The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has commended the Nigerian government for becoming the first country in Africa to develop a national strategy and action plan for domesticating the CAADP Kampala Declaration.
Speaking at the high-level launch of the Agrifood System Strategy and Action Plan for the Domestication of the CAADP Kampala Declaration (2026–2035) in Abuja, IFAD Country Director Ms. Dede Ekoue congratulated the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for leading what she called a highly inclusive and consultative process.
Ekoue said Nigeria had “once again demonstrated leadership on the African continent” by delivering the first national strategy of its kind, calling it a benchmark for other countries seeking to translate the continental Kampala Declaration into concrete national action.
She praised the strategy for placing smallholder farmers, women, youth and vulnerable communities at the centre of its seven priority areas, and for mainstreaming climate resilience, nutrition, gender equality and digital transformation across the plan rather than treating them as standalone add-ons.
The IFAD chief also thanked the Federal Ministries, state governments, development partners, private sector actors, research institutions, civil society groups, and farmer, women’s and youth organizations that contributed to shaping the strategy, and acknowledged the technical support of the African Development Bank, AGRA, IFPRI, FAO and the World Bank throughout the drafting process.
Ekoue reaffirmed IFAD’s commitment as a long-standing partner of Nigeria, pledging continued support for the strategy’s implementation through investment, policy dialogue and technical assistance once it is formally adopted by the government. She also urged other development partners and investors to back the plan, saying its success could have positive effects across the region.
She closed by congratulating all partners involved in what she described as a historic achievement for Nigeria’s agrifood sector.
