Aware of the food security challenges affecting millions, countries in Eastern and Southern Africa are stepping up efforts to transform their food systems into pillars of sustainable development, employment, and stability. This regional commitment was evident during the first learning event of the Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP), held in Addis Ababa, which brought together governments, regional bodies, and development partners to advance coordinated, practical solutions.
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Home to over 230 million people, the region faces pressing challenges such as climate change, land degradation, and supply chain limitations. Yet, authorities are taking proactive steps. Through the FSRP—an initiative supported by IGAD, the African Union Commission, CCARDESA, and the World Bank—knowledge, technologies, and resources are being mobilized to improve access to safe and nutritious food. Investments are being prioritized in resilient infrastructure, climate-smart agricultural practices, and market access, with a strong focus on youth and women’s inclusion.
The Addis Ababa event underscored the transformative power of regional collaboration. Participants emphasized the need to share best practices, harmonize policies, and adopt digital tools to boost agricultural productivity. Initiatives such as digital farmer registries, food traceability systems, and real-time advisory services are already showing positive outcomes. Countries like Kenya and Ethiopia are setting benchmarks, while others seek to replicate and adapt their successful models.
Beyond technology, political will is strong: to deepen regional integration and ensure that countries learn from one another in the quest for a hunger-free future. “Knowing what each country is doing and learning from each other is key to closing gaps,” said Dr. Abdi Fidar of IGAD. Looking ahead to 2030, governments are committed to accelerating the investments needed to shift food security from a daily concern to a driver of well-being and growth for generations to come.
