History will not remember what we planned—it will remember what we delivered.

And when future generations ask what we did at this turning point,
let our answer resound: we transformed.

---

This special supplement captures ten transformative perspectives from the Regional Dialogue on Food Systems Transformation, held in Lilongwe, Malawi, from May 21st to 23rd, 2025. These are not mere summaries—they are battle cries for change, actionable blueprints forged in urgency and grounded in reality.

In those three days at the Bingu Wa Mutharika International Convention Centre (BICC), something shifted.

Policymakers, scientists, farmers, and grassroots leaders came together not to rehearse old rhetoric—but to ignite a new resolve.

Not to declare intentions—but to define implementation.
Not to admire the challenge—but to confront it head-on.

Africa’s food systems will not be saved by silence or delay.
They will be saved by courage, coordination, and commitment—and the journey began in Lilongwe.

At the Regional Dialogue on Food Systems Transformation, held at the Bingu Wa Mutharika International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, Malawi, policymakers, researchers, farmers, and innovators converged with a single goal: to move from declarations to delivery.

🔹 Editorial Foreword: Between Declarations and Delivery – The Time for Talk Is Over

• 🔸 Unlocking Africa’s Trade Potential – Dr. Firew Tegegne’s Bold Call for Market Integration
• 🔸 Moses Siambi Outlines Seed System Revolution to Drive Food and Nutrition Security
• 🔸 Dr. Ousmane Badiane: Rekindling the CAADP Spirit in the Kampala Agenda
• 🔸 Alexander Lotsch: Blending Climate-Smart Agriculture and Finance to Build Resilience
• 🔸 Rwanda Leads the Way: Dr. Chantal Ingabire’s National Blueprint for Resilience
• 🔸 Kenya’s Climate-Smart Innovations: Putting Smallholders at the Center
• 🔸 Dr. Majola Bhekumthetho: Scaling CSA Through Regional Learning
• 🔸 Malawi Bets on Soil Health to Reform Subsidy Programs and Boost Resilience
• 🔸 Mansur Ahmed: Smart Policy and Finance for Agricultural Reform
• 🔸 Tanzania’s Soil Agenda: Restoring Productivity and Building Resilience

The time for declarations is over.
The time for delivery has begun.

These ten articles offer a clear roadmap for how Africa can move from intent to impact through innovation, investment, accountability, and bold leadership.

Let this supplement be more than a record of dialogue.
Let it be a catalyst for change.

#LilongweDialogue2025

From Deliberation to Delivery: Charting Africa’s Food Future at the Lilongwe Regional Dialogue

The Regional Dialogue on Food Systems Transformation, held in Lilongwe, Malawi, from May 21-23, 2025, marked a pivotal moment in Eastern and Southern Africa’s quest for sustainable agricultural development and food security. Against a backdrop of escalating food insecurity, exacerbated by climate change and economic volatility, the dialogue convened high-level stakeholders to forge a path from policy articulation to tangible, on-the-ground impact. The primary objective was to translate the ambitious goals of the recently adopted Kampala Declaration on Building Resilient and Sustainable Agrifood Systems in Africa into concrete, actionable steps.  

Discussions centered on critical themes including the urgent need for climate-resilient agriculture, the imperative to unlock regional trade, the potential of digital innovations, and the necessity of mobilizing private sector engagement. A defining feature of the dialogue was the collective emphasis on accountability and a shift from rhetoric to results, encapsulated by the recurring call for “delivery, not delay”. This sense of urgency reflects a learned experience from previous continental initiatives and a determined effort to ensure that current commitments yield measurable improvements in the lives of the region’s citizens.  

The dialogue culminated in the endorsement of six key priority actions designed to guide national and regional efforts. These include accelerating the national adoption of the Kampala Declaration, repurposing public agricultural expenditure for greater efficiency, embedding climate resilience into national plans, mobilizing private sector investment, harmonizing trade policies, and scaling up technological innovations. Renewed commitments from regional governments, spearheaded by Malawi’s proactive stance, alongside affirmations of support from international partners such as the World Bank, the Government of Ireland, and the African Union Commission, underscored a strengthened resolve for collaborative action. The Lilongwe Dialogue has thus laid a critical foundation, signaling an inflection point towards a more robust, inclusive, and resilient food future for Eastern and Southern Africa.  

2. The Lilongwe Imperative: Convening for Food Systems Transformation

2.1. Setting the Scene: Context, Theme, and Conveners of the Dialogue

A critical milestone in Africa’s agricultural transformation agenda unfolded as the Regional Dialogue on Food Systems Transformation in Eastern and Southern Africa took place from May 21–23, 2025, at the Bingu Wa Mutharika International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, Malawi. The event was held under the potent theme, “Making Food Systems Transformation a Reality on the Ground,” signaling a clear intent to move beyond theoretical frameworks to practical application.  

The dialogue was convened by the World Bank’s Food Systems 2030 Multi-Donor Trust Fund and notably co-hosted by the Governments of Malawi and Ireland. This co-hosting arrangement itself speaks to a strategic alliance: Malawi, as an African nation, demonstrated significant national ownership and a commitment to leading by example in agricultural reform, a point emphasized by its leadership regarding President Chakwera’s transformative efforts. Ireland’s participation as a co-host signified continued international partnership and a dedication to global food security, potentially bringing valuable technical expertise and support, building on its existing development cooperation in the region, including in Malawi. The World Bank, through its dedicated trust fund, provided a crucial financial and programmatic anchor, linking the dialogue’s objectives and follow-up actions to broader global food system initiatives and ensuring a strong institutional backing. This tripartite platform—comprising national leadership, international development partnership, and a major financial institution—created a powerful and potentially more robust framework for driving the agenda, mobilizing resources, and ensuring technical support compared to initiatives driven by more limited coalitions.  

