Former President Goodluck Jonathan has challenged African governments to move beyond policy declarations on agriculture and take concrete steps capable of delivering higher productivity, food security, jobs and prosperity.
Jonathan, who serves as Goodwill Ambassador for Agricultural Technology at the African Agricultural Technology Foundation, spoke at an investors forum in Kigali on the sidelines of the African Food Systems Forum.
The wider gathering brought together thousands of participants from more than 50 countries under the theme Investing in Africa’s Agri-Food Systems.
Jonathan said African leaders had already made major commitments through continental frameworks such as the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme and the Malabo Declaration.
He argued that the challenge was no longer defining ambition but financing and implementing programmes at sufficient scale.
According to him, three elements were essential: proven technology, patient capital and commercialization capable of connecting innovation with markets and farmers.
Jonathan said Africa’s future in food security, industrialization, youth employment and climate resilience depended heavily on agricultural performance.
He warned that food systems were under pressure from climate shocks, population growth, weak storage and processing infrastructure and limited economic opportunities for young people.
The former president called for stronger cooperation among governments, research institutions, farmers, investors, the private sector and development partners.
He also urged African countries to create incentives that would encourage more young people to invest in agriculture and food systems.
Jonathan said technology needed to move beyond laboratories and pilot projects into farmers’ fields.
He argued that sustained investment in agriculture could create jobs, raise incomes and reduce food insecurity.
The former president commended AATF for its work in expanding access to agricultural technologies and improving the policy environment for innovation.
He said the organization’s next decade should focus both on scaling proven solutions and developing the next generation of technologies.
Jonathan urged investors to regard themselves as long-term partners in Africa’s agricultural transformation rather than simply participants at a conference.
He said the continent had already articulated the vision and now needed capital, implementation and measurable outcomes.
