African Union Unveils 10-Year Strategy to Transform Agriculture and Food Security

The African Union (AU) has officially adopted a bold 10-year strategy designed to overhaul the continent’s agri-food systems. This new plan aims to boost food production, improve food security, and position agriculture as a driver of industrialization and trade. The strategy was approved during a summit in Kampala, Uganda, where African leaders emphasized the urgency of transforming the sector.

Among the key targets are increasing agricultural output by 45% by 2035, halving post-harvest losses, and tripling intra-African trade in food products. The strategy also aims to increase local food processing to 35% of total food-related GDP. These goals are part of the broader Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).

One of the central messages from the summit was the need to reduce Africa’s dependence on food imports and improve resilience to climate-related disruptions. Leaders emphasized the importance of value addition — turning raw produce into finished goods — as a way to create jobs and retain wealth on the continent.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni urged his counterparts to remove trade barriers between African countries and invest in regional food value chains. He argued that Africa has the land, labor, and climate to feed itself and export globally, but political will and infrastructure remain major constraints.

The strategy also includes an implementation roadmap for member states and calls for stronger collaboration between governments, the private sector, and international donors. With population growth and climate pressures mounting, the AU says this plan is a vital step toward sustainable food security and economic independence.