African Solutions for African Challenges: A Continental Push for Food Security

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania – African nations are forging a path toward agricultural self-sufficiency, driven by home-grown innovation and strengthened South-South cooperation. A recent Regional Policy Dialogue on Strengthening South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) for Agrifood System Transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa, hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Dar es Salaam from July 9–10, 2025, underscored the immense potential of African-led solutions in transforming the continent’s food systems.

Experts from across the continent gathered to exchange invaluable knowledge on climate-smart practices, showcasing a range of locally tailored innovations. Among the highlights were solar-powered hatcheries revolutionizing poultry farming and precision agriculture techniques that optimize resource use and maximize yields. These initiatives are not merely incremental improvements—they aim to significantly reduce Africa’s reliance on food imports, which have surged due to ongoing post-COVID economic disruptions and the global fallout from the Ukraine crisis.

“We’re not just borrowing ideas; we’re creating solutions tailored to Africa’s unique challenges,” noted Dr. Kwame Mensah, an FAO representative at the event, emphasizing the spirit of shared learning and home-grown ingenuity. This collaborative ethos is gaining considerable traction, with online platforms like X (formerly Twitter) buzzing with stories of local farmers adopting sustainable practices to address pressing issues such as drought and soil degradation. Through robust intra-African partnerships, the FAO is actively supporting countries like Ethiopia and Ghana in scaling up proven innovations that boost resilience and enhance food security across the continent.

Persistent Challenges Remain

Despite these impressive strides, African agriculture stands at a critical crossroads. The sector continues to grapple with enduring challenges that threaten to undermine progress. Extreme weather events—from prolonged droughts in the Sahel to catastrophic floods in East Africa—regularly disrupt agricultural production.

Moreover, weak infrastructure remains a formidable barrier. Poor road networks and limited cold storage facilities lead to substantial post-harvest losses, with up to 30% of produce spoiling before it can reach markets. This stark reality, frequently echoed on social media, reflects the urgent need for investment in rural logistics. Limited access to affordable financing and modern technology further constrains the productivity of smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of the continent’s agricultural sector.

The continent’s continued reliance on food imports—exacerbated by global supply chain disruptions and shifting geopolitical landscapes—underscores the pressing need to build resilient, self-sufficient food systems. As one Nigerian agribusiness advocate powerfully tweeted, capturing the sentiment of many across the continent: “We can’t keep depending on external markets. Investing in local innovation is the only way forward.”

The path ahead for African agriculture is clear: it must be rooted in self-reliance, driven by innovation, and sustained through strategic collaboration.