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As Africa enters a new phase of agricultural transformation, the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) remains at the heart of the continent’s development agenda. Launched in 2003 by the African Union’s NEPAD initiative, CAADP has driven efforts toward economic growth, food security, and regional integration. In January 2025, African leaders renewed their commitment through the Kampala Declaration, extending the program under the CAADP Strategy and Action Plan 2026–2035.
This next chapter brings both opportunities and urgent lessons from the past. While progress has been made, the continent, as a whole, fell short of meeting key 2025 targets. The latest Biennial Review (BR) revealed that no country was on track to meet the CAADP benchmark goals, although 12 countries demonstrated steady improvement over the last decade.
What Held Africa Back?
Several persistent challenges undermined CAADP’s full potential:
- Data gaps hampered the ability to track and report on indicators effectively.
- Findings from the BR process were often underutilized in shaping national policies.
- Stakeholder engagement was limited in scope and inclusivity.
The Role of Policy Research Institutes: A Turning Point
Institutions like ANAPRI and its centres are uniquely positioned to address these gaps and support implementation in the 2026–2035 cycle. Their contributions can include:
- Partnering with national statistical systems to strengthen data collection and analysis.
- Providing evidence-based policy recommendations grounded in local realities.
- Tracking and evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of agricultural investments
- Monitoring private sector and donor financing, which remains below target in most countries.
- Identifying best practices and their transferability to other countries to fast-track agricultural transformation
Data-Driven Transformation is the Way Forward
The path to success lies in learning from what worked. For instance, only Burundi and Ethiopia met the target of allocating 10% of public expenditures to agriculture consistently. Countries like Cape Verde, Lesotho, and Djibouti, while not meeting every goal, made notable progress in aligning spending with agricultural priorities.
By leveraging research, innovation, and data-driven insights, policy institutes can guide governments and stakeholders toward inclusive, sustainable transformation. Emerging issues like climate resilience, digital agriculture, trade, and market access must now move to the centre of CAADP implementation strategies.
Looking Ahead
CAADP remains Africa’s most ambitious blueprint for agricultural development. Its next phase will demand stronger institutions, better data, and more accountable implementation. ANAPRI and its network of centres stand ready to support this transformation, ensuring that agriculture continues to be the engine of Africa’s economic growth and food security.
Written by Dr Timothy Njagi