Uganda’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, John Mulimba, has urged delegates at the African Union Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) summit to prioritize the manufacturing sector in order to advance the agricultural industry.
Minister Mulimba made the call on Friday, January 10, 2025, during his address on day two of the CAADP Summit at Speke Resort Munyono, emphasizing that Africa’s structural transformation must be driven by a manufacturing sector that will add value to her primary products before exporting them to international markets.
“This industrial drive ought to lay special emphasis on agro-processed products and value addition to minerals,” Mulimba explained.
Mulimba highlighted that the manufacturing industry will not only boost the agricultural industry but will also provide employment opportunities for many African youths.
“By investing in the manufacturing industry, we would be able to not only create the necessary jobs on the continent that many of our young men and women are looking for across the seas but we would also be able to get more value for our products,” Mulumba added.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Animal Husbandry, Frank Tumwebaze, urged delegates to propose practical solutions, as these will be key to implementing the strategic plan and achieving Agenda 2063.
“It is important that we move into implementation mode of the various strategies and action plans if we are to realize the aspirations of Agenda 2063,” Tumwebaze said.
Tumwebaze also urged delegates to ensure that the proposals from the CAADP strategic plan are integrated into the national plans of member states.
“I call on you, and through your respective Heads of State and Government, to support the implementation of the CAADP Strategy and Action Plan by embedding them into our national development plans and interventions by the development partners,” Tumwebaze added.
H.E. Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, African Union Commission (AUC) Deputy Chairperson, said that the summit is not just another meeting but is a turning point and a moment to solidify our commitment to food sovereignty and the prosperity of our continent.
H.E. Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), stated that the summit is not just another meeting but a pivotal moment to reaffirm commitment to food sovereignty and the prosperity of the continent.
“Our decisions will shape Africa’s agricultural future and secure a legacy of resilience and abundance for generations to come,” Nsanzabaganwa noted.
The CAADP Kampala Summit 2025, attended by over 2,000 delegates from 43 African states, aims to endorse the draft Kampala CAADP Declaration, outlining a vision for transforming Africa’s agrifood systems from 2026 to 2035.
The summit will also endorse a ten-year CAADP Strategy and Action Plan (2026-2035), detailing the steps needed to achieve the goals and targets set in the declaration.”
