By Lodu William Odiya
The African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has called for a comprehensive transformation of Africa’s agrifood systems to address persistent hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition across the continent.
Speaking during the AU-International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) High-Level Convening, Youssouf said Africa continued to face widespread food insecurity despite its enormous agricultural potential, abundant natural resources and youthful population.
He said climate change, conflicts and disruptions in global food supply chains caused by external shocks had further worsened the situation.
According to Youssouf, ending hunger should not be treated merely as a humanitarian responsibility but as a fundamental requirement for achieving peace, stability, economic transformation and sustainable development in Africa.
“Ending hunger is not simply a humanitarian imperative. It is fundamental to Africa’s peace, stability, economic transformation and sustainable development,” he said.
He urged African countries and development partners to move beyond emergency humanitarian responses and address the structural causes of hunger through long-term investments in agricultural resilience and food production.
Youssouf said strengthening resilience and transforming agrifood systems were essential to building a continent capable of responding to food crises and reducing dependence on external food supplies.
“We must strengthen resilience and transform our agrifood systems. The African Union has established a clear continental vision for the way forward,” he said.
He highlighted the African Union’s adoption of the Kampala Declaration and the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Strategy and Action Plan for 2026–2035 as significant milestones towards achieving food security.
The Kampala CAADP Agenda provides a continental framework for comprehensive transformation of Africa’s agrifood systems.
The AU Commission Chairperson’s remarks come amid continuing concerns over food insecurity, climate-related shocks and conflicts affecting vulnerable communities across several African countries.
He emphasised the need for coordinated continental efforts to build resilient agricultural systems and ensure sustainable food security for future generations.