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By Daniel Adaji
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has called for increased climate finance to strengthen Africa’s food systems and secure the continent’s agricultural future.
Speaking at a COP30 side event during the Africa Food Systems Summit 2025 in Dakar, Senegal on Wednesday, Kyari said climate-smart approaches remain central to boosting food production, driving economic growth, and revolutionizing agriculture across Nigeria and the continent.
According to him, “the Nigeria food system requires climate-smart approaches such as resilient seeds, soil protection, water management, and clean energy use, among others.”
Highlighting Nigeria’s progress, the minister pointed to solar-powered irrigation, climate-resilient crop varieties, and integrated pasture systems as evidence of how innovation can improve resilience. He also cited the System of Rice Intensification, which “has doubled yields, increased farmer incomes, created over 30,000 jobs, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.”
In a statement on Wednesday, Kyari emphasised the importance of youth participation in agricultural transformation, referencing the Soilless Farm Lab in Nigeria, which integrates sustainable production with youth and women empowerment.
He also outlined Africa’s agricultural priorities, noting the need for “more climate finance for agriculture, stronger technology transfer, access to carbon credit markets, and robust partnerships to scale up innovations.”
The minister praised the African Development Bank (AfDB), Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), AIM4Scale, the Government of Brazil, CGIAR, Embrapa, FARA, the Gates Foundation, and partners from the United Arab Emirates for creating a platform to advance dialogue on agricultural sustainability.
The Africa Food Systems Summit 2025 brought together policymakers, development partners, and agricultural experts to chart pathways for food security amid growing climate challenges.