Our Mission: Agriculture First for Africa’s Present & Future

Kilimo Kwanza is Swahili for “Agriculture First.” It was a transformative policy adopted by former President of Tanzania, Dr. Jakaya Kikwete, and played a pivotal role in enhancing national food security. Most African nations stand to benefit—both in food security and long-term prosperity—by embracing similar agriculture-first strategies.

Agriculture—encompassing crops, livestock, and fisheries—is a cornerstone of Africa’s economy, contributing over 40% of the continent’s GDP and employing more than 70% of the labor force. For rural populations, agriculture and related non-farm activities remain the primary sources of livelihood.

Today, much of Africa’s rural population resides in regions most vulnerable to climate variability and change. Erratic rainfall patterns and prolonged droughts are increasingly undermining agricultural productivity. Yet, improved farming practices among smallholder farmers continue to offer real hope for food security. This underscores the urgent need for solution-based agricultural communication to support smallholder farmers, governments, donors, and international organizations in driving agricultural modernization across the continent.

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Contact

General Inquiries & Editorial Submissions:
kilimokwanza.africa@gmail.com

Managing Editor

Dr. Francis Ndegwa
Academician | Writer | Advocate for Smallholder Farmers

Publisher

Apps Valle
logic@appsvalle.com

KilimoKwanza.org is a public communications platform dedicated to promoting practical, inclusive, and sustainable agricultural solutions across Africa—with a focus on empowering smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of the continent’s food systems.