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Museveni Calls For Full Implementation of Africa Free Trade Area At CAADP AU Summit
Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called for the enhancement of agricultural policies to drive Africa’s development agenda during the Extraordinary African Union (AU) Summit on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) in Addis Ababa.
Speaking to regional leaders and stakeholders, President Museveni emphasized the critical role of agriculture in achieving sustainable economic growth and reducing poverty across the continent. He stressed that agriculture, which employs the majority of Africans, remains the backbone of the continent’s economies and must be prioritized to ensure food security, reduce imports, and improve trade within Africa.
“The key to our success lies in modernizing agriculture, increasing productivity, and adding value to our products,” Museveni noted.
“We must focus on empowering smallholder farmers, investing in research, and embracing mechanization while addressing issues like climate resilience.”
Post-Malabo Commitments
The summit reviewed the implementation of commitments made under the Malabo Declaration, including efforts to increase agricultural financing, eradicate hunger, and boost intra-African trade in agricultural commodities. President Museveni highlighted Uganda’s progress, citing investments in irrigation, value addition, and agricultural research through initiatives by the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) and partnerships with other regional stakeholders.
He also called for the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to unlock markets for African agricultural products, reduce barriers to trade, and foster economic integration.
Africa’s Agricultural Transformation
AU Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat lauded member states for their dedication to the CAADP goals but acknowledged gaps in funding and capacity building. “It is imperative that African leaders prioritize agriculture as a key driver of growth and economic transformation,” he stated.
On his part, Ethiopia’s President H.E Taye Atske-Selassie said;
“As we embark on the transformative journey towards a modern agri-food system, let this African basket symbolize our unwavering commitment to ensuring that every African has access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food.”
The summit concluded with leaders reaffirming their commitment to the CAADP agenda, with a focus on enhancing accountability, improving access to financing for farmers, and strengthening collaboration to address the challenges posed by climate change.
Ethiopia’s President H.E Taye Atske-Selassie
This summit serves as a big moment in ensuring Africa’s agricultural sector plays a central role in achieving the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
