Addis Ababa–
Agency to Address Critical Health and Trade Challenges
The African Union has taken a historic step towards enhancing food safety across the continent with the adoption of the statute for the establishment of the Africa Food Safety Agency during the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 16 February 2025.
This landmark decision marks a significant advancement in the continent’s commitment to protecting consumer health, strengthening Africa’s food safety governance and facilitating trade in safe food products under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The soon to be established Africa Food Safety Agency will serve as a Specialized
Technical Institution of the Africa Union, dedicated to coordinating and harmonizing food safety policies, regulations, and risk assessment frameworks across Member States.
This move is in response to Africa’s disproportionate burden of foodborne illnesses, which affects 91 million people and results in 137,000 deaths annually—one-third of the global mortality due to foodborne diseases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The economic toll of unsafe food is equally staggering, with the World Bank
estimating losses of $110 billion annually in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia due to lost productivity and medical costs.
H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, welcomes the adoption of the Statute, emphasizing the transformative impact of the establishment of the Africa Food Safety Agency as a crucial milestone in Africa’s journey towards a more integrated and prosperous continent. This institution will play a pivotal role in
harmonizing food safety standards across the continent, directly supporting AfCFTA objectives and advancing the goals of Agenda 2063.
“With the Africa Food Safety Agency, we are taking a decisive step towards transforming our agri-food systems. It will not only help protect public health but will also boost intra- African trade by facilitating the harmonization of food safety standards and supporting
our Member States in building robust food control systems.” noted H.E. Amb. Josefa Sacko, the outgoing Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment.
The Agency will establish a continental food safety data hub and rapid alert system, providing critical support to Member States in managing food safety risks and emergencies. It will also coordinate food safety initiatives at the continental level while complementing and strengthening the food safety coordination function of Regional
Economic Communities.
Its establishment is expected to boost the competitiveness of Africa’s food and
agricultural products by ensuring compliance with international food safety standards.This will be instrumental in unlocking new market opportunities, reducing trade barriers, and enhancing consumer confidence in African food products.
The Africa Food Safety Agency will also work closely with AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the private sector, research institutions, the ACFTA Secretariat and international partners to raise food safety levels to safeguard public health, reduce foodborne disease outbreaks, and ensure sustainable food production
systems.
The African Union Commission has been tasked with fast-tracking the operationalization of the Africa Food Safety Agency, including putting in place structures and establishing
frameworks working together with Member States and partners.
As Africa embarks on this transformative journey, the AU calls on all stakeholders—
including governments, development partners, and the private sector—to support the operationalization of the Africa Food Safety Agency which would ensure that safe food becomes a priority for all African citizens.
This strategy will create a highly beneficial Landmark in maintaining Food security, Food safety while overcoming Food Scarcity in alignments to ensure Healthy food consumption.
Thank you for the comment.
This program will go a long way in overcoming Food challenges in terms of Preventing Food Borne Illness
It will also cater for Economic Development in the State in terms of providing Qualitative Food Products that grants more profitable sales due to its wholesomeness, stable shelf quality.
It will also allow for improved manpower as a result qualitative healthy food consumption and provision of unique consumer protection.
Thus Food Safety, Food hygiene Food security prevent Food Scarcity help to prevent outbreak of Food Borne illness and thus pave way to improving Public Health Care and Nutritional Sustainability of the nation and the African Union at large.
Thank you for the comment. We’ll appreciated.