As Africa grapples with food insecurity and climate change, the African Union’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) has unveiled a groundbreaking strategy for the next decade.
The CAADP Strategy and Action Plan 2026-2035, which was adopted at the just concluded Extraordinary Summit in Kampala, Uganda, outlines a transformative roadmap for building resilient agrifood systems. With hunger affecting over 20% of the continent’s population, the stakes have never been higher.
This ambitious plan integrates agriculture with environmental sustainability, nutrition, and economic inclusion. It reflects the goals of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and recent climate summit commitments.
Strategic Objective 1: Intensifying Sustainable Food Production, Agro-Industrialisation, and Trade
Meet Kenyangi, a smallholder farmer in rural Uganda. Her days begin at sunrise, tending to her modest plot of land, growing millet and sweet potatoes to feed her family and sell at the local market. For years, Kenyangi struggled with poor yields due to degraded soil and outdated farming techniques. Today, however, her story is changing.
Through support from agrifood transformation initiatives, Kenyangi now accesses quality seeds, organic fertilisers, and training in climate-smart agriculture. Her yields have tripled, and her income has allowed her to send her children to school. Kenyangi’s success reflects the broader goal of boosting food production while ensuring environmental sustainability.
This objective focuses on stories like Kenyangi’s by providing farmers with tools and technologies that improve productivity while protecting the environment. From promoting conservation agriculture to investing in regional trade corridors, this strategy connects smallholders to thriving markets. The hope is that women like Kenyangi are not just surviving but thriving—creating wealth and food security for their families and communities.
Strategic Objective 2: Boosting Investment and Financing for Agrifood Transformation
Imagine Kwame, a young entrepreneur with a vision for an agro-processing business in Ghana. He dreams of turning cassava into exportable starch products but struggles to secure funding. Thanks to innovative financing models introduced under this strategy, Kwame accesses a low-interest loan tailored to agribusiness startups. With his newly acquired processing equipment, Kwame’s business not only grows but also creates jobs for local youth and adds value to cassava crops purchased from surrounding villages.
This objective ensures that public and private investments support ambitious entrepreneurs like Kwame. By mobilising resources through diaspora bonds and de-risking financial mechanisms, it transforms dreams into thriving businesses. The ultimate goal is to make investments impactful, inclusive, and resilient, fostering prosperity at all levels of the agrifood value chain.
Strategic Objective 3: Ensuring Food and Nutrition Security
Njeri, a mother of three in a semi-arid region of Kenya, recalls the days when her family’s meals were often limited to porridge. Today, Njeri’s children enjoy balanced diets thanks to a community initiative promoting home-grown school feeding programmes. These programmes prioritise local ingredients, connecting smallholder farmers to schools while providing children with nutritious meals. Her youngest son’s favourite dish? Ugali, served with leafy greens and fish sourced from nearby cooperatives.
By prioritising nutrition-sensitive policies and investing in indigenous, nutrient-rich foods, this objective ensures families like Njeri’s can access and afford healthy meals. Strengthening food safety systems and promoting education about balanced diets builds a healthier, more resilient Africa, one household at a time.
Strategic Objective 4: Advancing Inclusivity and Equitable Livelihoods
Siloma, a young Maasai herder, watched as unpredictable rains wiped out much of his family’s livestock. His story is one of many that illustrate how marginalised groups face disproportionate challenges. Through inclusive policies, Siloma now accesses drought-resilient pastures and financial support for restocking. His involvement in a youth cooperative has not only restored his family’s livelihood but also given him a platform to lead community discussions on climate adaptation.
This objective highlights the importance of giving a voice to the underserved. By improving access to resources, fostering leadership among women and youth, and addressing inequalities, it empowers communities to participate fully in agrifood systems. The vision is a future where no one is left behind.
Strategic Objective 5: Building Resilient Agrifood Systems
Chioma’s village in Nigeria was devastated by flooding, destroying crops and homes. But thanks to a disaster preparedness initiative, the community had already implemented flood-resistant agricultural techniques and stored surplus food in a regional reserve. Chioma’s family not only survived the crisis but recovered quickly, resuming their farming activities within weeks.
This objective strengthens communities’ ability to withstand shocks, whether from climate change, economic disruptions, or pandemics. Investing in climate-smart agriculture, early warning systems, and robust safety nets, ensures that resilience becomes a way of life for millions of Africans.
Strategic Objective 6: Strengthening Agrifood Systems Governance
Consider the story of Amani, a farmer in Tanzania who once struggled with navigating local policies and securing government support. Today, thanks to a new digital platform for farmers, Amani accesses real-time information on market prices, government subsidies, and regulatory changes. His advocacy group also participates in stakeholder forums, ensuring that smallholder voices influence national agrifood policies.
This objective prioritises transparent, accountable governance that includes all stakeholders. By leveraging technology and promoting mutual accountability, it fosters trust and collaboration, ensuring that farmers like Amani are at the heart of agrifood system transformation.
The Challenges
Despite progress since CAADP’s inception in 2003, obstacles remain. Urbanisation, population growth, and limited public spending on agriculture have strained food systems. Rising demand for processed foods has increased reliance on imported goods, threatening local producers.
Climate change has exacerbated the situation, with unpredictable weather patterns affecting yields. Additionally, women and youth, the backbone of African agriculture, often face systemic barriers to land, credit, and resources.
Innovative Solutions
The strategy highlights the importance of technology and partnerships. Digital agriculture tools, artificial intelligence, and climate-smart practices are at the forefront of proposed solutions. Programmes supporting agro-industrialisation aim to link farmers with expanding markets, fostering growth and sustainability.
The Path Forward
To achieve its goals, CAADP calls on national governments to allocate 10% of budgets to agriculture as regional bodies facilitate trade and policy harmonisation. Private sector investment, alongside public support, is crucial for scaling innovations and creating jobs.
CAADP Strategy and Action Plan represents a bold step toward a food-secure Africa. The stakes are clear: the future of the continent’s agrifood systems—and its people—depends on it.