AGP Executive Report

Southern Africa Food Security: Zambia is set for its biggest maize harvest on record, with USDA estimating 2025-26 output at about 4.9 million tonnes—up 28%—leaving roughly 2 million tonnes surplus to support the region as El Niño-linked dryness looms. Regional Integration & Agriculture: At the 46th SADC summit in Durban, President Cyril Ramaphosa urged leaders to speed up integration and turn commitments into trade, investment and industrialisation, with agriculture and value chains front and centre. Trade Rules for Citrus: After nearly a decade of talks, India approved additional fruit-fly cold-treatment options for South African citrus exports, a boost for growers aiming to expand beyond Europe. Farm Input Cost Relief (SA): South Africa’s ITAC has waived tyre import duties via a temporary rebate for certain agricultural and forestry vehicle tyres, aiming to cut costs for farmers and reduce pressure on local prices. Poultry Protection Review (SA): ITAC is running a sunset review of anti-dumping duties on frozen bone-in chicken from Germany, the Netherlands and the UK, as the poultry industry argues renewed dumping could hurt local producers. Livestock Pressure from Imports (Philippines): Imported pork is flooding North Cotabato supermarkets and malls, undercutting local hog vendors and shrinking sales, highlighting how import policy can quickly reshape meat markets.

SADC Summit Focus: South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa told the 46th SADC Heads of State meeting in Durban that “peace without development is fragile,” urging more investment in preventative diplomacy, mediation and dialogue to keep regional stability on track. Climate & Land: As COP17 on desertification gets underway in Mongolia, pastoralists are pushing for rangeland policies that protect livelihoods and mobility, with the theme tied to the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. Agri Inputs & Productivity: The African Union called for stronger seed banks to conserve indigenous varieties and more investment in domestic fertilizer production, warning Africa spends heavily on food imports despite large arable land. Kenya Diversification Push: Kenya plans to distribute 5 million avocado seedlings and 1 million cocoa seedlings in Meru to help smallholders shift into higher-value crops, backed by training and extension. Ghana Blue Economy: Ghana is moving to set up a Blue Economy Commission framework, with UNDP and the AU supporting the legal and institutional process. Sugar Supply Security (Nigeria): Nigeria’s National Sugar Development Council mobilised a US$1bn pipeline to expand sugar output and cut imports, citing implementation gaps as the main hurdle.

SADC Summit in Durban: Heads of state meet as industrialisation, infrastructure, agriculture and critical minerals stay on the agenda, with migration tensions also front and centre amid heightened security for a planned anti-immigrant march. South Africa Water Stress: Public hearings across provinces highlight leaking pipes, broken pumps, unreliable supply and slow project delivery, while officials warn El Niño could worsen water restrictions and raise costs. Limpopo Jobs and Farming Pressure: Limpopo’s unemployment remains grim (46.7% expanded), and opposition leaders argue the province’s agricultural potential is being wasted as people leave for work. Soybean Pricing Fight: Grain SA protests the JSE’s move back to a single soybean reference point, saying it could raise costs for farmers and ripple into livestock feed. Uganda Egg Industry Push: Government-backed inspections aim to expand local egg processing and cut imports, with Pristine Foods positioned as a regional hub. Botswana FMD Legal Twist: A court dismisses a challenge over an FMD lawyer’s admission, while feedlot farmers adjust their case against officials. Kenya Illicit Alcohol: A crackdown spotlighted Kenya’s underground spirits market, blamed for addiction and health harms. Africa Food Security Warning: El Niño risks are linked to rising food insecurity, especially across Southern Africa. AgriTech and Jobs in Zimbabwe: Econet plans construction jobs and expands AgriTech fruit exports to China, alongside a major EcoCash agent recruitment drive.

