The African Union Commission has called on member states to urgently domesticate and implement the Kampala Declaration on Food Systems Transformation, emphasizing its central role in achieving a food-secure and climate-resilient Africa.
Speaking during the Joint Intra-ACP Climate Services and Related Applications (ClimSA) and Space for Early Warning in Africa (SEWA) Forum in Windhoek, Namibia, AU Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE), Moses Vilakati, said the Kampala Declaration—adopted in January 2025, builds on the foundations of the 2014 Malabo Declaration and aligns with the goals of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).
Vilakati emphasized the need for evidence-based interventions to boost agricultural productivity. “We must harness science and research, particularly in soil testing, to guide the appropriate use of fertilizers. Soil health is critical for improving yields and ensuring sustainable food production,” he said.
He also warned of Africa’s increasing vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. Citing the 6th Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Vilakati noted that the continent is already experiencing widespread losses across critical sectors due to climate-induced stress—including biodiversity loss, water scarcity, and declining agricultural output.
“Africa’s agricultural sector, which employs between 55% and 62% of the sub-Saharan workforce, remains highly vulnerable as 95% of cropland is rainfed,” he said. “This places rural, poor, and female-headed households at heightened risk.”
Vilakati praised ClimSA and SEWA as crucial AU-led initiatives addressing Africa’s climate resilience gaps by improving access to accurate and timely weather, climate, and early warning services. These, he said, are essential for safeguarding livelihoods and building sustainable economies.
The Commissioner also urged countries to invest in afforestation, reforestation, and agroforestry, calling tree planting a “silver bullet” in climate mitigation and poverty reduction. He added that tree ecosystems enhance biodiversity, offer income to vulnerable communities, and contribute to carbon sequestration.
Finally, Vilakati called for seed bank development and the preservation of indigenous, drought-tolerant crops like sorghum and millet. He warned that with shifting consumption patterns and erratic weather, Africa may have to revert to traditional crops better suited to future climates.
“The Kampala Declaration offers us a roadmap,” he concluded. “But its success lies in our commitment to implementation and coordinated action across the continent.”
Written By Rodney Mbua
