Former President Goodluck Jonathan urged African leaders to prioritize innovation and technology to achieve food security during his keynote speech at the Africa Food Systems Forum 2024 in Kigali, Rwanda.
Jonathan explained that integrating technology into agriculture is vital for transforming agri-food systems and combating hunger and malnutrition.
He noted the efforts of African countries and the African Union but stressed the need for more progress in achieving the four pillars of food security: availability, access, utilization, and stability, as promoted by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
Jonathan also called for the African Union to give food security the same importance as climate change and recommended appointing a serving president to champion agricultural reforms.
He further advised African universities to focus on agricultural innovation, food processing, and preservation research.
Discussing Africa’s nutrition challenges, Jonathan highlighted that 30% of children suffer from stunting due to malnutrition, and over 70% of Africans cannot afford healthy diets.
He therefore urged leaders to commit to transforming the continent’s food system by focusing on political stability, peace, and security, noting, “It would be difficult to attain food sufficiency amid wanton insecurity and hostilities.”
Reflecting on his time as Nigeria’s President, Jonathan mentioned his administration’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) and initiatives to turn agriculture into a business, particularly through the “Nagro-preneurs” program, which provided youth with access to skills, land, technology, and finance.