Africa’s Agricultural Renaissance: From Paradox to Powerhouse

This book addresses the paradox between preponderance of hunger in a continent that is well endowed with fertile agricultural land, plenty of fresh water and a vibrant labor force. As some statistics show, close to 60% of arable land in the world is located in Africa which also has several rivers flowing in all seasons and plenty of underground water. The bulk of its labor force thrives on agriculture, yet the continent’s largest import item is food. 23 of 36 the most malnourished countries also belong in Africa. This has caused significant needless human suffering.
This book goes beyond providing the traditional framework of supplying policy recommendations to delivering an applied, innovative framework upon which policymakers, the private sector and international institutions can take clear and deliberate action to stimulate Africa’s agricultural sector, thus responding to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Ayodele Odusola is the Resident Representative for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in South Africa and the Director for the UNDP Africa Finance Sector Hub. His cognate experience in economic and development advisory services, policy modeling and analysis, planning and management, strategic partnership and networking on pertinent development issues at the national, regional, continental and international levels spans nearly three decades. Prior, he was Chief Economist and Head of the Strategy and Analysis Team for United Nations Development Programme’s Regional Bureau for Africa. Dr. Odusola is a Nigerian national and holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.