This Week, on African Farms

South Africa has officially signed a new agreement with China to ease cold treatment requirements for citrus exports. This is a huge win for the industry, which supports 140,000 jobs, as it will significantly lower costs and make our oranges much more competitive in the Chinese market. It’s also perfect timing, too, as China is set to implement zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries starting May 1st.

The African agrochemicals market is on a steady climb, projected to hit over $15 billion by 2031. A new report shows that as climate change drives more pests and diseases across the continent, the demand for crop protection is rising. While the 4.3% growth rate is strong, the report notes that government subsidies will be the main bridge helping smallholders actually afford these inputs to keep their harvests safe.

Zimbabwe is preparing for a massive $200 million industrial boost with a new nitrogen fertiliser plant. The Chinese firm Xintai is set to start construction in June, aiming to produce 400,000 tonnes of urea and ammonium nitrate every year by 2027. Zimbabwe currently spends over $330 million annually just to import fertilizer, so this project is a critical move to strengthen domestic industrial capacity and help farmers get better yields without the heavy import price tag.

Ghana is in high-level talks with Ukraine to build a new wheat flour processing plant. The plan is to move away from just buying grain and toward creating a hub in Accra that can process and distribute wheat products across West Africa. With Ghana's wheat imports jumping by 57% over the last four years, this partnership is a strategic attempt to gain control over food supply chains that have been rattled by global instability.

The FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture in Senegal have launched a new drive to stop a roughly $650 million yearly loss in food waste. In the Touba region, they are introducing "tried and true" solutions like solar-powered cold chains and organic waste valorization using black soldier flies. The message is simple: nothing should be wasted, and everything from surplus crops to organic waste can be transformed into value for the community.

Nigeria has launched a national task force to battle a deadly cattle disease (CBPP) that has a mortality rate of 50%. After 131 recorded outbreaks across 17 states last year, the government is moving to improve surveillance and vaccination. This is a vital move for a livestock sector that contributes 35% to the country's agricultural GDP, where every lost animal directly threatens a farmer's income and national food security.

Ethiopia’s agricultural transformation is being hailed by the African Union Commission as a model for the rest of the continent. By coordinating policies and focusing heavily on wheat cultivation and livestock value chains, Ethiopia has shown that system-wide reforms can deliver real results. The AU is now urging other countries to look at the "Ethiopian model" as a blueprint for enhancing food security.

Morocco has donated 2,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer to Ghana to support the "Feed Ghana" initiative. This is the second major donation in a series aimed at helping farmers deal with high global fertilizer prices. Beyond the immediate donation, Ghana and Morocco are also working towards establishing a local fertiliser manufacturing plant to reduce import reliance. The fertilizer will be distributed directly to farmers nationwide to help improve yields and support long-term food security goals.

Zimbabwean tobacco farmers are being warned to find new buyers as oversupply and weak demand from traditional markets like China are driving prices down by nearly 19%. With another record harvest expected, unsold stock from last year is putting massive pressure on prices, leaving many farmers struggling to repay their production debts.

The European Union has launched the $20.5 million SPRING initiative in The Gambia. The flagship program is designed to transform the agri-food sector and create new economic opportunities for future generations.

UNDP has launched a call for AgriTech startups to join the Pan-African Incubation Programme in Ghana. Supported by the Government of Japan, the Timbuktoo initiative is looking for innovative startups to join its first cohort in May. The deadline to apply is 27 April 2026.

The FCA Africa Exhibition & Awards will be taking place from the 22nd to the 24th of April, 2026, in Lusaka, Zambia. The event celebrates excellence in agribusiness through the prestigious Farmers Choice Awards.