Agrifocus African Markets Magazine

16/01/2026

Africa’s Agribusiness Transformation Will Be Built by Markets, Not Aid - For decades, Africa’s agribusiness narrative has been shaped largely by discussions around food aid, productivity gaps, and the vulnerability of smallholder farmers. While these challenges are real, they often mask a deeper structural constraint holding back the sector: weak and unreliable market institutions. According to Bharat Kulkarni, Africa’s challenge is not simply low production, but fragile market architecture that limits value creation and investment. Drawing on hands-on experience building commodity exchanges and structured markets across Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Malawi, Ghana, Tanzania, and Nigeria, Kulkarni offers an operational perspective often missing from policy debates. His book, African Agribusiness, argues that sustainable […]

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16/01/2026

AGOA Expiry Poses Serious Risk to African Exports, World Bank Warns - The World Bank has warned that the scheduled expiration of the United States’ African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in late 2025 could significantly threaten African exports, potentially undermining economic growth across several Sub-Saharan African economies at a time when the region’s recovery remains fragile. In its latest Global Economic Prospects report, the World Bank said economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa edged up to an estimated 4.0% in 2025, from 3.7% in 2024. This modest improvement was supported by easing inflation and stronger-than-expected commodity prices—particularly for gold, other precious metals, and coffee—which helped boost fiscal revenues in a number of […]

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The World Bank has warned that the scheduled expiration of the United States’ African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in late 2025 could significantly threaten African exports, potentially undermining economic growth across several Sub-Saharan African economies at a time when the region’s reco...

16/01/2026

Msossi Food-Tech Platform Set to Launch in Kenya to Cut Food Waste - Msossi, a locally developed food technology platform, is set to launch in Kenya this month with the aim of reducing food waste Msossi, a locally developed food technology platform, is set to launch in Kenya this month with the goal of reducing food waste by linking retailers directly with consumers to sell surplus and near-expiry food at discounted prices. Positioned as Kenya’s first app dedicated specifically to tackling food waste and losses, Msossi allows restaurants, supermarkets, and hotels to list excess food for rapid sale. Consumers can then purchase discounted food packs, helping businesses minimise losses while accessing more affordable […]

The post Msossi Food-Tech Platform Set to Launch in Kenya to Cut Food Waste appeared first on AgriFocus Africa .

Msossi, a locally developed food technology platform, is set to launch in Kenya this month with the aim of reducing food waste Msossi, a locally developed food technology platform, is set to launch in Kenya this month with the goal of reducing food waste by linking retailers directly with consumers....

14/01/2026

Dwindling Abundance: How Farming and Beekeeping are Helping Cameroon’s Baka Adapt to Climate Change - In the dense equatorial forests of eastern Cameroon, the Baka people have for generations relied on hunting, gathering and foraging for survival. Today, however, climate shocks, mounting environmental pressure and social upheaval are rapidly transforming this way of life, forcing communities to adapt in order to endure. Recurring droughts and floods, shrinking forest resources, economic instability and the spillover of conflict from the Central African Republic have deepened food insecurity across the region. In Mayos village, in Dimako district—home to nearly 600 Baka people—scarcity has become so acute that families often travel more than 50 km into the forest in […]

The post Dwindling Abundance: How Farming and Beekeeping are Helping Cameroon’s Baka Adapt to Climate Change appeared first on AgriFocus Africa .

In the dense equatorial forests of eastern Cameroon, the Baka people have for generations relied on hunting, gathering and foraging for survival. Today, however, climate shocks, mounting environmental pressure and social upheaval are rapidly transforming this way of life, forcing communities to adap...

14/01/2026

Zambia’s path to fertiliser self-sufficiency - How the Emergency Food Production Facility is reducing food and fertiliser import dependence A crisis that reshaped Zambia’s agriculture When the Russia–Ukraine conflict erupted in February 2022, global fertiliser markets were thrown into turmoil. Prices surged, supplies tightened and African farmers—already operating on thin margins—were pushed to the brink. In Zambia, the impact was immediate and severe. At the time, the country imported more than $110 million worth of fertiliser annually from Russia and Ukraine alone. In 2022, Zambia needed to import about 632,529 metric tonnes of fertiliser during the planting season, while domestic production capacity fell far short of […]

The post Zambia’s path to fertiliser self-sufficiency appeared first on AgriFocus Africa .

How the Emergency Food Production Facility is reducing food and fertiliser import dependence A crisis that reshaped Zambia’s agriculture When the Russia–Ukraine conflict erupted in February 2022, global fertiliser markets were thrown into turmoil. Prices surged, supplies tightened and African fa...

14/01/2026

Nigeria: Delta State sets up committee to attract investment in land-intensive agriculture - Delta State has taken a further step toward attracting large-scale agribusiness investment with the inauguration of a steering committee to drive a framework for responsible investment in land-intensive agriculture. The committee was inaugurated in Asaba by the state’s deputy governor, Monday Onyeme, who represented Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. Onyeme will also serve as chair of the newly established steering committee. According to Onyeme, the initiative is designed to improve Delta State’s investment climate, particularly within the agricultural sector, by making it easier for investors to operate while ensuring that land-based agricultural projects are implemented responsibly. He explained that the framework aims […]

The post Nigeria: Delta State sets up committee to attract investment in land-intensive agriculture appeared first on AgriFocus Africa .

Delta State has taken a further step toward attracting large-scale agribusiness investment with the inauguration of a steering committee to drive a framework for responsible investment in land-intensive agriculture. The committee was inaugurated in Asaba by the state’s deputy governor, Monday Onye...

