Africa’s agriculture sector remains vital for economic growth, rural development, and employment, especially with the continent’s population expected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050. Although it holds significant potential, the sector faces challenges such as low productivity, climate change, limited market access, and environmental degradation.
Next-generation (NextGen) agricultural solutions offer a path forward by leveraging science, technology, and innovation to build sustainable, resilient food systems. Modern tools such as speed breeding, genetic engineering, and genome editing are accelerating crop development and enhancing traits like drought and heat tolerance, pest resistance, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. For example, the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) and its partners have introduced climate-resilient maize (TEGO and TELA) and pest-resistant cowpea using advanced biotechnology. These innovations increase yields, reduce pesticide use, and improve environmental outcomes. Post-harvest technologies are also improving crop value chains. Innovations in cassava processing reduce spoilage and add value through high-quality flour and animal feed. Regenerative agriculture is gaining momentum by enhancing soil health, biodiversity, and water efficiency using microbial solutions that strengthen crop nutrition and livestock productivity.
Digital agriculture tools enhance the sector by connecting farmers to markets and automation services. Precision technologies and satellite systems improve irrigation and fertilization efficiency. Applications like Agridrive and ground-truthing sensors support climate adaptation and real-time decisions. While adoption is still limited, projections suggest Africa’s food and agriculture market could reach US$1 trillion annually by 2030. To achieve this, countries must invest in scalable innovations, promote inclusive policies, and support public-private partnerships. Supporting smallholder farmers with access to technology and knowledge is essential for building sustainable food systems and unlocking the green economy potential of African agriculture.
