Insights from the 21st CAADP Partnership Platform and the 16th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security

Kigali, Rwanda | 29 October – 31 September 2025

Η 21st Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Partnership Platform (CAADP PP) and the 16th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS) marked the first African Union convening following the Kampala Declaration. The theme for 2025, “From Malabo to Kampala: Accelerating Just, Resilient Agrifood Systems Transformation for Nutrition and Sustainable Growth,” signalled a shift into the CAADP Kampala era (2026–2035), focusing on justice, inclusivity, and resilience across Africa’s agrifood systems.

The conference gathered more than 450 delegates representing regional organisations, national governments, the private sector, farmer organisations, youth groups, and development partners.

Food Safety: A cornerstone of Africa’s Development Agenda

During the opening session, Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Mark Bagabe, emphasised that food safety must be treated as both a public health priority and a strategic enabler of trade, while his remarks reinforced the broader message that without safe food, human capital, market access, and economic dignity are fundamentally compromised.

A joint effort: FS4Africa, UP-RISE, and AUDA-NEPAD lead continental dialogue

In partnership with the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), the EU-funded projects FS4Africa και UP-RISE convened a dedicated side event titled: “Safe Foods for Resilient Futures: Innovations for Accelerating Just, Nutrition-Sensitive Agrifood Systems Transformation in Africa.”

The session focused on integrating food safety into the new Kampala CAADP Strategy and Action Plan (2026–2035). It used research, policy models, and field experiences across Africa, including insights from FS4Africa and UP-RISE, especially concerning informal markets, to guide policymakers on embedding food safety into national and continental planning through multi-actor collaboration.

Emerging insights and collaborative priorities

The discussions emphasised the importance of recognising food safety as a foundation of agrifood systems transformation. Participants highlighted the relevance of FS4Africa and UP-RISE tools for policymaking, particularly within informal sector settings where most African consumers access their food. The need for strong evidence-based governance emerged as a consistent thread, with data from PACA studies, examples from Ghana, and project activities underscoring how inclusive policy design and appropriate technologies can strengthen food safety systems. Another key outcome was the generation of inputs for an AU-level policy brief on integrating food safety within the Kampala CAADP Strategy.

Strengthening Food Safety in Africa’s Informal Sector

The side event drew more than 35 in-person participants and 11 online attendees, including public officials, researchers, chefs, producers, and development agencies. A shared message resonated across the exchanges: food safety must feature prominently in national and continental development agendas, backed by clear action plans, measurable indicators, and robust financing mechanisms aligned with the Kampala Declaration. Throughout the conference, representatives from FS4Africa and UP-RISE engaged with policymakers from FAO, African Union institutions, and national governments, reinforcing the visibility and importance of food safety in the broader context of Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security.

A collective call to action

A call to action emerged from the discussions, stressing that food safety is a fundamental human right, essential to addressing the over 91 million annual foodborne illnesses and 137,000 deaths in Africa. FS4Africa, UP-RISE, and AUDA-NEPAD remain committed to advancing practical, evidence-based, and scalable solutions that support a safer, more resilient, and more equitable food future for all.

Access the highlights of the 2025 21st Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme Partnership Platform (CAADP PP) and the 16th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS) here.