14/01/2026

How Modern Techniques Hold the Ace in Agribusiness - Agriculture remains central to Nigeria’s economic growth, food security and employment. Yet, despite having more than 82 million hectares of arable land, only about 34 million hectares are currently cultivated—largely using traditional, labour-intensive methods that limit efficiency and output. The consequences are evident in low productivity. Average maize yields in Nigeria stand at around 1.8 tonnes per hectare, compared with 4–5 tonnes in countries such as Brazil and South Africa. With the population projected to reach 230 million by 2050, the urgency to adopt modern farming techniques that boost output, reduce losses and support sustainable growth has never been greater. […]

The post How Modern Techniques Hold the Ace in Agribusiness appeared first on AgriFocus Africa .

Agriculture remains central to Nigeria’s economic growth, food security and employment. Yet, despite having more than 82 million hectares of arable land, only about 34 million hectares are currently cultivated—largely using traditional, labour-intensive methods that limit efficiency and output. ...

14/01/2026

Industrialising Agriculture Key to Ending Food Imports and Boosting Growth in Nigeria, Says Former AfDB Adviser - Image:Getty A former senior adviser to the African Development Bank (AfDB) has urged Nigeria to industrialise its agricultural sector as a critical pathway to food security, economic diversification and sustainable job creation. Professor Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, former Senior Special Adviser on Industrialisation to the President of the African Development Bank, made the call while delivering a lecture at the Oyo State Economic Summit held at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture in Ibadan. His lecture was titled Industrialising Agriculture for Economic Development and Food Security: Enhancing National Economies and Sub-National Entities. Oyelaran-Oyeyinka warned that despite Nigeria’s vast arable land and its […]

The post Industrialising Agriculture Key to Ending Food Imports and Boosting Growth in Nigeria, Says Former AfDB Adviser appeared first on AgriFocus Africa .

Image:Getty A former senior adviser to the African Development Bank (AfDB) has urged Nigeria to industrialise its agricultural sector as a critical pathway to food security, economic diversification and sustainable job creation. Professor Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, former Senior Special Adviser on Ind...

13/01/2026

Lawn and Order – Keeping Your Grass in Check - Rescue tips for rainy summers January is here, which means we’re right in the heart of summer. As the heat sets in, our gardens become a natural retreat – a place where shade and a cool breeze offer welcome relief. It’s when we spend the most time outdoors, enjoying barbecues, swimming, and of course, gardening. But as we know all too well, summer can also bring its challenges. January is one of the wettest months of the year, and along with the sunshine can come heavy, persistent rain and sudden, major storms. “While rain is a welcome relief to break […]

The post Lawn and Order – Keeping Your Grass in Check appeared first on AgriFocus Africa .

Rescue tips for rainy summers January is here, which means we’re right in the heart of summer. As the heat sets in, our gardens become a natural retreat – a place where shade and a cool breeze offer welcome relief. It’s when we spend the most time outdoors, enjoying barbecues, swimming, and of...

12/01/2026

Kenya’s KALRO Land Dispute Raises Alarm Over the Future of Agricultural Research - KALRO Scientists, Farmers Revolt as Muguga Research Land Faces Quiet Push Toward Agri-City Amid Leadership and Credibility Crisis A proposal to convert part of the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) Muguga campus into a commercial agri-city has triggered strong opposition from researchers, scientists, and agricultural policy advocates, reigniting debate over land use priorities in Kenya’s food system. The Muguga facility is one of Kenya’s most important agricultural research hubs, supporting long-term research into crop breeding, livestock health, soil science, and climate-resilient farming systems. Critics argue that reallocating research land for real estate and commercial development risks undermining Kenya’s […]

The post Kenya’s KALRO Land Dispute Raises Alarm Over the Future of Agricultural Research appeared first on AgriFocus Africa .

KALRO Scientists, Farmers Revolt as Muguga Research Land Faces Quiet Push Toward Agri-City Amid Leadership and Credibility Crisis A proposal to convert part of the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) Muguga campus into a commercial agri-city has triggered strong opposition...

12/01/2026

Why South Africa’s Future Farmers Need More Than Technical Skills - As South Africa’s agricultural sector confronts climate stress, market volatility, and structural transformation, industry leaders are calling for a shift in how the next generation of farmers and agribusiness professionals are trained. According to agricultural training specialists, technical farming skills—such as crop production and animal husbandry—are no longer sufficient on their own. Modern agriculture increasingly demands business acumen, financial literacy, digital competence, and supply-chain understanding, particularly as farms become more integrated into national and global markets. Experts note that many young entrants into agriculture still view farming as a purely manual or traditional occupation, overlooking opportunities in precision agriculture, agri-technology, […]

The post Why South Africa’s Future Farmers Need More Than Technical Skills appeared first on AgriFocus Africa .

As South Africa’s agricultural sector confronts climate stress, market volatility, and structural transformation, industry leaders are calling for a shift in how the next generation of farmers and agribusiness professionals are trained. According to agricultural training specialists, technical far...

12/01/2026

Ghana FSRP–FarmMate Partnership to Deliver 6,000 Tons of Tomatoes - A collaborative initiative between the West Africa Food System Resilience Project (FSRP) and agri-tech provider FarmMate is targeting a major tomato output surge in Ghana. The programme, covering 200 acres across multiple regions, aims to produce up to 15 tonnes per hectare and reach a total of 6,000 metric tonnes of tomatoes by the end of 2025. The intervention deploys improved seeds, irrigation management, and digital agronomy support to over 1,500 farmers, with women constituting roughly 40 % of participants. Implemented under the umbrella of ECOWAS and funded by the World Bank, the FSRP is designed to bolster food system […]

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