The Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN) launched its fourth-generation strategic plan (2025–2035) during a virtual stakeholder meeting attended by over 50 participants from across Africa and beyond.
The event in Pretoria brought together government officials, development partners, farmer organisations, civil society, academia, private sector representatives, and youth and women’s groups to engage on the way forward for Africa’s food and agriculture systems.
Mooketsa Ramasodi, director-general of the department of agriculture, highlighted the strategic plan’s strong alignment with national, regional, and global frameworks, including South Africa’s National Development Plan, the Sustainable Development Goals, the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Plan, Agenda 2063, and the Kampala Declaration.
A call to amplify Africa’s voice
He called for strong policy advocacy, better market access for farmers, enhanced biosecurity measures, and efficient risk management approaches. Additionally, he encouraged FANRPAN to back the rollout of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and promote inclusive discussions on energy transition policies.
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The chief executive officer and head of mission of FANRPAN, Dr Tshilidzi Madzivhandila, said they are ready to collaborate in implementing the 2025–2035 strategic plan.
“This plan reflects both our collective wisdom and shared responsibility. With committed partnerships, we are confident that we can catalyse real, lasting change,” he said.
A critical juncture for Africa’s food systems
Delivering the keynote address, Panduleni Elago, senior CAADP advisor at the African Union Commission’s department of agriculture, rural development, blue economy and sustainable environment, congratulated FANRPAN on the launch of its new strategic plan.
“The strategy comes at a critical juncture in Africa’s food systems transformation journey, as nations aim to overcome chronic food and nutrition insecurity, strengthen resilience to climate shocks, and accelerate progress toward sustainable development,” Elago said.
Sithembile Mwamakamba, FANRPAN’s director of policy research and analysis, presented the new strategy, offering participants a comprehensive overview of FANRPAN’s renewed vision and priorities.
She highlighted that FANRPAN traces its roots back to a 1994 call by agriculture ministers from Eastern and Southern Africa. By 2010, its mandate had grown to encompass the whole continent, establishing it as a pan-African policy think tank dedicated to driving transformation through evidence-based approaches.
“Resilient African agriculture and food systems, in harmony with nature, delivering prosperity and health for all. Our mission is to promote an enabling policy environment for transformation.
“The plan has different pillars such as policy research and analysis, which involves generating, collating, and synthesising rigorous, policy-relevant evidence on issues such as climate change, soil health, agri-trade, and youth inclusion,” Mwamakamba said.
She said another pillar was knowledge management and advocacy, aimed at translating complex research into accessible knowledge, aligned with the objectives of the AfCFTA and the African Union’s climate goals.
“Capacity strengthening is another pillar focused on equipping both institutions and individuals with the skills, tools, and confidence to engage effectively in food system governance.
“Monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning are another pillar which establishes a framework to track progress, assess impact, and foster adaptive learning,” she said.
According to Mwamakamba, the pillars are underpinned by seven thematic priorities: climate change resilience; nutrition and sustainable livelihoods; natural resources and environment; trade and markets; agricultural investment; technology and innovation; and gender, equity, and social inclusion.
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