Africa Rallies for Resilient and Just Food Systems at UNFSS+4 Regional Preparatory Meeting

12/06/2025

From 5–7 May 2025, over 400 delegates from 36 countries across the continent gathered in Nairobi, Kenya, for the Africa Regional Preparatory Meeting of the UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake +4 (UNFSS+4). The meeting was co-hosted by the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, the Government of Kenya, the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), bringing together National Convenors, civil society, youth, academia, private sector actors, and development partners.

Against the backdrop of persistent food insecurity and hunger, affecting nearly 20 percent of Africa's population and exacerbated by escalating climate impacts, deepening inequalities, and economic volatility, participants shared commitment to a unified African voice and concrete regional actions ahead of the July global summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Building Resilience Through African Leadership and Shared Priorities

In the opening session, regional and global leaders reaffirmed the importance of Africa's unified position on transforming food systems grounded in multilateralism, equity, and sustainability. Hon. Mutahi Kagwe, Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, outlined key priorities for the continent, including scaling up agro-processing and trade, mobilizing climate finance for smallholder farmers, empowering youth through innovation, and aligning policies through strong partnerships. "Food is the foundation of every thriving society," he stated. "Let us move beyond rhetorical commitments to actionable, measurable, and feasible solutions."

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed echoed the call for unity and ambition, urging: "Africa must have a strong presence and a unified voice. Let's come together with a clear, ambitious message that delivers real impact." Dr. Stephen Jackson, the UN Resident Coordinator in Kenya, stressed the continent's potential, noting that "Africa holds the key" to global food security. Reflecting on the continent's long-term vision, Khaled Eltaweel, Senior Programme Coordinator at the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, noted, "The continent’s journey through the CAADP framework—from Maputo to Malabo, and Kampala—embodies a clear and ambitious food systems vision."

Delegates called for the progressive realization of the right to food, enshrined in several national constitutions, and for policies that tackle hunger as a matter of justice and dignity. Human rights approaches to food security, rural development, and poverty reduction are being pursued by countries across the continent, including Kenya, Mali, and Egypt.

The Kampala Declaration and the next phase of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) were spotlit as a key framework for integrating food systems into coherent policy pathways. "The Kampala Declaration is not merely a statement of intent – it is a continental covenant," declared Estherine Fotabong, Director of Programme Implementation and Coordination at the AUDA-NEPAD. The Kampala Declaration outlines six strategic objectives and a unified framework to guide this alignment, prioritizing food production, agro-industrialization, trade, nutrition, food security, inclusivity, livelihoods, resilience, and governance.

Reflecting on Progress: From Vision to Implementation

Since the original UN Food Systems Summit in 2021, 44 African countries have developed national food systems pathways. Increasingly, these pathways are being integrated into national strategies on agriculture, climate adaptation, and nutrition. However, progress remains uneven, hindered by limited financing, data gaps, and, in particular, fragmented governance. Weak coordination across ministries, overlapping mandates, and a lack of accountability continue to undermine effective planning and delivery. Across sessions, the urgent need to shift from siloed, short-term approaches to holistic, multisectoral action took center stage.

Participants stressed the importance of converging food systems goals with National Determined Contributions (NDCs), agricultural investment plans, and other sectoral programs. For example, Cameroon is driving the convergence of food systems, climate action and biodiversity through ministerial collaboration, resulting in joint project proposals and delegations between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Environment. Many countries showcased how they are embedding food systems transformation into broader development strategies, translating national pathways into integrated, actionable policies that align with national priorities and cross-sectoral goals. In Ethiopia, for instance, the adoption of a Food Systems Transformation Pathway, aligned with the country’s 10-Year Development Plan, has led to initiatives such as promoting an agroecological transition through farmer training and climate cropping strategies.

Centering Inclusion: Women, Youth, and Non-State Actors

A clear message emerged from the regional meeting: Africa's food systems transformation must be inclusive and African-driven. Women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, and local organizations are already leading innovations – from digital agriculture to sustainable farming practices for local markets.

Participants called for institutionalized platforms that ensure their voices shape policy and finance decisions, building on existing cases such as the Food System Transformation Technical Working Group in Malawi and the Food Systems Coordination Committee in Uganda. Non-state actors were recognized as the "engine room" of food systems change, turning policy into practice at the community level.

Strengthening civic space, youth advisory committees, and inclusive accountability frameworks was considered essential in building trust and legitimacy across systems of governance and implementation.

