Sudan: Beyond Projects - Rethinking Agricultural Investment for Sudan's Post-War Recovery

What the report says

In an analysis published by African Arguments and carried by AllAfrica on 31 August 2026, Hassan Ali Sanhori argues that Sudan’s post-war recovery needs a shift away from isolated agricultural projects toward a more integrated investment strategy. The essay is the final piece in a three-part series on agriculture in Sudan, building on earlier discussion of why decades of agricultural spending did not translate into broad-based development.

The article says the core problem has been fragmentation: investments such as irrigation, roads or seeds can fall short if they are not tied to land rights, markets, institutions and conflict dynamics. In the post-war setting, the author warns that rebuilding farms and infrastructure without resolving these wider issues could deepen disputes over land, resources and livelihoods.

Sanhori proposes an Integrated Agricultural Investment Model for Post-Conflict Reconstruction in Sudan, or IAIM-Sudan. The framework emphasizes starting with context analysis, then prioritizing land governance, conflict sensitivity, human capital and scalable infrastructure. It also highlights the need to restore food production while supporting livestock, water systems, climate resilience and decentralized energy.

Beyond production, the essay argues for value-added activities such as processing, logistics, market information and financing so rural communities can benefit from jobs and local industry. The piece presents agriculture as a tool not only for recovery and food security, but also for peacebuilding and rebuilding trust between citizens and the state.