2.2. Distinguished Voices: Keynote Speakers and High-Level Delegates

The significance of the Lilongwe Dialogue was further amplified by the contributions of its distinguished speakers and high-level delegates, whose messages set a clear tone of urgency and commitment.

Rt. Hon. Dr. Michael Bizwick Usi, Vice President of the Republic of Malawi, delivered a powerful message during the closing ceremony, emphasizing the critical need for urgency, unity, and, crucially, accountability in the transformation of food systems. He articulated a resonant call: “Let us embrace accountability mechanisms that track our progress—not for external approval, but because our citizens deserve delivery, not delay”. This statement underscored a citizen-centric approach to development. Dr. Usi praised the regional nature of the dialogue and urged participating countries to embed the outcomes into their national development plans and budgets, thereby ensuring that commitments translate into resourced actions. He reaffirmed Malawi’s dedication to this agenda, citing ongoing progress under the country’s National Agriculture Investment Plan and the President’s ATM (Agriculture, Tourism, and Mining) Strategy.  

Earlier, in the opening session, Hon. Sam Dalitso Kawale, Malawi’s Minister of Agriculture, painted a stark picture of the escalating food insecurity gripping the region. He highlighted that in 2024, over 120 million people in Eastern and Southern Africa required urgent food assistance—a figure more than double that of 2016. This, he stated, was a “clear call for bold action.” Minister Kawale stressed the imperative to build food systems that are resilient, equitable, and responsive to the realities on the ground. He also outlined Malawi’s proactive reforms, including modernizing the agricultural sector through private sector partnerships, improving the targeting of support to smallholder farmers, leveraging digital innovations such as a digital farmer registry, and expanding soil testing to promote climate-smart agriculture.  

Representing the broader continental commitment, H.E. Moses Vilakati, African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, delivered a message on behalf of the AUC Chairperson. He emphasized that the Dialogue should mark the beginning of concrete action towards transforming food systems across Africa. Commissioner Vilakati recognized the Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP) as a key mechanism supporting climate adaptation, food security, and regional integration, commending the World Bank and other partners for their support. He urged countries to align their national policies with continental frameworks such as the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), stressing that real transformation must reach farmers and communities. Critically, he echoed the sentiment of accountability, stating, “Declarations alone are not enough—we need implementation backed by investment, coordination, and accountability”.  

The consistent emphasis on “accountability” and the need to move “beyond declarations” from such high-level figures was particularly noteworthy. It signaled a collective acknowledgment of past implementation deficits that have characterized some African agricultural transformation agendas. The Malabo Declaration, for instance, despite its ambitions, saw no country fully on track by 2023, hampered by challenges including underdeveloped infrastructure and persistent food insecurity. The repeated calls for robust accountability mechanisms at Lilongwe suggest a learned experience and a strategic pivot towards ensuring that the Kampala Declaration and the outcomes of this dialogue translate into demonstrable and measurable change, potentially through more rigorous monitoring and evaluation frameworks directly linked to national budgetary allocations, as advocated by Vice President Usi. The presence and active participation of ministers of agriculture, senior government officials, diverse development partners, private sector leaders, and pivotal regional institutions like the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) further underscored the high political will and broad-based engagement aimed at fostering this collective, accountable action.  

3. Confronting the Crisis: The Regional Food Security and Agricultural Landscape

The Lilongwe Dialogue convened at a time of profound crisis for food security and agriculture in Eastern and Southern Africa, a situation demanding immediate and transformative interventions. The discussions were framed by an acute awareness of the interconnected challenges facing the region.

3.1. Escalating Food Insecurity and Climate Vulnerability in Eastern and Southern Africa

The scale of food insecurity in the region is alarming. As highlighted by Malawi’s Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Sam Dalitso Kawale, over 120 million people in Eastern and Southern Africa required urgent food assistance in 2024. This figure represents a stark escalation, having more than doubled since 2016, serving as a “clear call for bold action”. This regional crisis is not an isolated phenomenon but part of a disturbing global trend. The 2025 Global Report on Food Crises indicated that over 295.3 million people across 53 countries faced acute food insecurity in 2024, with Sudan emerging as one of the most severe humanitarian crises globally.  

Climate shocks are a primary and increasingly potent driver of this vulnerability. The devastating impact of Cyclone Freddy in 2023, which affected 2.5 million Malawians, followed by subsequent droughts that impacted a further 5.7 million, vividly illustrates the region’s exposure. Similar climate-induced disasters are recurrent across the area, with the UN noting low rainfall exacerbating the crisis in Sudan and severe flooding leading to crop failures in parts of Southern Africa, such as Namibia. These extreme weather events disrupt agricultural production, displace communities, and erode livelihoods, pushing millions deeper into hunger.  

Compounding the climate crisis are severe economic shocks, particularly pervasive inflation, which is placing immense strain on already fragile food systems. In Malawi, food inflation averaged a staggering 40.2% in 2024 and remained exceptionally high at 36% in January 2025. Other countries in the region face similar pressures: fertilizer prices in Zambia, for example, surged by over 70% between 2021 and 2023, while Zimbabwe experienced annual inflation reaching 175.8% in mid-2023. Such hyperinflation and the escalating cost of essential agricultural inputs push smallholder farmers to the brink and render basic foodstuffs unaffordable for a vast number of households, severely compromising access to safe, nutritious food.  

Beyond these immediate shocks, the agricultural sector in Eastern and Southern Africa grapples with deep-seated structural challenges. The heavy reliance on maize, a dietary staple for over 300 million people in Africa, presents a complex dilemma. While popular and accessible, maize cultivation is often associated with lower nutritional diversity, soil degradation, and significant vulnerability to climate change impacts such as drought and extreme heat. The region is caught in intensifying cycles of flood and drought, alongside challenges of reduced soil fertility and persistent pests like the Fall Armyworm, threatening billions of dollars worth of agricultural produce. Furthermore, fundamental weaknesses persist, including insecure access to land, limited availability of credit, and poor connectivity to profitable markets, particularly for women and youth. Value chains are often fragmented, hindering the efficient movement of produce and fair returns for farmers.  

