This Week, on African Farms

Zimbabwe has quietly dropped its ban on importing maize from South Africa because of emerging domestic shortages. However, new rules will require processors to buy at least 40% of their grain locally starting April 2026, and gradually climb to 100% by April 2028. South Africa welcomed the end of the ban, saying it will help price stability and regional trade.

Zambia is investing in its agricultural future by launching a new digital skills training program for its extension officers. The goal is simple: make sure the field staff who work directly with farmers are fully equipped with the latest technology and knowledge. This move should help farmers produce more efficiently and hit the country's overall agricultural targets.

The FAO is working to fix project efficiency in West Africa. They just held a five-day training in Senegal because too many projects suffer from poor execution and delays. Currently, about 17% of projects have issues like budget overruns and low delivery, which is much higher than their target of under 5%. The training aims to get project teams running smoothly and delivering better results on the ground.

Nigeria's Senate is looking to give the country's rice sector a major boost by reviewing a bill to create a National Rice Council. The idea is that this dedicated new body would be in charge of guiding policy, attracting investment, and strengthening market connections. Establishing this Council is seen as a necessary move to secure and revitalize the rice industry for national food security.

Good news for Morocco's date fans. The country is expecting a large harvest this season, projecting 160,000 tons of dates. That's a huge 55% jump from last year's 103,000 tons. This surge, thanks to great weather, is a big win for the government, helping them cut back on imports, which recently totaled 138,000 tons. The country is also on track for a record pumpkin season in France for the third year running.

The Comoros government is stepping in to save its vanilla industry, which has been struggling badly. Vanilla prices have dropped by more than 80% since 2019, hitting local farmers hard. The new national plan is focused on bringing stability back to the market, improving quality controls, and restoring vanilla’s status as a key national export.

Global demand for seaweed (used in food, cosmetics, and drugs) has sparked a new investment boom in Zanzibar, where seaweed is now the third-biggest export. However, the estimated 25,000 farmers, mostly women, work in tough conditions for low pay, facing climate risks that push them into deeper water. While the government and companies like Cargill are backing the "blue economy" with training for high-value processing, there is concern that the frontline collectors will miss out on the profits.

Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture has released 25,000 bags of fertilizer nationwide to boost minor-season production. The fertilizer is also specifically targeting over 400 schools involved in the Feed Ghana Programme. This action is critical for shoring up output of key crops like maize, rice, and vegetables, especially as farmers face erratic weather and rising cost.

South Africa's mango industry is fighting back against poor quality. The Mango Growers' Association has signed a three-year agreement to stop the sale of immature 'achar' mangoes. These fruits are often ripened artificially with ethylene early in the season to catch high prices, but the sour, bitter taste ruins consumer trust and hurts demand for weeks. The agreement is a direct effort to protect the quality and reputation of the fruit.

Uganda has landed a $31 million grant from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for its landmark climate project. The funding is a direct result of Uganda's verifiable success in reducing deforestation and cutting greenhouse gas emissions, making it Africa’s first climate project to be rewarded based purely on results. 

The African Development Bank (AfDB) just secured $14 million from the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP). This initial money is the first step in a new finance program designed to attract up to $200 million in private investment. The overall goal is to boost food security in several low-income countries across Africa.

There will be another edition of the Africa Food Show in Morocco from November 19 - November 21, 2025. This is an exhibition dedicated to transforming the agri-food industry in Africa.

The Global Agriculture Investment Summit will be held from November 23–25, 2025, in Johannesburg, South Africa. The summit focuses on revolutionizing investment strategies for farmers, small businesses, and women-led ventures across the agri, energy, and telecom sectors.

The first Africa Conference on Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (SAM) will hold from November 25–28, 2025, in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. The conference aims to drive regional collaboration and accelerate the adoption of sustainable mechanization practices across the continent.