According to African Development Bank (AfDB), Africa holds nearly 65% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, yet imports close to 70 billion dollars worth of food annually. Africa’s agricultural output has grown at 4.3% annually since 2000, the fastest rate globally. This statistic carries a powerful implication: the continent is no longer merely a source of raw commodities but is emerging as a genuine force in agribusiness.Yet production growth alone does not constitute leadership. The question is whether Africa can convert its agricultural momentum into sustained, innovation-driven value creation.According to African Development Bank (AfDB), Africa holds nearly 65% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, yet imports close to 70 billion dollars worth of food annually. This paradox is not merely an indictment it is an economic signal. The intra-African market for agricultural goods is beginning to respond. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has the potential to unlock fertilizer trade and reduce supply chain vulnerabilities by moving production from hubs in North Africa to high-demand agricultural regions elsewhere on the continent. The framework for regional integration exists. What is needed is implementation at scale.The numbers reveal both progress and peril. Agricultural value-added accounts for roughly 17% of Africa’s GDP, down marginally from 18% in 2020...
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