Despite the common belief that Africa’s future lies in its urban skylines, the World Bank says the real engine for inclusive growth and mass employment may still be rooted in agriculture. In a new blog authored by Osmane Dione, Vice President for Western and Central Africa, and other development experts, the World Bank positions agribusiness as the continent’s most viable solution to the rising youth unemployment crisis.
A Sleeping Giant for Employment
Sub-Saharan Africa is set to experience an unprecedented youth surge, with 362 million young people expected to reach working age in the next decade. However, only 151 million job opportunities are projected within the same period, leaving millions without sustainable livelihoods.
Agriculture, the blog reveals, already employs 70 to 80 percent of rural workers, but continues to be perceived as a subsistence occupation rather than a business. The World Bank argues that this misconception undermines the sector’s potential to absorb Africa’s growing labour force.
“Every $1 million invested in agribusiness generates more jobs than equivalent spending in manufacturing or services,” the authors highlight. “This makes agriculture a powerful tool for inclusive economic growth.”
Cities Driving Demand, Rural Areas Holding the Supply
While agriculture begins in rural areas, its economic value increasingly ends in cities. Growing urban populations in Lagos, Accra, Abidjan, and Douala are creating surging demand for food, which in turn is generating new opportunities across the agricultural value chain.
These include logistics, processing, packaging, warehousing, and digital marketplaces. The World Bank points to Nigeria’s rice and cassava industries and Côte d’Ivoire’s cashew sector as examples of what can be achieved when policy, infrastructure, and private investment converge.
“Urbanisation is driving a food boom,” said Chakib Jenane, Regional Practice Director for the Planet team in Western and Central Africa. “But unlocking rural supply requires smarter policy, infrastructure, and integration with city markets.”
Ghana’s Poultry Sector: A Missed Opportunity
In Ghana, the poultry industry offers a clear case of both the potential and the pitfalls. According to the Ghana National Association of Poultry Farmers, Ghana imports over 600,000 metric tonnes of frozen chicken annually, while local producers meet just 10–15% of demand. Experts believe with targeted policy support—such as access to low-interest loans, land security, and cold chain infrastructure—thousands of jobs could be created in feed production, hatcheries, veterinary services, packaging, transport and marketing.
Youth-Led Agritech in Ghana Shows Promise
Several young entrepreneurs in Ghana are already creating value from agriculture through innovation. Companies like AgroCenta, which connects smallholder farmers to market via mobile technology, and Trotro Tractor, which offers mechanisation-as-a-service via a digital platform, are improving productivity and reducing rural underemployment.
“Technology is helping us rethink farming,” said a founder of a Ghana-based agritech firm. “We’re not just growing crops; we’re building logistics, data systems and supply chains.”
Barriers to Unleashing Agribusiness Potential
Despite its promise, several roadblocks continue to limit agriculture’s job creation capacity. Insecure land tenure dissuades investment, especially among youth. Women, who form a major part of the agricultural workforce, face limited access to credit, land, and inputs. Fragmented value chains and poor infrastructure increase inefficiencies and reduce profitability.
Additionally, many countries prioritise short-term agricultural subsidies over long-term strategies to build resilient, job-creating ecosystems.
The World Bank recommends structural reforms that include secure land rights, targeted youth financing, and investment in climate-smart technologies. The blog also calls for stronger public-private partnerships to scale up innovation across the food system.
A Call to Business and Policy Leaders
With Africa facing a critical employment gap, the World Bank warns that without bold interventions, the continent risks losing its demographic dividend. Agribusiness, the authors argue, must be repositioned not as a fallback sector but as the cornerstone of future economic prosperity.
“Governments must lead with policy, but private investors must follow with capital, innovation and enterprise development,” said Steven Were Omamo, co-author and Director for Africa at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