The convergence of these escalating climate shocks, persistent economic vulnerabilities, and chronic agricultural challenges creates a compounding crisis. It is increasingly clear that traditional food security interventions, which may have focused primarily on boosting production, are insufficient to address this complex web of issues. This reality underpins the call for a more profound, systemic “food systems transformation” – an approach that looks holistically at all aspects of how food is produced, processed, distributed, and consumed, while building resilience at every level. The Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP), for instance, is structured around pillars addressing resilient production capacity, sustainable natural resource management, market access, and supportive policymaking, reflecting this comprehensive understanding. The urgency expressed at Lilongwe is a direct response to the need for this paradigm shift.  

3.2. The Policy Continuum: From Malabo to the Kampala Declaration’s Renewed Vision

A series of evolving policy frameworks guide the quest for agricultural transformation in Africa. Understanding this continuum is essential to appreciate the context and significance of the Kampala Declaration, whose operationalization was central to the Lilongwe Dialogue. The journey began with the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), launched in 2003, which aimed to promote agriculture-led economic growth across the continent. This was followed by the Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods, adopted by African Union Heads of State and Government in 2014. The Malabo Declaration set specific, ambitious goals to be achieved by 2025, including achieving a 6% annual growth rate in agricultural productivity and allocating at least 10% of national budgets to the agriculture sector. It also emphasized sustainable agriculture, resilience to climate change, and equitable access to resources.  

However, despite some progress, the implementation of the Malabo Declaration faced significant headwinds. The 2023 CAADP Biennial Review revealed that no African country was fully on track to meet the Malabo targets. This shortfall was attributed to a range of factors, including persistent low levels of food security, underdeveloped agricultural infrastructure, weak institutional and implementation capacity at national levels, inadequate funding, and insufficient alignment between national policies and regional commitments. External shocks such as climate change, global pandemics like COVID-19, and widespread economic disruptions further impeded progress.  

It is against this backdrop of learned experiences and unfulfilled ambitions that the Kampala Declaration on Building Resilient and Sustainable Agrifood Systems in Africa was adopted in January 2025, during an African Union Extraordinary Summit in Kampala, Uganda. Hailed as a “bold step” and a potential “game changer” by leaders such as South Africa’s Minister of Agriculture , the Kampala Declaration outlines a new 10-year roadmap for the period 2026–2035.  

Crucially, the Kampala Declaration represents more than just an extension of previous commitments; it signifies a fundamental paradigm shift. While Malabo focused primarily on “agricultural-led growth” with specific productivity and budgetary targets, the Kampala Declaration adopts a broader, more holistic “agrifood systems” approach. This systemic perspective encompasses the entire agricultural value chain, from production inputs and farming practices through to post-harvest management, processing, marketing, trade, and consumption. It explicitly aims to tackle the systemic gaps that hindered the Malabo agenda, such as inefficient supply chains, inadequate rural infrastructure, and chronically low levels of investment in the sector. The new declaration is anchored in key pillars of climate resilience, nutrition security, and inclusive livelihoods, with a strong emphasis on empowering smallholder farmers, women, and youth. It also aligns the transformation of Africa’s food systems with the overarching goals of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. The Lilongwe Dialogue’s explicit focus on “translating the Kampala Declaration into actionable steps” was, therefore, the first major continental push to make this new, more comprehensive paradigm operational and to chart a course for overcoming the multifaceted challenges identified.  

4. Deliberations and Directions: Core Thematic Areas of the Dialogue

The Regional Dialogue in Lilongwe was structured around several core thematic areas, each critical to the overarching goal of transforming food systems in Eastern and Southern Africa. These discussions aimed to dissect challenges, identify opportunities, and lay the groundwork for the implementation of the Kampala Declaration. The coherence across these themes indicates a deliberate and integrated planning approach, moving beyond siloed interventions.

4.1. Operationalizing the Kampala Declaration: A Call for Actionable Strategies

The central nervous system of the Lilongwe Dialogue was the imperative to move the Kampala Declaration from a statement of intent to a concrete plan of action. The dialogue was explicitly designed to focus on “translating the Kampala Declaration into actionable steps to build inclusive, resilient, and market-driven food systems across the region”. This theme permeated all discussions, with a clear recognition that the success of this new continental framework hinges on effective execution at both national and regional levels. One of the six priority actions that emerged from the dialogue directly addresses this: to “Accelerate domestication of the Kampala Declaration through inclusive national strategies”. This involves countries internalizing the declaration’s principles and targets within their own policy and budgetary frameworks. Echoing this, the African Union Commissioner, H.E. Moses Vilakati, urged participating nations to ensure their national policies are closely aligned with continental frameworks like CAADP, emphasizing that genuine transformation must reach the grassroots—the farmers and local communities who are the bedrock of Africa’s food systems.  

4.2. Fortifying Agri-Food Systems Against Climate Change

Given the profound and escalating threat posed by climate change to agriculture in the region, building resilience was a paramount theme. This was evidenced by the active participation of the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) in a high-level panel discussion specifically dedicated to “Building climate-resilient agri-food systems”. The urgency of this issue was further reflected in another of the six priority actions: to “Embed food systems resilience and climate-smart agriculture in national plans”. This calls for proactive measures to integrate climate adaptation and mitigation strategies into all aspects of agricultural planning and investment. Malawi’s Minister of Agriculture, Sam Dalitso Kawale, provided practical examples of how his country is responding, citing national reforms that include expanded soil testing services to promote climate-smart agricultural practices tailored to local conditions. The Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP), a key initiative in the region, was repeatedly recognized as a vital mechanism for supporting climate adaptation efforts, enhancing food security, and fostering regional integration in the face of climate variability.  

