Analytical Review of African Agribusiness Competitiveness

Abstract

Agribusiness has a major role to play in the transformation of the agricultural sector in Africa. With the demand for high-value food products increasing across the world, there is an opportunity for an increase in income/employment through the production and export of these goods. To capture the benefits of this trend and capitalize on this opportunity for long-term agricultural growth, there is a need to increase the competitiveness of agribusiness in Africa. Further, along with competitiveness, increasing agricultural productivity and food security are other major challenges in African agricultural development. In this paper, we compare the competitiveness of African countries and develop typologies with their food security and agricultural productivity status. The typologies reveal various stylized facts on competitiveness of agribusiness to help nations prioritize issues for agricultural development and growth. Additionally, we also present policy implications for increasing agribusiness competitiveness status of countries in Africa.