The African Union has adopted a 10-year agricultural transformation strategy covering 2026–2035, placing food systems reform at the heart of the continent’s development agenda.
The framework builds on CAADP principles and sets measurable targets to boost agricultural productivity, expand irrigation coverage, increase intra-African agricultural trade, and enhance resilience to climate shocks.
Key Strategic Pillars
The strategy prioritises:
- Mechanisation expansion
- Youth and women agripreneur empowerment
- Digital agriculture integration
- Cross-border trade facilitation under AfCFTA
- Climate-smart agricultural investment
With Africa’s population projected to exceed 2 billion by 2050, ensuring sustainable food production is critical.
AfCFTA and Trade Expansion
The plan also emphasises harmonising standards and reducing non-tariff barriers to unlock agricultural trade opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
By aligning policy reform with market access, the AU aims to create a more integrated and competitive African agricultural economy.