1. Criticality of Food Insecurity in Africa
The food insecurity situation in Africa is extremely critical and continues to deteriorate, which stands in stark contrast to the improving trends observed globally. (i) Scale of the Crisis: In 2024, more than 295 million people faced acute hunger worldwide, with Africa identified as a primary epicenter of this crisis. According to a separate United Nations report from the same year, over 20% of Africa’s population—totaling 307 million people—were affected by hunger. (ii) Deteriorating Trends: While global hunger rates are declining, hunger in most African subregions continues to rise. Projections indicate that by 2030, nearly 60% of the world’s chronically undernourished population will reside in Africa, signaling a growing concentration of need on the continent. (iii) Severity and Recent Developments: Highlighting the gravity of the situation, famine was officially confirmed in Sudan in 2024—the first such declaration on the African continent since 2020. This underscores the depth and urgency of the food insecurity crisis facing Africa today.
2. Most Urgent Priority for Food Security
The most urgent priority for achieving food security in Africa is to build robust, systemic climate resilience while fundamentally transforming food production and value chains across the continent. This calls for a holistic and integrated strategy, especially as African agriculture remains predominantly rain-fed and acutely vulnerable to climate variability and shocks. Key actions include: (i) Expanding Agrifood Output: Substantial investments are needed in climate-smart agricultural practices, modern irrigation systems, high-quality and climate-resilient seed varieties, and greater access to technology and farmer training. Scaling up resilient approaches—such as drought-tolerant crops and sustainable water management—will help mitigate the impacts of adverse weather, boost productivity, and safeguard livelihoods. (ii) Minimizing Post-Harvest Losses: Significant food losses persist due to inadequate storage, inefficient transportation, and limited processing capacity. Addressing these gaps requires upgrading supply chain infrastructure, implementing innovative storage solutions, and empowering farmer cooperatives. Reducing post-harvest losses not only increases food availability but also improves farmer incomes and alleviates pressure on production systems. (iii) Enhancing Intra-African Agrifood Trade: Strengthening regional trade entails harmonizing standards, lowering trade barriers, and investing in efficient cross-border logistics. By expanding intra-African trade, food can be distributed more effectively across regions, helping to address local shortages and create new market opportunities for African producers. (iv) Boosting Local Processing of Food: Increasing the share of food processed within Africa adds value to agricultural products, generates employment, and reduces dependence on imports. A stronger local processing sector underpins resilient value chains, enabling African agrifood systems to better withstand global market fluctuations and supply disruptions.
The World Bank Group plays a central role in advancing key policy initiatives through its Mission AgriConnect program. Dedicated to supporting the transformation of the agricultural sector, this program emphasizes smallholder farmers, facilitating their progress from subsistence agriculture to establishing sustainable and profitable enterprises. Mission AgriConnect offers resources, technical expertise, and strategic guidance, enabling farmers to implement innovative practices and engage more effectively in the agricultural value chain. With this focused support, the World Bank Group is promoting the development of resilient agricultural businesses, thereby strengthening long-term food security and economic growth across Africa.
3. Biggest Opportunities to Reduce Emissions
Agriculture plays a dual role in the context of climate change, serving as both a victim of its impacts and a source of greenhouse gas emissions. However, significant opportunities exist to mitigate emissions while ensuring food security. (i) Adopting sustainable agricultural practices, such as precision farming and agroecology, can enhance productivity without exacerbating emissions. These methods involve optimizing resource use, reducing chemical inputs, and enhancing soil health, thereby increasing resilience against climate variability. (ii) integrating innovative technologies like advanced genetic engineering can improve crop yields and reduce the reliance on harmful practices. For instance, developing crop varieties that are drought-resistant or require fewer fertilizers can contribute significantly to lowering emissions while safeguarding food supplies. (iii) Promoting agroforestry and regenerative farming can enhance carbon sequestration in soils and vegetation. These practices not only mitigate emissions but also promote biodiversity and soil health, essential for sustainable food production. (iv) Investment in sustainable supply chain management, including reducing food waste and improving logistics, can further diminish agricultural emissions. By focusing on these solutions, the agricultural sector can emerge as a key player in climate mitigation efforts without compromising its fundamental role in ensuring global food security.
