Uganda Set to Host Extraordinary AU Summit on Post-Malabo CAADP Agenda: Transforming Africa’s Agrifood Systems

By John Kusolo

Kampala, Uganda – January 9-11, 2025

The African Union Commission, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (DARBE) and the African Union Development Agency – NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD), is set to host the Extraordinary Summit on the Post-Malabo Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). This high-profile event will take place from January 9th to 11th, 2025, at Speke Resort Munyonyo, in Kampala, Uganda, under the auspices of the Ugandan government.

This summit is a pivotal moment for Africa as leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders come together to deliberate on transforming Africa’s agrifood systems to drive sustainable economic growth, shared prosperity, and environmental resilience.

Since its inception in 2003, CAADP has been the African Union’s flagship program for agricultural transformation.It aims to bolster food security and nutrition, reduce rural poverty, create employment, and foster economic growth while preserving the environment. The program sets ambitious goals, including a 6% annual agricultural growth rate and allocating at least 10% of national budgets to agriculture.

The 2014 Malabo Declaration renewed these commitments, emphasizing accountability through biennial reviews and targeting hunger eradication, malnutrition reduction, and tripling intra-African trade. However, during the 37th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly in February 2024, concerns were raised about the continent’s slow progress in achieving these goals by 2025. Consequently, a call was made to develop a post-Malabo CAADP agenda, laying the groundwork for this extraordinary summit.

The Extraordinary Summit aims to:

Endorse the Kampala CAADP Declaration (2026-2035): A visionary framework for transforming Africa’s agrifood systems over the next decade.

Adopt the Ten-Year CAADP Strategy and Action Plan (2026-2035): A comprehensive roadmap detailing how to achieve the goals set out in the Kampala CAADP Declaration.

These endorsements will mark a significant step forward in reshaping Africa's agriculture sector, focusing on inclusivity, resilience, and sustainable development.

The summit will unfold over three days, featuring a mix of ministerial and high-level sessions:

Day 1: Ministerial Meeting (January 9, 2025): Ministers responsible for Agriculture, Rural Development, Water, and Environment will convene to review and discuss the draft Ten-Year CAADP Strategy and Action Plan and the Kampala CAADP Declaration.

Day 2: Joint Ministerial Session (January 10, 2025): Ministers of Agriculture, Water, Environment, and Foreign Affairs will engage in inclusive and interactive discussions. These sessions will focus on refining strategic documents for presentation to the African Union Assembly.

Day 3: Assembly of Heads of State and Government (January 11, 2025): African Union Heads of State and Governments will formally endorse the draft Ten-Year CAADP Strategy and Action Plan and the Kampala Declaration.

The session will include opening statements by key dignitaries, including the AU Chairperson and the Chairperson of the AU Commission, followed by a group photo and media interactions.

Key Issues for Deliberation

The summit will address critical areas, including: Kampala Declaration: Outlining Africa’s vision for inclusive agrifood systems transformation. CAADP Ten-Year Strategy and Action Plan (2026-2035): Establishing actionable strategies to meet the declaration’s goals.

Statute of the Africa Food Safety Agency: Enhancing food safety standards across the continent.

Centres of Excellence: Promoting research and training in fisheries, aquaculture, and biodiversity conservation.

These discussions are expected to catalyze progress toward achieving food security, enhancing resilience to climate change, and fostering sustainable agricultural growth.

The summit offers extensive media coverage, particularly during the opening session on January 11, 2025.

Media highlights include: Opening statements by African Union Heads of State and Governments. Statements by the AU Chairperson and Chairperson of the AU Commission.

Coverage of the group photo session and exclusive media interviews.

Journalists will also have the opportunity to engage with dignitaries, gaining insights into Africa's agricultural future.

The summit will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders, including:

Heads of State and Government of African Union member states. Ministers of Agriculture, Water, Environment, and Foreign Affairs. Representatives from Regional Economic Communities (RECs), non-state actors, youth, women, media, academia, and development partners.

The The Extraordinary AU Summit on Post-Malabo CAADP marks a decisive moment in Africa’s quest to achieve agricultural transformation and sustainable economic growth. By endorsing the Kampala CAADP Declaration and the Ten-Year Strategy and Action Plan, African leaders aim to build resilient agrifood systems that foster inclusivity, innovation, and prosperity.

The outcomes of this summit will undoubtedly set the tone for Africa’s agricultural agenda for the next decade, driving the continent closer to its vision of shared prosperity and sustainable development.