4.3. Unlocking Regional Trade and Market Potential

Enhancing intra-regional trade and improving market integration were identified as critical levers for transforming food systems and bolstering food security. CCARDESA also contributed its expertise to a high-level panel focused on “Enhancing regional trade and market integration”. Recognizing the untapped potential of African markets, the dialogue participants endorsed a priority action to “Unlock regional trade through harmonized policies and infrastructure investments”. This involves tackling both soft infrastructure issues, such as inconsistent trade regulations and cumbersome border procedures, and hard infrastructure deficits, like poor transportation networks and inadequate storage facilities. The FSRP also has a significant component aimed at supporting trade integration, with planned activities that include reviewing national trade policies in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, identifying and addressing trade barriers, and working towards the harmonization of trade regulations across member states. These efforts align directly with the Kampala Declaration’s ambitious goal to triple intra-African trade in agrifood products by 2035 , a move seen as essential for creating larger, more stable markets for African producers and reducing reliance on food imports from outside the continent.  

4.4. Harnessing Digital Innovations and Private Sector Synergies

The transformative potential of digital technologies and the critical role of private sector investment and expertise were prominent themes throughout the dialogue. Two of the six priority actions directly address these areas: to “Mobilize the private sector for inclusive and sustainable growth” and to “Scale digital and technological innovations for greater productivity and climate adaptation”. These priorities acknowledge that public sector efforts alone are insufficient to drive the scale and pace of transformation required. Malawi offered an example of national efforts in this domain, with Minister Kawale highlighting the country’s pursuit of digital innovations such as a national digital farmer registry, designed to improve service delivery and targeting of agricultural support. The World Bank has also underscored the potential of digital tools, including farmer registries and real-time agricultural advisory services delivered via mobile platforms, to boost productivity and resilience. However, it also acknowledged significant challenges that need to be addressed, such as limited digital literacy among rural populations, inadequate digital infrastructure in many areas, concerns around data privacy and protection, and the issue of fragmented digital platforms that lack interoperability. The Kampala Declaration itself reinforces the importance of private sector engagement, proposing the establishment of a private sector-led Agrifood Systems Advisory Council to ensure that business perspectives and capabilities are integrated into policy and program design.  

The interconnectedness of these thematic areas is striking. For instance, digital innovations can significantly enhance climate resilience through improved early warning systems and precision agriculture techniques. Similarly, digital platforms can facilitate trade by improving market information systems and traceability. Private sector investment is crucial across all areas, from funding climate-smart infrastructure to developing and scaling digital solutions and investing in value chain development that supports regional trade. This thematic coherence, directly addressing the identified weaknesses of previous agricultural strategies and aligning with the core pillars of the new “agrifood systems” paradigm, suggests a more mature, integrated, and strategically robust planning approach emerging from Lilongwe.

5. Charting the Path Forward: Key Outcomes and Commitments from Lilongwe

The Regional Dialogue in Lilongwe was not merely a forum for discussion; it was designed to produce a clear roadmap for action. The event successfully laid a solid foundation for coordinated efforts and regional cooperation, culminating in tangible outcomes and renewed commitments from various stakeholders.

5.1. The Six Pillar Priority Actions for Tangible Transformation

A central achievement of the Dialogue was the consensus reached on six priority actions, which collectively form a strategic framework to guide the transformation of food systems in Eastern and Southern Africa. These actions represent the “actionable steps” that the dialogue sought to define for operationalizing the Kampala Declaration and are intended to direct governmental and partner efforts and resource allocation in the coming years.  

The six priority actions are:

1. Accelerate domestication of the Kampala Declaration through inclusive national strategies: This underscores the need for countries to integrate the Declaration’s goals and principles into their national policies, development plans, and budgetary processes, ensuring that strategies are developed with broad stakeholder participation.
2. Repurpose agricultural public expenditure for efficiency and impact: This is a particularly critical and potentially transformative lever. It calls for a shift in how public funds are used in the agricultural sector, moving away from potentially inefficient or poorly targeted subsidies towards more strategic investments in public goods such as agricultural research and development (R&D), extension services, climate-resilient infrastructure, and market development. Such a repurposing could unlock significant domestic resources and redirect them towards interventions that build long-term capacity and resilience, aligning with a systems transformation approach and reducing over-reliance on external funding for critical systemic changes. This directly addresses a long-standing issue where substantial portions of agricultural budgets in many African nations have been allocated to input subsidy programs with often limited sustained impact on productivity or resilience.
3. Embed food systems resilience and climate-smart agriculture in national plans: This action emphasizes the imperative to proactively address climate change by integrating adaptation and mitigation measures into all agricultural and food system planning, promoting practices that enhance productivity while conserving natural resources.
4. Mobilize the private sector for inclusive and sustainable growth: Recognizing the limits of public funding, this priority focuses on creating an enabling environment that encourages private investment in agrifood value chains, from production to processing and marketing, ensuring that such growth is both sustainable and benefits smallholders and marginalized communities.
5. Unlock regional trade through harmonized policies and infrastructure investments: This action targets the barriers that currently hinder intra-African trade in agricultural products, calling for coordinated efforts to streamline trade regulations, improve sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards, and invest in the physical infrastructure needed for efficient cross-border commerce.
6. Scale digital and technological innovations for greater productivity and climate adaptation: This priority highlights the need to harness the power of technology to modernize agriculture, improve information flows, enhance decision-making, and increase the adaptive capacity of food systems to climate change and other shocks.

These six actions, detailed in Table 2, provide a clear and comprehensive roadmap emerging from the Dialogue, forming the bedrock for future interventions.

