The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) – Malabo Implementation Guidelines for National Level Design and Implementation of Bankable Agriculture and Food Systems Programmes, is a groundbreaking roadmap to revolutionise food systems across the African continent.
During the validation work on the guidelines with stakeholders in Lusaka, Zambia, convened by the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD and AGRA, it was recognised that the guidelines are not a parallel agenda to CAADP but part of the process of enabling current CAADP implementation processes to attain greater outcomes in Africa’s food systems.
“The food systems guidelines have been developed as part of strengthening institutional capacities for mainstreaming food systems into national priorities. They are a tool to support African Union Member States to build resilient food systems,” said Mrs Estherine Fotabong, AUDA-NEPAD’s Director for Agriculture, Food Security, and Environmental Sustainability.
The 2021 CAADP-Malabo Biennial Review Report emphasised the urgency of establishing resilient and inclusive food systems in Africa, especially in the face of recent challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, climate volatility, and conflicts. The guidelines therefore serve as a response to these challenges and a commitment to achieving the goals of the Malabo Declaration 2025, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and Africa’s Agenda 2063.
Inspired by the Africa Common Position on Food Systems and building upon the successes of CAADP, these guidelines are designed to foster systematic and transformative action.
“The food systems guidelines will support the operationalisation of the Africa Common Position on Food Systems as well as the achievements and lessons learned in the implementation of CAADP and related initiatives,” reiterated Mr David Adama, Senior Programme Officer at AGRA.
The core objectives of the food systems guidelines include:
Comprehensive Analysis: The guidelines offer a checklist for a holistic and evidence-based understanding of food systems, identifying constraints, challenges, and barriers within the unique context of each African member state.
Context-Specific Solutions: Stakeholders can use the guidelines to identify tailored strategies that address their specific opportunities and obstacles within their food systems.
Coordinated Actions: Common standards and benchmarks are established to promote coordinated actions among diverse stakeholders, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in managing food value chains.
These guidelines also emphasise the importance of balancing commercial interests with social livelihood needs, promoting economic growth, social equity, poverty alleviation, and environmental conservation.
These guidelines are poised to drive transformative change in African food systems, involving diverse stakeholders from local to global levels. They present a unique opportunity to accelerate progress and ensure a brighter, more sustainable food future for Africa.
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