KAMPALA, Uganda — Africa must invest heavily in agriculture to drive sustainable growth and reduce its reliance on imported food, a Ugandan government minister said Thursday.
Hon. John Mulimba, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs/Regional Affairs, told an African Union summit in Kampala that the continent’s agricultural sector has the potential to drive economic transformation, but it needs significant investment.
“Africa accounts for 65% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, yet we spend almost $68 billion annually on importing agricultural products,” Mulimba said. “This is unacceptable.”
Mulimba said that increasing agricultural productivity and value addition are crucial for Africa’s structural transformation. He proposed several key areas for investment, including rural infrastructure development, improved weather information and environmental control, and strengthening cooperatives.
The minister also emphasized the need for a manufacturing sector that adds value to Africa’s primary products, creating jobs and driving economic transformation.
“Africa’s agricultural sector has the potential to drive economic growth, but we need to invest in it,” Mulimba said. “We need to add value to our products, create jobs and drive economic transformation.”
The African Union summit, which brings together ministers and officials from across the continent, is aimed at promoting agricultural development and food security in Africa.
Mulimba’s comments come as Africa faces a number of challenges related to food security, including climate change, soil degradation and population growth.
The African Union has set a goal of ending hunger in Africa by 2025, but achieving this goal will require significant investment in agriculture and rural development.
African Union Commission Deputy Chairperson H.E. Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa emphasized the need for Africa to capitalize on its agricultural resources. “With 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, abundant water, diverse climates, and a dynamic youth population, Africa has the potential to become a global breadbasket,” she said.
However, Nsanzabaganwa noted that challenges such as limited financing, weak infrastructure, climate change, and slow adoption of modern technologies hinder progress. “It is imperative that we address these challenges head-on and work together to create a resilient and sustainable agrifood system,” she added.
The new CAADP Strategy and Action Plan seeks to build on the progress made since the Malabo Declaration in 2014. The plan aims to achieve several key objectives, including:
- Building resilient and sustainable agrifood systems
- Expanding intra-African trade
- Creating millions of jobs for youth and women
- Feeding 2.5 billion Africans by 2050
Uganda’s Minister of Agriculture, Frank K. Tumwebaze, emphasized the need for swift implementation of the plan. “We have little time remaining to achieve the targets we set ourselves in the African Union Agenda 2063,” he said. “It is only through execution of these ideas that we can have a meaningful impact on our people.”
Tumwebaze called on his colleagues to support the implementation of the plan by embedding it into national development plans. He also emphasized the importance of development partners’ interventions in supporting the plan’s implementation.
The plan aims to build resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, expand intra-African trade, create millions of jobs for youth and women, and feed 2.5 billion Africans by 2050.
The summit is expected to conclude with the adoption of the Kampala Declaration, outlining the continent’s commitment to transforming its agricultural sector.
The outcomes of the summit will feed into the Heads of State and Government summit on Saturday.
