African governments are being urged to significantly increase public investment in agriculture to bolster food security and drive sustainable economic growth across the continent. This critical call to action emerged from the “Financing Agri-food Systems Sustainably Summit 2025,” a high-level forum recently held in Nairobi, Kenya.
The summit, themed “Taking Ownership: Rethinking Sustainable Financing for Africa’s Food Systems,” gathered policymakers and industry stakeholders to brainstorm innovative financing solutions for transforming Africa’s food systems. A central point of discussion was the stark disparity between agriculture’s vital role in the continent’s economy and the inadequate investment it receives.
The Investment Gap: A Critical Challenge
Despite employing over 60% of Africa’s population, the agricultural sector continues to suffer from disproportionately low investment. Mutahi Kagwe, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, highlighted this imbalance in Kenya, where agriculture contributes a substantial 22.5% to the national GDP but receives only 3% of the national budget.
Kagwe stressed that raising the budgetary allocation to 10% would not only provide much-needed investment but also align with the commitments of the 2014 Malabo Declaration on the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) and the January 2025 Kampala CAADP Declaration. Such a strategic move, he projected, could lead to a 45% increase in productivity, eliminate post-harvest losses, and triple intra-African agri-trade by 2035.
Modernizing Agriculture for a Resilient Future
Echoing these sentiments, Veronica Nduva, Secretary General of the East African Community, emphasized the region’s commitment to modernizing agriculture into climate-resilient, value-driven systems. She underscored the urgent need for increased investment in crucial areas such as infrastructure, technology, research, and inclusive financial access, particularly for smallholder farmers who form the backbone of agricultural production.
Mobilizing Billions for Food System Transformation
In a powerful statement delivered via video link, Moses Vilakati, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment at the African Union, affirmed the continent’s ambitious commitment to mobilize $100 billion by 2035 for comprehensive food system transformation. He called for the adoption of innovative financing tools that can de-risk agricultural investments and empower smallholder farmers, with a particular focus on women and youth, who are crucial to the success of food systems.
The consensus from the Nairobi summit is clear: increased public investment, coupled with strategic financial innovation and a focus on empowering key stakeholders, is essential for unlocking Africa’s agricultural potential, ensuring food security, and fostering sustainable economic growth across the continent.