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Food supply

Urgent Action Needed to Address Africa's Food Security Challenges

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment, Moses Vilakati, has emphasized the need for urgent and targeted action to address Africa's food security challenges. The 6th Ordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water, and Environment (ARDWE) is currently underway in Addis Ababa, where Vilakati delivered his opening remarks. The commissioner highlighted the importance of building resilient and sustainable agrifood systems in Africa, particularly in the context of the transition from the Malabo CAADP Agenda (2014-2025) to the Kampala CAADP Agenda (2026-2035). He underscored the goal of ensuring that 45percent of agrifood in Africa is produced locally by 2030 and referenced the recent Second Africa Climate Summit, which gathered over 25,000 delegates and reinforced Africa's commitment to resilient and green development.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 6th Ordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water, and Environment (ARDWE) is taking place in Addis Ababa to address Africa's food security challenges.
  • Commissioner Moses Vilakati emphasized the need for urgent and targeted action to address the continent's food security challenges.
  • The goal is to ensure that 45percent of agrifood in Africa is produced locally by 2030, with a 100-day plan launched to accelerate continental efforts toward food security.
  • The plan focuses on key areas including soil health, fertilizer optimization, seed systems development, and job creation for youth.
  • Africa spends between 50 and 100 billion USD annually on food imports, with millions of Africans remaining food insecure despite the continent's rich natural resources.
  • The Second Africa Climate Summit gathered over 25,000 delegates and adopted the African Leaders Addis Ababa Declaration on Climate Change, reinforcing Africa's commitment to resilient and green development.
  • The 5th Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Biennial Review Report will be discussed during the four-day comprehensive discussions.
  • Strategies to enhance Africa's voice on climate change globally will also be a focus of the discussions.

Statistics:

  • 45percent of agrifood in Africa is the goal to be produced locally by 2030.
  • 50-100 billion USD annually: the amount Africa spends on food imports.
  • 25,000: the number of delegates who attended the Second Africa Climate Summit.
  • 4 days: the duration of the comprehensive discussions.
  • 100 days: the duration of the launched plan aimed at accelerating continental efforts toward food security.

Sources:

  • The Ethiopian News Agency (21 Oct 2025)

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