By harnessing its vast resources and human capital, the continent can transform its agrifood systems into engines of economic growth and food security. Collaborative initiatives like the Kampala Declaration provide a vital blueprint for achieving this vision.

The Kampala Declaration represents a pivotal moment in Africa’s journey toward food security and sustainable agricultural growth. By prioritizing resilience, inclusivity, and innovation, the declaration sets a bold precedent for tackling the continent’s most pressing challenges.

As farmers, policymakers, and stakeholders rally behind this blueprint, the promise of a food-secure Africa comes into sharper focus. The road ahead is long, but with collective determination and strategic action, the vision of a healthy and prosperous Africa is well within reach.

Read also“Lost Crops” Provide Unique Opportunity For Food Security in Africa

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James Wambua is a seasoned business news editor specializing in various industries including energy, economics, and agriculture. With a comprehensive understanding of these industries across Africa, he excels in delivering accurate and insightful news coverage that keeps readers informed about key developments and trends.

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