Africa’s rapidly growing population is creating both an urgent food-security challenge and a major opportunity to transform the continent’s agricultural economy. With more than 1.5 billion people today and a projected one in four people globally expected to be African by 2050, stronger agrifood systems will be critical to meeting future demand.

Despite having nearly 65% of the world’s remaining uncultivated arable land, Africa imports around US$70 billion worth of food each year. Agriculture contributes approximately 17% of the continent’s GDP and provides livelihoods for nearly half of its workforce, making the sector central to economic development, employment and food security.

However, increasing agricultural production cannot come at the expense of environmental protection and social responsibility. Meeting international sustainability standards is increasingly important for accessing global markets, while responsible production can also strengthen Africa’s growing regional trade opportunities.

The 2024 Principles and Criteria of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) provide one framework for addressing these challenges in Africa’s palm oil industry. The standards strengthen requirements around human rights, labour protections, environmental conservation and responsible land acquisition.

Under the updated framework, certified growers must identify and address human rights risks across their operations and supply chains. Requirements include fair remuneration, safeguards against debt bondage and accessible grievance mechanisms for workers and whistleblowers.

Environmental protections have also been strengthened through requirements aimed at preventing deforestation and protecting High Conservation Value areas, High Carbon Stock forests and peatlands. At the same time, the RSPO framework recognises that forest-rich countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Gabon and Liberia need development pathways that balance conservation with economic opportunity.

A proposed procedure for sustainable palm oil development in forest-rich countries is intended to give communities greater influence over their development choices while combining livelihood opportunities with environmental safeguards.

These principles have implications beyond palm oil. As the African Continental Free Trade Area connects a market of about 1.4 billion people with a combined GDP exceeding US$3 trillion, stronger standards could help African countries build regional value chains that are environmentally responsible, socially inclusive and better positioned to compete internationally.

Governments, financial institutions and development partners will all have a role to play. Investment in rural infrastructure can lower transport costs, while financing models tailored to agricultural production cycles can improve access to capital. Support for farmer capacity, climate resilience and innovation will also be essential.

Africa’s agricultural transformation will ultimately be measured not only by how much it produces, but by how effectively value reaches farmers, communities and local economies while natural resources are protected. Building accountable and sustainable agricultural value chains could strengthen food security, create employment and give Africa a more influential role in the future of global agriculture.