The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Strategy and Action Plan (2026-2035) is a key framework aimed at transforming Africa’s agrifood systems to achieve sustainable agricultural growth, food security, and economic development across the continent. Building on the lessons from the Malabo Declaration, the Plan emphasizes the need for sustainable food production, inclusivity, and resilience in the face of climate change and other challenges. However, achieving these ambitious goals requires a robust and integrated support system that can provide accurate, realtime data, facilitate evidence-based decision-making, and promote accountability among stakeholders. Without a well-functioning knowledge system, the efforts to transform agrifood systems may be hindered by data gaps, limited analytical capacity, and a lack of coordination among various actors.

The effectiveness of food systems in Africa is often hindered by data gaps, inconsistencies, and limited capacity for data analysis. These issues compromise the ability of governments and other stakeholders to make informed decisions, implement sound policies, and monitor progress toward national and continental goals such as food security and climate resilience. This is where the Food System Knowledge Support System (FS-KSS) becomes crucial, as it provides the necessary tools to ensure effective implementation of the CAADP Strategy and Action Plan.

Through funding from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) has been working in collaboration with AGRA on a project aimed at strengthening the coherence of food systems indicators and outcomes of the CAADP BR processes. The work seeks to address gaps and mismatches between UN Food Systems Summit priorities and existing CAADP BR process, with an exploration of how new or existing instruments can inform development of a more comprehensive set of food systems indicators to be integrated into the CAADP process. The goal is to enhance food systems thinking among African decision makers. The project has been working towards fostering greater coordination and integration of food systems indicators into national agendas, piloting this initiative in Ethiopia, Ethiopia, Malawi, and Rwanda. This endeavor is not just about numbers and frameworks; it is expected to empower policymakers, guide crucial policy decisions, and enhance the tracking of Africa’s journey towards sustainable and resilient food systems. The work being done under the project intends to contribute towards helping countries develop comprehensive food system knowledge support systems.

One of the most pressing challenges in many African nations, including Rwanda, Malawi, Ethiopia, and Ghana, is the lack of accurate, timely, and comprehensive data on agricultural production, food security, nutrition, and climate impacts. These gaps in data are particularly critical in rural and smallholder farming contexts, where information on productivity, land use, and market access is often fragmented or outdated. The absence of robust data undermines the ability of policymakers to formulate effective interventions or monitor the impacts of agricultural policies and programs. In Rwanda, for example, the FS-KSS is being designed to improve the national statistical system by addressing gaps related to smallholder farming practices and post-harvest losses. In Malawi, the platform will be used to fill crucial data gaps in agricultural productivity and food security. These improvements are essential for tracking progress and ensuring that food systems can respond dynamically to changing conditions, such as climate variability and economic pressures.

Another challenge that impedes the transformation of agrifood systems is the limited capacity for advanced data analysis within local institutions. Although many African countries have made strides in collecting agricultural and food system data, the capacity to turn this data into actionable insights remains limited. This challenge is compounded by a lack of access to advanced analytical tools, such as big data analytics, machine learning, and predictive modeling. The FS-KSS seeks to address this by building local analytical capacity through training and the establishment of data-sharing networks among universities, research centers, and government agencies. In Ghana, for instance, the FSKSS will support the development of a collaborative analytical network that will enhance the ability of institutions to generate and utilize data-driven insights for food system transformation. Similarly, in Ethiopia, FS-KSS will introduce advanced analytical tools and software to improve the capacity for data management and analysis.

The FS-KSS directly aligns with the strategic objectives of the CAADP Strategy and Action Plan (2026-2035), particularly in promoting evidence-based policymaking and enhancing resilience in agrifood systems. These objectives are critical to achieving CAADP’s broader vision of sustainable agricultural growth and food security across Africa. One of CAADP’s guiding principles is the promotion of evidence-based decision-making, which involves using accurate and reliable data to inform policy interventions and agricultural strategies. The FS-KSS is integral to this principle, as it will enhance the ability of governments and other stakeholders to make informed decisions based on solid empirical evidence. This datadriven approach will enable more precise targeting of interventions, better allocation of resources, and more effective monitoring of outcomes, all of which are critical for achieving CAADP’s goals.

Another key objective of CAADP is to build resilient agrifood systems that can withstand shocks such as climate change, economic disruptions, and pandemics. Climate-smart agriculture is a central component of this resilience-building strategy. The FS-KSS will support this objective by enabling African nations to adopt more sustainable farming practices through the use of advanced data analytics. By providing real-time insights into climate conditions, soil health, and water use, the FS-KSS will help countries anticipate and respond to environmental challenges more effectively. In Ethiopia, for example, the FS-KSS will help enhance resilience by integrating climate data into agricultural planning, thereby supporting the country’s efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change on its agrifood systems.

The FS-KSS represents a critical step forward in the transformation of Africa’s agrifood systems. By addressing data gaps, enhancing local capacity for data analysis, and promoting evidence-based policy interventions, the FS-KSS provides a strong foundation for the successful implementation of the CAADP Strategy and Action Plan (2026-2035). Through its support for more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive agrifood systems, the FSKSS will play an instrumental role in helping African nations achieve food security, adapt to climate change, and foster long-term agricultural growth. The alignment of FS-KSS with CAADP’s strategic objectives underscores its importance as a tool for driving the continent’s agricultural transformation.