Addis ababa: The African Union Commission (AUC) has reaffirmed that China and Africa are eager to strengthen their cooperation in agriculture, science, and technology to accelerate growth and ensure food sovereignty across the continent.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, AU Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, remarked that China-Africa collaboration has played a vital role in advancing African agriculture and innovation for sustainable development. The commissioner made these comments during the Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Alliance Conference held in Addis Ababa, which focused on advancing agriculture through technology, innovation, market development, and value chain enhancement to bolster China-Africa partnerships.
Prof. Banyankimbona emphasized the need for deeper cooperation to leverage China's expertise in modern farming, digital technologies, and water management. Such collaboration aligns with the AU's Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA 2025-2034) and Agenda 2063.
Delivering a message on behalf of Ethiopia's Minister of Agriculture, Addisu Arega, Efa Muleta highlighted Ethiopia's remarkable progress in 2025, driven by strong political commitment and leadership. He noted that the country's transformation efforts stem from the Ten-Year Development Plan (2021-2030), the Homegrown Economic Reform II, and the AU's Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).
Efa also recalled Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's flagship initiatives, including the Green Legacy Initiative, which has planted over 40 billion trees; the National Irrigated Wheat Self-Sufficiency Program; and the Yelemat Tirufat Initiative. These initiatives have contributed to an average agricultural productivity growth of 6.8 percent annually, making Ethiopia Sub-Saharan Africa's largest wheat producer and a model for agricultural transformation.
Prof. Lise Korsten, President of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS), praised the Alliance's role in fostering innovation through Sino-African cooperation, describing it as crucial for achieving food security. She noted that the forum provides a platform to assess sectoral challenges and unlock pathways toward sustainable development.
Ambassador Jiang Feng of the Chinese Mission to the African Union highlighted agricultural modernization as a cornerstone of national development, noting China's shift from traditional aid to sustainable development cooperation with Africa. He cited Africa's vast untapped arable land and youthful workforce as major assets, emphasizing the importance of embracing digital technologies and smart farming equipment.
He recalled that China has implemented zero tariffs on agricultural products from 53 African countries and established 20 agricultural technology centers across Africa, benefiting more than one million smallholder farmers.
Abebe Haile Gabriel, Assistant Director-General of the FAO for Africa, described China-Africa South-South Cooperation as a strategic lever for transforming African agriculture. He noted that the partnership has yielded tangible results, including increased rice yields, improved pest management, digital farming adoption, and enhanced livelihoods for smallholder farmers.
He concluded that given Africa's ongoing challenges, including low productivity, fragmented value chains, and limited market access, renewed and results-oriented cooperation with China is essential to open new horizons for food production and security.