Parliamentarians and civil society key to driving Africa’s next agrifood revolution

"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." 

This African proverb set the tone for a powerful conversation in Kigali last week on the future of Africa’s food systems transformation.  Parliamentarians, civil society, farmers and youth leaders gathered to tackle a pressing question: how can they move from spectator to centre stage, and truly engage in transforming Africa’s food systems in the next decade?  

The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and its Kampala Strategy & Action Plan offer an important blueprint for action. However, shared leadership, accountability, and innovative financing are needed to reshape Africa’s agrifood landscape for millions of people on the continent.  

The discussion took place during a side event co-organised by the Zero Hunger Coalition, the African Union, the African Food Systems Parliamentary Network (AFSPaN) and the CAADP Non-State Actors Group (CNG), during 21st CAADP Partnership Platform and Commemoration of the 16th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security.   

The Kampala challenge 

The urgency is clear. Today, 20% of Africa’s population faces hunger, with over 307 million people going to bed hungry each day. With Africa’s population projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, this challenge will continue to grow. For this reason, the Kampala Declaration sets ambitious targets for 2035: boost agrifood output by 45%, cut post-harvest loss by half, triple intra-African trade, halve extreme poverty, achieve zero hunger, and mobilise $100 billion in investment. 

Already, action is underway. As Chikondi Chabvuta-Mkawa, CNG Chair, noted with optimism: farmers, youth and women have moved from the margins to the centre of policy dialogues, while parliamentary networks have emerged as champions of accountability and inclusion. “These aren’t just milestones; they’re stories of hope and proof that Africa can lead its own transformation,” she said. 

Governance is key 

Parliamentarians are co-architects of Africa’s food future. According to Dr. John Ulimwengu from IFPRI, effective food systems depend on clear structures for lawmaking, budget approval and civic engagement that Parliamentarians can provide.  Strong governance will be key to achieving the goals in the Kampala Declaration.  

Hon. Agho Oliver Bamenju, a Member of Parliament from Cameroon and AFSPaN member agreed and highlighted the pivotal role of legislators in converting CAADP commitments into actionable, accountable policy. Whereas Members of Parliament were previously viewed as observers, the Kampala Strategy and Action Plan now designate them as key actors.  

Barriers and breakthrough ideas 

Despite progress in adopting the Kampala Strategy and Action Plan, challenges persist. According to Constance Okeke from ActionAid, there is limited awareness of the CAADP processes, fragmented engagement among civil society, and limited resources available.  

To succeed, new solutions are needed. For example, Ms Okeke stressed the importance of an inclusive, participatory approach that institutionalized the involvement of civil society. For Precious Amewor fromGIZ, partnering with academia and the private sector is key. However, policies will need to take into account the private sector and be backed by evidence in order for the private sector to invest.  

Joe Mzinga from the Eastern and Southern Africa Small Scale Farmers' Forum (ESAFF) welcomed the participatory nature of the process leading up to the adoption of the Kampala Declaration and Action Plan. However, he called for the decentralisation of CAADP and a farmer-centred approach.  Zainab, Chair of African Women Farmers, agreed. She emphasised the importance of digital access, financial inclusion and land rights for women farmers. As she reminded participants, “Land is our life, seeds are our future.” 

A 10-year Parliamentary call to action 

The side event also served to launch the AFSPaN Policy Brief: A 10-Year Parliamentary Call to Action for Agrifood Systems Transformation in Africa (2026–2035). More than a document, it is a call for parliamentarians to champion their financing, oversight and legislative role to translate CAADP ambitions into tangible impact on the ground. 

The message is clear: Africa’s next decade in food systems transformation requires more than plans and promises. It demands that farmers, women, youth, parliamentarians and partners, strengthened with sufficient resources, work together and move from the sidelines to centre stage. 

From the Malabo Declaration to the recent Kampala Declaration and Action Plan, the roadmap is clear. is set. Now, to go far, action is needed together.