US chamber unveils plans to empower African farmers

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has unveiled its white paper, “Enabling Ecosystems: Fostering environments that support agriculture development for smallholder farmers in Africa.”

‘Enabling Ecosystems’ offers actionable recommendations that can transform the lives of Africa’s smallholder farmers, and explores how the private sector can be better utilized to increase the continent’s crop yields.

Part of the issues highlighted in the report included Financing sustainable agriculture; Access to proper inputs, fuel, and fertilizers; Access to mechanized solutions, including training, parts, and service and Access to off-takers, trade infrastructure, supply chains, and commodity markets.

President of the U.S. Chamber’s U.S.-Africa Business Center, Kendra Gaither, said, “The time is now for global efforts to fulfill Africa’s agricultural promise and support the continent’s efforts to become a major breadbasket that can help meet worldwide food needs today and in the future.

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“The solutions explored in this white paper—including creative applications of blended financing, higher-quality inputs, mechanization strategies, leveraging digital farming technologies, and supply chain development—can achieve a positive chain reaction of increased employment, rising incomes, and better nutrition throughout all of Africa.”

“The paper was unveiled at the U.S. Chamber-hosted Forum on Advancing the U.S.-Africa Commercial Partnership for a Prosperous Future. The Forum marked one year since the 2022 U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit.

In his virtual address to the Forum, President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina,  said, “The white paper is well-aligned with the African Development Bank’s Feed Africa strategy and directly addresses the priorities expressed by African Heads of State during the Dakar 2 Summit.

“At the Summit, African Heads of State called for greater focus in key areas, like blended finance, digital platforms and emerging AI technologies, mechanized solutions, streamlined policy, and investment into supply chains, corridors, and African Continental Free Trade Area infrastructure. We at the Bank stand ready to partner with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-Africa Business Center and its members to assist countries across the continent to realize their agricultural ambitions.”