The Africa Agricultural Development agenda continues to be guided by the continent-wide framework known as a Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). Launched in 2003 by the African Union (AU), the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) remains Africa’s leading policy framework. CAADP guides stakeholders like the African Union Commission (AUC) and Member States, driving agricultural transformation for a food-secure and prosperous Africa.
This ten-year framework has been running for almost two decades with the current one concluding in 2024. As the conclusion of the Malabo Declaration approaches, the African Union and its partners are shaping the trajectory for the next decade through the development of the CAADP Post-Malabo Agenda. This inclusive process engages multiple stakeholders and builds upon the successes and lessons of 20 years of CAADP implementation. It integrates research, evidence-based methodologies, and dialogue with Member States led by Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to inform evidence-based Technical Working Groups, facilitate drafting, and mobilize political support for Africa’s agricultural transformation over the next decade.
TrustAfrica under its Agriculture advocacy programme in Equitable development has maintained its active engagement in the CAADP Non-State Actors group. Between 2022-2024, the main contributions have been on the CAADP Biennial Reporting processes aiming at tracking the performance of agriculture and related CAADP commitments. Most significantly, has been the mobilization of farmers, rural women, youth, media and private sector to participate at national, regional and continental in developing country reports and utilizing the results for changes in agriculture planning and investments.
TrustAfrica has actively engaged in a Non-State Actor Coalition on Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CADDP) with a core team of five institutions focusing on mobilizing and organizing civil society actors (farmer organizations, youth non-government organizations) in 6 countries (Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania) where a virtual platform was created since 2022 to champion domestication of the biennial report and advocating for fulfilling the Malabo commitment. The fourth biennial report released at the
start of 2024 reveal that Africa is not track to meet the goal of reducing poverty and increasing food security and nutrition on the continent. It is for this reason that voice and participation of farmers, social movements, private
sector, parliamentarians and government matters in collectively shaping the policies and identifying impactful investment priorities. The four CAADP Biennial Reports from 2017 to date revealed a major gap on limited or no involvement of parliamentarians. TrustAfrica in collaboration with other NSAs have created awareness on the CAADP BR processes to over 28 members of parliaments which has resulted in the establishment of a Parliamentary Network which has become a conduit for members of parliaments to share practical lessons in engaging with the CAADP reports and translating it into policy and investments decisions at country level. The African Food Systems Parliamentary Network has been launched in 6 countries (Malawi, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia).
TrustAfrica has since January 2024 been engaging in virtual consultations for the development
of the next CAADP framework. Under the leadership of the CAADP Non-State Actor Group, TrustAfrica has contributed to the development of Memoranda by Rural Women Assembly, SADC Non-State Actors, Smallholder Farmers. The contributions have called for recommitment of the 10% of national budgetary allocation to
Agriculture, 6% Agricultural growth, Investing in Agroecology, Food Sovereignty and Seed Sovereignty. CNG POST MALABO MEMORANDUM- FINAL 1 2024.pdf
Between 2-9 September 2024 TrustAfrica joined the Non-State Actors at the Africa Food System Forum to continue amplifying the recommendations in shaping the Agriculture agenda that responds to building resilient, safe, sovereign food systems.
What will it take to reverse the current trend of under performance of the agriculture sector? It begins with a robust development agenda – the ongoing post Malabo development process with involvement of non-state actors is key in delivering a continental blueprint which resonates with the aspirations of the citizens rooted in the need for food systems that are resilient, upholds and advances local food systems, builds territorial markets that are just and fair. TrustAfrica will continue to engage in the Post Malabo development process leading up to the adoption of the Kampala CAADP Compact in January 2025.