University-Industry Push: Kenya’s education officials urged universities to commercialise research into products, services and enterprises that create jobs, not keep innovations trapped in labs. Trade Policy for Farmers: Nigeria’s parliament says China’s zero-tariff access for 100% of tariff lines to African countries could boost agricultural and resource-based value addition—if countries build productive capacity. FOCAC Agriculture Link: China and the Republic of the Congo discussed accelerating FOCAC outcomes, highlighting cooperation in agriculture, health, digital economy and green development. SADC Summit Security & Migration: Durban is under heightened security ahead of a planned anti-immigrant march targeting SADC leaders as migration tensions rise. Zimbabwe Water-Smart Farming: Solar-powered community gardens in drought-hit Zimbabwe are helping families grow vegetables year-round and buy staple maize when crops fail. South Africa Water Crisis: Leaking pipes, broken pumps and tanker shortages are driving unreliable water and sanitation services, with calls for stronger accountability. Food Prices Up: Global staple food prices rose on heatwaves and energy costs, with sugar, cereals and wheat particularly affected. AGOA Update: The US Senate voted to extend AGOA for two more years, offering exporters—including agriculture-linked sectors—more trade certainty. Lithium vs Land: South Africa’s lithium expansion faces farmer backlash over prospecting licences covering tens of thousands of hectares of farmland.

China-Africa Agri Trade: South Africa’s cereals and oilseeds sector says deeper cooperation with China—boosted by China’s zero-tariff access for qualifying goods—could expand exports and production, with opportunities beyond soybeans into maize and fruit. SADC Summit Agenda: As South Africa chairs the 46th SADC Heads of State summit in Durban, Zimbabwe urges the bloc to move from declarations to real programmes, with agriculture, infrastructure and industrialisation at the centre. DRC Connectivity for Farmers: Airtel Africa has commercially launched Starlink mobile satellite-to-phone service in the Democratic Republic of Congo, aiming to reach remote users including farmers and logistics operators where terrestrial coverage fails. Weather Risk for Food: The World Meteorological Organization warns El Niño is strengthening, raising the odds of hotter conditions and rainfall shifts that could disrupt farming across Africa. Tech for Precision Farming: A Nigerian robotics student in Ghana built a precision agriculture system to collect farm data remotely over long distances, cutting the need for constant on-site monitoring. Food Crisis Watch: JPMorgan warns the next global food crisis could be building, citing war, weather, warehousing, water and waste—plus fertilizer pressure and El Niño risks. Kenya US Scrutiny: A new US trade report flags Kenya as a potential transshipment risk linked to Chinese exports, raising the stakes for agriculture and logistics exporters. Women & Farm Resilience: A women’s health and agri-food systems piece highlights how better access to diagnostics and fairer control of land and decisions can strengthen household incomes and food security.

Trade & Investment: The UAE says its CEPA network has grown to 38 agreements, with deals already boosting non-oil trade and market access across Africa and beyond. Agri-exports & Value Chains: South Africa’s Port of Cape Town reports faster truck and rail performance and sharply lower vessel waiting times ahead of the deciduous fruit season, supporting major export volumes. Food Security & Processing: Egypt’s Silo Foods complex in Sadat City is now a full food industrial hub—milling, silos, and factories for biscuits, pasta, dairy and more—aimed at strengthening supply chains and exports. Farming & Irrigation: Ghana’s Farmate will cultivate 1,500 acres of tomatoes in the Upper East to cut import dependence, using dry-season irrigation and improved seed plus technical support. Livestock & Biosecurity: Finland’s first African swine fever outbreak in wild boar piglets is tightening import bans and underlining global pork biosecurity risks. Regional Integration: SADC leaders in Durban are pressing for integration that doesn’t tolerate discrimination against migrants. Energy for Agriculture: Tanzania is set to officially launch the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project on August 22, a major step toward more reliable power.

Livestock & Trade: The U.S. Mission in Nigeria has launched its Freedom 250 drive to deepen agricultural trade and investment, sending a livestock expert to work with Nigeria’s livestock ministry and industry on boosting productivity through better animal husbandry, technology and private investment. Meat Processing: Bangladesh says it will set up modern meat processing centres in every district to improve preservation, meet international standards and support future meat exports, with 13 centres already inaugurated. Port Efficiency for Fruit Exports: South Africa’s Cape Town port is moving into a “war room” model to align shipping, gate and container stack operations after being ranked the worst port globally, with the port handling about 80% of the country’s deciduous fruit exports. Food Safety & Disease Risk: Australia’s H5N1 bird flu spread is being managed with a focus on protecting vulnerable native species and keeping the virus out of agriculture, as eradication is deemed impossible. Security & Community Impact: In Nigeria’s Plateau State, Fulani herdsmen have killed at least 15 Christians since Aug. 2, according to local sources.

