No African Country Meets Malabo Agricultural Development Benchmark, FAO

According to the fifth Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Biennial Review released by the FAO, no African nation has successfully met the agricultural development benchmarks established under the Malabo Declaration. The findings highlight significant deficiencies across the continent in terms of public investment, agricultural research, and the effective implementation of continental commitments. The report underscores that while the Malabo Declaration aims to enhance food security and agricultural productivity, progress remains insufficient across the board. Key gaps identified include inadequate policy execution, limited allocation of national resources toward the sector, and a failure to translate high-level pledges into on-the-ground outcomes. These shortcomings suggest that many countries are struggling to address systemic challenges that impede sustainable agricultural growth and poverty reduction. To achieve the goals set out in the declaration, experts suggest an urgent need for stronger continental cooperation and increased financial support for national agricultural sectors. The review serves as a call to action for governments to realign their priorities to meet developmental targets.