To sustainably finance agri-food systems, we need to innovate  

The African Union Heads of States and Government last month adopted a new and next 10-year agric-food systems development policy and strategy, dubbed the Kampala Declaration, aimed at making the continent food-secure and transforming businesses, lives and people working in agriculture by 2035. Seeds of Gold spoke to Boaz Blackie Keizire, AGRA’s Director for Policy and State Capability, on the latest commitments by AU and the question of sustainably financing agri-food systems.

What is your assessment of the Malabo Declaration which preceded this new strategy?

The Malabo Declaration was a pivotal step, building on lessons from the 2003 Maputo commitments, which focused on mobilising public resources, particularly the 10% public expenditure on agriculture. Malabo’s game-changer was the introduction of mutual accountability and a peer review mechanism, driving countries to track progress, learn from each other, and strengthen agricultural investment plans. While it spurred competition and commitment, challenges beyond national control—such as climate shocks (El Niño in Southern Africa, drought in the Horn of Africa) and COVID-19 disruptions to input supply chains—hindered the full achievement of its goals. Nonetheless, significant progress was made.

What was AGRA's role in the Malabo declaration?

AGRA was instrumental in advancing the Malabo Declaration by supporting the African Union in shaping the biennial review processes. We strengthened national seed systems, championed policy reforms to liberalise seed and fertiliser industries, and enhanced cross-border markets by addressing non-tariff barriers, roadblocks and export bans. Additionally, we worked with governments to reduce policy unpredictability, incentivize farmers and streamline farmer registration to improve fertiliser distribution efficiency.

Women and youth still face an uphill task accessing finance and markets, why is this?

Cultural and historical barriers often limit women and youth from accessing finance, land, and other critical resources, restricting their engagement in agriculture. To address this, AGRA developed the Youth Agribusiness Strategy, a continental policy framework, and has been supporting AU member states in mobilizing resources. We also help design policies and strategies to facilitate access to land and finance, intentionally creating incentives to attract youth into agriculture- especially by leveraging digital tools to integrate them into value chains.

How different is the Kampala Declaration from Malabo and Maputo?

The Kampala Declaration upholds the 10% public expenditure commitment from Maputo and Malabo but goes further by exploring new financing models, such as blended finance and pension funds, to drive agri-food systems. A key innovation is the Financing Flows to Food Systems (3FS) tool, which tracks resource allocation across food system elements. This data-driven approach helps governments make informed decisions on funding priorities and optimizing investments.

How do you see AGRA’s role in the implementation of the Kampala declaration?

AGRA is committed to supporting the Kampala Declaration by leveraging our expertise in seed systems, sustainable farming, regenerative agriculture, last-mile delivery, extension services, and fertiliser application. We will help countries design flagship programs and bankable investment plans to attract both public and private sector funding. Additionally, we have strengthened our youth and gender programmes to ensure inclusivity, creating targeted initiatives that integrate young people and women into agricultural value chains. Beyond policy design, AGRA is investing in domesticating these policies to drive real change at the farm level—boosting farmer incomes, creating jobs for youth, and ensuring women’s participation in the sector.

Do you see the Kampala Declaration faring better than Malabo and Maputo?

I'm very optimistic that the Kampala declaration will build on Malabo’s lessons to drive greater impact. We are in a digital era, youth is the largest demographic, and technology offers new opportunities for transformation. Digital solutions can improve farmers’ access to inputs, market intelligence, and precision through satellite imaging and data-driven insights.

On resource mobilisation, there is a growing commitment to innovative financing—leveraging pension funds, commercial bank investments, and blended finance models. To unlock these opportunities, strong policy incentives and thought leadership will be essential in ensuring sustained investment and impact.

How important is the upcoming Financing Agri-Food Systems (FINAS) 2025 Dialogue?

The FINAS 2025 Dialogue is a crucial platform for advancing the sustainable financing of Africa’s agri-food systems. It will provide data-driven, evidence-based solutions to key questions: How do we attract new investment?  How can we leverage emerging innovations, including green and climate-related financing? What lessons can we learn from existing financial instruments, and what new models should be explored?

So, FINAS presents a major opportunity for countries and all stakeholders to learn about sustainable investing and financing agri-food systems.

Do you see African governments this time around meeting their 10% commitment?

I am very optimistic. The challenge hasn’t been refusal but competing priorities. If we can clearly demonstrate to ministries of finance that investing in agri-food systems drives economic growth, job creation, and digital transformation, they are more likely to allocate more resources.

Beyond meeting the 10% commitment, governments may also adopt innovative financing tools to reduce reliance on borrowing and ensure sustainable investment in the sector.