Heads of State and delegates from across Africa are in the country to attend the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Summit, which officially commenced yesterday, the 9th of January. The summit, taking place at the Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo, will shape the future of agricultural development on the African Continent.
Today, the President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, H.E. Taye Atske arrived aboard Ethiopian Airlines. Ethiopia plays a pivotal role in the CAADP agenda, with the nation serving as a model for integrating the programme into its National Agricultural Investment Plan. At 2:00 p.m., the President of Angola, H.E. João Lourenço, touched down at Entebbe International Airport with his delegation. By 5:00 p.m., Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Hon. Justice Nthomeng Majara, along with her team, had also arrived. President of the Republic of Burundi, H.E. Évariste Ndayishimiye and the Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, Hon, Jeremiah Kpan Koung also arrived this evening. Several more Heads of State and high-level officials are expected tomorrow for the critical Heads of State session.
The three-day Extraordinary Summit began yesterday with the participation of Ministers of Agriculture from all 55 African Union member states. The primary focus of the summit is the adoption of a 10-year CAADP Strategy and Action Plan, which aligns with the Malabo Declaration and seeks to drive agricultural transformation, ensure food security, and foster sustainable economic growth across the continent.
The CAADP Strategy and Action Plan for 2026–2035 has been under development for over ten months, engaging a wide range of stakeholders, including Regional Economic Communities, farmers’ organisations, researchers, parliamentarians, and development partners. It also aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the African Common Position to the 2021 United Nations Food Systems Summit. The strategy aims to boost food production, expand value addition, enhance intra-Africa trade, create jobs for youth and women, and build resilient agricultural systems capable of withstanding climate and economic shocks.
Uganda’s Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, opened the summit by highlighting the stark reality of Africa’s food import dependency, which costs the continent USD 100 billion annually.
“This summit must deliver actionable solutions to secure Africa’s food future. We must ensure Africa feeds itself,” the Prime Minister urged.
H.E. Ambassador Josefa Sacko, AU Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment, reiterated the strategy’s emphasis on inclusivity and governance.
“This plan will strengthen Agri-Food Systems, foster evidence-based decision-making, and ensure equitable access to resources for women, youth, and marginalized groups,” H.E. Ambassador Josefa Sacko noted.
H.E. Dr Girma Amente, Ethiopia’s Minister of Agriculture, applauded his nation’s strides under the CAADP framework, including surpassing the 6% annual agricultural growth target. He shared insights into Ethiopia’s success in increasing agricultural budgets and achieving consistent improvements in food and livestock production.
Uganda’s Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Hon Frank Tumwebaze, stressed the urgency of moving beyond planning to execution.
“The planning phase ends here; now we must act. By focusing on implementation, we can transform Africa’s agricultural landscape,” Hon. Tumwebaze said said.
The summit will conclude on 11th January with a meeting of African Heads of State and Government, where the Kampala Declaration and the 10-year CAADP Strategy and Action Plan will be adopted.
The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme is a flagship initiative under the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Launched in 2003, it seeks to eliminate hunger and poverty by promoting agriculture-led economic development. The CAADP framework represents Africa’s most ambitious agricultural reform effort, aimed at transforming the continent into a global agricultural powerhouse.
