African leaders are convening in Uganda for a landmark agriculture summit, with Angola’s President Joào Lourenço, Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye, and Ethiopia’s President Taye Atske Selassie in attendance.

The three-day gathering aims to drive progress in sustainable agricultural growth and ensure food security across the continent. The summit seeks to address Africa’s staggering $68 billion annual food import bill and transform the agricultural sector into a powerful engine of economic growth.

African leaders are expected to adopt a declaration outlining their commitment to transforming the agricultural sector and achieving key objectives, including developing resilient and sustainable agricultural systems, expanding trade within Africa, and ensuring food security for 2.5 billion Africans by 2050.

The summit has drawn top dignitaries from across the continent, with Liberia’s Vice President Jeremiah Koung also in attendance, representing President Joseph Nyumah Boakai.

According to experts, Africa has the potential to become a global agricultural powerhouse, with 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, abundant water, diverse climates, and a dynamic youth population.

However, the continent faces significant obstacles, including limited financing, inadequate infrastructure, climate change, and slow adoption of modern technologies.

The African Union’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) has devised a new strategy to address these challenges. The plan aims to achieve several key objectives, including developing resilient and sustainable agricultural systems, expanding trade within Africa, creating employment opportunities for young people and women, and ensuring food security for 2.5 billion Africans by 2050.

The meeting is seen as a critical step towards achieving Africa’s agricultural aspirations and unlocking the continent’s vast agricultural potential.