Ministers from across Africa have gathered in Mauritania’s capital to agree on how the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) can help countries revive progress in reducing hunger over the next two years, as leaders place renewed focus on agriculture as a key solution to the continent’s growing food challenges.
The meeting, held during the 34th Session of the Regional Conference for Africa (ARC34), is helping to shape FAO’s next Programme of Work and Budget while aligning with its broader strategic plans and country-level frameworks.
Speaking at the conference, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu urged ministers to take advantage of Africa’s youthful population to strengthen food production and improve distribution systems.
“I am here to tell you a new story, a story of opportunity, a story of abundance, a story of transformation and prosperity,” he said.
“For too long, the narrative surrounding Africa’s agriculture has been one of challenges, of vulnerability, of import dependence, and of unfulfilled potential,” he added.
He pointed to the growing role of technology in agriculture, noting that tools such as drought-resistant seeds and digital extension services can help countries move beyond past limitations.
These innovations offer an opportunity to “bypass the limitations of the past” and unlock the continent’s agricultural potential, with the possibility of turning Africa into “the breadbasket of the world.”
The urgency of these discussions is reflected in recent data.
According to The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025, more than one in five people in Africa were undernourished in 2024, representing a five percentage point increase compared to 2010.
Climate shocks and conflicts continue to affect food systems across the continent, making it increasingly important for countries to strengthen their own production capacity and reduce dependence on imports.
Africa’s natural resources remain central to the conversation, with the continent holding about 60 per cent of the world’s uncultivated arable land as well as significant water resources.
The FAO Director-General called for stronger investment in infrastructure to connect rural producers to urban markets, alongside better use of the African Continental Free Trade Area to integrate markets and drive growth in agricultural trade.
“FAO is your partner in this journey,” Qu said.
The conference began earlier in the week with technical meetings and reached its peak during a ministerial session attended by Mauritania’s Prime Minister, Mokhtar Ould Djay.
Discussions covered key issues affecting agriculture, including the transformation of agrifood systems, financing, and the management of transboundary pests and diseases such as Fall Armyworm, Rift Valley fever, and banana Fusarium wilt TR4.
Leaders also examined broader structural challenges such as land degradation, climate change, weak land tenure systems, and underinvestment, while pushing for more forward-looking approaches that focus on risk management and long-term resilience.
There was also attention on how biodiversity, natural resources, and aquatic food systems can support inclusive growth and improve food security outcomes.
A major focus of the meeting was the implementation of the African Union’s Kampala CAADP Strategy and Action Plan (2026–2035), to mobilise $100 billion in new resources, increase agrifood output by 45 per cent, boost intra-African trade in agricultural goods, and reduce post-harvest losses.
These targets are seen as critical to strengthening food systems and improving farmer livelihoods across the continent.
However, financing remains a major challenge, with agriculture receiving only about two per cent of total bank lending in Africa despite employing nearly half of the workforce.
FAO officials stressed the need to attract more investment and build confidence among private sector players.
“Together, we must make the case that investing in Africa’s agrifood systems delivers strong returns, for people, for economies and for the future of the continent,” the Director-General said. “Delivery is credibility.”
He also emphasised the need to make agriculture more attractive, particularly for young people and women who remain underserved in many parts of the sector.
“We must make agriculture attractive, not as a last resort, but as a thriving, high-tech, profitable enterprise.”
