The initiative is expected to deliver broad benefits across local communities.

Up to 300,000 smallholder farmers in Northern Uganda are set to benefit from a US$2mn technical assistance programme aimed at increasing cotton yields, strengthening value chains, and boosting rural incomes in a region where the crop is a cornerstone of livelihoods.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) Board of Directors approved the funds on 9 December 2025 to support the Cotton Value Chain Project in Northern Uganda. Financed by the Fund for African Private Sector Assistance (FAPA)—a multi-donor trust fund hosted by AfDB—the initiative provides grants for technical support to enhance Africa’s private sector. The programme will be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, with a strong focus on revitalising rural economies and improving household incomes.

Cotton is central to Northern Uganda’s local economy, yet many farmers face low productivity due to limited access to quality inputs, weak market linkages, and outdated processing facilities. The project seeks to tackle these challenges by optimising performance across the entire cotton value chain, from farm production to processing and marketing.

Targeted interventions will help farmers increase yields through improved seed varieties, better farming practices, and expanded access to extension services. Cotton mills and cooperatives will receive support to modernise equipment and raise quality standards. At the same time, stronger connections between farmers, processors, and buyers are expected to stabilise prices and increase household earnings.

The initiative is expected to deliver broad benefits across local communities. In addition to the 300,000 direct beneficiaries, more than one million people including cotton growers, women, youth, and workers along the processing and trading value chain are projected to benefit.

Dorsaf Zangar-Labidi, AfDB Manager for Industrial Development, Trade and Investment Climate Division, emphasised the project’s people-centred approach: “This project will bring new opportunities to farming communities and thereby restoring dignity and improving livelihoods,” she said. “As a significant cash crop, investing in cotton means we are investing in jobs, incomes, climate resilience and even food security.”

Higher farm incomes are expected to enable families to invest more in education and healthcare, while new employment opportunities along the cotton value chain should encourage greater participation by youth and women. Strengthened farmer organisations will also provide producers with a stronger voice and better access to finance and markets.

Sustainability is a key focus of the programme. Training in climate-smart agriculture will equip farmers to cope with weather shocks and protect soil health. Overall, the project is projected to deliver higher cotton productivity, improved lint quality, expanded processing capacity, and stronger private sector engagement. By boosting local value addition, the initiative aims to retain more economic benefits within Uganda and reduce export losses.

“Over time, the gains expected from this project will contribute to poverty reduction, economic resilience and regional stability in the region,” Zangar-Labidi concluded.

The project will generate multiple social and economic benefits.(Image credit: Proparco)

In a transformative step for food security and agribusiness development in West Africa, Sonoco Limited is set to launch Sierra Leone’s first large-scale wheat flour production facility with significant financial backing from Proparco.

The French development finance institution has approved a US$23mn senior loan to support the construction, operational needs, and working capital requirements of the state-of-the-art flour mill in Freetown. This milestone project will not only redefine Sierra Leone’s domestic food production landscape but also enhance the country’s resilience in the face of global supply chain pressures.

Sonoco’s ambitious venture includes the development of a modern soft wheat processing mill capable of producing 600 tonnes per day, alongside a sophisticated 40,000-tonne silo storage complex. Once fully operational, the facilities are expected to yield approximately 140,000 tonnes of wheat flour annually- a vital staple across West African households and an essential ingredient for bakeries, food manufacturers, and retail markets.

The project marks a significant shift for Sonoco’s Sierra Leone operations, transitioning from a major importer of wheat flour to the country’s biggest miller. This shift not only strengthens local value creation but also positions Sierra Leone as a potential supplier to neighbouring markets, including Liberia and other regional economies seeking reliable, high-quality flour products.

Crucially, this development supports Sierra Leone’s urgent need to improve food availability and affordability. With recent estimates showing that 77% of the population faces some level of food insecurity, the establishment of domestic production capacity is both timely and transformative. The initiative aligns strongly with the “Production” priority under the Food and Agriculture Resilience Mission (FARM) launched in 2022 by French President Emmanuel Macron, in partnership with the EU, G7, and African Union.

The project also embodies Proparco’s “Explore” strategy for 2023–2027, aimed at catalysing high-impact investments in fragile states. By strengthening the capabilities of a leading Sierra Leone agribusiness operator, the partnership reinforces local economic empowerment while aligning with France’s new international cooperation framework introduced in 2025.

Sadio Dicko, Proparco’s Regional Director for West Africa, said,“Proparco is very proud to support Sonoco Group’s development in Sierra Leone. This world-class wheat flour production unit will enable the country to have fresh and highly qualitative flour available every day. At Proparco, we believe West African countries must increase their control of food value chains to ensure food security and prosperity. This is exactly what we are doing with this project and we are looking forward to strengthening our presence in the country”.

Beyond boosting production, the project will generate multiple social and economic benefits, contributing directly to key Sustainable Development Goals including Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10).

This summit will serve as a powerful platform to foster gender equality and economic inclusion, helping shape the future of African agriculture for the better. (Image credit: AGM)

The AGM Women Summit 2025 took place on 11 December 2025 in Paris under the theme “Female Human Capital and Agricultural Investment in Africa: Structural Challenge and Golden Opportunity.”

