H.E. Mr. Abase Mohamed, State Minister of National Strategy, officially opened the 13th ANAPRI Annual Stakeholders Conference on 27 October 2026 at the Hyatt Regency in Addis Ababa, under the theme “Building Competitive Agrifood Economies: Policy, Trade, and Industrialization Pathways for Africa.”
In his welcoming remarks, H.E. Mr. Abase warmly welcomed participants to Ethiopia on behalf of the Ministry of National Strategy and emphasized that the conference addressed one of Africa’s most pressing development challenges: transforming the continent’s agricultural potential into competitive agrifood economies. He highlighted persistent constraints, including food insecurity, low productivity, high input costs, climate-related shocks, limited access to finance and technology, and difficulties accessing profitable markets. He stressed that Africa must move beyond producing and exporting raw commodities towards local processing, value addition, industrialization, employment creation, regional trade, technological innovation, and inclusive economic growth.
He underscored the importance of translating continental commitments, particularly the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme, the African Continental Free Trade Area, and the African Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan, into tangible improvements for farmers, businesses, and citizens. He emphasized that effective implementation requires credible evidence, strategic public expenditure, institutional coordination, predictable policies, and responsible private-sector investment. He also highlighted the importance of efficient logistics, reliable infrastructure, functioning markets, regional value chains, and stronger trade facilitation in building competitive agrifood economies.
Furthermore, H.E. Mr. Abase stressed the need to strengthen agricultural resilience in response to geopolitical tensions, international price volatility, climate change, and supply-chain disruptions. He noted that science, digital technologies, and artificial intelligence offer significant opportunities to improve agricultural forecasting, extension services, climate-risk analysis, market intelligence, and public investment, while emphasizing the need for inclusive and responsible technology governance that serves African priorities.
He called for a shared commitment among governments, research institutions, the private sector, development partners, and farmers’ organizations to advance Africa’s agrifood transformation. He emphasized that success should be measured not only by production and exports but also by improved livelihoods, job creation, stronger enterprises, food security, and sustainable use of natural resources. He encouraged participants to use the conference to identify practical policy priorities, strengthen research–policy linkages, deepen regional cooperation, promote inclusive technological innovation, and establish partnerships with measurable commitments. He concluded by wishing participants productive deliberations and a successful conference.