Key Investments Needed to Strengthen Africa’s Agricultural Sector

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The transformation of Africa’s food systems is essential for meeting the continent’s hunger eradication goals, requiring ongoing investments in quality seeds, technology, post-harvest storage, and value addition, as stated by senior officials from the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Akinwumi Adesina, the AfDB President, highlighted that investing in agriculture could propel Africa into a new era of industrial growth, food security, and competitiveness in global exports. Speaking at the conclusion of the high-level conference, “Scaling Finance for Smallholder Farmers in Africa,” in Nairobi, he urged governments and the private sector to seize the substantial investment opportunities in agriculture to drive economic growth and job creation.

Africa’s agricultural sector is predominantly subsistence-based, with over 70% of farming operations categorised as such. Realising the sector’s full potential requires a coordinated strategy that combines public and private investments in production, storage, agro-processing, and marketing. Adesina noted that the AfDB is prioritising funding for proven agricultural technologies, improving access to vital inputs like fertilisers and better seeds, and implementing capacity-building initiatives to enhance the resilience and productivity of smallholder farmers.

Beth Dunford, AfDB Vice President for Agriculture, Human, and Social Development, stressed the need for new investments to address ongoing challenges in Africa’s food systems, such as limited access to quality seeds, adverse weather, post-harvest losses, and market volatility. She called for strong public-private partnerships to encourage investment in agriculture, strengthen resilience to climate change, and secure sustainable incomes for rural farmers.

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The two-day forum, organized by the Kenyan government in partnership with the AfDB and the Pan-African Farmers Organization, gathered nearly 300 participants, including senior policymakers, industry leaders, donors, innovators, entrepreneurs, and farmers’ advocacy groups. Their discussions highlighted the critical need for Africa to leverage innovative financial solutions and policy frameworks to transform its agricultural sector.

As the continent works to combat food insecurity and enhance agricultural productivity, strategic investments in infrastructure, technology, and market access will be crucial for shaping its economic future.