Africa's Farm Output Doubles in 20 Years, Experts Say

Africa's farms are producing twice as much food as they did 20 years ago, and experts say the best is yet to come.

A new report from AGRA, an African-led agricultural development organization, reveals that farm output across the continent has roughly doubled in the last two decades. Leaders gathered at the TIME Impact Dinner in Kigali, Rwanda this week to celebrate the progress and chart a path forward for Africa's 60% of workers who depend on agriculture.

The opportunity ahead is enormous. With Africa's population expected to represent 25% of the global workforce by 2050, strengthening food systems could transform economies across the continent, says Kingsley Moghalu, founder of the Institute for Governance and Economic Transformation Academy.

Agriculture currently contributes 20% to Africa's GDP, but many countries still treat it as a minor concern rather than an economic engine. "Our countries look at agriculture as some niche area, and that bypasses 80% of its potential," Moghalu explains.

The key to unlocking that potential lies with smallholder farmers. Temiyeoluwa Alabi, head of corporate communications at ThriveAgric, emphasizes that farmers need better access to financing, support, and markets to thrive.

Technology offers promising solutions. Ismahane Elouafi, executive managing director of CGIAR, the world's largest publicly-funded agricultural research network, points to artificial intelligence and big data as tools that could rapidly improve productivity across long and complex supply chains.

The Ripple Effect

Climate activist Elizabeth Wathuti reminds us that success means more than just higher crop yields. Farmers in degraded areas struggle to adapt to climate change, and real prosperity requires investing in their security and profitability.

The vision is coming together: skilled workers, modern technology, and thriving farmers building food systems that lift entire communities. When farmers prosper, nations grow stronger.

Technology must serve farmers, not the other way around. "It's supposed to actually look at how it's addressing the realities on the ground and what exactly the farmer is doing," Wathuti says.

The path forward requires coordinated investment across the entire agricultural value chain, from soil health to irrigation to market access. Experts agree that treating agriculture as isolated projects rather than complete systems has limited progress so far.

With the right support, Africa's farmers could feed not just the continent but contribute significantly to global food security while building lasting economic prosperity for hundreds of millions of people.