African leaders have called for increased agricultural research funding, stronger seed quality controls and expanded cross-border trade, as the African Union seeks to translate the 2025 Kampala Declaration into tangible gains for farmers.
The African Union is pushing for increased investment in agricultural research, stronger seed quality controls and improved access to climate-resilient crop varieties to strengthen food security and reduce the continent’s dependence on food imports.
The proposals emerged from the inaugural Africa Seed Summit held in Ezulwini, Kingdom of Eswatini, from October 5 to 7, 2026, where agriculture ministers adopted recommendations to improve seed production, distribution, regulation and trade across Africa.
Convened by the African Union Commission (AUC), the summit was held under the theme “Resilient Seed Systems for a Food Secure Africa” and was intended to advance the 2025 Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Kampala Declaration.
The summit’s outcome document calls for sustained public and private investment in seed systems, support for local seed enterprises, recognition of farmer-managed seed systems and improved conservation of Africa’s plant genetic resources.
The recommendations will be submitted through the appropriate African Union policy organs for consideration, validation and formal endorsement.
The summit addressed persistent challenges that prevent African farmers from accessing affordable, quality seed when they need it.
According to the AU’s summit concept note, formal seed systems remain unevenly developed, with certified seed often expensive or difficult to obtain, particularly in rural areas.
The document cites Rwanda’s 2025 figures to illustrate the problem. Certified seed use ranged from 62% for maize and 37% for vegetables to just 1% for soya bean, 3% for Irish potatoes and 7% for wheat.
These figures apply to Rwanda, not Uganda, but illustrate the disparities in certified seed adoption across crops.
Many farmers consequently rely on informal systems, including seed saved from previous harvests, exchanges between farmers and community-based seed production. While these systems support rural livelihoods and preserve local varieties, seed quality can vary.
Counterfeit seed is another concern. The AU concept note cites the Seed Sector Performance Index Status Report, which estimates that counterfeit seed accounts for up to 30% of seed sold in some markets.
The summit called for stronger inspection and certification systems, improved seed authentication and better enforcement of national seed regulations to protect farmers from poor-quality products.
The AU also wants governments and development partners to increase funding for agricultural research and plant breeding.
The concept note identifies underfunded public research institutions as a major constraint, noting that some breeding programmes struggle to finance research and development beyond staff salaries.
It also highlights a gap between the release of improved crop varieties and their adoption by farmers, with some older maize varieties remaining popular across several African countries, including Uganda.
The summit called for investment in breeding programmes, seed testing, certification, extension services and the development of productive, nutritious and climate-resilient varieties.
At the opening on October 6, King Mswati III of Eswatini said Africa’s food security depended on the quality of its seed.
“No fertilizer, irrigation or machinery can make up for poor seed,” he said.
The King also called for countries to conserve indigenous genetic resources and cooperate in food production, alongside investment in irrigation, storage and transport infrastructure.
Farmers and regional trade
The summit’s Ezulwini Outcome Document recognises farmer-managed seed systems as an important part of Africa’s agricultural capacity.
It calls for support for community seed banks, farmer networks and local enterprises, while addressing farmers’ rights and the fair sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources and traditional knowledge.
African Union Commission Deputy Chairperson Selma Malika Haddadi, representing Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, urged governments and partners to connect formal and farmer-managed seed systems.
She also called for greater participation by women and young people in seed production, innovation and business.
The recommendations further propose an integrated African Seed and Gene Bank System to strengthen the conservation of plant genetic resources and support future research. The proposed system would complement existing national and regional gene banks.
To expand access to quality seed, ministers also called for harmonised seed policies and standards and fewer barriers to trade between African countries.
For Uganda and other East African countries, effective implementation could help seed companies reach regional markets and give farmers access to a wider range of suitable varieties.
The summit is anchored in the CAADP Kampala Declaration, which provides a continental framework for transforming African agrifood systems between 2026 and 2035.
However, the AU says the commitments must be backed by financing, institutional cooperation and regular monitoring to ensure they deliver measurable results.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Moses Vilakati, the AUC Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, described the outcome document as a roadmap for collaboration among governments, regional economic communities, research institutions, farmers’ organisations and private companies.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting implementation of the recommendations.
The proposals will now require further consideration and formal endorsement through the AU’s policy processes.
For farmers, the ultimate test will be whether the commitments translate into affordable, authentic seed that is available before planting seasons, alongside stronger research, better extension services and improved resilience to climate-related shocks.