By Faridat Salifu
In the face of growing global competition and the increasing impacts of climate change, African agribusiness leaders have expressed the urgent need to boost intra-continental trade and harmonize policies to unlock the full potential of agriculture across Africa.
At a recent agricultural forum held in Bothaville, South Africa, experts from countries including Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Nigeria shared strategies to address the challenges confronting the continent’s farming sector.
They highlighted that fostering stronger trade relationships within Africa could be a game-changer for food security, economic stability, and climate adaptation.
Louis van Ravesteyn, Standard Bank Group’s head of agribusiness, stressed that despite Africa’s abundant agricultural resources, much of the farming remains fragmented, with many small-scale operators and limited commercial farming outside countries like South Africa.
He pointed out that Nigeria, for example, boasts a vast agricultural footprint, significantly larger than South Africa’s, but lacks the same scale of mechanization and commercial efficiency.
“Enhancing trade links across African nations is vital. There’s huge untapped opportunity in regional markets that could help drive growth and resilience,” van Ravesteyn said, urging stakeholders to focus on improving farming productivity and adopting policies that facilitate seamless cross-border commerce.
GrainCo Zimbabwe’s managing director, Jayde Clack, shared how regional diversification has been key to sustaining their operations. By expanding into Zambia, GrainCo aims to build a more robust supply chain that can better withstand local economic fluctuations such as currency volatility and shortages of foreign exchange.
Meanwhile, Benfrida Tarimo, Tanzania’s head of agribusiness, encouraged South African farmers and investors to explore opportunities in Tanzania’s growing agricultural sector, particularly in commercial farming and emerging markets like avocados.
She emphasized that existing bilateral agreements create a foundation for increased collaboration and shared benefits.
From a trade perspective, Thembi Dlamini of the Africa-China trade desk noted the complexity of international markets but highlighted the value of experience and partnerships in helping African agribusinesses tap into large export destinations like China.
As Africa grapples with climate risks and economic uncertainty, leaders agree that strengthening regional agricultural trade and aligning policies can enhance food systems’ sustainability and create new pathways for investment and innovation.
Greater intra-African cooperation in agriculture is viewed not only as a pathway to economic growth but also as a crucial step toward building a resilient and climate-smart continent.