Africa: African Agriculture Offers Key Pathway to Economic Development and Job

What the report says

Africa’s agricultural sector is presented by AllAfrica as a major but underused driver of growth, jobs and food security across the continent. In a commentary published on 26 August 2026, Phil Hogan argues that Africa’s large share of the world’s uncultivated arable land, strong sunlight and young, fast-growing population give it a strong base for expansion, even as many countries face food insecurity and heavy food imports.

The article says about 60% of Africans work in agriculture, while the continent produces key crops including cocoa, coffee, tea, cassava, cotton and sweet potatoes. It also points to the African Continental Free Trade Area as a way to expand intra-African trade and support a $3.4 trillion single market. But it stresses that yields remain below the global average and that rising fertilizer prices are adding pressure on farmers.

A major theme is the need for more locally tailored policy support, with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) described as well placed to help countries strengthen agriculture systems, improve coordination and scale technical assistance. The piece also links farming to climate resilience and technology, citing tools such as solar pumps, digital platforms, drones, artificial intelligence and improved processing methods as ways to raise productivity, reduce losses and create higher-value jobs.

The commentary further argues that processing more raw farm output within Africa could keep more profits on the continent and expand employment, especially for women who make up much of the agricultural workforce. It uses sectors such as cocoa and cassava as examples of why value addition matters for income growth and rural development.