24th ordinary session of the African Union executive council: statement by Carlos Lopes UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ECA

Abstract

Statement by Carlos Lopes UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ECA on the 24th ordinary session of the African Union executive council. The gap between supply and demand for African consumers is huge. The demand for food and agricultural products is increasing dramatically. The need to meet this demand will also be answered by strengthening Africa’s nascent agribusiness and agro-industry sectors. Food security is important but years of investment through FDI did not allow African farmers to leap into a green revolution or countries to reduce their import bill. Africans continue to buy yoghurts or milk from Europe.