CAIRO, EGYPT – From September 1-3, 2025, a significant summit convened in Cairo, bringing together representatives from 20 African nations, the African Union, and various development and funding institutions. The primary focus of this pivotal gathering was to address the critical issues of food security and economic challenges facing the African continent. The summit emphasized the urgent need for unified strategies to promote sustainable development and mitigate the escalating impacts of climate change.
Opening remarks highlighted the widespread food insecurity affecting millions across Africa, with speakers citing rising food prices, disease proliferation, and the necessity for climate change adaptation as key exacerbating factors. Raji El-Etriby, representing the African Union President, characterized the continent's situation as a "humanitarian catastrophe" worsened by external policies, and called for immediate humanitarian and food aid. Minister of Finance Ahmed Koujok acknowledged the substantial burdens on developing nations, noting Egypt's position as a major food importer and stressing the need for intensified economic development efforts and support for smallholder farmers. Alfien Boutis, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for African cooperation, expressed optimism that the Cairo discussions would generate comprehensive reports on economic and development strategies, including those related to climate change resilience.
The summit also explored innovative technological solutions to enhance food security. This meeting builds upon existing continental initiatives such as the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and the Malabo Declaration, which aim to transform Africa's agricultural sector and improve food security. Despite these efforts, a 2023 assessment indicated that no AU member state was on track to meet the Malabo Declaration targets by 2025, underscoring the magnitude of the challenge. The African Union's new ten-year strategy (2026-2035) aims to increase agrifood output by 45%, reduce post-harvest losses by 50%, and triple intra-African trade in agricultural products.
Egypt's commitment to food security was demonstrated through its hosting of the G20 meeting, a first for a non-member country. Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk highlighted Egypt's annual allocation of approximately EGP 165 billion for food subsidies, benefiting over 60 million citizens, and the expansion of its "Takaful and Karama" social protection program. He urged for greater international cooperation, increased private sector involvement, and reforms to global financial systems to address development funding gaps and climate challenges.
The discussions in Cairo are particularly timely given the severe impact of climate change on African agriculture. Studies indicate that rising temperatures and erratic rainfall have already led to significant drops in crop yields, with projections suggesting further declines. A 2022 study in the Horn of Africa found that a 1% increase in mean temperature led to a 0.357% rise in food insecurity. The International Monetary Fund noted that while growth is present in Africa, it remains insufficient to significantly reduce poverty or address developmental challenges. The summit's outcomes are expected to inform discussions at upcoming events, including a G20 Ministerial Meeting in South Africa on September 19, 2025, and the G20 Summit in Johannesburg on November 22-23, 2025.