President William Ruto traveled to Uganda on Saturday, January 11, to participate in the African Union Extraordinary Summit on the Post-Malabo Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). The summit focuses on eradicating hunger and poverty through agriculture-driven policies and innovations.
In a statement, State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed emphasized the summit’s significance in fostering sustainable growth. “The summit will assess progress toward the targets set and adopt the Kampala Declaration, outlining a shared vision for transforming agri-food systems from 2026 to 2035,” the statement read. The outcomes are expected to guide agricultural policies across the continent, contributing to economic growth and food security.
President Ruto’s one-day visit aims to showcase Kenya’s advancements in food security, job creation, and poverty reduction. His delegation is set to demonstrate how Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) complements the CAADP goals. “Through BETA, we are promoting sustainable growth and realizing the country’s prosperity via economic transformation,” Ruto said.
The Kenyan leader will also reaffirm the alignment of the CAADP goals with Kenya’s Vision 2030, which envisions transforming the nation into a middle-income economy through comprehensive agricultural reforms.
Beyond the summit, President Ruto will engage in bilateral discussions with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and other African leaders. The meetings are expected to strengthen Kenya-Uganda ties and secure backing for Ruto’s role as the African Union’s Champion of Institutional Reforms.
The Post-Malabo CAADP, launched in 2014, provides a framework for achieving agricultural growth, reducing poverty, and improving food security in Africa. This summit marks a crucial step in evaluating member states’ progress and setting the agenda for the next decade.
Ruto’s participation underscores Kenya’s leadership in agricultural transformation and its commitment to addressing continental challenges. With agriculture remaining the backbone of many African economies, this summit is poised to accelerate initiatives that will foster a food-secure, economically resilient continent.