Table 2: The Six Priority Actions Endorsed at the Lilongwe Dialogue

Priority Action	Elaboration
1. Accelerate domestication of the Kampala Declaration through inclusive national strategies	Countries to integrate the Declaration into national policies and budgets with broad stakeholder input, ensuring local ownership and relevance.
2. Repurpose agricultural public expenditure for efficiency and impact	Shift public spending from potentially inefficient subsidies towards strategic investments in R&D, climate-resilient infrastructure, extension services, and market development for long-term impact.
3. Embed food systems resilience and climate-smart agriculture in national plans	Proactively integrate climate adaptation and mitigation strategies into all agricultural and food system planning, promoting sustainable practices and resource conservation.
4. Mobilize the private sector for inclusive and sustainable growth	Create enabling environments to attract private investment across agrifood value chains, ensuring benefits for smallholders and adherence to sustainability principles.
5. Unlock regional trade through harmonized policies and infrastructure investments	Address policy, regulatory, and infrastructure barriers to intra-African agricultural trade, including streamlining customs, improving SPS standards, and investing in transport and logistics.
6. Scale digital and technological innovations for greater productivity and climate adaptation	Promote and invest in the adoption of digital tools and technologies to modernize agriculture, improve information access, enhance decision-making, and build adaptive capacity to shocks.

5.2. Malawi’s Leadership and National Pledges in Focus

The Government of Malawi, as a co-host, demonstrated significant leadership and commitment throughout the dialogue. Vice President Rt. Hon. Dr. Michael Bizwick Usi unequivocally reaffirmed Malawi’s dedication to the food systems transformation agenda, referencing tangible progress under the nation’s existing frameworks, such as the National Agriculture Investment Plan (NAIP) and President Lazarus Chakwera’s ATM (Agriculture, Tourism, and Mining) Strategy. This linkage of the dialogue’s outcomes to pre-existing national strategies indicates a strong potential for swift integration and implementation.  

Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Sam Dalitso Kawale, further detailed Malawi’s “bold reforms” aimed at modernizing its agricultural sector. These include fostering partnerships with the private sector, improving the targeting mechanisms for support to smallholder farmers, advancing digital innovations like a national digital farmer registry, and expanding soil testing services to promote climate-smart agricultural practices. The very act of hosting the summit was seen as underscoring international recognition of President Chakwera’s transformative efforts in agriculture.  

Malawi’s proactive stance and the articulation of specific national initiatives position the country not merely as a gracious host but as a potential “early implementer” or “champion country” for the Kampala Declaration. The experiences and lessons learned from Malawi’s efforts to implement these reforms could offer invaluable insights for other countries in the region. This role aligns well with the emphasis of programs like the Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP) on fostering cross-country knowledge exchange and learning , with Malawi poised to be a key contributor to this regional learning architecture.  

5.3. Commitments from Regional and International Partners (AU, World Bank, Ireland, CCARDESA)

The success of the ambitious agenda set forth in Lilongwe hinges on robust support and collaboration from regional and international partners. The African Union (AU), represented by Commissioner H.E. Moses Vilakati, reiterated its commitment to seeing the dialogue translate into concrete actions. The AU emphasized the crucial role of the FSRP, the importance of aligning national efforts with the CAADP framework, and the non-negotiable need for implementation to be backed by adequate investment, effective coordination, and stringent accountability mechanisms.  

The World Bank, as a key convener through its Food Systems 2030 Multi-Donor Trust Fund , is an indispensable financial and technical partner. The FSRP, significantly supported by the World Bank, stands as a central programmatic pillar for building resilience and transforming food systems across the region. While the snippets do not detail specific new financial commitments made at the Lilongwe dialogue itself , the World Bank’s prominent convening role and its existing substantial investments in programs like the FSRP imply a clear and ongoing commitment to support the implementation of the six priority actions. The dialogue appears to have served more as a strategic alignment and action-planning event rather than a traditional pledging conference.  

The Government of Ireland, by co-hosting the event , signaled strong political support. Similar to the World Bank, specific new financial pledges from Ireland emerging directly from the Lilongwe meeting were not detailed in the available information. However, Ireland’s co-hosting role is consistent with its established development partnerships in the region, including its support for food systems analysis and transformation efforts in countries like Malawi. This suggests an ongoing commitment to channel existing and potentially future resources towards the agreed-upon priorities, leveraging established bilateral and multilateral aid mechanisms.  

CCARDESA (Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa) played an active role in the dialogue, notably through contributions to high-level panel discussions. As a regional coordinating organization for the FSRP, CCARDESA affirmed its commitment to continue supporting countries in translating the dialogue’s commitments into practical, scalable outcomes that advance food and nutrition security and sustainable development across Eastern and Southern Africa.  

The collective engagement of these key partners underscores a shared understanding that transforming food systems is a complex, multi-faceted endeavor requiring sustained collaboration. The emphasis is clearly on leveraging and aligning existing programs (like FSRP), repurposing national budgets more effectively (as per Priority Action 2), and ensuring that the political momentum generated in Lilongwe translates into coordinated action on the ground, guided by the Kampala Declaration’s vision, which itself has a significant resource mobilization goal.  

6. The Kampala Declaration: Blueprint for Africa’s Agrifood Future (2026-2035)

The Kampala Declaration on Building Resilient and Sustainable Agrifood Systems in Africa, adopted in January 2025, serves as the foundational blueprint for the continent’s agricultural ambitions over the next decade. The Lilongwe Dialogue was fundamentally geared towards breathing operational life into this declaration.

6.1. Strategic Objectives and Ambitious Targets

The Kampala Declaration outlines a comprehensive 10-year roadmap spanning from 2026 to 2035. It is characterized by a set of ambitious, quantifiable targets that aim to drive substantial improvements across Africa’s agrifood landscape. These targets provide clear benchmarks against which progress can be measured and reflect the scale of transformation envisioned.  

