Highlights:

With its vast arable lands and youthful population, Africa holds the potential to not only ensure food security for its people but also play a crucial role in the global food system. However, the continent is still grappling with myriad challenges from climate change and infrastructural gaps to inadequate policies, which require proactive and innovative solutions.

The report’s in-depth assessment and stocktaking analysis of African food systems provides valuable insights into both the challenges and opportunities facing the region. With over 20 percent of the continent’s population (roughly 257 million people) undernourished, Africa bears the heaviest burden of malnutrition (FAO, 2022). Projections by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) indicate that Africa’s annual food imports will increase significantly by a factor of seven from USD 15 billion in 2018 to USD 110 billion by 2025 and by a factor of three from the current USD 43 billion (ECA, 2021).

The following recommendations are put forward.

Infrastructure development, from rural roads to storage facilities, can significantly reduce post-harvest losses and improve market access ensuring that farmers get better returns and consumers receive fresher produce. Fast-tracking the operationalization of AfCFTA will be a game-changer; by removing trade barriers, harmonizing standards, and facilitating intra-Africa trade, AfCFTA has the potential to trigger successful food systems transformation. When fully implemented, the AfCFTA is expected to increase intra-African trade by 53 percent, and Africa’s trade with the rest of the world by 15 percent.

Food systems transformation requires long-term public capital and traditional financing models should be complemented with innovative solutions such as agri-business bonds and green financing to drive investments into the agricultural sector and food systems at large.

This report calls for a strong commitment to research and development in agro-tech, sustainable farming practices, and other innovative solutions that can propel Africa to the forefront of global food production. All stakeholders in African food systems should promote systematic innovations for multiple wins such as productivity, nutrition, climate adaption and mitigation, and the inclusion of smallholders, women, youth, and other disadvantaged groups. Establishing platforms for knowledge sharing would allow African countries to learn from each other’s successes and challenges, accelerating transformation across the continent.

The adoption of digital tools, from mobile banking to precision agriculture, holds the promise to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and connect stakeholders throughout all food systems components. However, inadequate physical infrastructure, limited access to ICT, lack of relevant information, asymmetric benefits, absence of appropriate legislative and regulatory infrastructure, financial constraints, and data privacy issues are often highlighted as key concerns for the expanded digitization of food systems.

Striking a balance between productivity and sustainability is crucial; successful transformation of African food systems will require a critical focus on improving nutrition while ensuring that current environmental impacts are not exacerbated. Governments must develop and implement policies that incentivize sustainable and productive practices. For example, initiatives that promote sustainable agricultural practices and biofortification of crops can ensure both environmental health and nutritional adequacy.

Africa’s youthful population is its most significant asset. The potential to harness this demographic dividend is exciting but, without the necessary investments, a large and unproductive workforce could place an enormous burden on African food systems. Empowering the youth through education, skills training, and entrepreneurship opportunities in the agri-food sector will trigger innovative solutions and energetic leadership for the future.