Acritical high-level dialogue convened during the recent B20 Summit in Johannesburg brought together leading voices from across the continent and the global agricultural sector to address the future of Africa’s food systems. Hosted by Bayer, with participation from the African Union (AU), the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), and First National Bank (FNB), the gathering aimed to build consensus around the urgent and coordinated actions required to advance food security and agricultural resilience across the African continent.
Held alongside the G20’s premier engagement forum for the private sector, the dialogue served as a timely intervention in the face of overlapping global challenges. Climate volatility, geopolitical instability and disrupted global supply chains continue to exert pressure on food systems worldwide. In Africa, these challenges are compounded by chronic underinvestment in agricultural infrastructure and policies, even as the continent retains significant untapped potential in terms of arable land, youth labour and indigenous knowledge systems.
The dialogue did not centre on external prescriptions or imported solutions but rather amplified the voices of African leaders, experts and institutions. It underscored the imperative for collaborative, cross-sectoral strategies grounded in Africa’s unique socio-economic and ecological realities.
Speaking at the event, Debra Mallowah, Head of Crop Science for Bayer Africa, issued a call for urgency and pragmatism. “This decade must be defined by partnerships, not fragmentation,” she said. “Implementation, instead of intention, and delivery instead of declarations is key. Africa possesses the land, the youth, the creativity, and the resilience to feed itself and help feed the world. What we do not have is time. 2030 is approaching rapidly and the window for decisive action is narrowing.”
Her remarks resonated with the broader consensus at the event: that Africa’s agricultural transformation is not a matter of possibility but of immediacy. With the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals timeline drawing nearer, the imperative to turn commitments into outcomes has never been greater.
Dr Ildephonse Musafiri, Advisor to the CEO at AUDA-NEPAD, stressed that the transformation of Africa’s food systems cannot occur in isolation. “Dialogue and collaboration are essential because they move us beyond rhetoric into shared responsibility,” he said. “Africa’s transformation will not come from isolated efforts. When the public and private sectors sit and work together and align their priorities, we unlock the systems-change that farmers, markets and communities urgently need.”
This emphasis on systemic change reflected a deeper understanding of agriculture not merely as a sector but as a foundation for inclusive development. With agriculture employing approximately 60 per cent of Africa’s labour force and contributing an estimated 25 per cent of the continent’s GDP, its centrality to economic resilience, food sovereignty and social stability is indisputable. Yet, according to AGRA President Alice Ruhweza, the sector remains chronically underfunded by African governments.
“Food is so important, but it does not receive the same level of attention it should have, as is the case in the manufacturing or extractive sectors,” she noted. “Agri-food systems in Africa produce about 25 per cent of Africa’s GDP but attract only 2 per cent of investment from African governments.” This disparity between economic significance and financial commitment reflects a structural imbalance that requires urgent redress.
Throughout the dialogue, speakers pointed to a range of priority areas for action, including increased support for smallholder farmers, who produce up to 80 per cent of the continent’s food. These farmers often operate without access to credit, insurance, modern inputs or market access. Expanding blended finance models and risk-sharing instruments, they argued, could unlock new capital flows for these producers while reducing exposure to climate and market shocks.
Digital technology was also identified as a lever for transformation. From precision farming and weather forecasting to mobile payment systems and supply chain logistics, digital tools are already helping some farmers adapt to a changing climate and volatile markets. Scaling these technologies in a context-sensitive manner was seen as essential to ensuring they are accessible, inclusive and impactful.
Participants also highlighted the need to strengthen intra-African food trade through the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which has the potential to significantly reduce food import dependency and boost regional food systems. According to the African Development Bank, Africa spends over $50 billion annually on food imports, despite its vast natural resources and potential to become a net food exporter.
Mildred Nadah Pita, Vice Chair of the Sustainable Agricultural Food Systems at Bayer, concluded the event with a renewed commitment to implementation. “As a leading life science company, we believe that the time for Africa’s agricultural transformation is now,” she stated. “Bayer will continue to support local farmers by breeding seeds for local conditions and helping them mitigate the effects of climate change.”
Her remarks also referenced President Cyril Ramaphosa’s closing statement at the B20 Summit, in which he reiterated that Africa is ready for equitable partnerships and innovation-driven investment. This sentiment reflects a growing shift in discourse—from narratives of aid and charity to those centred on sovereignty, enterprise and African-led solutions.
