The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), developed by the African Union (AU) in 2003, marked a significant turning point for Africa’s agricultural development. CAADP’s objective was to transform agriculture into a key driver of economic growth, poverty reduction, and food security across the continent. Through a focus on increasing agricultural productivity and ensuring that agricultural development was aligned with national and regional priorities, CAADP sought to tackle Africa’s persistent challenges of hunger, malnutrition, and economic stagnation.

In 2014, the Malabo Declaration was introduced as the second phase of CAADP implementation, with a new set of ambitious targets aimed at ending hunger and halving poverty by 2025. The declaration reinforced the importance of agricultural-led growth and committed African governments to specific goals, including increasing agricultural productivity by at least 6% annually and allocating at least 10% of national budgets to agriculture. It also emphasized sustainable agriculture, resilience to climate change, and equitable access to resources, particularly for women and smallholder farmers. As the CAADP-Malabo phase (2015–2025) approaches its conclusion, there is an urgent need to transition into the next phase of agricultural development in Africa. The CAADP Strategy and Action Plan for 2026–2035 represents this next phase, building on the successes and lessons learned from the Malabo Declaration. However, to ensure that this new agenda achieves its objectives, it is critical that clear and practical implementation guidelines be developed and adopted by African Union Member States.

These guidelines will provide a structured framework for countries to follow, ensuring that the post-Malabo agenda aligns with both national priorities and broader continental objectives, such as the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By providing clarity on how to operationalize the post-Malabo agenda, these guidelines will help countries to address the evolving challenges of food security, climate change, and sustainable agricultural development in the coming decade. The new CAADP Strategy and Action Plan is especially timely as Africa faces increasing pressure to modernize its agriculture sector and build resilience against global challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, exposed significant vulnerabilities in Africa’s food systems, exacerbating food insecurity and economic instability. Climate change, too, continues to threaten agricultural productivity, with droughts, floods, and temperature fluctuations posing ongoing risks. In addition, rapid population growth, urbanization, and shifting consumption patterns are further straining the continent’s agricultural systems.

The implementation of the post-Malabo agenda is critical for ensuring that Africa’s agrifood sector is not only capable of feeding its population but also plays a central role in driving sustainable economic development. Agriculture remains the backbone of many African economies, providing livelihoods for over 60% of the population and contributing significantly to GDP in many countries. However, for agriculture to become a true engine of growth, there must be greater investment in agricultural technologies, rural infrastructure, and market systems that can connect smallholder farmers to larger, more lucrative markets. The development of the implementation guidelines for the post-Malabo agenda will provide a roadmap for AU Member States to follow as they design and execute their agrifood and food security policies for the next decade. These guidelines will ensure that countries are equipped with the tools, knowledge, and frameworks necessary to transform their agriculture sectors, reduce poverty, and enhance food security.

Crucially, the guidelines must address the shortcomings identified in previous reviews of the CAADP-Malabo framework. While significant progress has been made in terms of agricultural productivity and investment, many countries have struggled to meet the ambitious Malabo targets. The Biennial Review (BR) process, which was introduced to monitor progress, has revealed several persistent challenges, including weak implementation capacity, inadequate funding, and insufficient alignment between national and regional policies. Furthermore, the need to integrate a food systems approach—considering the entire agricultural value chain from production to consumption—has become increasingly apparent. In light of these challenges, the post-Malabo guidelines must be comprehensive, addressing not only agricultural production but also broader food system issues such as nutrition, sustainability, climate resilience, and inclusivity. They must be adaptable to the diverse contexts across African countries, allowing for flexibility in implementation while maintaining a focus on key objectives such as food security, economic growth, and sustainable development.

Ultimately, the success of the CAADP Strategy and Action Plan for 2026–2035 will depend on the ability of African governments to commit to these guidelines, mobilize the necessary resources, and foster multistakeholder collaboration across the public and private sectors. Through a well-structured and coordinated approach, Africa can harness the full potential of its agriculture sector to drive inclusive growth, reduce poverty, and ensure food security for all its citizens. This policy brief outlines the case for developing and implementing these critical guidelines, which will serve as a blueprint for the next decade of agrifood systems development in Africa. By focusing on evidence-based planning, systemic integration, resilience building, and accountability, the guidelines will ensure that the post-Malabo agenda delivers tangible results for African farmers, communities, and economies