Nigeria–China Trade & Aquatic Exports: Power Minister Joseph Tegbe urged fast rollout of the Nigeria-China Aquatic Products Protocol after zero-tariff access for eligible wild aquatic products was agreed, as bilateral trade hit $18bn in H1 2026. Kenya Aquaculture Inputs: Dutch feedmaker Maxim Agri Holding is investing about $4m in a fish feed plant in Kenya’s KenGen Green Energy Park, targeting 8MT per hour to cut feed costs for farmers. Ghana Cocoa Finance Discipline: COCOBOD barred licensed buying companies from buying cocoa on credit, warning licence revocation to tighten liquidity and payment discipline. Ghana Horticulture Push: The Ghana International Horticulture Expo 2026 runs Sept 3–5 in Accra to link farmers, exporters, processors and buyers under a “From Soil to Sovereignty” theme. Philippines ASF Biosecurity: The Philippines lifted its temporary ban on canned pork imports after risk analysis found ASF risks are negligible when products are industrially made and heat-treated in hermetically sealed containers. Food Security Shock from Black Sea War: US forecasts cut Russian and Ukrainian grain exports as Black Sea port disruptions push global wheat prices higher, raising food price pressure. DRC Connectivity for Farmers: Airtel Africa and Starlink launched satellite-to-mobile service commercially in the DRC, extending messaging and light data where networks don’t reach. SADC Summit Agenda: SADC leaders meet in Durban under a theme including agricultural transformation and critical minerals, with South Africa taking the chair.

Biosecurity Push: South Africa’s Veterinary Council says biosecurity starts long before outbreaks, urging vets and para-vets to educate farmers and communities to stop diseases spreading between animals, people and the environment. Fertiliser Shock & Food Prices: A shipping disruption tied to the Strait of Hormuz has sent urea prices sharply higher, warning that Africa’s food bills can jump fast when fertiliser costs surge. Carbon Markets: Access Bank Ghana has been certified to operate as a carbon credit broker, positioning it to link Ghanaian project developers with international buyers and climate finance. Trade Certainty for Farmers/Exporters: Kenya welcomed the US Senate’s AGOA extension to December 31, 2028, protecting duty-free access that supports export jobs and manufacturing. Human-Elephant Conflict: A study warns Southern Africa’s growing farms and populations, plus drier conditions inside protected areas, could expand crop-raiding risk. Food & Nutrition Gap: A new global study finds people eat far fewer vegetables than dietary guidelines recommend, while vegetable diversity in production is also declining. Regional Integration Check: SADC says progress in security, agriculture and mobility is being held back by weak growth and high youth unemployment.

Food Security & Trade Disruptions: Ukraine’s Black Sea grain exports are again under pressure after strikes on Novorossiysk grain terminals, raising global supply fears as farmers struggle to move harvests. Agri-Processing & Prices: China’s tilapia sector is bracing for tougher conditions as new processing capacity nears completion while demand stays weak and freight costs bite. Water Resilience: South Africa’s Water Security Africa Johannesburg (Oct 28–29) spotlights investment and implementation for reuse, recycling, decentralised infrastructure and bankable water projects. Horticulture Shortfalls: Ghana’s tomato and ginger gaps are deepening—tomato demand outstrips local supply and ginger collapse has pushed near-total import dependence, pointing to seed, irrigation and soil-health weaknesses. Policy & Compliance: Zimbabwe’s SI 59 of 2026 tightens import/export licensing rules, warning traders to check requirements before paying for goods. Jobs & Agriculture Labour: South Africa’s unemployment rate climbed to 33.6%, with agriculture among sectors shedding jobs amid weak growth and rising costs. Connectivity for Rural Economies: Airtel Nigeria is nearing 18,000 cell sites, adding 1,000+ sites annually and extending 4G coverage to underserved communities. Climate & Land Pressure: A study flags declining global vegetable diversity and low intake, linking nutrition shortfalls to broader biodiversity risks.

