A coalition of 30 civil society organisations has called on the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) to strengthen transparency, accountability, and environmental safeguards as it prepares to deploy $24 billion in agricultural financing over the next decade.

The appeal comes amid growing debate over how Africa should finance its agricultural transformation while balancing food security, economic growth, environmental sustainability, and community welfare.

Speaking during the African Development Bank Group’s Annual Meetings in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, members of the Stop Financing Factory Farming coalition warned that large-scale agricultural investments could generate unintended environmental and social consequences if not accompanied by robust oversight mechanisms.

The AfDB has identified agriculture as a central pillar of Africa’s development agenda and estimates that between $315 billion and $400 billion will be required over the next decade to fully implement its Feed Africa Strategy, which aims to reduce poverty, eliminate hunger, and strengthen food systems across the continent.

While civil society groups acknowledge the importance of increased agricultural investment, they argue that financing decisions made today will shape Africa’s food systems for decades to come.

A Debate Over the Future of African Agriculture

At the centre of the discussion is the question of how development finance should support agricultural growth.

The coalition expressed concerns that financing models heavily focused on industrial livestock production and large-scale commercial agriculture could contribute to deforestation, biodiversity loss, greenhouse gas emissions, excessive water consumption, and increased pressure on smallholder farmers.

Advocates argue that agricultural development should not be measured solely by production volumes or export performance but also by its ability to strengthen local food systems, protect ecosystems, and improve rural livelihoods.

According to Opeyemi Elujulo, the issue extends beyond increasing agricultural output to determining the type of food systems Africa wishes to build.

He argued that current financing decisions will influence whether the continent develops resilient, community-based food systems that support biodiversity and local economies or moves towards more concentrated industrial production models that may create new environmental and economic vulnerabilities.

Calls for Climate-Resilient Food Systems

Civil society organisations are urging development institutions to prioritise investments that support climate resilience, sustainable land management, and food sovereignty.

Roselilly Ushewokunze said agricultural financing should strengthen local food production systems while enhancing biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, and community wellbeing.

The coalition maintains that agricultural investment should be designed to empower farmers and rural communities rather than undermine local production through highly concentrated industrial models.

Salome Kahiu warned that development finance could generate negative outcomes if sustainability considerations are not fully integrated into investment decisions.

She noted that financing strategies focused primarily on rapid production growth, export competitiveness, and economies of scale risk overlooking critical issues such as environmental protection, public health, animal welfare, biodiversity conservation, and the livelihoods of smallholder producers.

Protecting Smallholder Farmers

A key concern raised by the coalition is the future role of Africa’s smallholder farmers, who produce a significant share of the continent’s food supply and support millions of rural livelihoods.

The organisations are calling on the African Development Bank Group to increase support for smallholder farmers, women-led agricultural enterprises, pastoralist communities, and locally driven food production systems.

They argue that targeted investments in these groups can strengthen food security while creating more inclusive and resilient agricultural economies.

The coalition is also advocating for greater support for agroecological farming practices and climate-smart agricultural technologies that improve productivity while protecting natural resources.

Transparency and Accountability

Beyond the debate over financing priorities, civil society groups are seeking greater transparency regarding how agricultural funds are allocated and monitored.

The coalition has called for enhanced public reporting on agricultural lending portfolios, value-chain investments, environmental assessments, and social impact outcomes.

Advocates argue that stronger accountability mechanisms would help ensure that development finance delivers long-term benefits for communities while minimising environmental risks.

Balancing Growth and Sustainability

The debate highlights a broader challenge facing policymakers and development institutions across Africa: how to rapidly increase agricultural productivity and food security while safeguarding ecosystems and supporting rural livelihoods.

With climate change, population growth, and food insecurity placing increasing pressure on African economies, substantial investment in agriculture is widely viewed as essential.

However, stakeholders increasingly agree that the effectiveness of such investment will depend not only on the volume of financing mobilised but also on how those resources are deployed.

As the African Development Bank advances its Feed Africa Strategy, discussions around transparency, sustainability, and inclusive development are likely to play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of agricultural financing across the continent.

The outcome of these debates could determine whether Africa’s next agricultural revolution delivers not only higher production, but also greater resilience, environmental sustainability, and long-term prosperity for the communities that depend on the sector.