This landmark event will gather policymakers, investors, and women entrepreneurs from across the globe to explore the crucial role of women in transforming African agriculture, driving inclusive growth, and fostering climate-resilient agricultural practices.

African agriculture stands at a pivotal moment. Despite the continent’s vast natural resources and potential for growth, it faces several structural barriers, especially in terms of women’s access to finance, training, and land. The AGM Women Summit 2025 aims to highlight how leveraging female human capital and increasing agricultural investment can catalyse productivity, equity, and climate resilience in Africa.

As Charlotte Libog, President of the AGM Women Network and Founder of Africa Granary of the World, stresses: “Women’s economic empowerment is not just a matter of social justice: it represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen Africa’s food sovereignty and ensure sustainable agricultural growth.” This vision is critical for the future of African agriculture, as empowering women is integral to achieving food security and fostering sustainable economic development.

Held at the Intercontinental Hotel, Place de l’Opéra, Paris, the summit will facilitate dynamic discussions between stakeholders, including financial partners, investors, and women entrepreneurs from across Africa and the diaspora. The event will focus on addressing the “3F equation”—Financing, Training, and Land—which continue to pose challenges to women in agriculture. These barriers limit women’s ability to scale agricultural businesses, yet the summit will explore actionable solutions to overcome these constraints.

The AGM Women Summit is not just a platform for exchanging ideas but a catalyst for actionable commitments. The summit will encourage tangible initiatives aimed at improving financing options for women-led agricultural projects, enhancing skills through targeted training, and improving land access. The goal is to turn these obstacles into opportunities, enabling women to play a central role in climate-resilient agriculture and inclusive economic growth across Africa.

Moreover, the summit will host panels on green finance, sustainable agricultural technologies, and impact investing. These discussions will illustrate how economic profitability and sustainable development can go hand in hand. For investors, it presents an opportunity to discover high-potential agricultural projects, while women entrepreneurs will benefit from expanding their networks and forging strategic partnerships.

The AGM Women Summit 2025 is more than just a conference—it is a unique opportunity to mobilise resources and build sustainable partnerships to accelerate the transformation of African agriculture. As Charlotte Libog states, “Making African agriculture a driver of equity and resilience is possible if we place women’s potential at the heart of decisions and investments.”

This summit will serve as a powerful platform to foster gender equality and economic inclusion, helping shape the future of African agriculture for the better.

These initiatives form part of a broader economic strategy to boost food production, create job opportunities, and address food insecurity not just in Ghana. (Image credit: MOFA)

Ghana is set to establish itself as Africa’s premier "food nation," fuelled by substantial government investments in agriculture. This transformation is being driven by ambitious infrastructure developments such as irrigation systems, state-of-the-art warehouses, and advanced processing facilities.

These initiatives form part of a broader economic strategy to boost food production, create job opportunities, and address food insecurity not just in Ghana, but across the entire African continent.

In a recent address, President Nana Akufo-Addo expressed confidence in the country’s agricultural future, stating, “We are on track to make Ghana the food hub of Africa, able to feed the rest of the continent.” This statement reflects Ghana's commitment to enhancing the entire agricultural value chain, from cultivation through to food processing and export. Akufo-Addo also highlighted the long-term benefits of this strategy, noting that it would enhance food security, industrialisation, and economic growth across the nation.

Central to Ghana’s agricultural revolution is the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) programme. This flagship initiative has delivered critical support to farmers by providing fertilisers, seeds, and technical expertise, resulting in significant increases in crop production. The president praised the programme, saying, “Our policies have transformed agriculture, with production levels increasing significantly across various crops.” The PFJ is not only improving yields but also fostering an environment where sustainable agriculture can thrive.

The surge in food production has opened new doors for employment, especially among the youth. Traditionally, agriculture in Ghana was perceived as a sector for older generations. However, thanks to modern, technology-driven farming practices, young people are increasingly seeing agriculture as a promising and profitable career path. Akufo-Addo noted, “The youth of Ghana are increasingly turning to agriculture as a viable and lucrative career,” adding that the government’s backing has made this shift possible, reducing youth unemployment in the process.

To reinforce its position as a leading food producer, Ghana is also investing in infrastructure to streamline food distribution. The focus is on enhancing transportation, storage, and processing systems to optimise the food supply chain and minimise post-harvest losses. Moreover, the government is strengthening the link between farmers and markets, ensuring that food production aligns with consumer demand and national requirements.

Beyond securing food for its citizens, Ghana aims to leverage its agricultural success for regional economic growth. By increasing food production, the country plans to become a key supplier to other African nations, boosting regional trade and integration. “Our goal is to ensure that Ghana becomes a leading food supplier for Africa,” the president concluded, solidifying Ghana’s aspirations as a major player in Africa’s food economy.

In summary, Ghana’s future as Africa’s food hub looks increasingly certain. Through strategic investments, innovative policies, and a deep commitment to agricultural growth, Ghana is preparing to lead the continent in food production, not only meeting its own needs but also supporting its neighbours.