The second Africa food summit in Senegal ended on Friday, 27th of January with the development partners agreeing to commit $30 billion to back the continent’s resolve to boost agricultural productivity and become a bread basket for the world.

The African Development Bank plans to contribute $10 billion over a period of 5 years and the Islamic Development Bank plans to provide $5 billion.

Under the theme “Feed Africa; food sovereignty and resilience”, the Dakar 2 Summit adopted a declaration on the implementation of the Summit’s resolution to be submitted to the African Union.

Organized by the Senegalese government and the African Development Bank, the Summit gathered dozens of dignitaries, which included 34 heads of state and government, 70 government ministers, and development partners, to work tirelessly on compacts that would transform agriculture across Africa. The President of Ireland Michael D Higgins attended all three days of the summit.

African Development Bank Group President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina talked about how the continent and its partners are determined to see results and that implementation is critical to boosting food production and feeding Africa. “With strong collective determination and resolve, we will work in coordination and partnerships to help countries to deliver success,” he affirmed.

Adesina said that Dakar 2 Summit would be remembered as a key moment in Africa’s ability to feed itself and achieve food self-sufficiency and food sovereignty: “We leave with a determination and resolve to feed Africa. With hands together and in locked steps, we will reach our destination: An Africa that finally feeds itself. An Africa that develops with pride.” 

In the Dakar Declaration, the leaders agreed to allocate at least 10% of public expenditure to increase funding for agriculture. They also agreed to deploy grand production packages to boost productivity and increase resilience to achieve food security and self-sufficiency.

The president of the Islamic Development Bank, Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, delivered a statement pledging continued support to boost food production in Africa. Canada and Germany also made commitments to support the Feed Africa agenda.