4. Critical Policies for Adoption at Scale
To facilitate the widespread adoption of climate-smart and technology-driven agriculture, several critical policy frameworks must be established. These must de-risk investment, democratize technology access, and build inclusive systems and include the following: (i) Investment in research and development: Governments should allocate funds to scientific endeavors that enhance crop resilience and optimize resource use, thereby addressing climate challenges. For instance, public-private partnerships that promote innovation in biotechnology can yield climate-resilient crop varieties. (ii) Access to finance: Policies that provide low-interest loans or grants can empower smallholder farmers to invest in advanced agricultural technologies. Such financial support can enhance productivity and sustainability. Countries like Kenya have implemented financing schemes for farmers adopting digital platforms for agricultural inputs, significantly improving their yield and income. (iii) Capacity-building initiatives: Policymakers should promote training programs that educate farmers about sustainable practices and emerging agricultural technologies. For example, India’s National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture has successfully trained farmers in water management techniques under changing climatic conditions. (iv) Creating enabling regulatory environments that facilitate the integration of technology, such as digital platforms for market access and information dissemination. Such environments can ensure that innovations reach farmers effectively.
5. Emerging Technologies with Greatest Potential
Emerging technologies, such as precision agriculture, biotechnology, aquaponics and AI, have tremendous potential to enhance food production in Africa while safeguarding natural resources. For instance, (i) Precision agriculture utilizes sensor technology and satellite imagery to optimize field-level management regarding crop farming, leading to efficient resource use. (ii) AI for biological discovery: AI is drastically shortening the development time for biological inputs. Some bio-firms are AI to discover and bring to market microbial bio-stimulants that help crops resist drought and heat stress in under 12 months, a process that traditionally took years. (iii) Large Language Models for Farmers: these are based on open-source AI models trained on agricultural data to provide region-specific, real-time farming guidance in local languages, acting as a digital extension officer.
6. How Digital Tools Like AI Help Farmers
Digital tools, particularly AI, can significantly improve productivity and climate resilience among farmers. AI can analyze vast amounts of data to predict weather patterns, optimize irrigation, and assist in pest management, enabling farmers to make informed decisions and adapt to changing climatic conditions more effectively. For example, (i) AI-powered platforms analyze soil and crop data to create precise nutrient and irrigation plans. This helps farmers use water and fertilizer more efficiently, reducing costs and environmental impact while increasing yields. (ii) AI can analyze satellite and weather data to provide early warnings for droughts or pests, allowing for preventative action.
7. State of Research & Innovation and Further Development
The landscape of agricultural research and innovation in Africa is undergoing significant transformation, marked by increased investments in local initiatives and the establishment of strategic partnerships. While progress is evident, the sector still requires additional development to fully realize its potential and to address persistent challenges facing African agriculture; including: enhancing research infrastructure; increasing funding for research; fostering effective collaboration among public research institutions, private sector entities—including AgTech startups—and farmer organizations; and democratizing technology with a focus on developing and promoting open-data platforms and affordable, user-friendly tools to serve the needs of smallholders.
The World Bank Group, through its Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) operation, is actively contributing to the advancement of agricultural innovation on the continent. By fostering partnerships with organizations such as CIAGR, as well as local and regional research and development institutions and National Agricultural Research Systems (NARSs), the World Bank Group is helping to address key gaps and drive the adoption of transformative solutions in African agriculture.
8. Reasons for Optimism
Optimism for sustainable food production in Africa comes from several key factors: the continent has a young population, more people are starting businesses in agriculture, and farmers are using new, sustainable methods. Recent global events like the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have made it clear that Africa must invest more in its agriculture sector. Now, there is stronger commitment across the continent to make agriculture more sustainable. For example, a detailed 10-year strategy called the CAADP Action Plan sets clear goals for all African countries, showing strong support from leaders. Another reason for hope is the use of global technology to solve local problems. Major initiative, such as the WBG AgriConnect Mission, the UAE’s AI Ecosystem for Global Agricultural Development—working with the Gates Foundation and CGIAR—focus on using advanced AI tools to help small farmers. This marks an important change, as cutting-edge technology is now being used to tackle Africa’s most urgent challenges.
9. Decision to Pursue a Career in Agriculture
I chose a career in agriculture research and policy because I wanted to work in a field that brings together many different areas, like science, technology, policy, economics, and social issues. Agriculture is at the center of all these fields, and solving its challenges means understanding things like climate change, how plants grow, how markets work, and the roles of men and women on farms. It’s a field that keeps you thinking and learning. Most importantly, working in agriculture makes a real difference in people’s lives. Whether it’s helping develop seeds that can survive drought, creating policies that attract investment, or designing digital tools to help farmers earn more, the results of your work are seen in healthier communities and greater progress.
10. One Piece of advice to students interested in food security/sustainable agriculture
To aspiring students, my advice is to embrace interdisciplinary learning and stay informed about technological advancements, as these will be key in shaping the future of food security.
