ACO Takes Active Part in Continental Debates on the Future of Biodigital Technologies and Agroecology in Addis Ababa

From October 1 to 6, 2025, the African Consumers Organization (ACO) played an active role in the continental discussions on “The Future of Biodigital Technologies in Africa’s Food and Agriculture Systems”, which culminated in the adoption of a Pan-African Declaration on the same theme. Held in Addis Ababa, these high-level meetings brought together experts, researchers, government representatives, and civil society organizations to debate the sustainable transformation of Africa’s food systems.

The AOC delegation, led by its Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel SOGADJI, took an active part in sessions addressing the governance of biodigital technologies and food sovereignty. Dr. Sogadji’s intervention focused on the key role of consumer organizations in protecting citizens against the ethical, environmental, and health challenges arising from the rapid spread of new agricultural technologies.

At the conclusion of the sessions, Dr. SOGADJI was elected Co-Chair of the Land and Agroecology Working Group, alongside Barrister Miriamm, a renowned Nigerian lawyer and expert in land rights and agroecological law. This appointment serves as continent-wide recognition of AOC’s leadership and commitment to promoting agricultural policies that are both nature-friendly and people-centered.
The AOC’s participation in this strategic gathering aligns perfectly with its core mission: advocating for safe, sustainable, and culturally appropriate food systems for African consumers. Through its continued engagement, the organization reaffirms its crucial role within the continental bodies that shape Africa’s food future.

One of the highlights of the event was the renewal of the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) Board of Directors, a leading panafrican network of which AOC is an active member and strategic partner. The General Assembly, also held in Addis Ababa, elected Reverend Tolbert Thomas Jallah Jr., a Liberian faith leader and Executive Director of the Faith and Justice Network in the Mano River Basin, as the new AFSA Board Chairperson. A respected figure in social justice and sustainable development advocacy, he succeeds Hakim Baliraine, Chairperson of ESAFF-Uganda, under whose leadership AFSA made significant progress advancing agroecology and food sovereignty across the continent.

The Assembly further appointed a new leadership team, including Ms. Anne Maina (Kenya), re-elected as Secretary-General, and Ms. Elizabeth Atangana (Cameroon), newly elected as Treasurer. In addition, Gabriel Manyangadze (Zimbabwe) and Elizabeth Atangana joined the board as new members, while Amadou Kanouté (Senegal, CICODEV), Joyce Brown Enewene (Nigeria, HOMEF), Hakim Baliraine (Uganda, ESAFF), and Anne Maina (Kenya, BIBA) were re-elected for a second term. This new board reflects AFSA’s regional and thematic diversity while ensuring both continuity and renewal in advancing its vision of a self-sufficient, resilient, and sovereign Africa.

Responding to his election, the new AFSA Chairperson Reverend Jallah expressed optimism about the organization’s direction. “AFSA has become the true voice of the African people,” he said. “Our strength lies in our unity, and this new leadership will take the movement to even greater heights – deeply rooted in African realities, guided by the wisdom of our farmers, elders, and youth.”

He further reaffirmed his commitment to building on the legacy of his predecessors by strengthening solidarity among civil society actors, local communities, and regional institutions. Under his leadership, AFSA aims to amplify its role as the continental voice for farmers, consumers, and agroecology advocates while deepening the Pan-African dialogue for a just, sustainable food system rooted in human dignity.
It is also worth noting that Mr. Amadou Kanouté, a member of ACO’s Board of Directors, was re-elected to serve on the new AFSA Board, representing CICODEV, which is also a member of AFSA. His continued service demonstrates renewed confidence in the expertise and contributions of consumer movement leaders to the governance of continental food systems.

For AOC, this dual role both institutional and technical within AFSA and its working groups represents a major step forward, enhancing its ability to influence agricultural, environmental, and food governance policies across Africa from a consumer-centered perspective.
Beyond the leadership appointments, ACO’s participation in shaping the Pan-African Declaration on Biodigital Technologies reflects its commitment to promoting African-led solutions founded on science, but equally respectful of community rights, local knowledge, and cultural heritage.
In Dr. Sogadji’s words: “This Pan-African dynamic must restore citizens' confidence in their food systems, promote agroecology as a foundation of sovereignty, and strengthen transparency in managing agricultural innovations. The future truly depends on what and how we consume.”
AOC therefore reaffirms its unwavering commitment to building an Africa where consumers are informed, empowered, and protected. The organization remains dedicated to advancing the collective work initiated in Addis Ababa alongside AFSA and other continental networks to build a fairer, more sustainable, and inclusive food future for all.