The African Union (AU) has unveiled a fresh agricultural strategy known as the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) Strategy and Action Plan 2026–2035. The new plan, launched during a major conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, aims to tackle food insecurity across the continent and build sustainable agriculture systems that can feed Africa’s 1.4 billion people.
This third-generation CAADP strategy is targeting up to $100 billion in investments to transform African agriculture into a strong driver of food security, economic development, and resilience against climate change. It builds on earlier efforts under the Maputo (2003) and Malabo (2014) Declarations but introduces a more detailed and inclusive plan that looks at the entire food system—from the soil to the consumer.
Uganda’s Minister of State for Agriculture, Fred Bwino Kyakulaga, who also chairs the AU’s Specialized Technical Committee on Agriculture, explained that the plan is about more than just increasing food production. “This is not just about increasing yields—it’s about creating functioning systems of production, processing, and equitable market access,” he said. “Africa is moving beyond subsistence to strategic self-sufficiency.”
The strategy does not just focus on farms and farmers. It also aims to improve food processing, transport systems, and markets while supporting smallholder farmers, women, and young people. It will also support nature-friendly farming methods, use of modern technologies, and measures to help countries adapt to the growing effects of climate change.
Africa is already under pressure. The continent has nine of the world’s ten most climate-vulnerable countries. Rapid urban growth is increasing food demand, while climate-related disasters are already costing African countries up to 9 percent of their national budgets. The AU Commissioner for Agriculture, Moses Vilakati, said the new strategy is an opportunity to reset the continent’s food systems and move towards stronger, integrated economies.
Another key part of the new CAADP phase is accountability. Countries are not just expected to sign agreements—they must now take real action. Nardos Bekele, CEO of the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD, said, “The launch is not a ceremony—it is the ignition of a decade of acceleration.” She stressed that member states must now involve all sectors, including youth, women, private investors, and civil society.
The African Food Systems Parliamentary Network (AFSPaN) also called on parliaments to take the lead in supporting this strategy. The network said lawmakers must pass laws, monitor performance, and push for enough budget allocation to ensure the Kampala Declaration becomes a reality in each country.
The private sector and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) are expected to play a key role in the success of this new strategy. Uganda’s Minister Fred Bwino and South Africa’s Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen both stressed the importance of regional collaboration to fix problems like poor infrastructure, weak markets, and slow technology adoption.
Steenhuisen said African countries must stop market barriers and encourage innovation. “We must resolve the failures that hinder technology adoption. Only then can we unlock the true potential of our farms and agribusinesses,” he said.
Africa’s new agricultural plan is also open to private and foreign investors. With a $100 billion investment pipeline, the AU is calling on partners to invest in sectors like agri-tech, irrigation, logistics, renewable energy, and digital finance. The plan is designed to work well with other African initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA).
However, delivering this plan will not be easy. Experts say that countries must be willing to change old policies, invest more in research, and develop human talent—especially among the youth. The next Biennial Review of CAADP will be the first test to see if countries are serious about implementing the new plan. For Africa to truly transform its agriculture and secure food for future generations, action must begin now.
