Building resilient agribusiness: Insights and opportunities from the CGIAR food systems accelerator in East and Southern Africa

Agriculture is the lifeblood of East and Southern
Africa, shaping economies, providing
livelihoods, and underpinning food security.
Yet, this vital sector is at a crossroads. Climate
change, fragmented value chains, and resource
degradation challenge the region’s ability to
meet the food demands of its rapidly expanding
population. Smallholder farmers, who produce
the bulk of food consumed in the region, are
particularly vulnerable, often bearing the brunt
of these systemic inefficiencies.
Amid these challenges lies an opportunity: the
potential to transform agricultural systems into
dynamic engines of economic growth and
climate resilience. This transformation, however,
requires more than traditional methods; it
demands bold solutions, innovative
approaches, and strategic investments to
bridge the gaps between vision and reality.
Despite the sector's critical importance,
agriculture remains underfunded. Private
capital flows are limited, with only a fraction of
venture financing and development finance
reaching agribusinesses. This underinvestment
stems from the perception of agriculture as a
high-risk sector, compounded by climate
uncertainties, information asymmetries, and
high transaction costs.