Delivering the Kampala Strategy for Agricultural Research & Development (R&D) in Africa: From Commitment to Action

The African Union (AU) adopted the 10-year Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Strategy and Action Plan, and the Kampala CAADP Declaration on Building Resilient and Sustainable Agrifood Systems in Africa in January 2025, which will be implemented from 2026 to 2035.  The new agricultural development strategy will see the continent increase its agri-food output by 45 per cent by 2035 and transform its agri-food systems as part of its new plan to become a food secure continent.

As part of the efforts to shape the implementation of Africa's CAADP Kampala agenda, the AU-SAFGRAD, in collaboration with continental , regional and national agricultural research, innovation and capacity development institutions (FARA, AFAAS, RUFORUM, ASARECA, CCARDESA and CORAF), the CGIAR Centres ( ILRI, Africa Rice, CIMMYT, CIAT),  the National Agricultural Research Centre in Egypt and the Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University organized a 4-day workshop from 16-19 June 2025 in Cairo Egypt  to deliberate on how the research, extension and education system should organize and position themselves to support the implementation of Kampala Strategy and Action Plan in a way that will assure achievement of the strategy’s outcomes.

The workshop was opened by H.E Mr. Alaa Farouk, the Minister of Agriculture, Egypt stated that the CAADP Agenda presents a pivotal moment for reshaping Africa’s priorities. “Let us build upon CAADP’s existing strengths to strategically adapt and tackle emerging challenges while aligning with global trends as we develop a robust and evidence-based solution for Agri-food system transformation on the continent”.

H.E Alaa Farouk commended the work of the African Union and Collaborating institutions for the contribution made in realising the Kampala Strategy and importantly for initiating the need to translate the CAADP vision to actions. “This workshop marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to implement the Kampala CAADP strategy and setting clear actions to transform Africa’s Agri-food systems through Agriculture research, innovation extension and education. while also recognising the pivotal role of youth and women in agriculture”, he added.

Noting the critical importance of building an understanding of the key drivers and trends that will influence agri-food systems over the next decade, the CAADP Kampala strategy recognized Agricultural Research and Technology transfer as a cross-cutting driver for enhancing productivity, food and nutrition security, sustainability, inclusion and economic resilience. Robust agricultural research systems and emerging technologies play a vital role in transforming Africa's agri-food systems to boost productivity, improve nutrition and diets, increase incomes and create jobs through value addition, enhance sustainability and build resilience.

Dr. Ahmed Elmekass, the Coordinator of AU- SAFGRAD emphasized need to implement the CAADP Kampala Strategy agenda that is based on scientific research and evidence. “It is crucial that we develop an evidence-based solution that can be scaled across the continent. Drawing lessons from our progress thus far, will enable us to craft a strong post-Malabo CAADP agenda that builds on the successes and addresses the gaps of the current framework” he said.

Dr. Elmekass further commended the Agriculture Research institutes that contributed immensely on the journey to develop the 10-year Action Plan for African Agriculture adopted at the AU extra-ordinary summit in Kampala, Uganda. “I commend the Research institutions that successful contributed research and knowledge to help enrich the CAADP agenda and Strategy. This level of engagement is a testament to the importance our continent places on transforming African agriculture”, he said.

Promoting the use of existing and new technologies, including mechanization, innovative water management, digital agriculture, artificial intelligence, and climate-smart agriculture, is essential for driving transformation in line with the CAADP Kampala agenda

Other high-level representatives from Agricultural Research Centre (ARC) Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, CGIAR Centres, Forum for Agriculture Research in Africa (FARA), and  Arab Fund for Technical Assistance to African Countries ( AFTAAC) arranged by the League of Arab States  made statement that unanimously affirm the need to accelerate the implementation of Agriculture Research, Extension and Education (AREE) to release the gains of inclusivity, institution arrangement, collaboration, knowledge sharing  to mobilize technical contributions from the members and contribute to the provision of data that  address the key analytical and research questions and analytical work and reporting  for the CAADP

The call for action by the delegate, was to transform the AREE into implementable actions by identifying national priorities, institutional modalities, inclusion and equity strategies for youth and women, emerging and cross-cutting themes, and monitoring and evaluation. And develop a strategy and action plan on identifying what research, extension and capacity development actors should focus on and how they will be collectively mobilized and deployed to support the implementation of the CAADP Kampala strategy and action plan at national, regional and continental level.

The workshop identified priorities for research, extension and capacity development at national, regional and continental level that should be pursued to achieve CAADP Kampala targets and for translated these priorities into strategies, targets and bankable projects and programmes as well as defining  institutional arrangements / modalities for development, implementation and M&E of research, extension and capacity strengthening actors at national, regional, continental and global levels  as well as strategies and tactics for mobilization of resources and engaging with policy actors.

For further information, please contact:

1. Mr. Mamadou Koutou - Senior Programme and Research  Officer, African Union’s Semi- Arid Food Grain Research and Development office (African Union-SAFGRAD), Directorate of Agriculture and Rural Development, (DARBE)  African Union Commission  Email: koutoum@africanunion.org

For media inquiries, please contact:

2. Mr. Molalet Tsedeke, Media Centre Coordinator, Information Communication Directorate (ICD) Tel. +251-115 182014; WhatsApp+251-911-630631; Email: Media@Africa-union.org ; molalett@africa-union.org

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