Strengthening Communications, Advocacy, and Knowledge Management for Africa's Next Agriculture Agenda

Participants in the CAADP Communications, Advocacy, and Knowledge Management Technical Working Group.

Policy LINK has helped facilitate a two-day workshop of communications experts gathered in Lusaka, Zambia as part of an African Union Commission (AUC) push to define the next five years of its ambitious agricultural development plan, known as the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP). The current iteration of the ten-year plan, known as the Malabo Declaration—after the capital of Equatorial Guinea where it was ratified — is set to expire in 2024.

The July 27-28, 2024 “write-shop,” in which participants worked together to draft a strategy for the CAADP Communications, Advocacy, and Knowledge Management Technical Working Group (TWG), included more than 20 representatives from the AUC and its development arm AUDA-NEPAD as well as donor organizations and their implementing partners, Civil Society Organizations, and the recently revived CAADP Journalists Network. 

The write-shop was one of 13 such TWG meetings held from July 25-30 at the Lusaka International Hotel. The larger event, convened by the AUC, AUDA-NEPAD, and AKADEMIYA2063, brought together more than 200 participants and was chaired by the AUC’s outgoing commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment Ms. Josefa Sacko. In her opening remarks, Ms. Sacko emphasized the importance of empowering women in Africa's agricultural sector and highlighted the forthcoming Kampala Declaration as an opportunity to further that critical aim.  

“This is my last official function with all of you,” said Ms. Sacko, whose elected term came to an end last month. “I have worked in agriculture all my life and I want to dedicate my next chapter to deepening my support for women to not only get more involved in farming but to also reap the most compared with the last 20 years,” she added.  

The communications-focused TWG identified several high-level interventions that aim to transform advocacy and knowledge management around CAADP. Participants also recognized that this key technical area would need additional resources and institutional support from CAADP stakeholders. To help realize that goal, the TWG proposed integrating communications, advocacy, and knowledge management into a cohesive strategy that aligns with the broader CAADP vision.

The discussions were facilitated by Mr. Edwin Odhiambo, CAADP Technical Director at Policy LINK; Peace Lydia Mutuwa, Communications Specialist at the AUC; and Bob Okello, a communications expert and consultant with Policy LINK. Key recommendations, which were presented back to the plenary by Mr. Odhiambo, included establishing an institutional home for the TWG’s work at the continental level and cascading that work through regional partnerships – all with an eye to enhancing stakeholder engagement, rallying public support, driving resource mobilization, and ensuring widespread ownership of the CAADP agenda.

Also present at the conference were Ms. Estherine Fotabong, Director of Agriculture, Food Security and Environmental Sustainability at the AUC; Dr. Godfrey Bahiigwa, Director of Agricultre and Rural Development at the AUC; and senior officials from the Zambian Ministry of Agriculture.

Resources

Read more about Policy LINK’s support to CAADP here.