New Partnership for Africa's Development

The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) is a program of the African Union (AU) adopted in Lusaka, Zambia in 2001.  NEPAD, which is led by African leaders, aims to pursue new priorities and approaches to the political and socio-economic transformation of Africa.  Its objective is to enhance Africa's growth, development and participation in the global economy.  To fast-track development, NEPAD’s agriculture and food security program focuses on helping African countries improve economic growth through agriculture-led development.  Specifically, NEPAD aims to ensure that smallholder farmers – the majority of Africans – get better access to markets, finance and technical support, in order to improve their income and get out of poverty.  The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) framework guides NEPAD’s program.