The 2025 General Assembly of the China-Africa Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Alliance (CAASTIA) commenced on Monday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with a keen focus on bolstering cooperation for Africa’s food security and agricultural modernization. The event, co-organized by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, African Academy of Sciences, and the Mission of China to the African Union (AU), brought together over 200 scientists, policymakers, and representatives from agricultural institutions across China and Africa.
President of the African Academy of Sciences Lise Korsten highlighted China’s remarkable journey in agricultural modernization, citing intensive cultivation, developed value chains, and breakthroughs in digital agriculture as invaluable experiences for Africa. She noted that China feeds nearly 20 percent of the global population with less than 9 percent of the world’s arable land, a stark contrast to Africa’s food insecurity despite being home to 60 percent of the world’s uncultivated arable land. Korsten emphasized the need for a balanced partnership that merges Africa’s untapped potential with China’s proven innovations to build a resilient global food system.
Jiang Feng, head of the Chinese Mission to the AU, reiterated China’s commitment to sharing its agricultural development and rural poverty reduction experiences with African countries. He pointed out that the current agricultural technological revolution, driven by biotechnology, digital technology, and intelligent equipment, presents new opportunities for China and Africa to enhance agricultural productivity and tackle global challenges. Jiang also announced a zero-tariff policy by the Chinese government for all tariff items from 53 African countries with diplomatic relations with China, aiming to boost African agricultural products’ access to the Chinese market.
Gaspard Banyankimbona, AU commissioner for education, science, technology, and innovation, underscored the potential for China and Africa to collaborate on developing climate-resilient crops, sustainable soil and water management systems, early warning tools for pests and extreme weather, and a digital platform to empower smallholder farmers across the continent. He emphasized that the China-Africa alliance serves as an ideal vehicle to promote joint research in climate-smart agriculture, animal and plant health, agro-ecology, food safety, technology transfer, and capacity development.
The implications of this cooperation are significant. By leveraging China’s technological advancements and Africa’s vast arable land, the partnership aims to address food insecurity and promote agricultural modernization. The shift from aid-based assistance to sustainable, capacity-building partnerships is expected to foster long-term growth and development. Moreover, the zero-tariff policy is poised to enhance trade relations, benefiting both African farmers and Chinese consumers. The collaboration also underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing global challenges such as climate change and food security.