Key targets of the Kampala Declaration include :  

• An increase in agrifood output by 45 percent.
• A reduction in post-harvest losses by 50 percent.
• A tripling of intra-African trade in agrifood products.
• The mobilization of $USD100 billion in public and private investments by 2035.
• Significant strides in promoting inclusivity, including closing the gender productivity gap by 50 percent and empowering at least 30 percent of women, youth, and other vulnerable groups within agrifood value chains.
• Enhanced climate resilience, with goals to bring 30 percent of agricultural land under sustainable management practices and ensure that 40 percent of households are protected from the impacts of climate and economic shocks by 2035.

These targets, summarized in Table 3, collectively paint a picture of a more productive, efficient, inclusive, and resilient African agrifood sector.

Table 3: Key Targets of the Kampala Declaration on Building Resilient and Sustainable Agrifood Systems in Africa (2026-2035)

Target Area	Specific Goal by 2035
Agrifood Output	Increase by 45%
Post-Harvest Losses	Reduce by 50%
Intra-African Agrifood Trade	Triple
Financial Mobilization	Mobilize $USD100 billion in public and private investments
Gender Productivity Gap	Close by 50%
Empowerment in Value Chains	At least 30% of women, youth, and vulnerable groups empowered
Sustainable Land Management	30% of agricultural land under sustainable management
Household Resilience	40% of households protected from climate and economic shocks

6.2. Addressing Systemic Gaps and Enhancing Inclusivity

Beyond setting ambitious targets, the Kampala Declaration is strategically designed to address the deep-seated systemic gaps that have long plagued Africa’s agrifood systems. These include pervasive inefficiencies in supply chains, chronically inadequate infrastructure (such as rural roads, storage facilities, and processing capabilities), and persistently low levels of public and private investment in the agricultural sector. The Declaration directly confronts critical issues highlighted by organizations like the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), such as the fact that over 250 million Africans remain undernourished, while more than 40 percent of the continent’s agricultural output is lost post-harvest before it can reach consumers.  

A hallmark of the Kampala Declaration is its strong emphasis on inclusive strategies. There is a clear recognition that sustainable transformation cannot be achieved without addressing the needs and empowering marginalized groups, particularly smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of African agriculture, as well as women and youth, who play critical roles across agrifood value chains yet often face significant barriers to resources and opportunities.  

The implementation framework of the Declaration calls for inclusive governance structures and robust multi-stakeholder engagement, ensuring that the voices and perspectives of smallholders, women, youth, and indigenous communities are central to policy design and execution. It also prioritizes harnessing data and digital technologies to support evidence-based policymaking, mobilizing climate-sensitive and inclusive financing, making strategic investments in regional value chains and agro-industrial corridors, and actively exploring innovative finance mechanisms to attract the necessary capital.  

The Declaration’s substantial financial mobilization target of $USD100 billion by 2035 is particularly noteworthy. Achieving this figure will undoubtedly require innovative approaches to financing that go far beyond traditional official development assistance (ODA) or public budgets alone. The Declaration itself anticipates the need to leverage both public and private capital. Implementation strategies explicitly mention the need to explore avenues such as diaspora bonds, green finance instruments, and blended financing models to attract investment, particularly for agrifood small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Furthermore, the proposal to establish a private sector-led Agrifood Systems Advisory Council signals a strong intent to institutionalize private sector participation at a high strategic level. In this context, the Lilongwe Dialogue’s priority actions focusing on “Repurposing agricultural public expenditure” and “Mobilizing the private sector” are not merely supportive but are foundational to achieving the Kampala Declaration’s ambitious financial and systemic transformation goals. The success of the Declaration will, in large part, depend on making these financial dimensions operational and creating an environment conducive to a significant scaling up of private sector engagement and investment.  

7. Analytical Perspectives: Opportunities, Challenges, and Strategic Enablers

The path towards transforming food systems in Eastern and Southern Africa, as charted by the Lilongwe Dialogue and the Kampala Declaration, is replete with opportunities but also fraught with significant challenges. Strategic enablers, particularly robust regional collaboration and effective accountability mechanisms, will be crucial for navigating this complex terrain.

7.1. The Role of Regional Collaboration: FSRP, CCARDESA, and Partner Contributions

Regional dialogues, such as the one held in Lilongwe, play an indispensable role in fostering collective action. They provide a vital platform for stakeholders from different countries and sectors to share experiences, explore common challenges, identify game-changing solutions with regional applicability, and formulate coordinated actionable measures. As Malawi’s Vice President Usi noted, the regional nature of the Lilongwe dialogue was a key strength, facilitating the development of a shared understanding and commitment. Such forums are essential for building common positions and charting collective efforts towards integrated food system transformation, which is particularly important in a region where countries often share ecological zones, water resources, pest and disease pressures, and market dynamics.  

The Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP) stands out as a key institutional mechanism for translating regional aspirations into concrete results. Repeatedly recognized by figures like AU Commissioner Vilakati as pivotal for supporting climate adaptation, enhancing food security, and promoting regional integration , the FSRP is a World Bank-supported initiative designed to strengthen food security through the promotion of innovative, climate-smart agricultural practices, enhanced agricultural research and knowledge-sharing, and improved regional collaboration. Its multi-pillar structure, addressing resilient production capacity, sustainable natural resource management, market access, and conducive policymaking , reflects a comprehensive approach. The FSRP is also seen as vital for job creation across the agricultural value chain and for fostering entrepreneurship, especially among youth and women.  

CCARDESA (Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa) is another critical regional player. As one of the FSRP’s regional coordinating organizations, CCARDESA was an active participant in the Lilongwe Dialogue and has committed to continuing its support for countries in translating the dialogue’s outcomes into practical, scalable actions. Beyond its role in the FSRP, CCARDESA’s broader mandate includes bridging the often-significant gap between agricultural scientists and policymakers, advocating for policy-driven research, and ensuring that research outputs are relevant and accessible to end-users.  

