African Leaders Gather in Uganda for AU Summit

Uganda rolled out the red carpet on Friday as key African leaders arrived for the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Kampala 2025 summit.

Among the dignitaries who arrived on Friday were Ethiopia’s President Taye Atske-Selassie, Angola’s President João Lourenço, Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye, and Liberia’s Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung.

The summit, a flagship initiative under the African Union’s Agenda 2063, aims to address critical issues affecting agriculture across the continent. It focuses on boosting agricultural productivity, increasing public sector investment in agriculture, and fostering economic growth through agriculture-led development.

Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye (R) on his arrival at Entebbe International Airport. (Photo by Bournie Karogo)

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, is the CAADP champion. Under his leadership, Ethiopia has integrated CAADP objectives into its National Agricultural Investment Plan (NAIP), serving as a model for aligning national policies with continental goals.

A Vision Rooted in African Unity
CAADP, established in 2003 through the Maputo Declaration, seeks to eliminate hunger and reduce poverty by transforming Africa’s farming-based economies. The initiative was reaffirmed in 2014 with the Malabo Declaration in Equatorial Guinea, which reinforced commitments to food security, nutrition, and sustainable agricultural practices.

Angola’s President João Lourenço (C) was received by Uganda’s Defence Minister Oboth Markson Oboth (R) (Photo by Bournie Karogo)

The Kampala summit provides an opportunity for African leaders, policymakers, and agricultural stakeholders to evaluate progress, share best practices, and address emerging challenges such as climate change, mechanization, and intra-Africa trade in agricultural products.

The Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, Honorable Jeremiah Kpan Koung (L) (Photo by Bournie Karogo)

Welcoming Leaders to Uganda
Ugandan officials expressed enthusiasm about hosting the summit, highlighting its significance for the continent’s development. “This gathering underscores our collective commitment to agricultural transformation as the backbone of Africa’s economic growth,” remarked Uganda’s Vice President, H.E. Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, who opened the summit with a call for innovative solutions to overcome persistent bottlenecks in the sector.