President Bola Tinubu has sounded the alarm over Africa’s growing dependence on imported food, urging governments across the continent to embrace science, research and innovation as the foundation for lasting food security. Speaking at the opening of the 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week and the 10th General Assembly of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) in Abuja, the President warned that Africa’s future depends on transforming its vast agricultural resources into sustainable economic growth rather than relying on expensive imports.
His remarks come as a new report from AKADEMIYA2063 revealed that Africa spent a record $122.9 billion on agricultural imports in 2022, exposing the continent’s continued struggle to feed its growing population despite possessing some of the world’s richest agricultural resources. Represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, Tinubu stressed that countries become prosperous only after investing in scientific research and modern agricultural systems capable of increasing productivity and improving food security.
Tinubu explained that his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda places agriculture at the heart of Nigeria’s economic development strategy. According to him, the Federal Government is expanding irrigation, promoting mechanised farming, improving access to quality seeds and fertilisers, increasing agricultural financing and embracing digital technologies to modernise farming. He added that stronger research institutions, universities and partnerships will be essential in creating climate-resilient agriculture, generating jobs and strengthening rural livelihoods across the country.
Adding further perspective, Managing Director of AKADEMIYA2063, Dr. Debisi Araba, described Africa’s food import dependence as a symptom of deeper structural challenges affecting productivity and regional trade. He noted that although intra-African agricultural trade has improved over the years, it still accounts for less than 20 percent of the continent’s total agricultural trade. Araba also revealed that more than 845 million Africans face moderate or severe food insecurity, while millions of young people remain unemployed, arguing that transforming agriculture could become Africa’s greatest opportunity for economic growth and poverty reduction.
Despite the challenges, both Tinubu and agricultural experts believe Africa has the resources to reverse the trend if governments prioritise research, innovation and regional collaboration. From artificial intelligence and biotechnology to digital agriculture and improved farming techniques, they say the continent has the potential to become a global leader in agricultural innovation instead of remaining one of the world’s largest food importers. Their message was clear: investing in knowledge today could secure Africa’s food future, create millions of jobs and unlock the continent’s enormous agricultural potential.
source: The guardian
