The G20 can trigger an African agricultural revival
For the first time in history, the G20 is being hosted on African soil. It is a milestone that carries symbolic weight, but more importantly, it offers a big opportunity for Africa not only to be seen, but to lead. As the B20 deliberations unfold, the world is turning its attention to the continent’s vast agricultural potential and its central role in global food security.
The urgency is unmistakable. Climate change, geopolitical instability, rising protectionism and repeated supply chain disruptions are placing extraordinary pressure on food systems worldwide. In low- and middle-income countries, and especially across sub-Saharan Africa, these shocks have pushed millions into food insecurity. Between 2019 and 2022, undernourishment surged by 150%, with 46 million more Africans falling into vulnerability. These statistics reveal a system under strain, but they also illuminate the transformative possibilities that lie within reach.
Africa’s agricultural sector is often undervalued, despite being the backbone of livelihoods for nearly half of the continent’s population. Its underperformance is not an inevitability but a reflection of structural gaps that can be addressed. Other regions have shown how strategic investments, policy reforms and market incentives can turn agriculture into a powerful engine of economic growth. Africa stands on the cusp of the same trajectory, and the B20 offers a critical platform to reimagine what is possible.
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What is emerging from the discussions this year is a recognition that Africa’s food systems can no longer be defined solely by their challenges. They must instead be viewed through the lens of opportunity. The focus on resilience, inclusion and sustainability resonates deeply with Africa’s realities, where smallholders, women and youth form the foundation of the agricultural economy. Access to improved inputs, climate-smart technologies, digital tools and inclusive financial systems is central to unlocking productivity and competitiveness. At the same time, sustainable practices must become the norm, not the exception, if the continent is to nourish its growing populations without exhausting its ecosystems.
Equally critical is the issue of trade. Agriculture will not thrive if markets remain fragmented and supply chains constrained. The African Continental Free Trade Area holds enormous promise, with the potential to open up billions in export value and reshape regional food markets. But its success depends on harmonised standards, efficient logistics and regulatory systems that enable innovation rather than slow it down. The financing gap is another major barrier. Many promising agribusinesses exist in environments where capital is scarce and risk is perceived as high. Innovative financing models — from blended finance to first-loss guarantees and climate insurance — can shift this narrative and draw investment towards the enterprises driving Africa’s food system transformation.
Beyond the macroeconomic story, the continent’s agricultural renaissance is already in motion. Young entrepreneurs are leveraging digital tools to connect farmers with markets. Women’s cooperatives are pioneering regenerative practices. Climate-tech innovators are designing breakthroughs for water efficiency and climate adaptation. These stories, often overshadowed by narratives of scarcity, represent the true potential of Africa’s agricultural future.
The B20’s significance, therefore, extends far beyond policy recommendations. It is a forum where Africa can assert its vision for the future of global food systems. With the G20 taking place on the continent for the first time, the moment carries both responsibility and possibility. Africa has the chance to shape the global agenda with solutions rooted in its own context, informed by its own experience, and driven by its own leadership.
Agriculture in Africa is not fading into the periphery; it is rising. It is the sunrise of the continent’s economic future, and the choices made today will determine how brightly that future shines. With bold leadership, strategic reform and sustained engagement, Africa can build food systems that are resilient, sustainable and equitable — and in doing so, redefine its role in nourishing not just itself, but the world.