Unlocking Finance for Scalable Transformation

Despite strong political will, Africa's food systems continue to be underfunded. Public spending on agriculture lags behind commitments, while access to climate finance and concessional loans remains limited for many Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

"Debt servicing exceeds agriculture spending in many countries," noted IFAD's Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Sara Mbago-Bhunu. She called for a shift from emergency response to long-term investment in sustainable production, infrastructure, inclusive value chains, and community-level resilience.

Delegates emphasized the urgent need to de-risk investments, scale innovative financing mechanisms, and mobilize private sector capital. Blended finance, debt swaps, and microfinance were discussed as critical tools to support smallholder farmers, women-led enterprises, and youth innovators.

The Joint SDG Fund was commended for its catalytic role in strengthening governance and policy frameworks to foster continuous institutional learning and capacity building. Meanwhile, participants called for scaling up investment hubs and national food systems financing strategies aligned with the CAADP-Kampala targets. Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are leading the way in establishing platforms to scale up support and foster connections between finance and the agrifood sector through donor coordination groups and matchmaking platforms for investors.

Climate Resilience, Science, and Indigenous Knowledge

With agriculture bearing the brunt of climate shocks, resilience is a top priority, requiring a whole-of-society approach rooted in local ownership and driven by collective action. Across the continent, countries are implementing localized solutions, from community-based nutrition initiatives, such as the Zero Hunger Village project in Guinea and homestead gardening in Lesotho, to local procurement strategies in the Central African Republic.

Science-policy-society interfaces are also gaining momentum. In countries such as Chad, Cameroon, and the Gambia, stakeholders and policymakers are collaborating to bridge the gap between scientific evidence, traditional knowledge, and localized action, thereby building inclusive food systems that can withstand future shocks.

Participants, particularly youth representatives, underscored the importance of climate-smart agriculture, digital tools, and data systems in guiding adaptive decision-making. In Kenya, for instance, digital platforms provide farmers with training, market access and affordable mechanical services, while in Ethiopia, digital advisory tools are being used to promote agroecological practices. At the same time, many called for stronger investment in applied research, technology transfer, and South-South knowledge sharing. "Food systems innovation – whether in agritech, cold-chain management, or digital marketplaces – is booming across Africa. To accelerate this trend, we must bolster research institutions, fund startups, and foster knowledge exchange between countries," stated Agnes Kalibata, UN Special Envoy for the 2021 Food Systems Summit and Member of the UN Food Systems Advisory Group.

The convergence of food systems, climate action, social protection, and nutrition was lauded as a unique opportunity for Africa to lead with an integrated model – promoting policy coherence and breaking down silos. Several countries are already moving in this direction, such as Zambia, which promotes nutrition platforms for anticipatory climate action, Mauritania, which is investing in green jobs for women and youth in rural areas; and Angola, whose national food security concept integrates social assistance and multisectoral coordination.

Strengthening Intra-African Trade for Food Sovereignty and Resilience

Food sovereignty and long-term resilience depend on reducing Africa's vulnerability to external shocks. Participants emphasized the urgent need to boost diversification along with regional and continental trade in agricultural products to strengthen food security, reduce import dependency, and foster self-sufficiency. Concrete national efforts are already underway in countries such as Somalia, which is investing in cooperative farming, infrastructure, and staple crop production to strengthen its domestic capacities, and the Republic of Congo, which is pursuing economic diversification to reduce its reliance on oil revenues.

Proposals included expanding infrastructure, reducing non-tariff barriers, and investing in regional agro-industrial corridors. Integrating smallholder producers into value chains was emphasized as a priority for inclusive economic growth. Participants called for accelerated implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a key enabler to support these efforts. Cosmas Milton Obote Ochieng, Director of the Climate Finance and Natural Resources Division at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, reinforced this message by calling for the fast-tracking of the AfCFTA to unlock value in Africa's agrifood systems.

Toward a United African Voice at UNFSS+4

As preparations intensify for the UNFSS+4 Stocktake in Addis Ababa. In July, Ethiopia is poised to bring bold, united leadership to the global stage. With strong political will, national pathways in motion, and communities driving innovation on the ground, the continent is ready to transition from commitment to accountability.

UNFSS+4 will mark a critical moment for showcasing Africa's progress, confronting persistent challenges, and advancing collective solutions that reflect the region's priorities and potential.