Unpacking the 2023 Africa agriculture assessment report

The recently launched Africa Agriculture assessment report at the AGRF 23 Forum has shed light on the structural faults within the continent's food systems, as well as the vulnerabilities and advantages presented by the AfCFTA and the demographic dividend. The report emphasizes the need for holistic changes to empower Africa's food system for the future. In a conversation with CNBC Africa, John Ulimwengu, Lead Researcher of the report, discussed the key areas that need to be addressed to drive transformation in Africa's agriculture sector. One of the primary issues highlighted was the critical role of government policies in shaping the food system. Ulimwengu emphasized the importance of policies related to land access and seed management, as they form the foundation for any food system transformation. He pointed out that many African countries lack adequate policy reforms in these areas, leading to challenges in financial security and productivity. Additionally, Ulimwengu stressed the need for government support in infrastructure development, energy investment, and creating an enabling environment for private sector participation in agriculture. He highlighted the significance of multi-stakeholder collaboration involving the government, private sector, development agencies, and NGOs to drive comprehensive changes in the food system. The report also underscored the paradox of Africa's heavy reliance on food imports despite possessing a significant amount of agricultural land. Ulimwengu pointed out that Africa currently imports 80% of processed food, leading to a substantial annual expenditure on agricultural goods. Without intervention, this trend is projected to escalate, with Africa potentially spending up to $200 billion on imports by 2030. The key challenge identified in the report is the lack of processing facilities in Africa's food system, resulting in a disconnect between raw agricultural produce and processed food demand. Ulimwengu emphasized the critical role of value addition in transforming Africa's agriculture sector and reducing dependency on imports. He highlighted the need for value addition to be a central focus of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to facilitate intra-Africa trade and promote food processing capabilities. The report aligns with the Malabo commitment to triple intra-Africa trade in agriculture by 2025, emphasizing the need for concerted efforts to eliminate trade barriers and enhance market access for farmers across the continent. Ulimwengu emphasized the potential of the AfCFTA to drive market integration and create opportunities for agricultural growth and development. As Africa navigates the complexities of its food systems, the insights from the 2023 Agriculture Assessment Report provide a roadmap for policymakers, stakeholders, and farmers to collaborate towards building a more sustainable and resilient food system for the continent.