to discuss an initiative on joint follow-up support for country Roundtable processes of NEPAD’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and to ensure the smooth flow of resources committed to countries.

Other members of the NEPAD team were the coordinator for agricultural input markets development programme, Dr Maria Wanzala, and strategic land management specialist Martin Bwalya.

It was noted during the meeting that to ensure activities were on-going in countries that had launched the CAADP process and in the case of Rwanda, signed the CAADP Compact, a joint follow-up support team be set up to monitor, evaluate and advise on the processes.

Further it was realised that there is a need :

to internalise the CAADP principles and approaches in the countries in the COMESA region ;

to provide expert input on various technical issues to include public expenditure reviews ;

to align the CAADP agenda to national and international commitments.

Mr. Mwencha said the joint follow-up teams would ensure that programmes were being followed. He suggested that a work plan be initiated to include countries in the region as well as to liaise with donors, and he emphasised the importance of advocacy work on CAADP.

“We always sell CAADP as a NEPAD-driven agenda and that we are merely implementing it. I am happy that the CAADP is doing so well,” said Mr. Mwencha.

Professor Mkandawire said he appreciated the need to have regular follow-ups in countries that have launched the CAADP process and highlighted the importance of involving donors in the CAADP. Source : NEPAD, june 15, 2007