African Union Adopts the Statute for the Establishment of a Continental Food Safety Agency to Address Critical Health and Trade Challenges
The African Union adopted the Regulations of the African Food Security Agency during the 38th State Assembly and the Ordinary Committee convened by the Heads of Government and the Government, taking a historic step to establish the African Food Safety Agency, which established the African Food Safety Agency on February 16, 2025 in Ethiopia, Ethiopia. This landmark constitutes a larger trade among African businesses within the scope of trade to protect the sustained scope of trade. Food under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA).
The upcoming African Food Safety Agency will become a professional and technical body of the African Union, committed to coordinating and coordinating the food safety policies, regulations and risk assessment frameworks of various member states. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the move is a disproportionate burden on Africa’s food biological disease, which affects 91 million people and kills 137,000 people a year, which is what the World Health Organization (WHO) says. The economic losses of unsafe food are equally shocking, with the World Bank estimated annual losses of $110 billion in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia due to losses in productivity and medical expenses.
African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat welcomed the adoption of the regulation, emphasizing that the transformative impact of establishing the African Food Safety Authority is an important milestone in Africa’s journey toward a more integrated and prosperous continent. The agency will play a key role in food safety standards across the continent, directly supporting the AFCFTA goals and promoting the goals of the 2063 Agenda.
“In the African Food Safety Agency, we have taken a decisive step towards changing the agro-food system. It will not only help protect public health, but will also promote intra-Africa trade by promoting coordination of food safety standards and supporting our member states to build strong food control systems.” Noting that he is Amb. Josefa Sacko, outgoing commissioner for agriculture, rural development, blue economy and sustainable environment.
The agency will establish a mainland food safety data center and rapid alert system to provide important support for managing food safety risks and emergencies. It will also coordinate food safety programs at the mainland level while supplementing and enhancing the food safety coordination functions of regional economic communities.
It is expected that its establishment will increase the competitiveness of African food and agricultural products by ensuring compliance with international food safety standards. This will help unlock new market opportunities, reduce trade barriers, and enhance consumer confidence in African food.
The African 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 improve food safety levels to protect public health, reduce disease outbreaks in food survival, and ensure sustainable food production systems.
The African Union Commission is tasked with rapidly tracking the operations of the African Food Safety Agency, including establishing structures and establishing a framework for working 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 operations of the African Food Safety Agency to ensure safe food becomes a priority for all African citizens.
Distributed by Apo Group on behalf of the African Union (AU).
