The Malabo Declaration, adopted by the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government during their 23rd Ordinary Session in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on June 26-27, 2014, is a landmark policy framework aimed at transforming agriculture across Africa.
Building on the principles of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), the declaration emphasizes agriculture’s role as a cornerstone for sustainable development and poverty alleviation.
At its core, the Malabo Declaration reaffirms Africa’s commitment to agriculture-led growth as a central pillar of national and regional development strategies. This renewed dedication includes an ambitious goal of allocating at least 10% of public expenditure to agriculture, striving for an annual agricultural GDP growth of 6%. Such investment is critical for fostering agricultural productivity and driving economic transformation.
“We should uphold CAADP’s spirit while adopting new resolutions, including 6-strategic objectives to boost agricultural production, strengthen value chains, and enhance intra-African trade, as outlined in the Malabo Declarations,” said H.E. Ambassador Josefa Sacko.
The declaration had set bold targets, including the elimination of hunger by 2025 which has unfortunately fallen short. This goal focuses on promoting sustainable agricultural practices, improving food security, and enhancing nutrition across the continent. Additionally, it aims to halve poverty by engaging the youth in agricultural value chains, creating job opportunities for at least 30% of young people.
By tripling intra-African trade in agricultural commodities, the declaration seeks to boost regional market access and strengthen economic integration.
Recognizing the growing threat of climate change, the Malabo Declaration prioritizes resilience. It emphasizes sustainable land management and water control to ensure agricultural systems can adapt to climate variability. Moreover, it advocates for mutual accountability through peer review mechanisms to monitor and evaluate the progress of these commitments.
Despite its ambitious vision, the implementation of the Malabo Declaration has faced significant challenges. Climate change, geopolitical tensions, economic downturns, and varying national priorities have all impeded progress. Biennial reviews introduced to track achievements revealed mixed results, with many countries struggling to meet the 2025 targets.
Recent updates from early 2025 indicate that no African country is currently on track to meet the CAADP targets under the Malabo Declaration. This revelation has spurred discussions on a post-Malabo agenda.
The African Union is now developing a new 10-year strategy (2025-2035) to sustain agricultural transformation efforts and align them with Africa’s broader Vision 2063 development goals.
The significance of the Malabo Declaration lies in its unwavering emphasis on agriculture as a catalyst for development. It has brought renewed attention to the importance of effective policy implementation, increased agricultural investment, and the integration of agriculture into broader socio-economic strategies. While progress has been uneven, the declaration remains a testament to Africa’s determination to leverage its agricultural potential to secure a prosperous and sustainable future for its people.
