Towards the Development and Implementation of CAADP Regional Compacts and Investment Plans: The State of Play
Background
Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in Africa increasingly recognize the value of regional initiatives to boost agricultural development and strengthen food security.
In the past few years, regional approaches to agriculture have gradually picked up speed. In the context of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAAPD), several regions in Africa have embarked on a process to develop and implement regional CAADP compacts and investment plans.
Key purpose of ECDPM Study
This note gives a brief update on progress that has been made in the different regions, for the occasion of the 9th CAADP Partnership Platform in Addis Ababa on 24-25 March 2013 and can be seen as an update of a series of ECDPM Discussion Papers published in 2012, which give a more detailed overview of regional CAADP processes in COMESA, EAC, ECCAS, ECOWAS, IGAD and SADC (available here).
The approach to regional cooperation and integration differs between RECs, based on the mandate, priorities and overall ambitions of the member states and specific RECs.
Key Findings of ECDPM
The approach to regional cooperation and integration differs between RECs, based on the mandate, priorities and overall ambitions of the member states and specific RECs. Nevertheless, they face some common concerns, which include the challenges to:
- Strengthen institutional capacity of regional organisations
- Ensure effective linkages between sectors
- Articulate the national-regional nexus
- Ensure continuing engagement with Non-State Actors
- Promote alignment and harmonization of development partners
ECDPM supports stakeholders to enhance CAADP implementation at the regional level. To do so, it works closely with a broad range of stakeholders, including REC Commissions and Secretariats; regional farmers’ organisations such as the EAFF, ROPPA and PROPAC; African knowledge centres such as FANRPAN and the CAADP Development Partners’ Task Team.