Africa possesses immense agricultural potential, boasting nearly half of the world’s arable land and a climate ideal for global food production. Despite these natural advantages, its share of global agricultural exports is shockingly low. The continent’s path to becoming an agribusiness powerhouse is being blocked by critical challenges, including a severe lack of financing and weak policies. However, a decisive four-part reform strategy can reverse this trend. By improving farmers’ access to capital, formalizing land rights to unlock investment, designing targeted cross-border trade policies, and using strategic tariffs to encourage local processing, Africa can fundamentally transform its agricultural sector. If adopted, these changes could drive growth, improve competitiveness, and reposition Africa within global value chains.
The Conversation
