📷 AU summit: African agric ministers told to reduce food imports
According to Nabanja, even though Africa has abundant fresh water, with enough rainfall and several days of sunshine each year, Africa’s food import bill has remained high.
Delegates in a group photo at the CAADP Summit in Kampala on Friday, January 10. (photos by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
NewVision Reporter
@NewVision
As heads of state, agriculture ministers and stakeholders across Africa converge at the CAADP Summit in Kampala, Uganda premier Robinah Nabanja has called for strategies to reduce the continent's food import bill.
Latest figures from the African Development Bank indicate that Africa imports food worth $35 billion, estimated to rise to $110 billion by the end of this year (2025).
Former Agriculture Minister Victoria Ssekitooleko (R) interacting with other delegates.
She made the call on Thursday (January 09) during the official opening of the session of agriculture ministers at the African Union extraordinary summit on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) strategy and action plan 2026-35, at the Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort and Conference Centre in Kampala.
(L-R) Vice President Jessica Alupo, Agriculture minister Frank Tumwebaze and John Mulimba, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Regional Co-operation) .
According to Nabanja, even though Africa has abundant fresh water, with enough rainfall and several days of sunshine each year, Africa’s food import bill has remained high.
Delegates in attendance.
“What a shame that a continent that was gifted by God with such a proportion of the world’s arable and fertile land is experiencing such a trend in food imports! This Summit should come up with concrete proposals on how Africa can come out of such an undesirable situation,” she said.
Vice President Jessica Alupo attending the Summit.
Nabanja also called on all ministers across the continent to guide their governments on how to strategise to meet the targets in the CAADP programme.
“You will note that CAADP is one of the strategies towards the realisation of the Agenda 2063 – The Africa we Want. Therefore, let us work deliberately to get what we want as a continent. As the continent’s agricultural sector ministers, I urge you to deliberately work to reduce Africa’s over-reliance on food imports from outside the continent,” she added.
At the same time, Amb Josefa Sacko, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment reminded the ministers that from the 4th CAADP biennial review report to African Heads of state and government during the 37th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly, it was noted that no single country was on track to meet the Malabo CAADP goals and targets by 2025.
Exhibitors showcasing their products at the Summit.
The summit continues today with a meeting of Agriculture ministers and those of foreign affairs in addition to other side events. The inter-ministerial session is being attended by Uganda Vice-President Jessica Epel Alupo.
