The Business for development team has recently released 12 focus articles on new approaches to agro-based private sector development in Africa. The articles are the basis of our Report on lessons learned from “Turning African Agriculture into a Business” and are based on interviews with experts from official donor agencies, research institutions and private stakeholders.

 

These focus articles point to some successful efforts undertaken by African farmers and businesses, with the support of government and donors, to improve supply conditions and spur long-term agricultural growth. Other focus areas include private equity as a new source of financing for private business initiatives in Africa.

 

Part I: New Ways to Approach African Agriculture

o Big Players in African Fields

o Global Agro-Food Supply Chain: Is There Space for Africa?

o Private Equity: Helping Fill Africa’s Financing Gap?

o Development Finance Institutions: Profitability Promoting Development

o Outgrower Schemes – Why Big Multinationals Link up with African Smallholders

o Africa can Develop Domestic Agribusiness Better

o Linking Smallholders to Markets – What Role for Donors?

 

Part II: Challenges and Opportunities for African Agriculture: Five Country Cases

 

o Ghana – Seizing New Agribusiness Opportunities

o Mali – Beyond Cotton, Searching for “Green Gold”

o Senegal – Challenges of Diversification and Food Security

o Tanzania – Why a Potential Food Exporter is Still Importing Food

o Zambia – Leveraging Agricultural Potential 

 

Click here for a list of interviewees

 

Viewpoints

In a recent interview, we asked Anthony Bouthelier, Executive Chairman of the French Council of Investors in Africa to expand on some of the issues raised.

Watch the video

 

Related material:

 

  B4D 2008: Promoting Commercial Agriculture in Africa 
  B4D 2007: Fostering Africa’s Private Sector Development