This Week, on African Farms

A heartbreaking market crash has hit pepper farmers in northern Nigeria, with prices for scotch bonnet and habanero peppers collapsing from $22 (N30,000) to just ($2) N3,000 per bag. Farmers who invested millions in seeds, fertiliser, and irrigation have seen their life savings vanish, with some forced to sell their cars and houses to repay debts. The crash was driven by a massive oversupply following a difficult wet season, leaving many growers fleeing their homes to escape the pressure of unpaid loans.

Ethiopia has officially overtaken the rest of the continent to become Africa’s top wheat producer. During a recent high-level meeting in Addis Ababa, officials linked this success to a massive push for irrigated wheat farming under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration. By backing farmers with steady funding and clear policies, the country has managed to slash its need for imports while maintaining its spot as the continent's largest coffee exporter.

Zimbabwe is also chasing a wheat record, targeting a winter harvest of 662,500 tonnes, which is well above what the country actually needs. However, the "sovereignty" win comes with a side of struggle; farmers are currently grappling with delayed payments from the government, high interest rates, and expensive prepaid electricity for irrigation. Many believe that if these logistical bottlenecks are cleared, Zimbabwe could soon become a major wheat exporter for the region.

Guinea has launched a five-year strategy to stop its reliance on imported chicken, which has jumped by over 63% since 2020. The plan focuses on everything from local feed development to better biosecurity. Similarly, Côte d’Ivoire is putting $33 million into reviving its fisheries and aquaculture sector, aiming to nearly quadruple its fish production by 2031 to reduce the massive cost of importing affordable protein.

Moroccan farms are increasingly relying on migrant workers from sub-Saharan West Africa to plug a growing labor gap. As local Moroccan workers move to cities for jobs in construction and services, export-heavy regions like Souss-Massa have become a destination for migrants who originally intended to reach Europe. Farmers warn that without this migrant labor, the competitiveness of Morocco's fruit and vegetable exports could be at risk.

The Ukrainian consortium, Ridne, has opened its first agri-food hub in Ghana. The facility in Accra processes flour from Ukraine but works with local farmers to produce rice on the ground. Investment in the project totaled about $800,000, while the founders estimate the payback period at five years. The hub is located in Accra and covers 3,000 square meters.

More than 30 civil society organisations are calling on the World Bank and the IFC to stop funding industrial "factory farming" across Africa. Groups are pointing to the $1.4 billion invested in industrial livestock production between 2023 and 2024, arguing that these public funds should be redirected toward sustainable, small-scale food systems. They warn that industrial models are linked to biodiversity loss and public health risks that threaten long-term food security for rural communities.

Investor confidence in the agriculture sector is seeing a "sobering" Q1 in 2026. A new report from Stears shows that 30% of all private capital transactions in the sector involved an investor exit, the highest rate across any industry in Africa. While deal values actually rose to $16.1 billion, the high number of exits suggests that capital is shifting as investors look for more liquid or different types of agricultural opportunities.

The AGROMEQA Expo 2026 in Nigeria is targeting $500 million in new agro-industrial investment commitments during its debut event this June.

Côte d’Ivoire has launched the $33 million (€28.95M) ProDeCAP project, backed by the AfDB, to revive domestic fish production and reduce import reliance. According to government estimates, the program is expected to benefit roughly 700,000 people directly and indirectly.

The Ekiti State Government (Nigeria) has approved approximately $3.15 million (N4.41B) for land clearing, warehouse construction, and subsidized tractorization for the 2026 season.

A private $20 million integrated poultry project has been financed in Guinea to support the country's new 5-year strategy for meat and egg self-sufficiency.

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.

AI Everything x GITEX Kenya is coming to Nairobi from May 19–21. This will be the main hub for anyone looking at how AI and agritech are intersecting to solve East Africa’s digital economy problems.

FCI4Africa has opened a call for food system innovation projects, offering up to $54,000 (€50,000) in funding for projects that can be validated for real-world impact.

AGROMEQA Expo 2026 will take place in Abuja from June 10–11. It’s set to be a major platform for mechanization and export standards, with Vice President Kashim Shettima expected to open the event.