As African policymakers, civil society, farmers, and parliamentarians convened for the 21st CAADP Partnership Platform and the 16th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security, Hon. Agho Oliver, Member of Parliament for Bafut-Tubah, emphasised the need for robust parliamentary leadership to implement the new CAADP guidelines.
Africa’s agrifood systems remain fragile. Ten years after the Malabo Declaration, progress has been uneven, and more than 300 million Africans still face hunger. The Kampala Declaration, recently adopted, seeks to accelerate transformation, promote sustainable agriculture, and ensure inclusive growth across the continent.
At a side event under the theme “Reimagining the Role of Non-State Actors in the Next CAADP Decade: From Participation to Transformation,” participants called on stakeholders to move from dialogue to action. Agnes Kirabo, moderating the session, reflected on the journey from Malabo to Kampala:
“We are going to watch the cinema of achievements: a film of our journey. From lessons to action, from policy briefs to commitments, this evening is about celebrating how far we’ve come and setting the tone for the next decade.” she noted
According to Hon. Agho Oliver, the Kampala guidelines provide a clear mandate for parliamentary intervention.
“From Maputo to Malabo, parliaments were observers. From Kampala onward, we are actors. We are no longer on the sidelines. We are implicated, engaged, and accountable,” he said, underlining the new Policy Framework for Parliamentary Action designed to translate continental commitments into national oversight and tangible results.
“We must not have another decade of speeches without action. Parliament must translate the aspirations of non-state actors into tangible results.” he emphasised
Experts at the forum highlighted governance and resource challenges as critical barriers to achieving the CAADP goals.
“Governance defines how resources are allocated, what we produce, and how we produce it. Parliamentarians must ensure that the 10% budget commitment goes beyond agriculture to strengthen the entire food system.” Dr John Ulimwengu of IFPRI noted as he called on legislators to ensure land tenure security and adequate budget allocations.
Speakers also stressed the importance of grassroots participation.
“Many communities still can’t access CAADP materials because of language barriers and limited capacity. We are trying to take the message to the grassroots, but without sufficient resources, it’s not easy. We need investment in translation, training, and local ownership.” Constance Okeke, a member of the CAADP Non-State Actors Group, said
Joe Mzinga, representing farmer organisations, added that “When farmers are organised locally and demand accountability, that’s when we see change. We must decentralise implementation and keep farmers, especially smallholders, at the heart of the process.”
The role of women in food system transformation was also emphasised. Zainab Isah Arah of the African Kilimanjaro Women Farmers Forum reminded participants that “We cannot transform Africa’s food systems without women at the centre: from the soil to the seed, from health to education. Our soil is our life, our seed is our future, and our hands are our power.”
For Hon. Agho Oliver, the path forward is that parliament must act decisively to ensure that the Kampala declaration delivers results for Cameroon and Africa. By strengthening oversight, aligning budgets with continental commitments, and supporting rural communities, lawmakers can ensure that CAADP’s bold objectives move from policy documents to measurable impact.
The Kigali forum, convened under the African Union’s 2025 theme of “justice for Africans and people of African descent through reparation,” signals a renewed commitment to accountability, inclusive participation, and food security, with parliament playing a central role in shaping Africa’s agrifood future.
By Bakah Derick
Tel: +237 694 71 85 77
