A new report by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has sounded the alarm over East Africa’s progress towards meeting the African Union’s Malabo Declaration goals, which aim to end hunger, double agricultural productivity, and build climate resilience by 2025.
The Fourth Biennial Review (BR4) report, launched in Nairobi on Friday, reveals that none of the six IGAD member states—Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Uganda—are on track to achieve the key targets set in the Malabo Declaration.
The findings show a worsening trend compared to previous assessments, with climate shocks, inadequate funding, and weak data systems cited as major obstacles. Notably, only half of the surveyed countries allocate at least 5 percent of their national budgets to agriculture, falling short of the 10 percent target outlined in the Malabo Declaration.
Additionally, 85 percent of the region’s agriculture remains rain-fed, making it highly vulnerable to climate-driven disasters such as droughts and floods.
Dr. Sylvia Henga, an IGAD representative, emphasized the need for responsive policies to enhance competitiveness and facilitate trade, noting that the region’s underperformance could have far-reaching consequences. “The data paints a troubling picture of regression rather than progress,” she said. “We are not just off track; we are sliding backward.”Kenya, often regarded as a leader in digital innovation, is also struggling to meet expectations.
While it has made progress in agricultural policy coordination, fragmented data systems, insufficient funding, and slow implementation of reforms continue to hinder its efforts.On a more positive note, Rwanda stands out for its successful implementation of the “Agricultural Joint Sector Review” platform, which has helped improve coordination among stakeholders and boost agricultural productivity by 8 percent annually since 2022.
IGAD is urging governments across the region to urgently address these challenges by doubling investments in rural infrastructure, scaling up social protection for vulnerable communities, and accelerating the adoption of climate-smart agricultural technologies.
