African governments have been challenged to move beyond commitments and policy frameworks and focus on delivering tangible results in the agrifood sector, amid growing concern over persistent food insecurity across the continent.
The call emerged from a high-level gathering of senior agricultural technocrats held in Limuru, where officials warned that Africa’s food systems transformation risks falling behind due to weak implementation.
The meeting, organised by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa in collaboration with the Government of Kenya, brought together Permanent Secretaries and policymakers from several countries, including Malawi.
At the heart of the discussions was the rollout of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme 2026–2035, a continental blueprint aimed at boosting food production, strengthening resilience and creating inclusive agricultural growth.
However, delegates said that while African countries have developed strong policies over the years, the real challenge lies in turning those plans into action.
AGRA President Alice Ruhweza said many governments continue to struggle with translating strategies into results that benefit farmers.
“Too often, well-designed policies lack the financing, coordination and institutional alignment required to translate them into tangible outcomes,” she said.
Ruhweza noted that as AGRA marks two decades of operations, the organisation is shifting its approach to prioritise supporting governments in implementation, particularly through partnerships and financing alignment.
Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Agriculture, Kipronoh Ronoh, outlined his country’s strategy to drive agricultural transformation through investments in irrigation, climate-resilient crops, soil health and digital agriculture.
He said such interventions are aligned with broader continental priorities aimed at modernising agriculture and improving productivity.
The meeting also underscored the critical role of senior government officials in driving delivery.
Chizumba Shepande of Zambia said Permanent Secretaries must ensure that national plans are backed by coordinated institutions, adequate funding and clear accountability systems.
“We sit at the centre of execution,” he said, stressing the need for stronger leadership in implementation.
At the same time, Ousman Mbaye of Senegal highlighted the importance of collaboration, saying African countries can accelerate progress by sharing experiences and adopting proven solutions from each other.
Discussions at the two-day retreat also revealed that underinvestment in agriculture remains a major constraint, limiting Africa’s ability to create jobs, expand trade and build resilient economies.
Participants proposed a range of solutions, including strengthening delivery units within ministries, improving data-driven decision-making and scaling up practical interventions such as mechanisation, improved seed systems and value chain integration.
The meeting concluded with a strong message that Africa’s agricultural transformation will not be achieved through policy commitments alone, but through sustained, coordinated action that delivers measurable impact on the ground.
For Malawi and other participating countries, the challenge now is to turn ambition into results.
