The role of the private sector in Africa’s agriculture

Transforming agriculture in Africa is a monumental task that requires a collaborative effort between the public and private sectors. William Asiko, the Executive Director at Grow Africa, emphasized the importance of forming partnerships to achieve true transformation in the agricultural sector. While government policies and investments play a crucial role in increasing productivity and attracting private sector investments, it is the partnerships built from the ground up that drive sustainable change. Asiko highlighted the need for shared values and mutual accountability in these partnerships to ensure each stakeholder's commitment to their obligations. One of the key initiatives in this endeavor is Grow Africa's focus on helping farmers navigate the supply chain. By engaging in the horticulture sector in Rwanda, Grow Africa aims to not only increase farmers' yield but also provide them with access to post-harvest storage mechanisms and markets for their products. This approach considers productivity as a continuum in the value chain, emphasizing the importance of not just increasing yield but also creating avenues for the product to reach commercial supply chains. The conversation around agricultural transformation in Africa is evolving, with stakeholders demanding specific actions and measurable outcomes. High-level policymakers are being challenged to outline concrete steps towards increasing agricultural productivity and attracting private sector investments. As Asiko pointed out, the shift in dialogue reflects a growing impatience with the lack of tangible progress in the sector, prompting a more granular approach to decision-making and implementation. The journey towards agricultural transformation is arduous and time-consuming, requiring unwavering commitment from both the public and private sectors. Grow Africa introduced the Country Agri-Business Partnership Framework (CAPF) to facilitate government-private sector engagement and foster sustainable agricultural deals. The CAPF, a replicable framework adaptable to different country contexts, aims to streamline the process of building business deals from the ground up, ensuring mutual accountability and sustainability. Looking ahead, Grow Africa is focused on rolling out the CAPF in several countries in the next 12 months, prioritizing those ready to implement this framework. By leveraging partnerships, promoting accountability, and driving concrete actions, Grow Africa seeks to accelerate the pace of agricultural transformation in Africa and unlock new investment opportunities.