CARE International’s Role in Shaping the Kampala Declaration 2025 and Advancing Africa’s Agricultural Transformation

Uganda Head of State and president Yoweri Museveni signed the Kampala Declaration
on 11th January 2025. CARE

The Kampala Declaration 2025, a key outcome of the African Union Extraordinary Summit on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) 2026-2035, marked a turning point in Africa’s agricultural transformation. Held at the Speke Resort Hotel Munyonyo, the summit brought together over 2,000 delegates, including policymakers, farmers, private sector representatives, and civil society organizations, all united in shaping the future of Africa’s food systems under the theme “Building Resilient Agri-Food Systems in Africa.”

At the heart of discussions was the African Union’s Agenda 2063, a vision for transforming Africa into a global powerhouse by promoting inclusive growth, sustainable development, and economic transformation. The CAADP 2026-2035 Strategy and Action Plan outlined key objectives, including increasing sustainable food production, fostering agro-industrialization, and ensuring food and nutrition security. The urgency of these efforts was underscored by Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, who urged African nations to fully harness their agricultural potential as a means to reduce dependency on external markets. "Africa has the resources and capacity to lead," he emphasized, "What we need is the determination to transform our agriculture and build industries that create wealth and jobs for our people." 

 

Similarly, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, highlighted the persistent challenge of food insecurity, pointing out that despite Africa’s vast potential, hunger continues to claim lives. He stressed that Africa's youth, who make up over 60% of the population, face growing frustration due to limited opportunities in agriculture and agribusiness. "We must not blame the youth for their dissatisfaction," he noted. "The fault lies in systems that have failed to create strategies that generate hope and prosperity." 

 

CARE’s Commitment to Inclusive and Resilient Agriculture 

CARE International played a pivotal role in shaping the summit’s outcomes, ensuring that gender transformative approaches, policies, youth inclusion, and resilient food systems were central to the discussions in agricultural development and food security. A dedicated CARE team, representing Uganda, Malawi, the USA, and global advocacy networks, actively engaged in high-level policy discussions, panel sessions, and strategic consultations throughout the summit. Their efforts focused on influencing agricultural policies to reflect the needs of smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth. 

 

Chikondi Chabvuta speaking to a congregation. CARE

One of the key contributions came from Chikondi Chabvuta, Advocacy Advisor at CARE Malawi, who championed the need for inclusive policies and collaborations that ensure agricultural development is truly transformative. In a panel discussion, she emphasized that policy dialogue must catalyze action, calling for the full implementation of CAADP policies and a 10% budget allocation toward food systems and agriculture budgets. Chabvuta reinforced that both policymakers and non-state actors, including civil society organizations and local communities, must drive meaningful agricultural transformation. 

 

As discussions on building resilient food systems gained traction, David Manyonga, Senior Technical Advisor at CARE USA, underscored the need for youth engagement and technology-driven solutions in agriculture. He highlighted CARE’s CASCADE pathways as a model for strengthening agrifood systems, emphasizing that without significant investment in innovation, Africa’s food systems would continue to be vulnerable to climate shocks and economic disruptions. 

 

Cotilda during her panel discussions at CAADP summit. CARE

The intersection of gender and climate justice was another critical issue at the summit, with Cotilda Nakyeyune, CARE Uganda’s Climate Justice Program Manager, advocating for a Gender in Climate Think Tank as a platform to drive gender-responsive climate solutions in agriculture. "Gender must always be on the agenda," she asserted, emphasizing that while policies promoting gender equality exist, there remains a persistent gap between policy commitments and actual implementation in agricultural and climate action. 

 

CARE’s Transformative Role in the CAADP Strategy 

Beyond its advocacy at the summit, CARE’s role in shaping Africa’s agricultural future was cemented through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the African Union Commission (AUC). This partnership enabled CARE to present evidence-based research and field insights showcasing the impact of gender-inclusive policies on food security, economic development, and rural livelihoods. CARE's focus was on ensuring that gender equality and inclusiveness were central to the agricultural policies and practices under the CAADP framework which has been highlighted in the Kampala Declaration. 

 

CARE’s involvement extended to working with youth organizations, Oxfam, Actionaid, Trust Africa, AGRA, and the Shamba Centre, ensuring that the CAADP Strategy & Action Plan incorporated gender-transformative approaches. Through extensive collaboration, CARE: 

 

• Provided technical support in policy development to reinforce gender equality in agricultural strategies. 
• Contributed to Non-State Actor (NSA) convenings, amplifying the voices of smallholder farmers, women, and youth. 
• Led consultations within the African Food Systems Parliamentary Network (AFSPAN) to ensure parliamentary engagement in agricultural reforms. 

 

As part of the CAADP Group of Non-State Actors, CARE also played a vital role in convening discussions and consultations on gender equity, food security, and climate resilience. By reinforcing the importance of gender transformation and social inclusion, CARE ensured that the Kampala Declaration acknowledged the essential role of women and youth in Africa’s agricultural revolution. 

 

A Vision for the Future 

 

Development Partners, Heads of State, and Agricultural experts pose for a photo on Day 3, after
the signed the Kampala Declaration. CARE

As the Kampala Declaration 2025 was finalized, the summit’s key takeaways emphasized the need for governments, private sector actors, and civil society organizations to integrate CAADP commitments into national and local policies. Moving forward, stakeholders were urged to: 

1. Catalyze true ownership of CAADP commitments among policymakers and communities. 
2. Create awareness platforms for smallholder farmers and agribusiness entrepreneurs. 
3. Strengthen institutional capacity for sustainable agricultural policies. 
4. Support business associations that drive investment in food systems. 

 

The AU-CAADP 2026-2035 Strategy and Action Plan presents a bold yet achievable roadmap for Africa’s agricultural transformation. CARE International remains committed to ensuring that gender equity, youth participation, and climate resilience remain at the heart of Africa’s journey toward food security and economic prosperity. 

 

As the summit concluded, CARE’s representatives reaffirmed their dedication to working alongside governments, farmers, and partners to turn policies into action and ensure Africa’s agricultural revolution benefits all.