Transforming Africa’s vast agricultural resources into a climate-resilient, productive, and competitive system will require a deliberate policy and investment shift, according to a senior regional official. Speaking at a two-day forum on Scaling Climate-Smart Agriculture in Eastern and Southern Africa, Daher Elmi, Director of Agriculture and Environment at the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), emphasized ...

Goat farming remains one of the most resilient and accessible agricultural enterprises across Africa. From arid pastoral zones in the Sahel to mixed crop-livestock systems in Southern Africa, goats provide income, nutrition and financial security to millions of households. As climate variability intensifies and land pressures increase, goats are increasingly viewed as a strategic livestock ...

The agreement, signed on 18 February 2026 in Abuja, bolsters a shared commitment to modernise African agriculture by scaling proven technologies, strengthening seed systems, and expanding partnerships. ABUJA, Nigeria, February 26, 2026/ — The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) (www.AfDB.org) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have signed a $16.61 million grant agreement ...

Ethiopia has reported robust growth in domestic wheat production, supported by expanded irrigation projects and improved seed distribution programmes. Government officials say large-scale irrigation schemes have enabled year-round cultivation in regions previously dependent on seasonal rainfall. This has significantly boosted yields and reduced vulnerability to drought conditions that have historically disrupted output. Ethiopia has traditionally ...

Ethiopia is intensifying engagement with international financial institutions to mobilise capital for agricultural transformation, irrigation expansion and agro-industrial development. As one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies, Ethiopia views agriculture as a cornerstone of economic diversification and export growth. Strategic talks with global development finance partners aim to unlock funding for: Large-scale irrigation schemes Mechanised farming systems ...

By Brandon Moss  Ethiopia has launched two major irrigation canal projects in its Somali Regional State, marking a significant investment in domestic wheat production and food security. The projects in Godey and Adadle districts are designed to reduce reliance on fuel-powered irrigation pumps and stabilise wheat output in drought-prone areas. Strategic Shift Toward Food Self-Sufficiency ...

Ethiopia is pioneering a farmer-driven irrigation development model that marks a paradigm shift in agricultural water management and smallholder empowerment. Under the new framework, farmers take ownership of irrigation systems with government facilitation and technical support, fostering more responsive and cost-effective water use strategies. From Centralised to Community-Led Water Systems Unlike traditional top-down irrigation projects, ...

For decades, Africa’s agribusiness narrative has been shaped largely by discussions around food aid, productivity gaps, and the vulnerability of smallholder farmers. While these challenges are real, they often mask a deeper structural constraint holding back the sector: weak and unreliable market institutions. According to Bharat Kulkarni, Africa’s challenge is not simply low production, but ...

Ethiopia’s sweeping agricultural reforms are gaining momentum on the international stage, drawing increased interest and support from global partners determined to boost food self-reliance across the Horn of Africa. The reforms, aimed at modernising production systems and strengthening food security, are resonating with international development organisations, including the Canadian Food Grains Bank, which has noted ...

15% Meet Traceability Requirements • Agriculture remains the backbone of East Africa’s economy, contributing over 32% of regional GDP and employing more than 80% of the population (East African Community, n.d). The European Union absorbs over 60% of East African Community coffee exports (SEI, 2024). With the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and Corporate Sustainability Due ...