By Kebba Ansu Manneh, reporting from Dakar, Senegal
Madam Chikondi Chabvuta, Chairperson of the CAADP Non-State Actors Group (CNG), has called on African governments to take bold and proactive steps to implement the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP), also known as the Kampala Declaration.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) 2025 in Dakar on September 3, Chabvuta emphasized the critical role of youth in achieving food security and agricultural innovation across the continent.
The Kampala Declaration, a landmark framework supported by the African Union, aims to transform African agriculture by fostering inclusive policies, enhancing food security, and promoting intra-African trade. Chabvuta described it as a “game changer” for the continent, noting its inclusive development process that incorporated diverse voices. However, she stressed that its success hinges on effective implementation, particularly through the active involvement of young people.
“The Kampala Declaration is the most inclusive document created so far, with support from the African Union. Now that it has been formulated, I urge African leaders and governments to be more proactive in its implementation,” Chabvuta declared. “The same spirit that drove us to this point must continue. Young people need to be involved in joint sector reviews, the dissemination of biannual review data, and ensuring these commitments become a reality.”
Chabvuta underscored the importance of placing youth at the heart of the implementation process to drive agricultural innovation. “If African governments are serious about advancing agriculture, young people must be central to the Kampala Declaration’s rollout,” she said. She highlighted that the document’s development is complete, and the focus must now shift to actionable steps to realize its goals.
As non-state actors, the CNG group represents a collective voice advocating for the realization of CAADP’s commitments to benefit African farmers. Chabvuta outlined a vision of transformed food systems, where Africa achieves self-sufficiency, eliminates hunger, ensures full nutrition, employs its youth, and generates surplus food for export. “We are here to represent women farmers, the private sector, researchers, and the media. Our goal is to deliver one voice: that youth are at the helm of transforming African food systems,” she said.
The CNG Non-State Actors Group, including members of the Consortium of African Youth in Agriculture and Climate Change (CAYACC), has been actively participating in the AFSF 2025, engaging in side events to amplify the voices of young women, men, and farmers. Their presence underscores the urgency of involving youth in shaping the continent’s agricultural future.
Mwaka Namukonda, Secretary General of the CAADP CNG Non-State Actors Group and Executive Coordinator of CAYACC, echoed Chabvuta’s sentiments, affirming the readiness of African youth to seize opportunities in agriculture. “African youth are awake and eager for collaboration, capacity building, and opportunities to scale up production and add value to our products,” Namukonda said. “We want agriculture to be attractive to every young person participating in food systems.”
Namukonda highlighted persistent gaps between policymakers and youth that hinder progress in agriculture. She called for tailored policies to bridge these gaps, enabling young farmers, particularly those in remote areas with limited resources, to access opportunities. “We need systems to reach the young farmer in the village who lacks networks, funds, or gadgets. These are the real people who need to be part of the agricultural food systems,” she emphasized.
To address these challenges, Namukonda advocated for youth representation in key government positions to facilitate communication between policymakers and farmers. “Youth need to be in offices, communicating with directors and bringing messages from the continental level to the grassroots,” she said. She also highlighted CNG’s collaboration with the AFS Parliamentarian Network (AFSPAN), AGRA, the African Union Commission (AUC), and other stakeholders to advance the Kampala Declaration.
“We want to see the Kampala Declaration integrated into national agricultural investment plans and domesticated in every country,” Namukonda added. “This forum provides a platform to connect with partners and collaborators to access capacity building and finance for young people.”
The AFSF 2025 has brought together diverse stakeholders to discuss strategies for transforming Africa’s food systems. The CNG Non-State Actors Group’s participation underscores the importance of collective action to translate commitments into tangible outcomes. By prioritizing youth involvement, African governments can unlock the potential of the Kampala Declaration to drive agricultural innovation, enhance food security, and create economic opportunities for millions across the continent.
Chabvuta and Namukonda’s messages resonate as a clarion call for African leaders to act swiftly and inclusively. As the continent grapples with challenges like hunger, unemployment, and climate change, the Kampala Declaration offers a roadmap to a sustainable and prosperous future—if governments can rise to the challenge of implementation.
