Ahead of the G20 summit in Johannesburg, Yakubu Gowon University’s Acting Vice-Chancellor calls for deeper cooperation to transform Africa’s agriculture through processing and industrialisation, driving food security, GDP growth, and poverty reduction.

Africa is positioning itself at the heart of the G20 dialogue on agricultural transformation, with leaders emphasizing the need to move beyond raw material exports and toward processing and industrialisation. In an exclusive commentary for NAN, Mathew Adamu, Acting Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, highlighted that more than 60 per cent of Africans are employed in agriculture, yet the sector remains dominated by unprocessed exports. He argued that deeper cooperation with G20 partners could help bridge this gap, enabling Africa to boost productivity, strengthen food security, and generate higher incomes.

Adamu explained that industrialising agriculture is not simply about adding value to crops; it is about creating jobs, expanding GDP, and offering millions of Africans pathways out of poverty. He noted that the upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg provides a timely opportunity to address pressing socio-economic challenges while positioning Africa to compete more effectively in the global economy. By developing agricultural value chains and expanding industrial capacity, the continent can secure more sustainable and inclusive growth.

The commentary, published by NAN in partnership with TV BRICS, underscores Africa’s determination to leverage international partnerships to transform its agricultural base into a driver of industrialisation and prosperity.