By Mbono Mdluli
MBABANE – African leaders have adopted the “Nkwe” approach to enhance food production across the continent, marking a significant step toward addressing food security challenges.
During the African Union (AU) meeting on Saturday, January 11, 2025, leaders, including Eswatini’s Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini, signed the Kampala Declaration of 2025. The declaration underscores the urgent need to improve food production, aligning with the fifth goal of Agenda 2063, which advocates for modern agriculture to increase productivity.
With Africa’s population projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, and global numbers expected to rise to 10 billion, leaders emphasized the importance of ramping up food production to meet the needs of this growing demographic. The “Nkwe” approach is seen as a critical strategy to empower farmers, including small-scale producers, to meet demand while promoting processed foods that can boost farmers’ incomes.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was identified as a key market for enhancing food production. Leaders set ambitious goals, including increasing food production by 45% by 2035 and raising USD 100 billion from donors to support agricultural initiatives. Addressing climate change was also deemed crucial, as leaders pledged to ensure no African would face hunger by 2035 while tackling issues such as stunting, malnutrition, and access to nutritious food.
Prime Minister Dlamini highlighted Eswatini’s efforts under His Majesty King Mswati III’s leadership to implement the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). These initiatives focus on increasing agricultural productivity, building resilience to climate change, and enhancing market access for smallholder farmers.
“We further implored the AU to support member states in implementing the Kampala Declaration and integrating it into their national investment plans. If fully supported, the six objectives of the Declaration will transform the agriculture and food industry landscape across the continent,” said the PM.
The premier called for robust resource mobilization to fund these plans, emphasizing Eswatini’s commitment to tackling climate change through practical adaptation and resilience programs. “The future of the next generation is in our hands. Let us move with speed toward securing it. Sitsi nkwe!” he concluded.