By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
Ambassador Ali Mohamed, Kenya’s Special Envoy for Climate Change, has called for urgent and practical action to link food and nutrition security with climate adaptation efforts across Africa. He made the remarks at a high-level breakfast meeting held in Nairobi to commemorate Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security 2025, under the theme “Commemorating Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security with a Climate Lens: Lessons from ACS2 and Pathways to COP30.”
The event, hosted by the Office of the Climate Envoy in collaboration with Oxfam in Africa, SDG2 Advocacy Hub, Resilient40, and the Horn of Africa Youth Network, brought together leading voices from the food, agriculture, and climate sectors. The discussions focused on strategies to accelerate action ahead of COP30, which will take place in Belém, Brazil.
Ambassador Mohamed emphasized the urgency of ensuring that climate adaptation measures directly support Africa’s smallholder farmers, who remain the backbone of the continent’s food systems. “Access to finance for smallholder farmers must be made fair, affordable, and accessible,” he stated, stressing that the continent must take ownership of its development narrative.
“We are challenging the rules that work against us. Africa is no longer waiting for permission; we are shaping the conversation,” he said.
The Envoy also highlighted the importance of investing in agricultural research and innovation to address the growing challenges posed by climate change, including rising temperatures, shifting pests, and soil acidification. He pointed to forest conservation and reforestation as key strategies for soil regeneration and long-term food systems stability.
Ambassador Mohamed further urged that Africa move beyond capacity-building exercises to implementation, calling for tangible, on-the-ground action. “The time for endless workshops is over. We need practical, transformative action, from the ground up,” he asserted.
As Africa prepares for the upcoming AU–EU meeting in Angola, the continent will continue to advocate for equitable standards, fair market access, and climate-aligned financing that acknowledges both its vulnerability and its immense potential in shaping a sustainable global food future.
