Africa’s Agribusiness: Unlocking the Continent’s Food Export Potential

Africa holds nearly half of the world’s arable land, yet it exports barely 4% of global agricultural products—a paradox of immense potential and missed opportunity. From Shariah-compliant financing to secure land rights and value-added processing, the continent has the tools to transform its agribusiness sector ethically and sustainably. Baba Yunus Muhammad  argues that the question is no longer whether Africa can feed the world, but whether it will seize the moment to lead a responsible, profitable, and inclusive agricultural revolution.  

Africa is endowed with extraordinary agricultural potential, yet it remains a marginal player in global food exports. With nearly half of the world’s arable land, favorable climates for over 80% of global crops, and low population density in many regions, one might expect Africa to dominate agribusiness. Yet its share of global agricultural exports has fallen from 8% in 1960 to just 4% today. This paradox represents both a challenge and an opportunity. The continent is rich in natural and human resources, but structural, financial, and institutional bottlenecks have constrained growth. Islamic economic principles—emphasizing ethical investment, risk-sharing, social justice, and responsible stewardship of resources—offer a lens to rethink Africa’s agricultural strategy. READ MORE>>