Since its launch in 2003 in Maputo and renewal in 2014 in Malabo by African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government, the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) has promoted evidence-based decision-making and performance monitoring of Africa’s agricultural transformation, food security and nutrition, economic growth, and prosperity for all. After two decades of CAADP implementation, the continent has made enormous progress in terms of expansion of public investments in agriculture and intra-African agricultural trade, agricultural and economic growth, and improvement in poverty and nutrition outcomes. But progress has been uneven, significant challenges remain, and new ones have come to the fore. The COVID-19 pandemic, for example, interrupted economic growth and caused deterioration in hunger and nutrition outcomes, and the Russia-Ukraine war created supply chain and other trade shocks. The slowdown in growth has been compounded by the effects of climate change, including extreme weather events, conflicts, and other pest infestations such as locust and fall armyworm across the continent.
At an Extraordinary Summit of the AU held in Kampala, Uganda on 9-11 January 2025, the African leaders adopted the CAADP Strategy and Action Plan (2026-2035) and Kampala CAADP Declaration on Building Resilient and Sustainable Agrifood Systems in Africa. Both benefitted from broad stakeholder input, and data, evidence and analysis led by African centers of excellence with the support of global knowledge centers including several CGIAR centers.
The new Strategy and Declaration importantly affirms the shift from an agriculture-led to an agrifood systems approach. Like its predecessor Malabo Declaration, the Kampala CAADP Declaration lays out ambitious goals, aiming by 2035 to increase agrifood output by 45 percent; triple intra-African trade in agrifood products and inputs; reduce stunting, wasting and obesity by 25 percent; ensure that 60 percent of the population can afford a healthy diet; and decrease the number of people living in extreme poverty by 50 percent, among others. To achieve these, six strategic objectives are outlined, including: intensify sustainable food production, agro-industrialization, and trade; boost investment and financing for accelerated agri-food system transformation; ensure food and nutrition security; advance inclusivity and equitable livelihoods; build resilient agri-food systems; and strengthen agri-food system governance. The importance of livestock food systems and their contribution to vibrant agri-food systems is highlighted, which provides an opportunity to develop a resilient and sustainable livestock agenda through an African Common Position on Resilient Livestock Food Systems.
The Declaration also calls on international organizations, such as the CGIAR, to: (1) commit to support implementation of the new Strategy and Declaration by aligning their technical and financial resources to the continental priorities; (2) support the African Union Commission (AUC), African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to provide the necessary support to Member States to integrate the Declaration in National and Regional Agrifood Systems Investment Plans (NASIPs/RASIPs); and (3) support data systems and mutual accountability efforts at continental, regional and national levels.
The purpose of this side event is to begin a discussion leading to how the CGIAR, working alongside its partners, can support the implementation of the new ten-year CAADP Strategy and Action Plan, including development of an African Common Position on Resilient and Sustainable Livestock Food Systems. The specific objectives of the event are to:
- review CAADP’s achievements and challenges so far with highlights on past CGIAR support to the implementation of CAADP
- present the new CAADP Strategy and Action Plan, including outcomes, strategic areas, and commitments
- create awareness on the new CAADP’s inclusive approach with special focus on resilient and sustainable livestock food systems
- identify areas and mechanisms for the CGIAR, development partners, private sector and relevant stakeholders to support the implementation of the new Strategy and Declaration.
The event will allow participants to:
- understand the outcomes, proposed actions, and commitments in the new Strategy and Declaration and its inclusivity.
- learn of opportunities and mechanisms to engage in or support the implementation of the new Strategy and Declaration.
An important anticipated output of the side event will be a joint statement affirming CGIAR’s support for the implementation of the Kampala CAADP Strategy and Action Plan.
