Call for more investment in food processing in Africa to solve hunger problem

NAIROBI, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) — Africa’s food processing sector could offer a lasting solution to hunger, malnutrition and rural poverty on the continent and therefore needs to boost its competitiveness through investment, adoption of technology and enhanced market access, experts said on Tuesday.

Africa is the next frontier for food processing, with growth driven by urbanization and rising middle-class incomes, officials said at the virtual launch of the report, titled “Adding Value: Policy Innovation to Drive Growth, Jobs and Health in Africa’s Food Processing Sector.”

The report, prepared by the Malabo Montpellier Group, an international group of experts in agriculture, ecology and food security, emphasizes that revitalizing Africa’s agro-processing sector is key to addressing the continent’s widespread hunger crisis, promoting exports and broadening the income sources of smallholder farmers.

Josepha Sakho, the African Union’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, said policies and fiscal incentives were needed to stimulate growth in the continent’s food processing sector.

“Demand for processed, ready-to-eat foods is growing in Africa and there is a need to support entrepreneurs with advanced food processing technologies to address food loss and waste, hunger and create jobs,” Sacco said.

The report notes that a thriving food processing sector in Africa would bring many benefits, including improved nutrition and job creation across the agricultural value chain.

Food processing accounts for nearly a third of Africa’s manufacturing sector and is key to building resilience in the continent’s agricultural systems, in addition to tackling pollution caused by rampant food waste, the report said.

The report noted that Africa’s share of processed food imports rose from 28% in 2000 to 33% in 2020, and stressed the need to provide local processors with capital, skills and market linkages.

Ghana, Kenya and Senegal are leading the food processing sector by leveraging friendly policy legislation, innovative financing and tax rebates, the report said.

Ousmane Badiane, co-chair of the Malabo Montpellier Group, said accelerated growth in Africa’s food processing sector requires investment in supporting infrastructure, technology and manpower.

In addition, Badiane said the government should address bottlenecks in the development of the local food processing industry, including unstable supply of raw materials, lack of cold chain facilities, incoherent policies and artificial trade barriers.