The Board Members of the Pan-African Farmers Organization (PAFO) recently paid a significant courtesy visit to the African Union Commission (AUC), where they were warmly welcomed by H.E. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Ph.D., Deputy Chairperson of the AUC. This high-level meeting marked a pivotal moment in efforts to strengthen strategic ties between the two entities to support sustainable agricultural development in Africa.
PAFO President Ibrahima Coulibaly expressed deep gratitude for the crucial role the AUC played in founding PAFO in 2010. He stressed that ongoing support from the African Union is vital for addressing urgent challenges faced by African farmers, including access to finance, climate resilience, and market access. He cited the devastating recent floods in Mali as a stark reminder of the growing climate threats that require concerted action.
The envisioned collaboration between PAFO and the AUC is both strategic and practical. Coulibaly advocated for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a formal framework for resource mobilization. This would empower PAFO to achieve its objectives and continue its mission to advocate for farmers’ interests across the continent. The partnership would enable the transformation of Africa’s agricultural systems, ensuring that smallholder farmers have better access to financial resources, climate innovations, and improved value chains.
In response, Dr. Nsanzabaganwa acknowledged PAFO’s critical role as the collective voice of African farmers, who represent the majority of the continent’s workforce. She reaffirmed the AUC’s commitment to work closely with PAFO to enhance food and nutrition security in Africa. She also emphasized that the MoU would be a priority and underscored the importance of building resilient agricultural systems to meet climate challenges.
This meeting represents a major advancement in strengthening synergies between PAFO and the African Union, paving the way for initiatives that will transform Africa’s agricultural sector into a pillar of economic and social development.