Press release Nº308/2014

African Union Agribusiness Forum calls for the Acceleration of Private Sector Development in Agriculture
Kigali, Rwanda – 6 November 2014: The African Union has called for an accelerated implementation of efforts to engage the private sector community in identifying and seizing opportunities for their increased participation in the development of agricultural value chains in Africa in the process of sustaining the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).
Speaking at the official opening of the 2nd African Union Private Sector and Agribusiness Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, today Her Excellency Mrs Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, Commissioner for Rural Economy & Agriculture of the African Union Commission reiterated the timeliness of the 2nd Private Sector Forum in the process of developing an Implementation Strategy and Roadmap that will spell out specific roles which the private sector will commit to undertake in advancing the implementation of the Malabo Commitment as part of “Sustaining the CAADP Momentum”.
‘‘Women and youth must be at the centre of the planning and operations of the private sector engagement in African agriculture transformation.” she stressed (the full speech of the Commissioner is available on www.au.int).

Declaring the Forum opened, The Rwandan Minister for Agriculture and Animal Resources, Gerardine Mukeshimana, recalled that the Rwandan government’s commitment to taking private sector investments to heights and scale that will demonstrate positive impact on the lives of the people.
“We believe that the solutions, ideas and voices must be brought to the table if we are to achieve a future that is bright for all.” Speaking further, The Honorable Minister stated “We all believe in the power of collaboration with other organizations – for we are stronger and more effective when we work together and bring our collective best to bear. That I think is the ultimate intention of this gathering.”
Following the African Union Commission (AUC) declaration of the year 2014 as the ‘Year of Agriculture and Food Security’ and the 10th anniversary of CAADP, emphasis has been placed on the role of the private sector as a central catalyst and driver of inclusive agribusiness development for sustainable agricultural growth.
As part of the process to support the deepened engagement of the private sector in CAADP, the AUC and the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA) have continuously engaged the private sector and agribusiness stakeholders to identify ways and means through which the contribution of this critical stakeholder group can be expanded, coordinated and made more effective in contributing to the agricultural development in the continent through CAADP.
The Forum is expected to provide an opportunity for the private sector to contribute towards this process and agree on a roadmap for domestic/private sector to deliver on Malabo Commitments on Africa Accelerated Agricultural Growth & Transformation within the Implementation Strategy and Roadmap framework. Also, the Forum will establish institutional structures for coordination of the domestic private sector actors at regional and continental level.

###

For more information contact:

Mr. Komla Bissi, CAADP Pillar II Senior Advisor, African Union Commission
E-mail: Bissik@africa-union.org

For Media Contact and interview request:

Mr. Molalet Tsedeke, Directorate of Information and Communication, AU Commission
molalett@africa-union.org; +256781524245

For further information contact
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dinfo@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
Follow us
Face book: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanUnionCommission
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUCommission

Learn more at:
http://www.au.int