Remarks · 11 January 2025
Your Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, Excellencies Heads of State and Government, Your Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Development Partners, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen;
I begin by extending my heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, and His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, for their leadership in convening this extraordinary session of African Union Heads of State and Government on the agriculture agenda. This session takes place at a unique period, not only in the context of broader global dynamics but also with specific regard to our continent, which stands at a pivotal intersection of dynamism and uncertainty, risk and opportunity. The moment has intensified the expectations of our people and raised their aspirations. It is therefore our responsibility as leaders to engage with robust collective resolve, unwavering vision, and expeditious, effective action.
This extraordinary session underscores the urgency and purpose with which we must advance the transformation of the continent’s agri-food systems as a fundamental component of our shared commitment to implementing the mutually reinforcing and cumulative goals of the Malabo Declaration on Agriculture, in order to achieve sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity.
I have tremendous confidence in your leadership, both individually and collectively, and this gives me great hope for the legacy this session will leave behind. Today, our mission must transcend the immediate agenda of addressing the challenges of building resilient agri-food systems. It must extend to the historic task of crafting a bold and transformational vision of sustainable, inclusive, resilient, and abundant food systems for our continent.
As I have already stated, Africa is at a crossroads, where our food systems struggle to achieve sustainability and adequate capacity in the face of unprecedented and relentless challenges. These range from the existential threat of climate change and environmental degradation to the demographic pressures of rapid population growth and urbanisation, as well as the political problems of conflict and instability, and the capacity and efficiency challenges that include inadequate infrastructure, limited technological access, and volatile global markets.
Despite our continent’s strong endorsement of the Malabo Declaration’s rallying call and our efforts to implement commitments over the past decade, we have not ended hunger on our continent, even though we are now in the target year; 2025.
We are all familiar with the statistics showing that millions across Africa remain food insecure. For this reason, this meeting must be bold, frank, and resolute in confronting these stark realities. The spirit of pan-African solidarity, the aspirations of our continent, and our collective historical responsibility call on us to act decisively and swiftly to turn this crisis into an opportunity and lay the foundation for the enduring transformation of Africa, delivering prosperity to all its people.
The conclusion of the Malabo Agenda of Action and the adoption of the Kampala Declaration on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme, 2026-2035, provide a unique opportunity to elevate our commitment and realise the promise of food security, enhanced industrialisation, increased trade and investment, higher scientific research capacity, accelerated technological advancement, and inclusive prosperity. We are here to agree on the ways and means by which we will bring these ambitions within reach for all Africans.
Agriculture systems remain the foremost enabler of food and nutrition security, industrialisation, intra-African trade and investment, research and technological maturity, export competitiveness, mass employment, and wealth creation. Therefore, transforming agri-food systems presents our continent’s easiest path to sustainable transformation and inclusive economic growth. This is our historic opportunity, calling for unwavering commitment to foster flourishing systems that deliver sustainability, equity, and inclusivity.
The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme outlines a shared vision to enhance wealth creation, improve food security and nutrition, reduce rural poverty, create employment, and drive economic growth while safeguarding our environment. More critically, the programme’s faithful implementation guarantees considerable positive change.
I am proud to share Kenya’s experience in this regard. We have embraced food systems transformation as a cornerstone of our development agenda to complement our pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals, the AU Agenda 2063, and our domestic economic strategies, including Vision 2030, the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, and the Agriculture Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy 20192029.
The Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda underscores the importance of inclusive growth and prosperity. In agriculture, it focuses on increasing production and productivity, reducing imports, minimising post-harvest losses, providing warehousing support, and enhancing export manufacturing in key agricultural value chains.
Kenya’s implementation framework involves formulating a national food systems transformation pathway with five action tracks. The first prioritises access to opportunities for young people and women, including technological and financial inclusion, with the aim of empowering them to thrive as workers, entrepreneurs, and professionals in our food systems.
Secondly, we are promoting the adoption of technology and digital agricultural solutions to enhance efficiency and productivity. In this regard, Kenya has adopted innovative aggregation models and integrated ICT into an Integrated Agricultural Management Information System which includes modules for e-vouchers for agricultural inputs, extension services, farmer registration, the Kenya Agricultural Market Information System, the Livestock Information Management System, and a Monitoring and Evaluation framework. Our Farmer Registration module now contains a database of 6.5 million farmers, enabling us to understand their localities, activities, and requirements, thereby facilitating targeted and responsive interventions.
We now have a more efficient, expeditious, and transparent input supply logistics system that extends to the last mile, ensuring that our farmers are always ready and able to deliver on agricultural production activities. The distribution of fertiliser to farmers across Kenya has been a significant success in this regard.
Thirdly, we aim to increase access to more diverse diets, including a broader variety of fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, fish, and grains.
Fourthly, we are intensifying climate action to strengthen the resilience of our agricultural systems. Finally, we are fostering partnerships among stakeholders across the food systems to build and sustain productive capacity.
Our cumulative efforts to enhance food security are already yielding tangible results, showcasing the transformative power of implementing strategic agricultural interventions. Millions of Kenyan farmers now have access to essential inputs, leading to significant productivity gains. Long-term agreements with suppliers have stabilised input availability, enabling farmers to plan and produce without disruption.
I am delighted to share that Kenya has also surpassed the African Union’s target for irrigation development, expanding the area under irrigation by an impressive 147% since the Malabo Declaration.
Although Kenya, like the rest of the continent, has not been consistently on track in meeting many of the Malabo commitments, the 4th Biennial Review in 2023 reflected meaningful progress. With a score of 6.28 against a benchmark of 9.29, Kenya has made significant strides towards achieving the Malabo targets. This progress affirms our steadfast resolve to advance agricultural transformation and inspires us to forge ahead despite persistent challenges.
I assure this distinguished assembly that, in keeping with our long-standing commitment to transform our agri-food systems, Kenya will domesticate the Kampala Declaration within the second phase of our Agriculture Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy 2019-2029 as well as the National Agriculture Investment Plan for 2025-2029.
Distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, to reap the benefits of food systems transformation, it is critical that we implement our common strategy as a collective obligation. This means that we must pursue collaboration across sectors, borders, and regions.
I therefore urge all Member States to increase their investments in regional agricultural infrastructure, foster research and innovation, and accelerate the dissemination of technological advancements. I also call upon our international partners to align their support with Africa’s transformation agenda, ensuring resources reach the areas of greatest need and impact.
This is our moment to commit to a bold and transformative agenda for Africa’s food systems so that together we can build a robust and enduring foundation for sustainable agriculture. This is the surest path to uplifting livelihoods, safeguarding our environment, and fulfilling the fundamental obligation to feed Africa.
With the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme, the vision of an Africa where no child goes to bed hungry, where every community enjoys access to safe and nutritious food, where agricultural practices safeguard the future of our planet, and where agriculture delivers employment and wealth for millions, is within reach. Today, through this session, we have demonstrated our resolve to rise to this challenge. Let us, therefore, move forward with focus and determination to deliver on the promise of a prosperous, inclusive, and thriving Africa. I thank you.