The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has declared that it will invest $10 billion over the forthcoming five years to guarantee food security in Africa.
The president of the bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, made this pledge at the Diamniadio, Senegal, Dakar Africa Food Summit.
“Feed Africa: Food Sovereignty and Resilience” serves as the summit’s theme.
As stated by Adesina, this commitment also seeks to bolster Africa’s efforts to eradicate hunger and position itself as a principal provider of food for the global community.
“The African Development Bank will allocate 10 billion dollars in the next five years in direct aid for the Food and Agriculture Delivery Compacts.
“And I am confident that the rest of the international community will likewise support this initiative. Collectively, through robust partnerships, we will assist Africa in achieving its objectives.
“Africa has the capability and necessity to nourish itself. With 65 percent of the world’s uncultivated arable land situated in Africa, what the continent accomplishes in agriculture will dictate the future of food globally.
“Now, it is essential to transition from short-term to longer-lasting strategies that enhance food production in Africa, diminish malnutrition, and secure the continent’s food resources.
“It is time for Africa to cultivate its own food, for a well-fed nation is one that is more productive.
“A nourished nation is a thriving nation. Only a food-secure continent can evolve with dignity. We must rise and declare, it is time to nourish Africa. The opportunity is ripe, and the moment is upon us: Feed Africa we must.’’
The AfDB president urged African leaders to engage in joint actions to unlock the continent’s agricultural capabilities to become a worldwide breadbasket.
Adesina also emphasized the importance of establishing compacts that would facilitate extensive food and agricultural transformation across Africa.
He was addressing over 34 Heads of State and Government, 70 ministers, private sector representatives, farmers, development allies, and corporate leaders.
“Your Excellencies, we already possess your strong political determination enshrined in the Malabo Declaration of the African Union.
“Now, let us transform political will into decisive actions. We have collaborated with you and your nations to devise Food and Agriculture Delivery Compacts.’’
Adesina noted that these delivery compacts outline clear objectives and timelines for attaining food security.
He stated that they would receive backing from governments, development partners, and the private sector.
“We must render agriculture and agribusiness appealing for the youth. We must robustly support farmers, particularly smallholder farmers, the majority of whom are women, and encourage more young individuals to engage in agriculture. Support for women-owned and women-led agribusinesses is essential.
“And we must perceive agriculture as a business venture, not merely a development endeavor, and amplify support for the private sector.’’
In his opening remarks, Senegal’s President, Macky Sall, asserted that the moment has arrived for the continent to feed itself by adding value and enhancing the adoption of technology.
Sall also serves as the chairperson of the African Union.
“From the farm to the plate, we require complete food sovereignty, and we must enhance land under cultivation while improving market access to boost cross-border trade.”
Furthermore, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, affirmed that the Dakar summit is well-timed and will offer innovative solutions to help Africa reduce its reliance on food imports.
“Food sovereignty should be our new weapon of liberation,” Mahamat asserted.
The chairperson appealed to development partners to collaborate within existing frameworks, such as Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area for sustainable advancement.
Additionally, President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria emphasized that nations must provide stronger support for farmers, allocate a significant portion of the national budget to agriculture, and motivate youth and women to engage in farming.
“Feeding Africa is essential. We must ensure our self-sufficiency today, tomorrow, and into the future.”
Buhari also praised Adesina for launching Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones across the continent, including Nigeria.
“Special agro-industrial processing zones will be transformative for the structuring of the agricultural sectors.
“They will assist in generating wealth, developing integrated infrastructure around these zones, and adding value.”
Similarly, President of Kenya, William Ruto remarked: “It is regrettable that 60 years post-independence, we are convened to discuss feeding ourselves. We can and we must improve.”
Contrarily, President Michael Higgins of Ireland noted that with Africa’s youth comprising around 20 percent of the globe’s young population, the continent holds immense potential.
Higgins expressed that the world will look to Africa in the future.
“Let us make this century Africa’s Century, a period that will see the continent be free from hunger.”
The food summit is scheduled from Jan. 25 to 27.
Participants from the private sector are anticipated to commit to national food and agriculture delivery compacts to propel policies, initiate structural reforms, and draw private sector investments.
Moreover, Central Bank governors and finance ministers are expected to formulate financing strategies to execute the food and agriculture delivery compacts.
They are expected to collaborate with agriculture ministers, private sector stakeholders, commercial banks, financial institutions, and multilateral partners and organizations. (NAN)
