Africa: African Farmers Demand Affordable Finance As Governments Fall Short On Funding

What the report says

African farmers and farmer organizations are pressing governments and lenders to provide cheaper, easier-to-reach finance, as agriculture continues to be underfunded across the continent. The AllAfrica-published Inter Press Service report, datelined Kigali, says the issue was a major focus at the Africa Food Systems Forum in Rwanda, held from 31 August to 4 September, where participants called for less bureaucracy, more grants and loans, and stronger support from both public and private sectors.

The discussion comes as African leaders begin implementing the new Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme and the Kampala Declaration, which renewed commitments to raise agricultural investment, including the long-standing goal of dedicating 10% of national income or spending to the sector. Speakers said that even when money is allocated, it often does not reach smallholder farmers, who produce most of Africa’s food and remain central to rural livelihoods. They pointed to delays, politicized input subsidies, and limited access to credit, insurance, storage and other basic facilities.

The article highlights Malawi as one example of slow but uneven progress. Its agriculture minister said the country has increased funding and is trying to attract private investment through commercialisation, mechanisation and irrigation. Farmer leaders, however, said many producers still struggle with high costs and weak access to affordable finance. They urged governments, financial institutions and farmer groups to work together so funding can reach women, young farmers and smallholders more effectively.

The broader context, according to the report, is that Africa still imports large volumes of food despite its land and water resources, underscoring why advocates say closing the financing gap matters for food security and resilience.