The African Union Commission says that implementation of the Kampala Declaration is key in surmounting the challenges that could have impeded the success of the Malabo Declaration of 2014.
Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE) Moses Vilakati says the Kampala Declaration on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) which was adopted in January 2025, is key in realizing sustainable development and the aspirations of a food secure Africa.
In an interview at the Joint Intra-ACP Climate Services and Related Applications (ClimSA) and Space for Early Warning in Africa (SEWA) Forum in Windhoek, Namibia, with the theme, “Accelerating Access to Climate and Weather Services for Resilient African Economies and Communities,” Vilakati said that use of research and scientific data is key for the success of agriculture sector in Africa.
“There is need to use science to improve productivity, the use inorganic fertilizer should be informed by scientific data through soil testing ensure that we use the type and amount of fertilizer required for particular soils,” he said and added that soil health is important if we have to improve yields and productivity.
Vilakati said that Africa is becoming more vulnerable to the impacts of extreme weather and climate change, “according to the 6th Assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Africa’s key development sectors are already experiencing widespread climate-induced losses, damages and impacts including, biodiversity loss, water shortages, reduced food production, loss of lives, and reduced economic growth.”
The Commissioner for ARBE warned that the continent is experiencing complex and multi-faceted exposure and vulnerability to climate change, noting that with a majority of Africans employed in climate-sensitive sectors, “55-62% of the workforce in sub-Saharan Africa is employed in the agriculture sector, yet 95% of cropland relys on rainfed farming making the continent very vulnerable.”
“The rural, poor and female-headed households face greater livelihood risks from climate hazards,” said Vilakati adding that the rapid growth of informal settlements, without adequate services, equally amplifies the vulnerability of large populations in urban areas to weather and climate-related hazards.
He noted that ClimSA and SEWA are vital interventions for addressing the challenges posed by climate change as the two programmes aim to strengthen Africa’s ability to adapt to climate change and build resilience, while also strengthening the continent’s fight against poverty.
“ClimSA and SEWA complement each other to address member States’ capacity gaps in the generation and delivery of timely and reliable weather, early warning and climate information services in direct response to the continent’s efforts on resilience building,” said Vilakati.
He noted that afforestation, reforestation and agroforestry are the silver bullet towards tackling climate change and poverty reduction efforts. “Tree planting will ensure sufficient supply of wood, improve ecosystem services like cross pollination by insects such as bees, provide a revenue stream for vulnerable households,” he said and added, “the trees will also support climate change mitigation measures as the trees will absorb carbon which is a greenhouse gas that is fuelling climate change.”
The Commissioner appealed to member states to put in place measure that encourage the development of seed banks saying that while consumption patterns have changed with most of the African population preferring maize as opposed to traditional foods like sorghum and millet, “the changing climate might see the continent going back to indigenous crops that can withstand the weather changes and are drought tolerant.”
