The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) has long served as a central framework for advancing agricultural transformation across Africa, moving from a narrow focus on agriculture-led growth to a broader agrifood systems approach. This strategic shift is informed by an understanding of the complex interplay between agriculture, nutrition, economic development, and other sectors. Its Strategy and Action Plan (2026–2035) sets out a Vision of sustainable, resilient agrifood systems that support a healthy and prosperous continent, promoting integrated, value chain–wide approaches from production to consumption. It combines economic, social, and environmental priorities to strengthen food security, improve nutrition, and enhance sustainability, while building institutional capacity, leveraging innovation, and fostering agro-industrialization and value addition to create jobs and improve livelihoods. Guided by principles of national ownership, inclusiveness, environmental stewardship, and strong multi-stakeholder coordination, the strategy emphasizes evidence-based decision-making, mutual accountability, and regional cooperation. A key shift is the move from an agriculture-led to an agrifood systems–driven transformation, recognizing the interconnections between production, processing, trade, consumption, and food waste. By prioritizing inclusion, sustainability, and nutrition, the strategy seeks to expand intra-African trade, strengthen food and nutrition security, and promote resilient, diverse, and affordable diets - particularly for the large share of Africans who depend on agriculture. The CAADP Strategy and Action Plan sets out six strategic objectives to transform Africa’s agrifood systems (1) Intensifying Sustainable Food Production, Agro-Industrialization, and Trade, by strengthening input systems, promoting environmentally sustainable practices, adopting new technologies, supporting agro-enterprises, and developing regional value chains to enhance productivity and competitiveness in global markets; (2) Boosting Investment and Financing for Transformation, through increased public and private investment, higher sectoral spending, flagship initiatives, and innovative financing mechanisms to unlock growth; (3) Ensuring Food and Nutrition Security, by leveraging agriculture to improve nutrition, reinforcing policies and programmes, and strengthening food safety systems to address malnutrition comprehensively; (4) Advancing Inclusivity and Equitable Livelihoods, by tackling inequalities through improved rural infrastructure, greater access to resources for vulnerable groups, social protection measures, and economic empowerment of women and youth; (5) Building Resilient Agrifood Systems, by enhancing human and institutional capacity, improving adaptability to shocks, and promoting climate-smart agriculture and diversification; and (6) Strengthening Agrifood Systems Governance, by reinforcing leadership, policy coherence, evidence-based decision-making, and mutual accountability among stakeholders to ensure transparency and trust in agricultural initiatives. The implementation of the Strategy involves multiple actors, collaborating to support coordinated, inclusive, and effective transformation of Africa’s agrifood systems (i) national governments set policies and invest in agrifood systems; (ii) regional bodies coordinate, harmonize policies, and monitor progress; (iii) farmers and agribusinesses adopt innovations and drive production; (iv) development partners provide funding and technical support; (v) civil society promotes inclusiveness and accountability; (vi) parliamentarians oversee public spending; (vii) the private sector invests in technology, markets, and value chains.
2025-01-11