The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is targeting the supply chain's “first mile” to cut food losses in, where an estimated 37 percent of lost before it reaches the market, costing economies roughly $92 billion annually.
IFAD Vice-President Gerardine Mukeshimana explained that the organization is aligning its Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Kampala priorities, aiming to transform subsistence farming into bankable agribusiness ventures.
The strategy includes improving rural infrastructure, strengthening farmer cooperatives, expanding access to finance, and de-risking agricultural investment to crowd in private capital.
Evidence from IFAD-supported initiatives suggests that youth-led agribusinesses are generating income beyond, especially where infrastructure and market access are improved, scaling these models across the continent remains a challenge, particularly amid fiscal constraints and declining external development support.
The organization's 14th to help governments maintain investment momentum by offering concessional financing and leveraging additional private capital - a critical tool at a time when many African countries face rising debt servicing costs.
In West Africa, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) pledged airfares after announcing significant aviation tax cuts, but nearly two months into the new year, passengers in ticket prices.
Industry analysts, airline cost structures, and currency volatility as factors delaying tangible fare reductions. Meanwhile, Ghana is taking steps to capture more value from its cocoa industry, a sector that has long relied on exporting raw beans, by planning to process up to half of its cocoa domestically, a move aimed at boosting export revenues, strengthening local manufacturing.
The success of IFAD's “First Mile” initiative and other regional efforts to improve food systems and trade will be crucial for Africa's economic development, as the region continues to face challenges such as high food losses, travel, and dependence on raw commodity exports.
As Africa's youth population grows rapidly, the pressure to create sustainable employment is intensifying, and initiatives like IFAD's “First Mile” revolution will be essential for securing the region's food future and promoting economic growth.
