INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

What:              The African Union Commission, through the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration with AUDA-NEPAD is organizing a high-level dialogue and workshop on dissemination and implementation planning for the CAADP Kampala implementation guidelines and domestication tools.

When:        17^th – 19^th March 2026

Time:          09H00-17H00

Where:       Yaoundé, Cameroun

Objective:

The overall objective of the workshop is to convene high-level dialogue and support the dissemination of the CAADP Kampala Implementation Guidelines and tools, while enabling practical, initial implementation planning based on these Guidelines.

Specific objectives of the workshop include to:

• Disseminate and popularize the endorsed Implementation Guidelines and tools and clarify how they are intended to be applied by AU Member States and RECs from January 2026 onward.
• Facilitate structured dialogue on priority application areas: such as, governance and coordination, analytics and diagnostics, investment design, planning, and execution readiness (NASIPs/RASIPs), mutual accountability, results, and learning
• Agree on priority domestication and early implementation actions
• Identify critical capacity and technical gaps that could hinder smooth implementation at the country and regional levels, among others.

Expected outcomes

The high-level dialogue and workshop aim to come up with:

• A shared and practical understanding of the CAADP Kampala Implementation Guidelines and tools among AU institutions, RECs, Member States, and non-state actors represented.
• A consolidated set of priority addressing technical and institutional capacity gaps that may undermine effective implementation.
• Indicative 2026 implementation action plans outlining priority actions, sequencing, and responsibilities for Member States, RECs, AUC/AUDA-NEPAD, and partners.
• A draft report and recommendations on the next steps.

Background:

The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) remains the African Union’s flagship framework for accelerating agrifood systems transformation, food security, and inclusive growth. Under the Kampala CAADP Declaration, Strategy and Action Plan (2026–2035), Member States and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) are expected to shift decisively to appropriate agrifood systems investments, programs and policies. This requires stronger governance and coordination, better analytics and diagnostics, investment-ready national and regional plans, and reinforced mutual accountability and learning systems. To support this transition, the CAADP Kampala Country Implementation Guidelines and toolkit (including a simplified checklist and implementation modalities) have been developed by the African Union and Regional Economic Communities (RECs). They have been endorsed by AU policy organs, specifically the Specialized Technical Committee (STC) on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and the Environment (ARDWE).

The Kampala Declaration became effective on 1 January 2026. Implementation is already underway in many countries. Several have begun using the core architecture of the Guidelines to structure domestication and early implementation steps. Many are approaching the AU for support and guidance. There is therefore an urgent need to ensure that Member States, RECs, and partners share a common and practical understanding of the Guidelines and tools. Early steps must also be planned and sequenced to facilitate a smooth transition and implementation

Participants:

The high-level dialogue and workshop will bring together Regional Economic Communities (RECs), African Union Commission (AUC) and AUDA NEPAD, , Members States CAADP focal points, relevant ministries, strategic partners, private sectors, civil society organizations, among others.

For further information, please contact:

Dr. Janet Edeme – Head of Division, Rural Development Ag Head of Agriculture and Food Security Division Directorate (ARD) African Union Commission Email: EdemeJ@africanunion.org

Mukulia Kennedy Ayason; Principal Rural Infrastructure Digitalization & Land Tenure, Directorate of Agriculture and Rural Development, African Union Commission. Email Ayasonm@africanunion.org

For media inquiries, please contact:

Molalet Tsedeke, Information and Communications Directorate; AU Commission Tel: 0911-630631; Email: molalett@africanunion.org

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africanunion.org I Web: au.int | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Follow Us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube