Crops

The compact will also work to strengthen Ghana's overall agri-food resilience.

Keeping agriculture at the forefront of national development, the Government of Ghana has launched the AgriConnect Compact framework driven by a self sufficient approach that ensures food security by cutting down imports, employment generation and investment mobilisation in targeted segments of the industry

Food and nutrition accessibility and job creation will drive the first phase of the project over the next few years at approximately US$3.5bn costs, which will be borne by the government with the World Bank's support alongside other development partners. The forest economy, cashew, coconut, rubber and fisheries are the country's strategic zones picked by the government for the implementation of production boost practices to leverage market reach and economic expansion. The compact will also work to strengthen Ghana's overall agri-food resilience, including produces such as cocoa, oil palm, rice, maize and poultry.

“Ghana’s AgriConnect Compact is a bold step toward building a more productive, resilient, and jobs-rich food system. By linking policy reform with investment and delivery, Ghana is creating the conditions to strengthen food security, support farmers and agribusinesses, and unlock private capital at scale,” said Guangzhe Chen, World Bank Group Vice President for Planet.

“AgriConnect is about turning Ghana’s agricultural potential into tangible results: more food on the table, more jobs for young people, and more value created here at home. This Compact provides a clear roadmap to modernize agriculture, support farmers, and build stronger value chains that can drive growth nationwide,” said Eric Opoku, Minister of Food and Agriculture.

“The Government of Ghana remains fully committed to working with all stakeholders to translate the aspirations of this AgriConnect Compact into tangible results for our people. This is Ghana’s moment to feed itself, employ its youth, build competitive industries and create wealth from its own soil," said Thomas Nyarko Ampem, Deputy Minister of Finance.

The Kampala CAADP Declaration was signed in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Image source: African Union)

To enable an agriculture-led development for hunger and poverty eradication, the African Union has launched the Kampala Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme Strategy and Action Plan (2026 – 2035) as part of Agenda 2063 continental initiative

The move was built with the objective of mobilising US$100bn, boost agrifood generation by 45 per cent, triple intra-African trade in farm goods, and cut post-harvest losses in half. The African government will be leading the implementation process, while continental institutions tackle coordination and monitoring as critical stakeholders keep joining with expansion. 

"There are key CAADP aspects such as market opening, infrastructure development or pest and disease control that are better managed through inter-country collaboration, hence the need for Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to play the lead role," said Fred Bwino, Minister of State for Agriculture, the Republic of Uganda/Chair of the African Union Specialised Technical Committee (STC) on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment (ARDWE).

On his part, the African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE), Moses Vilakati, said that the new CAADP Strategy and Action Plan 2025-2036 marks a significant shift towards agrifood systems transformation.

“We recognise that agriculture is not just about production, but about creating a holistic system that encompasses production, processing, distribution, and consumption. It also envisions sustainable and resilient agri-food systems for a healthy and prosperous Africa,” he said.

With nine of the 10 countries from Africa prone to climate change, about 9% of the African Union Member states' national budgets are now dedicated to tackling climate extremes.

South Africa's Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, emphasised on the urgency of technology adoption which is currently not going at a pace as it should be because of inherent market issues. Rapid digital development can potentially accelerate agricultural growth and productivity while also drawing substantial farm investments.

"The agrifood system requires innovative technologies to adapt suitably to local social conditions and be updated in response to environmental factors, such as the co-evolution of pests and diseases, degradation of water and land resources, and climate change," Steenhuisen said.

The Kampala CAADP Declaration was signed in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the presence of Bwino.

Ecobank Group and AGRA have signed a MoU. (Image source: Ecobank Group)

In a move to unlock easy financial access for agribusinesses and farmer organisations, Ecobank Group and AGRA have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that can potentially shape Africa’s agricultural ecosystem

Agricultural financing, commercialisation and climate resilience remain key challenges for Africa, and the MoU combines Ecobank’s extensive pan-African banking network and AGRA’s deep expertise in agricultural transformation to address them. Risk-sharing facilities, guarantees and blended finance mechanisms will be put in place to meet the challenges of climate change, and secure resilient agrisolutions. While Ecobank will offer tailored financial solutions, including working capital, asset finance, and trade finance, AGRA will provide funding support, beneficiary mobilisation, and technical assistance to enhance the financial literacy, governance, and investment readiness of agribusiness SMEs and cooperatives.

Anup Suri, group executive commercial and consumer banking, Ecobank Group, said, "To transform Africa's economy, we must treat agriculture as a high-growth commercial sector rather than a subsistence activity. Through this strategic alliance with AGRA, Ecobank is unlocking the massive capital required to scale agribusinesses across the continent. We are de-risking the sector, backing women and youth entrepreneurs, and building a resilient food system that will power Africa's next decade of growth."

Alice Ruhweza, president - AGRA, said, "Agriculture is not one sector among many for Africa; it is the foundation on which the continent's entire development agenda rests. As African leaders advance the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) strategy for the decade ahead, this partnership with Ecobank translates that ambition into action. AGRA, working with its partners, has over the last twenty years established evidence, value chain knowledge, and on-the-ground insight into the opportunities for women and young people to build agribusinesses that thrive. Pairing that expertise with Ecobank's reach and capabilities is how we make the case, credibly and concretely, that African food systems are one of the most compelling opportunities of our time."

Shoprite Group provided a profitable platform for growers. (Image source: Shoprite)

Community gardeners from Botswana came together to leverage one of the region's influential retail platform to sell their vegetable produce at Shoprite Gaborone and Checkers Airport Junction Centre in Market Day 

Working for the cause of food security in southern Africa, Shoprite Group provided a profitable platform for growers from more than 300 community gardens in the country. 

“This year Market Day provided almost 60 gardeners and co-operatives across South Africa, Namibia and Botswana with the opportunity to sell their fresh produce directly to the public, gain retail experience and strengthen the roots of small businesses that feed their communities,” said Sanjeev Raghubir, chief sustainability officer at the Group. “Customers stocked up on local peppers, spinach, parsley and many other vegetables and fruits, met the small-scale farmers and learned about their sustainable growing methods and in some instances, even purchased seedlings for their own home gardens.”

Adams Eden, which participated at the event, offers trees and seedlings at discounted prices to foster sustainability. Tree cultivation besides, the nursery is also actively tapping into crop production to address the local demand for fresh vegetables. Operating since 2021, its vision is to make Botswana green.

“Through our participation in Market Day, we gained confidence in sharing our story and explaining our growing techniques, while understanding what customers value most,” said Lerato Bwire, the founder and operator of Adams Eden.

The platform also advances skills transfer across customer relations, communication, pricing, product presentation and record-keeping, among other things.

“For each community gardener taking part in Market Day, there is a story both of individual circumstance and a pathway towards a more grounded and food secure life rooted in the soil,” said Raghubir. “The power of this day is in taking this a step further by facilitating market entry with skills training.”

Alongside Market Day, the Shoprite Group also drives the Act For Change programme to support local community gardens. “It’s exciting to see the seeds we help sow within our communities grow and flourish,” said Raghubir. “We are proud to champion the heroes of Southern African gardens and small farms, who nourish their communities and their future through their own dedication and hard work.”