From continental ambition to country action: Rolling out the CAADP-Kampala Implementation Guidelines in Africa

Across Africa, countries are working to strengthen how their food systems deliver – supporting farmers, improving access to markets, and building resilience in the face of climate and economic pressures.

The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), led by the African Union, has long provided the continental framework guiding these efforts. Its latest phase – the Kampala Declaration (2026–2035) – places greater emphasis on how countries organize, finance and deliver results across their food systems. This requires connecting resources and capacities across sectors, ministries, and levels of governance.

Recently in Yaoundé, Cameroon, attention turned to how this comes together in practice.

From 17 to 19 March 2026, country and regional CAADP focal point teams, National Food Systems Convenors, and partner institutions – including non-state actors and parliamentarians – gathered for a high-level dialogue and workshop on the CAADP Kampala Implementation Guidelines. The workshop co-organized by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), the Government of Cameroon, the United Nations Food Systems Coordination Hub and partners, brought together over 120 participants.

The workshop focused on the mechanisms that will guide CAADP national  focal point teams and National Food Systems Convenors in advancing implementation, including strengthening coordination across sectors, shaping investment-ready plans, and tracking progress over time.As H.E. Gabriel Mbairobe, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Cameroon, noted in his opening remarks, “The success of the CAADP Kampala Agenda rests not on declarations alone… We must act with urgency and purpose.”

Dr. Janet Edeme, Head of the Rural Development Division at the African Union Commission (AUC), described the moment as “a new stage in Africa’s ambition,” adding that “transformation will depend on how effectively countries act.”

Ms. Estherine Lisinge-Fotabong, Director of Agriculture, Food Security, and Environmental Sustainability at AUDA-NEPAD, framed it just as clearly: “We are not starting with speeches; we are starting with systems…This decade must be defined not by promises, but by results.”

Dr Antonio Querido, FAO Representative in Cameroon, speaking on behalf of Dr Issa Sanogo, Cameroon UN Resident Coordinator ,noted that the Yaoundé workshop marked an important step in translating CAADP Kampala ambitions into actionable measures anchored in national systems.He emphasized that delivering on implementation requires coherent governance, partner alignment, and evidence-based programming—areas where the UN system contributes as a neutral convener and bridge across national, regional and continental processes.

Photo credit: AUDA-NEPAD

Country leadership shaping the discussion

The workshop was anchored in country experience.

The UN Food Systems Coordination Hub participated in the workshop providing technical contributions to the discussion. Additionally, through the support of the Hub, ten  National Food Systems Convenors, participated in the event, ensuring that those directly responsible for coordinating food systems transformation at national level were part of shaping the discussions.

Their contributions grounded the exchange in implementation realities—what is already underway, including experiences with inter-ministerial coordination, as well as challenges and opportunities moving forward. National Convenors were frequently referenced in this context as important players and enactors of systems change. Positioned across ministries and sectors, they help connect processes that often operate in single silo ministry systems – aligning policies, priorities, convening stakeholders, and supporting continuity across government efforts.

Coordination at the centre of implementation

A recurring focus throughout the workshop was coordination.

The workshop was structured around the four main components of the CAADP Kampala Guidelines: (a) Governance and Coordination; (b) Analytics and Diagnostics; (c) Investment Planning and Execution Readiness; and (d) Mutual Accountability, Results and Learning Framework (MARLF).Regarding governance and coordination, the Kampala framework places greater emphasis on a food systems approach – connecting agrifood, finance, trade, climate, environment, nutrition and health, and other sectors that shape food systems outcomes. Discussions highlighted the need for stronger whole-of-government coordination and mutual accountability, alongside practical steps such as establishing inter-ministerial mechanisms, aligning existing policies, and engaging a broader range of stakeholders – from farmers and cooperatives to private sector actors and civil society.

Participants also noted that coordination depends on political backing and clear institutional roles. In this context, participants were introduced to several flagship initiatives supported by the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub across more than 20 countries in Africa, including the Food Systems and Climate Action Convergence Initiative (supported by the Government of the Netherlands), the Scalable Success Model (funded by the European Union), the Youth Leadership Programme (supported by the Government of Germany), and the Joint SDG Fund Food Systems Window (supported by the Governments of Germany, Italy, Spain and Ireland).

Building on what is already underway

Several discussions pointed to the same reality: implementation is already underway in many countries.

Participants noted that countries have already begun domesticating the CAADP Kampala framework – translating it into national policies and processes – and are working within systems that are already evolving.

Rather than starting from scratch, the focus is on aligning these ongoing efforts with the Kampala Guidelines and strengthening how they connect across sectors.

From priorities to investment

Sessions on diagnostics, analytics and investment planning focused on how to translate priorities into concrete bankable, investable programmes.

The workshop agenda outlined the progression – from identifying priorities to developing costed plans and preparing proposals aligned with national budgets and financing strategies.

Discussions also highlighted the need to develop bankable and investable business cases for food systems, alongside diversifying financing approaches, including public, private and blended finance.

Data, accountability and learning

Another focus was how countries track progress and adjust their approaches over time.

The Kampala framework places stronger emphasis on accountability, supported by improved data systems and learning processes. This includes integrating tools such as Joint Sector Reviews and Biennial Reviews into national systems.

Participants noted that while data is often available, it is not always fully used. Strengthening how data informs decision-making – particularly for investment planning and implementation – was identified as a priority.

Moving forward

As the workshop concluded, attention turned to next steps.

Countries will continue working through how the Kampala Guidelines are reflected in national systems – strengthening coordination, refining investment plans, and aligning support from partners.

The work now continues at country level, where implementation will take shape across institutions, sectors and stakeholders. The outcomes of the workshop will be presented during the 4^th Africa Food Systems Transformation Meeting in Accra, Ghana in May 2026.