According to Angolan President João Lourenço, agriculture is the backbone of Africa's economic development. During his speech today at the African Union Conference of Heads of State and Government, held in Kampala, Uganda, the Angolan leader reinforced the need to place the agricultural sector at the center of African nations' priorities.

This appeal comes as Angola prepares to assume the rotating presidency of the African Union (AU) in February. João Lourenço also warned that the commitments made in the Malabo Declaration, signed in 2014, are still far from being realized.

This document, which provided for the allocation of at least 10% of national budgets to agriculture, remains a challenge for many countries on the continent. According to the Angolan President, agriculture is essential for ensuring food security and is also key to inclusive economic growth in Africa.

Furthermore, the Angolan President highlighted the importance of creating conditions to attract more investment to the sector, highlighting agricultural mechanization, the development of rural infrastructure, seed certification, and the implementation of irrigation systems as urgent and essential measures.

For João Lourenço, success in agricultural development will be crucial to achieving food self-sufficiency and increasing the capacity to export agricultural products.

During his speech, João Lourenço was categorical in stating that Africa cannot continue to depend on imports to meet its food needs.

"We must place agriculture among the most important priorities of each of our nations, as it is the basis for the development of our economies, food security, and the path to inclusive growth," he stressed.

This appeal reinforces the Angolan leader's view that Africa's future depends largely on its ability to harness the potential of the agricultural sector. The President also emphasized that achieving this goal requires coordinated efforts by African countries and continental institutions, such as the AU.

To this end, he advocated the need to approve a Strategy and Action Plan for the Integrated Program for Agricultural Development in Africa for the period 2026 to 2035. This plan should be geared towards attracting investment and creating conditions that guarantee food self-sufficiency.

João Lourenço emphasized the importance of promoting agricultural mechanization as a way to increase productivity and improve the competitiveness of African agricultural products in the international market. He also called for seed certification and the development of irrigation infrastructure, measures he considers crucial to overcoming the challenges facing the sector.

Another point highlighted by the President was the need to respect the commitments made in the Malabo Declaration, particularly the allocation of 10% of national budgets to the agricultural sector. For João Lourenço, meeting this target is essential to ensuring that agriculture plays its strategic role in the continent's economic development.

Angola will assume the rotating presidency of the AU in February, a milestone that could be decisive in implementing the proposals championed by João Lourenço.

The Angolan President promised to work with Member States to integrate national agricultural investment plans into the continental strategy, thus ensuring their effective and coordinated implementation.

Furthermore, João Lourenço highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation between African countries and international partners, with a view to mobilizing financial and technological resources for agriculture in Africa.

This effort, according to the President, must be accompanied by policies that encourage the local production of fertilizers, which are essential for improving the quality and quantity of crops.

The Angolan leader also highlighted the importance of creating a favorable environment for private investment in the agricultural sector. This environment should include tax incentives, guaranteed access to credit, and the promotion of public-private partnerships that help boost the sector and attract investors.

As part of his future leadership of the AU, João Lourenço also proposed the creation of mechanisms to monitor and evaluate progress made in implementing the Malabo Declaration commitments. For the President, it is essential that African countries demonstrate concrete and measurable results in the development of the agricultural sector.

João Lourenço's speech at the AU Conference of Heads of State and Government highlighted the urgency of placing agriculture at the center of public policy priorities in Africa.

The Angolan President made it clear that the continent's economic development depends on the ability to exploit its agricultural potential, ensuring food self-sufficiency and promoting inclusive growth.

As Angola prepares to assume the AU presidency, João Lourenço's commitment to promoting the agricultural sector as a strategic pillar for Africa's development gains even more relevance. This is a decisive moment for Angola and the continent, which must unite efforts to transform agriculture into a driver of sustainable and inclusive development.