Africa-Press – Eswatini. In a rousing call to action, AU Commissioner Moses Vilakati has declared that Africa is on the cusp of transforming its agricultural future, urging leaders to move from strategy to implementation.
Speaking passionately on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) on 5 May 2025, Vilakati stressed that “a food-secured Africa would make sure that Africa becomes reliant on itself, which is key.”
The CAADP strategy, launched in 2003 and reinforced through the Malabo and Kampala action plans, has seen some countries like South Africa make impressive progress. Yet, Vilakati noted, “others are still trying to catch up,” emphasizing the urgent need to embed agricultural plans into national development strategies. Notably, some nations have already developed national agricultural and water investment plans, paving the way for stronger food systems.
The stakes are high. Africa currently spends a staggering US$100 billion per year on food imports, a figure Vilakati argues can be drastically reduced by strengthening local agricultural production. “An hungry person is an angry person,” he said pointedly, underscoring how food insecurity fuels conflict. By investing inward and prioritizing agriculture, Vilakati believes Africa can address both hunger and instability.
While the African Union (AU) does not directly fund member states, it plays a pivotal role in rallying strategic partners. Vilakati highlighted the need for self-sufficiency: “COVID taught us that you now need to start depending on yourself. The new geopolitics is saying, Africa, wake up, be self-reliant.” He warned that Africa imports nearly 30% of its wheat from Ukraine, a vulnerability exposed by recent global crises.
On a personal note, Vilakati shared, “If the people are starving, it means I’m also starving, because those are my brothers and sisters.” For him, the vision is clear: a self-reliant Africa that creates jobs, improves GDP, and offers young people opportunities at home, reducing dangerous migration flows across the Mediterranean.
In closing, Vilakati called on African governments to ensure all ministries—finance, economic planning, agriculture—join forces to unlock resources and partners needed for success. His message was unmistakable: Africa has the land, water, and expertise to feed itself. Now is the time to act.
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