Nigeria has become the first country in Africa to develop a national strategy and action plan for the domestication of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Kampala Declaration, a milestone hailed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) as a major step towards transforming the nation’s agrifood systems.
Speaking Thursday in Abuja at the launch of the Agrifood System Strategy and Action Plan for the Domestication of the CAADP Kampala Declaration (2026–2035), IFAD described the initiative as a landmark achievement that places Nigeria at the forefront of implementing Africa’s agricultural transformation agenda.
The organisation congratulated the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for leading what it described as a highly inclusive and consultative process that produced the strategy, noting that the achievement aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
IFAD also commended the roles played by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, other federal ministries, state governments, development partners, the private sector, research institutions, civil society organisations, farmer groups, women and youth organisations in developing the roadmap.
According to IFAD, the strategy was prepared through collaboration with major international development institutions, including the African Development Bank (AfDB), AGRA, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and the World Bank.
The agency said Nigeria’s decision to domesticate the Kampala Declaration through a nationally owned framework sets a benchmark for other African countries seeking to translate continental agricultural commitments into practical national programmes.
It noted that the 10-year strategy provides a comprehensive roadmap for inclusive agrifood systems transformation by placing smallholder farmers, women, youth, rural communities and vulnerable groups at the centre of policy formulation and investment.
The strategy also mainstreams critical cross-cutting issues such as climate resilience, nutrition, gender equality, youth empowerment, support for persons living with disabilities and internally displaced persons across its seven priority areas.
Highlighting another key feature of the document, IFAD said Nigeria’s commitment to digital agriculture would significantly strengthen the country’s agricultural sector through digital farmer registries, climate advisory services, electronic extension services, digital financial platforms, market information systems and data-driven policymaking.
According to the organisation, embracing digital innovation will improve productivity, expand market access, enhance transparency and equip millions of farmers with modern agricultural solutions.
IFAD further said the broad participation witnessed at the launch reflected strong political will and stakeholder commitment to implementing the strategy through coordinated action, sustainable financing, effective accountability mechanisms and continued collaboration among government institutions and development partners.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to supporting implementation of the strategy through investments, technical assistance, policy dialogue and partnerships aimed at promoting inclusive rural transformation, climate resilience, digital agriculture and sustainable agricultural value chains.
It also urged development partners, investors and other stakeholders to support the implementation of the strategy, describing it as a critical instrument for accelerating resilient, inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems in Nigeria while generating positive impacts across Africa.
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