No.10 Lagging Agricultural Development in Africa and the Way Forward: Progress and Challenges for the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP)

Agricultural development in Africa has been lagging for more than 20 years. While Africa has experienced economic growth since 2000, significant progress has not been made in the agriculture sector. This is despite the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), which has been promoted and led by the African Union (AU) since 2003. The agriculture sector has stagnated at an average annual growth rate of 2-3% per year, far short of the CAADP target of 6%. To identify the factors behind this situation, this paper analyzes the efforts and progress made in promoting CAADP at the levels of the continent, the regional economic communities (REC), and the countries. It finds that, while relevant documents and plans have been developed and consultative forums and monitoring and evaluation frameworks have been established, implementation has not been prioritized. The current needs are: (a) to strengthen political leadership in the pursuit of results and in promoting the necessary actions in the implementation phase, (b) to clarify the objectives to be achieved, and (c) to strengthen the implementation capacity to pursue results. It is strongly hoped that agricultural development will be identified as an urgent priority. The AU, RECs, African governments and development agencies are called upon to take the necessary measures for future agricultural development and food security in Africa with the highest priority.

Keywords: Agricultural Development in Africa, Comprehensive Africa Agriculture　Development Programme (CAADP), ECOWAS, EAC, Rwanda, Nigeria, Kenya.