In the realm of African governance, the recent Kampala Declaration on agrifood systems represents a significant milestone that carries the potential to reshape the continent’s approach to sustainable development. Building upon the 2014 Malabo Declaration, which set ambitious targets for improving food security, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture across Africa, the Kampala Declaration calls for renewed commitment from African governments to drive forward essential initiatives focusing on agriculture, environment, climate, health, education, and social stability.

For Kenya, embracing this declaration is crucial to foster inclusive and resilient transformative growth, especially in critical agrifood systems. Kenya’s path toward food security and the attainment of SDG 2 depends on effectively addressing several key factors: climate change adaptation, technological innovation, youth engagement, and coherent policy implementation.

While the ambitious nature of the Malabo Declaration is commendable, the challenge lies in its implementation – an area that the Kampala Declaration specifically aims to address. Kenya cannot achieve this transformation alone. The declaration emphasises the importance of cooperative governance among African states and stronger partnerships between governments, civil society, and the private sector. Kenya’s food economy is deeply interdependent with neighbouring countries, making regional trade and cooperation essential.

The upcoming Financing Agri-Food Systems Sustainably (FINAS) Conference 2025 provides an important platform for African governments to drive collective continental growth. FINAS 2025 builds on the conversations from FINAS 2024, which identified key action areas including inclusive finance, strengthening farmer cooperatives, improving policy environments, de-risking agricultural investments, leveraging technologies and digitalisation, fostering innovative research partnerships, and enhancing knowledge sharing.

For Kenya as a regional leader, the implications of the Kampala Declaration are profound. Kenya’s Vision 2030 highlights sustainable economic growth through the promotion of agriculture and land management. However, historical challenges rooted in policy inconsistency and inadequate investment in the agricultural sector have often hindered these aspirations.

Kenya’s government has the opportunity to align with the declaration by investing in agricultural and youth-driven technology, research and development, and innovative practices such as digital solutions that increase production and resilience. These approaches can effectively mitigate the impacts of climate change, which threatens the very fabric of food security in the region.

Achieving the aspirations of the Kampala Declaration demands robust engagement from multiple stakeholders. Engaging young women and men, local farmers, and communities in decision-making processes ensures that agricultural policies address actual needs. Partnerships with private sector players can stimulate investment in agribusiness, driving innovation and market access for smallholder farmers.

Organisations like AGRA, a key partner at FINAS 2025, support the declaration by leveraging expertise in seed systems, sustainable farming, regenerative agriculture, last-mile delivery, extension services, fertiliser application, and market integration.

Effective implementation requires capacity building to equip a new generation with sustainable agricultural skills. Promoting scientific research and technological advancement will help farmers adapt to changing climatic conditions. Upskilling in modern techniques like precision farming can increase yields and enhance food security.

The declaration also addresses food security and malnutrition through diverse, nutrition-rich agricultural production. Kenya should lead in promoting agricultural diversity and nutritional education while prioritising youth and women’s involvement to counter the trend of young people leaving the sector.

Technology can transform agriculture and attract young people. Mobile platforms connecting farmers with buyers can minimise post-harvest losses and ensure fair pricing.

Kenya must embrace the Kampala Declaration not merely as policy but as a comprehensive approach requiring cross-sector collaboration to achieve tangible results that uplift communities, strengthen economies, and secure a prosperous future for all Kenyans.

The writer is Director for policy and state capability at the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), a 2017 Fellow for the Aspen New Voices Fellowship and Head of the Africa Food Prize Secretariat.