This is not just a conversation about Agriculture, it’s about reimagining Africa’s development narrative.
“There are so many possibilities on the continent for agribusiness.” — Dr. Joseph Nyemah, FAO Representative in Côte d’Ivoire.
In this exclusive Africa Discourse Channel interview, Rita sits down with Dr. Joseph Nyemah, the Resident Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Côte d’Ivoire, for a far-reaching conversation on Africa’s agricultural transformation. Recorded in Abidjan during an international forum hosted by the Africa-EU Chamber of Commerce, the discussion explores not just the challenges facing the sector but the untapped opportunities that lie beneath them.
Dr. Nyemah addresses a growing concern: the widespread perception among young Africans that agriculture is “dirty work”, prompting many to look abroad rather than invest in the rich opportunities at home. Yet, as he notes, agribusiness remains a powerful lever for economic development, youth employment, and food security if approached with the right policies, technologies, and mindsets.
Highlights from the conversation include FAO’s multi-pronged strategy to unlock agribusiness potential across the continent:
Modernising the Sector: Emphasising the need for digitalisation and mechanisation to make farming smarter, cleaner, and more appealing to young people.
Strengthening Policy and Finance: Helping governments improve the "bankability" of agriculture through traceability, longer value chains, and more targeted development financing.
Expanding the Agri-Food System: Encouraging value addition beyond farming; such as food safety, packaging, marketing, and nutrition to diversify opportunities across the sector.
Boosting Intra-African Trade: Leveraging the continent’s own population to grow local markets and reduce over-dependence on external trade.
Fostering Investment, Not Dependence: Advocating for development approaches rooted in sustainable business models, rather than perpetual aid-seeking.
Dr. Nyemah reaffirms FAO’s commitment to supporting African governments and communities in building resilient, inclusive, and future-facing food systems.
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