The contributions of other partners are also fundamental. The World Bank, through its Food Systems 2030 Multi-Donor Trust Fund , provides crucial financial backing and technical expertise. The Government of Ireland, as a co-host of the Lilongwe Dialogue, brings political support and development cooperation experience. The effectiveness of these regional bodies and programs, however, will significantly depend on their ability to foster genuine “institutional learning and cross-country knowledge exchange,” as highlighted by the FSRP’s learning objectives. This involves more than just disseminating best practices; it requires facilitating adaptive learning processes where countries can tailor regional strategies to their specific contexts. Navigating the inherent tension between the goals of regional harmonization (e.g., in trade policy) and the diverse national priorities, capacities, and political economies of member states will be a continuous challenge. The call to “align FSRP interventions with national, regional, and continental priorities” underscores the need for this coherence, ensuring that regional initiatives reinforce rather than conflict with national efforts, and that robust feedback loops exist to inform regional policy adjustments based on national experiences.  

7.2. Navigating Implementation Hurdles and Ensuring Sustained Accountability

The ambitious agenda for food systems transformation faces a multitude of implementation hurdles, many of which contributed to the shortcomings of previous initiatives like the Malabo Declaration. These included weak implementation capacity at national and local levels, inadequate and often misaligned funding, and insufficient policy coherence between national priorities and regional commitments. External factors such as accelerating climate change, global pandemics, and economic disruptions further compounded these challenges.  

Many of these hurdles persist. Climate change continues to manifest in intensifying cycles of floods and droughts, extreme heat events, and the spread of new pests and diseases, all of which severely impact agricultural output. Economic shocks, including high food and input price inflation, erode the purchasing power of consumers and the viability of farming enterprises. Systemic weaknesses within the agrifood sector remain deeply entrenched, such as inefficient supply chains, inadequate rural infrastructure (roads, storage, processing), low levels of investment, fragmented value chains, and limited access to credit, markets, and extension services, particularly for smallholder farmers, women, and youth. The promise of digital transformation is also hampered by limited digital literacy, patchy infrastructure, data governance concerns, and a proliferation of uncoordinated digital platforms. In the realm of trade, inconsistent policies and varying sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards continue to hinder the smooth flow of agricultural goods within the region.  

Overcoming these hurdles requires not only technical solutions and financial resources but also robust and sustained accountability mechanisms. The strong emphasis on accountability at the Lilongwe Dialogue was a clear signal of intent. Vice President Usi’s call for accountability mechanisms that are primarily for the benefit of citizens – “not for external approval, but because our citizens deserve delivery” – introduces a powerful domestic and citizen-focused dimension. This contrasts with, or rather complements, more traditional accountability structures that might focus on reporting to donors or inter-governmental bodies. The AU Commissioner also stressed that implementation must be backed by “investment, coordination, and accountability”. The existing CAADP mutual accountability framework, notably through its Biennial Review process, remains a central pillar for tracking progress against continental commitments, including those of the Kampala Declaration.  

The potential synergy between this citizen-centric demand for accountability and established institutional review processes is significant. If effectively combined, formal review mechanisms like the CAADP Biennial Review could be powerfully reinforced by increased civic engagement, media scrutiny, and advocacy from farmer organisations and civil society. This could create a more multi-layered and dynamic accountability ecosystem, exerting both top-down pressure (from regional and national review bodies) and bottom-up pressure (from citizens and their representatives) for performance. Such a system would be more likely to drive consistent implementation of the Lilongwe outcomes and the broader goals of the Kampala Declaration, fostering a culture where “delivery, not delay” becomes the norm. The Kampala Declaration’s implementation strategy, which calls for elevating multi-stakeholder engagement and ensuring that smallholders, women, and youth are central to policy design and implementation, further supports the development of such an inclusive and responsive accountability landscape.  

8. Strategic Recommendations for Advancing Food Systems Transformation

The Lilongwe Dialogue and the Kampala Declaration provide a robust framework for action. To translate this framework into tangible improvements in food security, nutrition, and livelihoods across Eastern and Southern Africa, concerted efforts are required from all stakeholders. The following strategic recommendations, derived from the dialogue’s six priority actions, the Kampala Declaration’s strategies, and the identified challenges and opportunities, are proposed:

