Africa’s food security was already on a downward trend prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of which was substantial. As of August 2022, 140 million people across 35 African countries were living in crisis or worse (IPC 3 or higher) acute food insecurity, representing an annual increase of 17 percent (20 million people).1 In addition, the effects of climate change on Africa’s agri-food systems are systemic and projected to leave at least 30 million more people at risk of hunger by 2030. Efforts to strengthen the climate resilience of Africa’s agri-food systems are therefore ongoing and critical.
The 2021 United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) presented the opportunity to apply an agri-food systems approach to Africa’s existing agricultural and food security efforts. The dialogues provided platforms for governments, businesses, communities and civil society to identify pathways towards resilient and inclusive agri-food systems and to reflect on the benefits of the approach and propose strategies for its mainstreaming.
Subsequently, the UNFSS and AUDA-NEPAD have joined forces to champion a continental programme to leverage momentum gained through the 2021 UNFSS and the Africa Common Position on Food Systems. The programme aims to accelerate the implementation of national, regional and continental initiatives towards transition to resilient and inclusive agri-food systems within the context of Agendas 2063 and 2030 goals. The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) framework is to be the primary entry point for the programme to ensure country ownership and leadership.
The Africa Common Position on Food Systems was presented to the UNFSS in 2021, it synthesises the views, priorities and ambitions of Member States on the main challenges affecting African and global food systems. Informed by existing continental and regional policy frameworks and outcomes from the national dialogues on the UNFSS, it demonstrates the continent's commitment to contributing to the global agenda for agrifood systems transformation. This briefing note summarises key thematic areas of the Common Position including challenges and opportunities to ensuring climate resilient food systems, to securing access to improved technologies, and to innovation and biotechnology. It further summarises drivers of transformation and levers of change and potential game changing solutions. This information is integral to the design and development of a transformative Africa Agri-Food Systems Programme (2024 – 2034).