African Union food security initiatives

The African Union is focusing on long term food sovereignty and agricultural productivity to combat hunger across the continent. In Addis Ababa, leaders from the African Union and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies discussed transitioning from emergency aid to sustainable solutions, such as climate resilient agriculture and improved intra-African trade. Officials noted that approximately 309 million people in Africa suffered from undernourishment in 2025 and highlighted the need for investments in irrigation, technology, and adapted seeds to reduce reliance on rainfall.

Further discussions at the TRT World Forum 2026 emphasized that increasing agricultural productivity could allow Africa to become a global food provider. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, the African Union Special Representative for Food Systems, noted that while the continent maintains high economic growth rates, weak regional integration hinders common policy development. He suggested that funds currently used for food imports should be redirected toward supporting African farmers through better access to scientific knowledge, specialized financing, and climate change adaptation.

In November 2026, African Union Commissioner for Agriculture Moses Vilakati stressed the necessity of moving beyond policy frameworks to practical application, stating, “We do not eat policies.” He noted that two out of three Africans lack access to a healthy, balanced diet. With declining external donor support, Vilakati urged African governments to mobilize internal resources by tapping into pension funds, the diaspora, and philanthropic sectors to fund bankable agricultural projects.