Agrivoltaics & Youth-Led Resilience: South Africa’s Amadiba communities are pushing back against mining while young people defend livelihoods through farming and local tourism, and a separate feature highlights how agrivoltaics can help farmers grow food and generate energy. Climate Risk to Food Systems: El Niño forecasts are raising alarms for southern Africa’s water and food security, with conservation and farm planning urged as rainfall delays and drought impacts loom. Nigeria Floods & Farm Losses: Nigeria’s flooding is flagged as a largely preventable annual disaster, with recent figures pointing to heavy damage to housing and agriculture and calls for stronger prevention. Mechanisation Push: Nigeria unveiled a new agricultural mechanisation policy and investment strategy, targeting a shift toward leasing, spare parts and digital fleet management, while also aiming for a large tractor assembly plant. Trade & Market Access: Ghana renewed its TradeMark Africa partnership to modernise border management and cut time/cost on the Abidjan–Lagos corridor, while India and SACU signed terms of reference for a preferential trade pact that includes agriculture and agri-processing. Ag Tech for Farmers: Kenya’s coffee farmers are increasingly using smartphones for weather alerts, market info and pest identification, turning data into a key farm input. Agri-Processing Value Addition: Zimbabwe’s Defence Forces are urged to move beyond farm production into agro-processing and export of high-value products.

Agriculture Policy & Investment: Nigeria unveiled a National Agricultural Mechanisation Policy and Investment Strategy, aiming to make mechanisation commercially viable, cut reliance on imported machinery, and attract private capital—plus plans for a mega tractor assembly plant. Aquaculture Research: Uganda is pushing aquaculture growth with work on improved fish seed, genetics, feeds and farming systems at its national aquaculture research centre, targeting faster-growing Nile tilapia and African catfish. Climate Finance & Carbon Markets: ECOWAS is moving to close a $294bn climate-finance gap by validating a regional carbon market platform framework, betting on West Africa’s carbon potential. Food Systems & Nutrition: A new study warns global vegetable intake falls far short of dietary guidelines while vegetable crop diversity keeps shrinking—raising risks for long-term food security. Trade & Value Chains: Zimbabwe’s Kuminda is connecting smallholders to EU horticultural markets through contract farming and quality standards, helping farmers export high-value crops. Conservation & Land Use: Conservation groups say Nigeria’s elephants are near extinction from poaching, habitat loss and conflict, as the country marks World Elephant Day. Development Cooperation: JICA says it has supported Tanzania’s agriculture for decades, focusing on productivity, commercialization and skills to tackle climate and food insecurity.

Food Systems Climate Pressure: A new global study says no country is on track to meet 2030 greenhouse gas targets from food production, with food-system emissions needing steep annual cuts and several key indicators moving the wrong way. Agri-Trade & Partnerships: Nigeria is seeking deeper China collaboration to boost agricultural productivity, including soil and water conservation lessons for northern regions. Seeds for Yields: Japan has pledged a $3.5m grant to Nigeria to strengthen rice seed production at the National Cereals Research Institute, aiming to improve certified seed supply and raise yields. Regional Market Access: Nigeria and Botswana are partnering to build a trade gateway for SADC, positioning Botswana as a production and distribution hub under AfCFTA. Poultry & Aquaculture Jobs: The World Bank approved $60m for Congo to strengthen poultry and aquaculture value chains, focusing on inputs, skills, climate-resilient infrastructure, and better policy for private investment. Water & Farming Reality Check: A report on eThekwini’s water woes highlights how water security depends on the full value chain, not just consumer supply. Citrus Export Headwinds: South Africa’s citrus export estimate for 2026 has been revised downward as growers adjust to margin pressure and shifting harvest volumes. Land Tenure Reform: Côte d’Ivoire is pushing land tenure security reforms and plans “Land Tenure Days” to speed up digitalization and formalize rights for women and youth.

