Addis Ababa, November 3, 2026 (FMC) – African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has underscored Africa’s potential to become a global food basket, stressing the importance of transforming the continent’s agrifood systems to overcome hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition.
He made the remarks during the AU-IFRC High-Level Convening, jointly organized by the African Union Commission and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
In his opening remarks, Youssouf highlighted the paradox between Africa’s enormous agricultural potential, abundant natural resources and youthful population and the millions of people across the continent who continue to face hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition.
He noted that climate change, conflicts and disruptions to global food supply chains caused by external shocks have further aggravated the situation.
The Chairperson emphasized that ending hunger is not merely a humanitarian imperative but is fundamental to Africa’s peace, stability, economic transformation and sustainable development.
He stressed the need to move beyond emergency responses and address the structural causes of hunger through stronger resilience and the transformation of agrifood systems.
In this regard, Youssouf highlighted the Kampala Declaration and the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Strategy and Action Plan for 2026–2035 as a significant milestone in the continent’s efforts to transform its agricultural sector.
He said the Kampala CAADP Agenda calls for comprehensive transformation of Africa’s agrifood systems, providing a continental framework for advancing food security and building resilience.
The Chairperson reaffirmed the African Union’s commitment to developing resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, emphasizing that Africa has the resources and potential not only to feed its people but also to become a global food basket.
Realizing this ambition requires collective action, sustained political commitment, good governance and coordinated efforts, he stressed.
He called for renewed commitment to advancing durable solutions towards achieving Zero Hunger and realizing the vision of The Africa We Want.