Three major initiatives launched over the last decade have significantly contributed to the development of agriculture in Africa. The theme of the 2025 Annual Meetings, “Making Africa’s Capital Work Better for Africa’s Development,” is exemplified by the agricultural sector’s transformation. Flagship initiatives, including Agricultural Hubs, the Emergency Food Aid Programme, and the Dakar 2 Commitments, have demonstrated how mobilizing resources effectively can drive development across the continent.
Agricultural consolidation has traditionally been an informal process, but new initiatives have brought structure and efficiency. The 2PAI-Bélier project, for instance, has improved production, transportation, and marketing for farmers in Côte d’Ivoire. Agricultural consolidation centers established under this initiative have enhanced the commercialization of agricultural products, providing a platform for producers, buyers, and consumers. This model is expanding to other countries, including Guinea, Mali, Madagascar, Senegal, Togo, and Ethiopia, creating unexpected opportunities for small producers. In Nigeria, the program has facilitated production and marketing of cocoa, rice, cassava, and tomatoes across seven states.
To enhance agricultural productivity and competitiveness while reducing logistics costs, the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) initiative was launched. With an investment of $1.1 billion and co-financing from partners such as the Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, Afreximbank, the EU, and EXIM Bank Korea, this initiative has established 27 special zones across 13 countries. These zones are envisioned as key instruments in tackling food insecurity, transforming Africa into a food and agriculture industrial powerhouse, and supporting regional and international trade in agricultural products.
In response to disruptions in the global food supply following geopolitical tensions, a rapid emergency facility was established to sustain food security in Africa. The African Emergency Food Production Facility, with $1.5 billion in funding, has provided small-scale farmers in 33 countries with certified seeds, fertilizers, and agricultural inputs. The impact has been substantial, as demonstrated in Burundi, where farmers have achieved remarkable maize production increases, thanks to the combination of local administrative support and externally funded projects.
Across Senegal, Guinea, and Djibouti, this initiative has helped small farmers boost their yields, ensuring food security and economic stability in their communities.
The use of advanced agricultural technologies has become essential for Africa’s agricultural growth. The launch of the “Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation” (TAAT) program in 2018 mobilized financial and private-sector investments to enhance agricultural productivity and support climate-smart infrastructure. This program was a precursor to the Dakar 2 “Feed Africa” Summit held in January 2023, where leaders from 34 African countries committed to increasing national budget allocations for agriculture. These commitments align with the Malabo Declaration, which calls for allocating at least 10 percent of public expenditure to agriculture to drive growth and prosperity.
The agricultural hubs, emergency food production facility, and national compacts illustrate how Africa can harness its resources for sustainable development. By leveraging its natural resources through agro-industrial processing zones, investing in human capital by providing technical support to farmers, and optimizing financial resources through public and private partnerships, Africa is advancing towards long-term structural transformation.
These efforts have resulted in more efficient value chains, increased productivity, and improved food resilience. This integrated approach highlights Africa’s ability to take control of its agricultural and food future, fostering an inclusive and sustainable development model. Moving forward, continued efforts under a long-term strategy for 2024-2033 will ensure that these achievements are sustained and expanded, reinforcing agriculture’s role as a driver of economic growth and food security across the continent.
