The launch of the 3^rd Biennial Review (BR) report marks the end of a rigorous third cycle of the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Biennial Review Reporting mechanism, which is a highly participatory data collection, analysis, and learning process. Endorsed by the assembly of African Heads of State and Government during the 35th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union Heads of State and Government in February 2022, the report launched on 10^th March 2022 captures Africa’s agricultural progress on the implementation of the June 2014 Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods.

In her opening remarks, H.E. Amb. Josefa Sacko commended Member States for collecting credible data despite some existing data quality gaps that need to be addressed, and also noted that the report came out at a difficult time for African agriculture as member states are recovering from the effects of COVID-19 that devastated African Food systems, and revealed vulnerabilities to shocks such as desert locust outbreak, fall army worms and effects of climate change. She further underscored the increasing importance of the BR report and urged all stakeholders to reflect on the outcome of the Report to stimulate dialogue and action on the food system process towards the CAADP implementation process, and to support member states to review and improve their National Agriculture Investment Plans (NAIPS) taking into account their BR results. She further urged all stakeholder to reflect on performance and take necessary action to implement new policies, develop new programs and make new investments that are driven by the BR report to achieve the Malabo declaration goals.

Dr. Ibrahim Mayaki, the CEO of AUDA-NEPAD, in his opening remarks, stated that the launch of the 3rd BR Report renews the firm commitment to accountability in the implementation of the CAADP as a continental framework which makes agriculture a priority. He further noted with concern, that the agriculture sector in Africa remains vulnerable to shocks and thus the need to undertake bold steps to expedite the much-needed transformation by developing and implementing National Agriculture Investment Plans (NAIPs) and Regional Agriculture Investment Plans (RAIPs). In pursuing this course of action, he called upon all stakeholders, member states and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to utilise the finding of the 3rd BR report as a compass to advance the ongoing dialogues and inform policy decisions. “The conclusions of the UN food system summit in 2021 emphasised the increasing need for robust food systems on the continent, which was well captured in the Africa Common Position.” he added.

Prof. Saad Moussa, representing the Chairperson of the Specialized Technical Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment (STC-ARDWE), and Minister of Agriculture and Agriculture and Land Reclamation of Arab Republic of Egypt delivered a statement calling upon Member States to use the Report as a basis for accountability and to track the implementation process of the Malabo Declaration and CAADP to ensure food security and employment.

The BR Report was presented by Dr. Godfrey Bahiigwa, Director of Agriculture and Rural Development, who highlighted the high-level results and country scores that are presented in a scorecard and dashboard. The results indicate that one third of the 51 member states are progressing well, however, the results show that the continent failed to achieve any of the seven Malabo commitments as whole. Dr. Bahiigwa further pointed out that all Member States scored especially poorly when it came to commitments number two and three - Enhancing Investment Finance in Agriculture and Ending Hunger by 2025 respectively. The results further show that only one country - Rwanda- is on track to achieve goals of the seven Malabo Declaration commitments and only two other countries – Tanzania and Zimbabwe- joined Rwanda in scoring highly on the Recommitment to the Principles and Values of the CAADP process. Four countries -Egypt, Eswatini, Seychelles, and Zambia- are the only ones on track to achieve the commitment to Enhance Investment Finance in Agriculture, while Kenya stands alone in its achievement of the commitment on Ending Hunger by 2025, measured against key metrics including the use of fertiliser, access to agriculture inputs and irrigation.  

Dr. Bahiigwa, shared a decision by the AU policy organ, to use the BR mechanism to track and report progress on the implementation of the pathways in the Africa Common Position to the UNFSS. The CAADP BR Communication Toolkit and the CAADP Business Plan 2022-2025 were also presented. He called upon all stakeholders to embrace and use the Toolkit and ensure the effective implementation of the CAADP Business Plan.

Calls to action was made by  the Honourable ministers present,  Member of the  Pan-African Parliament and  other Members of Parliaments, RECs,  Chair of the Development Partners Coordination Group, President of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Executive Chairperson of Akademiya2063,   CSO representative, President of the Pan-African Farmers Organisation (PAFO),  Executive Director  of Pan-African Agribusiness and Agroindustry Consortium (PanAAC),  Coordinator of CAADP Youth Network, Research Institutions  and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA).

The former Commissioner of the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (DREA), H.E. Rhoda Peace Tumusiime gave a final reflection calling for a thorough review of the Malabo Commitments after two decades to counter the realities and challenges of the agriculture sector today.

For further information, please contact:

Dr. Simplice Nouala, Head of Agriculture and Food Security Division| Agriculture Rural Development Directorate | African Union Commission Tel: +251 115 517 700 | E-mail: noualas@africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

For Media inquiries: -

Ms. Peace Lydia Mutuwa, Agriculture Rural Development Directorate | African Union Commission Tel: +251 115 517 700 | Email: mutuwap@africa-unin.org  Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Mr. Rachid Basso Sanfo, AUDA-NEPAD | African Union Email:rachids@nepad.org, Johannesburg, South Africa

Mr. Molalet Tsedeke, Information and Communication Directorate; AU Commission Email: molalett@africa-union.org  Addis Ababa, Ethiopia