Doris Dokua Sasu
Research Expert Ghana and Nigeria
Agriculture in Africa - statistics and facts
Around 70 percent of the total food supply in Africa come from domestic smallholder farmers. This makes this group an important factor in the main food security chain on the continent. For these farmers, the production of roots and tubers, particularly cassava and yam, represent the most significant proportion of production, underscoring the continent’s reliance on staple foods. Nonetheless, the diversity of Africa's agriculture extends beyond staples, encompassing a range of crops from cereals to cocoa beans. This reflects the region's varied climate and growing conditions.
The agricultural scenery is further diversified by a substantial livestock sector. As of 2022, Africa boasted close to 2.4 billion live chickens, with Egypt and Nigeria leading in poultry stocks.
While North Africa dominates the continent's agricultural imports, West Africa takes the lead in exports. West African countries contribute 1.1 percent to global agricultural exports, slightly ahead of East and North Africa, each one percent. Edible fruits and nuts lead the way, representing over 21 percent of agricultural exports, with cocoa and cocoa preparations following at 8.4 percent. The cocoa trade is particularly significant, with Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana emerging as major global players. Africa as a whole records the lowest percentage of agricultural exports globally, indicating significant room for growth and development in the sector. This notwithstanding, Intra-African merchandise trade reached a record high of 191 billion U.S. dollars in 2023, marking a three percent increase from the previous year, and reflecting the continent's efforts to boost regional economic integration and trade cooperation.
Overall, while smallholder farmers contribute to agricultural transformation on the continent, the provision of new and accessible agricultural technologies would accelerate this even further, creating a more self-reliant African agricultural landscape.
Regional disparities in agricultural trade
Africa's role in global agricultural trade remains relatively small, with the continent accounting for just 5.6 percent of worldwide agricultural imports between 2018 and 2022. North Africa leads the continent in this regard, representing 2.4 percent of global agricultural imports, followed by West Africa at 1.2 percent and East Africa at one percent. This modest share reinforces the challenges and opportunities facing the continent’s agricultural sector in the global marketplace. Cereals form the backbone of the agricultural imports, followed by animal or vegetable fats and oils.While North Africa dominates the continent's agricultural imports, West Africa takes the lead in exports. West African countries contribute 1.1 percent to global agricultural exports, slightly ahead of East and North Africa, each one percent. Edible fruits and nuts lead the way, representing over 21 percent of agricultural exports, with cocoa and cocoa preparations following at 8.4 percent. The cocoa trade is particularly significant, with Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana emerging as major global players. Africa as a whole records the lowest percentage of agricultural exports globally, indicating significant room for growth and development in the sector. This notwithstanding, Intra-African merchandise trade reached a record high of 191 billion U.S. dollars in 2023, marking a three percent increase from the previous year, and reflecting the continent's efforts to boost regional economic integration and trade cooperation.
Agriculture and the African economy
Africa's agricultural sector continues to play a vital role in the continent's economy, contributing 15.4 percent to its GDP in 2023. The agricultural share of GDP has remained relatively stable since 2015, with a notable peak of 16 percent in 2020 during the global pandemic. The contribution of agriculture to GDP varies significantly among African nations. Sierra Leone leads with over 60 percent, followed by Niger and Ethiopia at approximately 42 and 38 percent, respectively. In contrast, countries like Libya, Botswana, and South Africa have much lower agricultural contributions to their economies. Despite these differences, agriculture remains a crucial employer across the continent. In 2022, about 240 million people worked in the agricultural sector, up from 193 million in 2010. This growth underlines the sector's ongoing importance in providing livelihoods for many Africans.Overall, while smallholder farmers contribute to agricultural transformation on the continent, the provision of new and accessible agricultural technologies would accelerate this even further, creating a more self-reliant African agricultural landscape.
