Title : Transforming agricultural value chains in Africa: A solution to strengthen sustainable agricultural mechanization with a job creation engine
Abstract:
On average, agriculture employs more than half of the African population, with employment shares ranging from 60% to 85% in several countries, including Burundi, the Central African Republic, Chad, Angola, Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar. Youth unemployment represents a major challenge in Africa. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), the youth unemployment rate in Africa was 12.7% in 2022. More than 20 million young people of working age are unemployed, hindering Africa's economic development. For the last quarter of 2025, the World Bank projects that the youth unemployment rate in Africa will remain around 8.9%, with economic growth estimated at 3.8%. Adding value to agricultural products through local processing remains a major challenge in Africa, despite policies implemented to promote its development. The potential for creating added value through the local processing of agricultural products could strengthen the continent's agricultural competitiveness. African countries possess a natural potential to support agricultural transformation, with their arable land, young workforce, and growing middle class offering opportunities to expand national and interregional markets. A misconception persists regarding job creation in Africa. Indeed, many perceive cities as the epicenter of economic opportunities. Yet, the path to decent work for millions of people in subSaharan Africa still lies through agriculture. Faced with rising youth unemployment and the inability of cities to absorb the growing workforce, it is imperative to transform agriculture the region's largest employer into a more productive, attractive, and innovative sector.