1. Strengthen National Ownership and Implementation Capacity:
   • National Governments should urgently develop clear, costed, and time-bound national action plans for domesticating the Kampala Declaration, ensuring these plans fully incorporate the six Lilongwe priority actions. This requires inclusive consultation processes involving all relevant stakeholders, including farmers’ organizations, the private sector, civil society, and academia.
   • A critical first step is to conduct thorough reviews of current agricultural public expenditure to identify opportunities for repurposing funds towards more strategic, high-impact investments in areas such as climate-resilient infrastructure (irrigation, storage, rural roads), agricultural R&D, reformed extension services, and market information systems, as opposed to potentially less efficient subsidy programs.  
   • Governments must actively foster an enabling policy and regulatory environment that de-risks and incentivizes private sector investment in agrifood value chains and promotes the adoption of digital innovations. This includes ensuring policy predictability, streamlining business registration and licensing, and protecting intellectual property.
   • Robust national monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems are essential. These systems should be participatory, involving citizens and local communities in tracking progress and providing feedback, thereby strengthening citizen-centric accountability.  
2. Enhance Regional Coordination and Harmonization:
   • Regional Bodies (AU, CCARDESA, Regional Economic Communities – RECs) should intensify efforts to facilitate peer learning, capacity building, and knowledge sharing among member states on best practices for implementing the six Lilongwe priorities and achieving the Kampala Declaration targets.  
   • A concerted push is needed to develop and implement harmonized regional standards for agricultural trade, including SPS measures, quality grades, and packaging, to reduce non-tariff barriers and unlock the potential of intra-African trade, aligning with AfCFTA objectives.  
   • Support for the CAADP Biennial Review process must be strengthened to ensure rigorous tracking of progress against the Kampala Declaration’s commitments, with clear reporting and feedback loops to national governments.  
   • Increased investment in regional agricultural research programs and climate information services is vital to address transboundary challenges and provide public goods that benefit multiple countries.
3. Align and Scale Up International Support:
   • International Partners (World Bank, Government of Ireland, other development partners, philanthropic organizations) should align their financial and technical support with the six Lilongwe priority actions and the overarching goals of the Kampala Declaration. This requires coordinated programming and a shift away from fragmented, project-based approaches towards more systemic, long-term support.
   • Partners have a key role in supporting the development and deployment of innovative financing mechanisms to help African nations meet the $USD100 billion mobilization target of the Kampala Declaration. This includes de-risking private investment, supporting blended finance models, and facilitating access to green and climate finance.  
   • Investment in capacity building for policy analysis, planning, and implementation at both national and regional levels remains crucial. This includes strengthening local research institutions and think tanks.
   • Promoting South-South and Triangular cooperation can facilitate the sharing of relevant experiences and technologies from other developing regions that have successfully transformed their food systems.
4. Catalyze Private Sector Engagement and Innovation:
   • The Private Sector (from multinational corporations to local SMEs and entrepreneurs) should proactively engage in public-private dialogues and partnerships to co-design and implement solutions for food systems transformation.
   • There are significant opportunities for investment in sustainable and inclusive value chains, climate-smart technologies, digital agricultural solutions, post-harvest management, and food processing.
   • Adherence to responsible agricultural investment principles (e.g., respecting land rights, ensuring environmental sustainability, promoting fair labor practices) is paramount.
   • The proposed private sector-led Agrifood Systems Advisory Council under the Kampala Declaration should be swiftly established and empowered to provide strategic guidance.  
5. Empower Civil Society, Research Institutions, and Local Communities:
   • Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and farmers’ organizations have a critical role in monitoring the implementation of commitments, advocating for citizen-centric accountability, and ensuring that the voices of smallholders, women, youth, and vulnerable groups are heard in policy processes.  
   • Research Institutions and Academia should conduct demand-driven, action-oriented research to support evidence-based policymaking and innovation in food systems. This includes socio-economic research to understand adoption barriers and impact pathways.
   • Efforts to facilitate community mobilization and capacity building are essential to empower local actors to participate in and benefit from food systems transformation initiatives.
6. Invest in Foundational Data Ecosystems:
   • Underpinning all these recommendations is the critical need for a cross-cutting emphasis on strengthening data ecosystems. This involves investing in robust systems for collecting, analyzing, managing, and disseminating timely and reliable data across the entire food system. This includes improving national agricultural statistics, developing comprehensive digital farmer registries , establishing effective market information systems, enhancing climate data services, and building robust M&E frameworks for tracking progress against the Kampala Declaration and Lilongwe priorities.  
   • Such data ecosystems are fundamental for evidence-based decision-making by governments, for enabling targeted interventions, for reducing risk and building confidence for private sector investors, for developing effective climate adaptation strategies, for facilitating transparent trade, and for ensuring meaningful accountability. Ensuring these data systems are inclusive, accessible (while respecting privacy), and interoperable should be a core priority for all stakeholders. Without a solid data foundation, the ambition to transform food systems effectively and equitably will be severely hampered.

9. Conclusion: Consolidating Gains for a Resilient and Nourished Africa

The Regional Dialogue on Food Systems Transformation held in Lilongwe, Malawi, represents a significant and timely catalyst for action in Eastern and Southern Africa. Convened against a backdrop of acute and growing challenges, the dialogue has successfully harnessed renewed political will and fostered a collective determination to move from policy pronouncements to decisive, on-the-ground implementation. The clarity of the six priority actions endorsed at Lilongwe, coupled with the comprehensive and ambitious vision laid out in the Kampala Declaration, provides a robust roadmap for navigating the complexities of transforming the region’s agrifood systems.  

The persistent calls for “delivery, not delay” and for robust accountability mechanisms that are, first and foremost, responsive to the needs of Africa’s citizens, signal a crucial shift in approach. There is a palpable recognition that past efforts, while well-intentioned, have not always yielded the desired impact, often due to implementation gaps, insufficient resources, or a lack of sustained commitment. The Lilongwe Dialogue has sought to address these historical shortcomings by emphasizing practical, actionable strategies and fostering a spirit of shared responsibility among governments, regional institutions, international partners, the private sector, and civil society.  

However, the “solid foundation” laid in Lilongwe is but a starting point. The ultimate success of this endeavor will hinge on the ability of all stakeholders to translate the current momentum and high-level commitments into sustained, adaptive, and adequately resourced implementation at national and local levels. This requires more than just initial enthusiasm; it demands the institutionalization of the agreed-upon priorities within national development plans and budgets, as urged by Malawi’s leadership. It necessitates resilience to political cycles, unforeseen shocks, and the inevitable challenges that arise in any large-scale transformation. Continuous learning, adaptive management, and an unwavering focus on achieving measurable results for smallholder farmers, women, youth, and all citizens will be paramount.  

By consolidating the gains made in Lilongwe and by collectively pursuing the vision of the Kampala Declaration with vigor and persistence, Eastern and Southern Africa can indeed transform its food systems. Such a transformation holds the promise of not only ensuring food and nutrition security for all but also of unlocking agriculture’s vast potential as an engine of inclusive economic growth, environmental sustainability, and enhanced prosperity across the continent. The charge from Lilongwe is clear: the time for deliberation is over; the era of delivery has begun.