The transformative disruption embedded in the Kampala Declaration
The African Union member states have taken an important step by endorsing the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Strategy and Action Plan 2026-2035 and the accompanying Kampala Declaration. This marks a bold departure from previous frameworks defined in the Maputo Declaration (2003) followed by the Malabo Declaration (2014).
This new CAADP Strategy and Action Plan offers innovation and disruption. Compared with the earlier iterations, it moves away from the farmer and agricultural productivity towards a more holistic approach that addresses how food is produced, processed, and distributed. The Malabo Declaration laid the initial groundwork for this approach which has now been amplified further in the Kampala Declaration.
The new Strategy and Action Plan confronts two of the major challenges that have emerged in Africa over the past ten years: climate change and population growth. It focuses on sustainability, productivity, economic growth and inclusivity and seeks to mitigate the mounting pressures on Africa’s agrifood systems.
Among its ambitious targets, the CAADP Strategy and Action Plan 2026-2035 seeks to:
Increase agricultural productivity by 50%, well above the average growth rate of 4% which will not meet the demands of a growing, and increasingly urbanised, population.
Transition toward sustainable food production by reducing its negative environmental impact by 40%.
Enhance agro-industrialisation to increase the value of agriculturally derived exports by 30%.
Reduce undernourishment rates from 20% to less than 5%, ensuring access to sufficient and nutritious food for all Africans.
Integrate over 10 million small-scale farmers into agricultural value chains by 2035, with a priority to be given to women and youth.
What inspires confidence in the success of the CAADP Strategy and Action Plan 2026-2035? For me, the answer lies in a renewed political commitment at the highest level of governance.
The Biennale Reviews under the Malabo Declaration showed that governments were not taking the necessary action to reach the set targets. Now, however, the stakes have risen dramatically (with 32 million Africans suffering from hunger). The cost of inaction – and the failure it will bring – has become too significant to ignore.
Agriculture is no longer viewed solely as the responsibility of Ministries of agriculture. In many countries, it is a national priority, requiring leadership and coordination across multiple sectors. For example, governments are increasingly aligning agricultural strategies with broader agendas overseen by offices of the Presidency or central coordinating bodies.
Ministers representing agriculture, health, the environment, infrastructure, and economic development must collaborate to achieve shared goals. For this reason, we can expect bold measures.
A blueprint for success
Governments alone will not single-handedly ensure the success of the CAADP Strategy and Action Plan. Rather, this transformative initiative requires the following to succeed:
Cohesion among all stakeholders in not only adhering to the ambitions set forth in the CAADP Strategy and Action Plan but also in the planning and implementation
Partnership at the national and international levels to mobilise resources, experiences and anticipate challenges
Investment of resources by governments, the private sector, development agencies, civil society, and farmers - to achieve the success of this new Strategy and Plan. It requires commitment from all of us.
The Zero Hunger Coalition stands ready to support Africa in its agricultural and food systems transformation. Guided by our approach that champions sustainable food systems, we bring together a strong network of supporters at the national and international levels committed to eradicating hunger and malnutrition in Africa.
The new CAADP Strategy and Action Plan offers an opportunity to reshape the continent by prioritising sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience. Let’s seize this opportunity for our future generations.
