Programme background
Africa is bearing the brunt of a food, fuel and fertilizer crisis, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, lingering effects from the COVID-19 pandemic, rising inflation and extreme weather. To address these challenges, the ASTA team designed a made-to-measure regional ASTA Programme for Africa (AP4A): “Building resilient and sustainable agrifood value chains for agrifood systems transformation in Africa”. This programme builds on Africa’s comparative strengths and market potential to facilitate a transformation that secures inclusive access to safe and nutritious food at scale. At the regional and subregional level, the programme emphasizes a limited number of strategic commodities without prejudice to ongoing sector-wide developments.
AP4A transformation focus
AP4A adopts a comprehensive regional approach to food systems transformation. It focuses strategically on blended finance, climate adaptation and mitigation measures, economic empowerment of women and youth, and a twinning model to ensure inclusive access to safe and nutritious food at scale.
Leveraging a twinning approach, AP4A identifies a strategic commodity that holds key importance for two countries in each region: the leading country in the commodity and the other one with strong potential and comparative advantages but facing a production deficit.
The selection of commodities builds on global, regional and national frameworks, including the National Agrifood Systems Pathways in support of the 2030 Agenda, the Dakar 2 Compact reports and food system assessments. Five key food value chains were selected: cassava and rice in West Africa, soybean in Southern Africa, wheat in East Africa and vegetable oil across Africa.
AP4A key intervention areas
Aligned with the 2006 Declaration of the Abuja Food Security Summit, the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP), the United Nations Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa (IDDA3), Malabo policies and Africa Food Summit Dakar-2 Compact reports, the AP4A proposal aims to drive systemic food systems transformation by focusing on key areas of innovation and inclusivity:
1. Implementing food systems upgrading strategies focused on integrating smallholders and other key actors into intra-African trade.
2. Promoting large-scale production schemes that support the green transition and mitigate environmental risks.
3. Facilitating holistic investment packages to accelerate the shift to agro-ecological production systems.
4. Strengthening the business enabling environment by adopting innovations such as e-commerce and public infrastructure upgrades.
5. Ensuring continuity of private trade during crises through the establishment of safe trade corridors.
6. Fostering inclusive opportunities for women and youth to access financial and digital innovations.
We are looking for partners
ASTA is seeking partners to support the implementation of the AP4A programme. By fostering blended financing models, ASTA creates opportunities for investment in sustainable food systems, ensuring a win-win for all stakeholders.
Key relevant stakeholders will be from governments, financing institutions, regional and local authorities, the private sector and sector actors from producers to markets. Stakeholders may fulfil roles in planning, regulation, operations, advocacy, financing, and commercial activities.
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