How Africa is Transforming Agriculture to Meet Modern Challenges

In 2024, African nations demonstrated their resilience and ingenuity by revolutionizing their agricultural sectors to address modern challenges. Tanzania emerged as a leader in this movement, achieving remarkable growth in productivity and farmer incomes. This transformation is part of a broader, continent-wide trend driven by strategic reforms, innovative technologies, and significant investments aimed at enhancing food security and economic development.

Tanzania set an example by turning obstacles into opportunities amidst challenges like climate change and global supply chain disruptions. The introduction of subsidized fertilizers, high-quality seeds, and comprehensive training programs significantly improved crop yields and quality. One pivotal innovation was the Tanzania Mercantile Exchange PLC (TMX), a digital platform connecting farmers to international markets, ensuring transparent pricing, and reducing reliance on middlemen. Government investment in Tanzanian agriculture surged by 230%, with the budget increasing from TZS 294 billion in 2021 to TZS 1.25 trillion in 2024. These funds supported critical irrigation projects, advanced technologies, and digital tools such as the Data for Digital Agricultural Transformation Joint Programme.

Tanzania’s achievements are mirrored across Africa. In Benin, the ambitious “farm to fashion” initiative is transforming the cotton industry, aiming to quintuple manufacturing capacity by 2030. By retaining value addition within the country, this €550 million project is driving economic and social benefits. In Malawi, AI-powered advisory tools like Ulangizi provide personalized agricultural advice in local languages, helping farmers adapt to climate challenges and improve productivity. Nigeria, undergoing major economic reforms, is stabilizing its currency and promoting non-oil growth to create a more favorable environment for agriculture.

Continental initiatives like the African Agricultural Transformation Initiative (AATI) are fostering inclusive agricultural development through strategy operationalization and flagship implementations. Similarly, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has doubled yields for millions of smallholder farmers in 11 countries, enhancing food security and rural livelihoods. Across the continent, countries are diversifying their crop portfolios to reduce dependency on imports and ensure food security. Tanzania, for instance, has seen regions like Mtwara channel increased cashew revenues into education and infrastructure. The Kagera, Kilimanjaro, and Mbeya regions lead in banana cultivation, accounting for over 70% of national output. In Mali, projects like Socco-Agro-Business are transforming underutilized land into productive farms, creating jobs and empowering communities.

Holistic approaches have been key to Africa’s agricultural transformation. Investments in research and pest control by institutions like the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), the deployment of extension officers, and innovations in value chain retention strategies in Benin exemplify the continent’s commitment to sustainable development. Technologies like rainwater harvesting and irrigation infrastructure are also critical to overcoming dependency on rain-fed agriculture. Private sector participation remains pivotal for fostering innovation and creating employment opportunities in agro-industries.

Looking ahead, Africa’s agricultural future shines brightly. The Draft National Development Vision 2050 positions agriculture as the cornerstone of Tanzania’s economic transformation, while pan-African programs like AATI and post-harvest management initiatives highlight the continent’s potential for sustainable agricultural systems. These efforts reaffirm Africa’s commitment to leveraging agriculture as a catalyst for economic growth, food security, and global leadership in resilience and innovation.