Proposed Roadmap for Integrating Opportunity Crops 2026–2035

Abstract

Africa's agrifood systems depend on a narrow range of staples, although the continent holds many indigenous crops with nutritional, climatic, cultural and economic value. Building on commitments from the 2003 Maputo and 2014 Malabo declarations, the 2013 Accra Statement, the Africa Manifesto on Forgotten Foods and the Kampala CAADP agenda, the roadmap aims to turn advocacy into coordinated, measurable action. Its vision is that, by 2035, identified opportunity crops are routinely conserved, improved, produced, traded, processed and consumed. Seven interlinked priorities run from conservation, research and seed delivery to value chains, policy and finance mainstreaming, capacity and coordinated delivery. Countries select crop portfolios against transparent criteria and review them every three years. Implementation runs in three phases: organize and prepare (2026–27), scale and validate (2028–30), and institutionalize and sustain (2031–35). A continental–regional–national coordination model uses existing mandates, with financing organized by portfolio rather than by isolated project. Progress is tracked through an annual continental scorecard and portfolio reviews in 2027, 2030 and 2035.