El Niño Food Security: Experts say near-record global grain stocks and better irrigation, crop science and fertiliser use are making this year’s “super” El Niño less disruptive than past events, though drought and conflict-linked input shortages still threaten planting in parts of Asia and beyond. Nigeria Farm Inputs: Japan has granted about $3.5m to boost Nigeria’s rice seed production at the National Cereals Research Institute, aiming to strengthen breeder and foundation seed supply and raise yields. Ghana Horticulture Crisis: CSIR researchers warn Ghana’s tomato and ginger shortfalls are driving heavy import dependence, pointing to weak seed systems, limited irrigation, soil health issues and disease pressure. Kenya Monetary Watch: Kenya’s central bank kept its rate at 8.75% as it balances fuel-driven food inflation against a stable shilling, with risks tied to Middle East conflict. South Africa Weather & Farming: Snow and cold in multiple provinces have disrupted travel and raised livestock feed and dairy logistics concerns, but some passes have reopened with warnings. Livestock Health Alert: Scotland confirmed bluetongue (BTV-3), with restrictions and ongoing investigations as farmers brace for insect-borne spread. ECOWAS Startup Push: ECOWAS opened applications for its 2026 Startup Awards, with $65,000 in prizes for digital transformation and sustainable value-chain ideas. Development Finance Debate: A new analysis argues climate and agriculture financing still falls short of needs, calling for smarter, more locally grounded resilience planning.

Livestock Push: Nigeria’s Tinubu says the livestock sector’s $32bn annual contribution will be more than doubled to make the country a hub for livestock production and processing in Africa, citing huge cattle, sheep, goat and poultry numbers. Trade & Exports: Zimbabwean exporters say China’s zero-tariff policy is opening doors for horticulture—especially blueberries, citrus and avocados—after duty-free access began for 53 African countries. Value Addition: Beitbridge’s new citrus processing plant (Orangeville) is commissioning a $25m facility to supply Schweppes and expand into southern Africa, turning residue into livestock feed pellets. Regional Market Access: NOPPMAN urges ECOWAS to intervene as Nigerian onion trucks face continued restrictions in Ghana’s Kotoku Market, warning of losses and supply-chain disruption. Climate Risk: Kenya’s meteorologists estimate an 81% chance of a very strong El Niño with above-normal rains, with 97% odds it extends into early 2027—an alert for farm and finance planning. Rangelands & Pastoralism: Nigeria’s Niger State marks Pastoralists’ Day as part of the UN’s International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, spotlighting pastoralism’s role in food security and livelihoods. Agri-Showcase: South Africa’s Swartland Show returns to Moorreesburg from 2–5 September, with major cattle and small-stock competitions and livestock innovation.

Land Rights Debate: A new study by South Africa’s Agricultural Research Council finds many rural households don’t want formal title deeds, fearing new levies and taxes even if ownership could boost investment. Decision-Making Gap: Rwanda’s national satellite data push with Planet aims to turn climate and agriculture data into daily government decisions for food security, forest monitoring and disaster planning. Weather & Farm Risk: South Africa braces for disruptive snow and rain, with Eastern Cape communities facing major travel and livelihood disruptions, plus damaging winds and coastal risks. Food Supply Tensions: Nigeria’s onion traders and NOPPMAN say restrictions on trucks at Ghana’s Kotoku Market are damaging perishable exports and cross-border food supply chains. Livestock & Climate Resilience: Uganda launches a three-year initiative to strengthen livestock, land and insurance systems for climate resilience, targeting value chains, insurance and land tenure. Agri-Industry Shock: South Africa’s fruit canning sector fears Premier Foods’ planned Tulbagh closure could wipe out nearly half the country’s canning capacity and destabilise hundreds of producers ahead of harvest. Climate Diplomacy: African climate negotiators meet in Accra to consolidate priorities for COP31, including climate finance, adaptation and agriculture/food security. ASF Alert Clarification: Philippines authorities say there’s no confirmed ASF outbreak in Davao de Oro, after heightened local alerts.