
At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, PAFO played a key role in advocating for equitable climate finance and sustainable transformation of Africa’s food systems. Through its involvement in several key strategic events, PAFO highlighted the vital role of farmers’ organisations in adapting to climate change, ensuring food security and driving agricultural development.
The organisation made it clear that the core issue at this year’s COP was one of finance, calling for targeted investment to support African farmers and increase the resilience of agriculture across the continent.
Farmers’ Organizations: Agents of Change

One of the highlights of PAFO’s participation was a side event it co-organized with AUDA-NEPAD, the G7, and ECDPM. Titled “Mainstreaming Climate Action into African Food Systems for Enhanced Resilience,” the session explored practical solutions to address challenges in agriculture. Discussions revolved around improving food security, developing agricultural infrastructure, and promoting intra-African trade.
“Farmers’ organizations have the power to transform agriculture,” said Dr. Babafemi Oyewole, PAFO’s CEO. The event emphasized the importance of inclusive policies and targeted investments to support farmers in their dual role as guardians of climate resilience and key contributors to a sustainable future. PAFO strongly advocated for increased climate financing for agriculture, highlighting its necessity in ensuring Africa’s food systems are secure and resilient.
Dr. Oyewole also stressed that farmers’ organizations must be actively involved in decision-making processes and that climate funds should be distributed equitably.
Family Farmers: Cornerstones of Climate Resilience
On November 18, PAFO turned the spotlight on family farmers, who account for 80% of global food production but receive only 0.3% of international climate funding. During a discussion hosted at the Action on FoodHub, participants explored ways to better support family farmers by mobilizing targeted funding to protect their land rights, build stronger partnerships, and ensure their inclusion in critical decision-making processes. Family farmers, among the most vulnerable to the climate crisis, often lack access to the financial tools necessary to strengthen their resilience. PAFO highlighted this gap, calling for urgent action to secure their future and ensure that their essential role in global food systems is protected.

Making Climate Finance Work for Farmers
On 19 November, PAFO participated in a joint event with the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO), the World Rural Forum (WRF), the Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development. The session, entitled “Making Climate Finance Work for Farmers: Practical Experiences and Solutions“, focused on innovative approaches to empower farmers in the face of climate change. The event showcased local solutions and financial tools designed to support resilient agriculture, and provided actionable insights on how to make climate finance more accessible and effective for African farmers.

An Urgent Call for Action
One of PAFO’s key messages, on PAFO’s Call To Action, at COP29 in its Call to Action was to underline the urgency of fair climate finance for African farmers, especially family farmers. PAFO called for greater financial mobilisation to support these key food producers, who are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, but who play a central role in global food security. The inclusion of family farmers in climate finance processes and their integration into public policies is essential to ensure the sustainability of agriculture in Africa.

PAFO at COP29 : Amplifying African Farmers’ Voices
Represented by its Executive Secretary, Dr. Babafemi Oyewole, and backed by a dedicated delegation from its member networks, PAFO made the most of its presence at COP29 to bring the challenges of African farmers to the forefront.
From engaging policymakers to collaborating with financial institutions and development partners, PAFO amplified its calls for targeted action to address the specific vulnerabilities faced by family farmers in Africa. Through its leadership and commitment, PAFO continues to demonstrate its resolve to support farmers in overcoming the challenges posed by climate change while paving the way for a sustainable agricultural future.

Through strategic discussions and exchanges with international organisations and development partners, PAFO highlighted the specific challenges facing African farmers, particularly in terms of food security and climate resilience.

Showcasing Climate-Smart Agriculture
On Food, Agriculture, and Water Day, the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF) and the Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA), with the support of the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance and the Pan African Farmers Organization (PAFO), released a report presenting ten case studies on climate-smart agriculture (CSA) initiatives led by farmers across Africa.
The case studies presented were selected from different regions of Africa, representing nine different countries (two studies were selected from Rwanda), and illustrating innovative practices that integrate traditional knowledge with scientific expertise in agricultural resilience and coping with local climate challenges. The case studies demonstrate how collaboration with NGOs and local communities can yield effective and scalable solutions.
Through its active engagement at COP29, PAFO reaffirmed its leadership and unwavering commitment to sustainable agriculture in Africa. The organisation continues to advocate for practical solutions, effective partnerships and inclusive policies that put farmers and farmer organisations at the centre of climate action, ensuring that African agriculture not only survives but thrives in the face of the growing challenges of climate change.
