The African Union Commission and NEPAD Agency have launched the AU Implementation Strategy and Roadmap to achieve the 2014 Malabo Declaration, for agricultural growth and shared prosperity. The Strategy was launched last night at a high-level dinner.

In his statement to 300 senior officials, NEPAD Agency CEO Dr Ibrahim Mayaki said that the Strategy is a celebration of leadership, partnership and regional integration since the commitment made by African leaders in 2003 to give Agriculture-led development a priority and which resulted in the adoption of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). Dr Mayaki said that African leaders have realised that “most of Africa's national problems do not have optimum national solutions, but regional solutions”.

AUC Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, Mrs Tumusiime Rhoda Peace emphasised that the Strategy will transform agriculture for more inclusive growth, by focusing on increased agricultural production, intra-African trade, resilience of livelihoods, and strengthening the governance of land, water and other natural resources.

Mrs Rhoda Peace urged that the 2014 Malabo Declaration expresses a firm commitment toward attaining an agriculture revolution in Africa. African leaders and all stakeholders involved must be accountable to actions and results, she said.

The roadmap will guide African member states and development partners to accelerate agricultural growth so as to achieve the 2025 vision for shared prosperity and improved livelihoods. Key to the process is the CAADP Results Framework to track progress and ensure accountability of governments starting 2017. 

High-level table with NEPAD CEO, AUC Commissioners, Chairperson of Executive Council among others

The high-level event brought together members of the AU Executive Council (Ministers of Foreign Affairs), Permanent Representative Committee (Ambassadors), AU Senior Officials, Regional Economic Communities (RECs); Chief Executives from the private sector, farmer organisations; CSOs, youth and women organisations, and development partners.

It also marked the formal closure of the 2014 AU Year of Agriculture and Food Security, and officially commenced actions towards the Malabo Declaration which was adopted by African Heads of State and Government at the 23rd AU Assembly in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, in June 2014. 

The Strategy was officially launched by the Chairperson of the AU Executive Council, Ms Fatma Vall Mint Soueinae.

The gala dinner was entertained by Ethiopian dancers …