March 4, 2025 (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) – The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA), with support from the World Bank, has launched a three-day High-Level Learning Event for the Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP) for Eastern and Southern Africa. Themed “Empowering African Food Systems with Digital Technologies: Challenges and Opportunities” and “Strengthening Trade Integration: Leveraging Trade Scorecards and Addressing SPS Implications in Agriculture,” the event provides a key platform for regional collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
Food insecurity in Africa is driven by climate change, land degradation, post-harvest losses, and conflict-related fragility, challenges that require regional cooperation. IGAD and its partners are fostering dialogue among key stakeholders to share best practices and solutions for strengthening food security. The event convenes agriculture experts, early warning specialists, national food systems leaders, and development partners from across Africa.
The event explores how digital tools, such as precision agriculture, real-time climate data, and AI, can enhance productivity, reduce losses, and improve market access. Discussions highlight challenges like digital infrastructure gaps, capacity building, and policy support for scaling up technology adoption. IGAD continues to champion agricultural innovation to boost food security in the region.
Trade is crucial in stabilising food supply and prices. The event examines trade scorecards and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures to remove barriers to agricultural market integration. IGAD is driving policy harmonisation and compliance with international food safety standards to facilitate seamless cross-border trade and market expansion.
Through regional collaboration, policy alignment, and trade integration, IGAD, AU, CCARDESA, and the World Bank are working towards a resilient and food-secure future for Eastern and Southern Africa. The event’s outcomes will shape strategies to enhance agricultural sustainability, climate resilience, and inclusive economic growth. IGAD remains committed to transforming food systems through innovation, trade, and policy reform to combat hunger and malnutrition across the region.
Quotes:
“The Food Systems Resilience Program in Africa stands out as a unique and transformative initiative—implemented across continental, regional, and national levels, it fosters collaboration and deepens regional integration. This high-level learning event provides an invaluable platform for our regional and national partners to align priorities with their peers across the borders, strengthen cooperation, and shape responsive policies that address the critical barriers to resilient and sustainable food systems.” – Mr. Abebaw Bihonegn IGAD Head of Mission to Ethiopia
“World Bank support to the FSRP is part of a longstanding partnership with the continent to enhance food security, sustainable landscape management, water resources development, rangelands management, resilient livelihoods, and broader climate action.” – Juliana Victor, World Bank Operations Manager
“Today’s event is crucial for FSRP implementing countries and sub-regional bodies, as it provides a strategic platform to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and gain a deeper understanding of the entire programme. It is also an opportunity to clarify our roles and strengthen collaboration to improve food systems resilience across the continent.” – Prof. Lala Aimé Razafinjara, CCARDESA Board Chairperson
