Lagos, Nigeria – Africa must urgently prioritise food security and agricultural self-sufficiency if it is to achieve sustainable development, create jobs, and ensure shared prosperity, according to business magnate Aliko Dangote.
The President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited made this call during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the AfricaRice Centre, a pan-African hub for rice research and innovation. Dangote emphasised that Africa’s vast arable land and youthful population provide an unparalleled opportunity to transform the continent into a global agricultural powerhouse — provided that governments adopt the right policies and encourage investment.
“Africa is richly endowed with arable land,” Dangote said in a statement released by the Dangote Group. “With the right policies, adequate investment, and the adoption of modern technology, farmers can significantly increase their yields and return on investment. Strengthening agriculture is not just about food security; it is also about creating jobs and driving industrial growth.”
Agriculture as an Economic Engine
For Dangote, agriculture is more than a sector — it is the engine that can power Africa’s wider economic transformation. He noted that food security remains one of the continent’s most pressing challenges, but also one of its greatest opportunities.
“With effective policy frameworks and technological advancement, Africa can achieve food security and become self-sufficient,” he said. “Investing in agriculture will also unlock growth across various sectors of the economy.”
His remarks come at a time when several African countries are grappling with rising food import bills, climate change disruptions, and increasing pressure on foreign exchange reserves. The United Nations estimates that Africa spends over $40 billion annually on food imports — a figure that underscores the need to strengthen local production.
Backing Words with Action
Dangote’s comments are not just rhetoric. His agribusiness arm, Dangote Rice Limited, has been scaling up investments in rice production and processing as part of Nigeria’s broader food security agenda.
Recently, Dangote Rice signed a ₦1.8 trillion purchase and sale agreement with Niger Foods Security Systems and Logistics Company Limited, owned by the Niger State Government. The deal guarantees a steady supply of high-quality paddy rice to Dangote Rice, while supporting Niger State’s ambitious food production drive.
The investment covers rice mills, plantations, and out-grower schemes designed to empower smallholder farmers and create jobs across the value chain. Industry experts describe the partnership as one of the largest and most comprehensive private sector interventions in Nigeria’s agricultural sector to date.
AfricaRice Endorsement
The AfricaRice delegation praised Dangote’s commitment to agriculture and described the Niger State initiative as transformative. Director General Dr. Baboucarr Manneh highlighted the state’s ambitious target of producing five million tonnes of rice within five years.
“Africa imports around 15 million tonnes of rice annually. If Niger State achieves this target, it will have a huge impact on rice self-sufficiency and food security in Africa,” Manneh said.
He added that public-private partnerships (PPPs) such as this are essential to strengthen food systems, combining government leadership, private sector capital, and scientific research. “This partnership can serve as a blueprint for other states and countries across the continent,” he noted.
Niger State’s Ambitious Plan
The Executive Chairman of Niger Foods, Sammy Adigun, disclosed that AfricaRice will work with Niger State to raise production capacity from 1.5 million tonnes to 10 million tonnes annually. The strategy will rely on climate-smart technologies, mechanisation, and the integration of both large-scale and smallholder farming operations.
“This is about transforming agriculture into a modern, efficient system that benefits both commercial producers and rural communities,” Adigun said. He stressed that the partnership is designed not only to boost output but also to ensure sustainability in the face of climate change.
A Continent-Wide Imperative
The push for agricultural transformation resonates across Africa. Many governments are beginning to see food security not merely as a social concern but as a national security priority. Rising global food prices, disrupted supply chains, and the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on grain markets have highlighted the dangers of dependence on imports.
For Dangote, the message is clear: Africa has the resources to feed itself. What is required is the political will to implement supportive policies, the financing to scale up production, and the technology to modernise farming.
His argument aligns with broader continental strategies such as the African Union’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), which calls for increased investment in agriculture to achieve food security and economic growth.
Beyond Food Security: Jobs and Prosperity
Agriculture also represents a vital pathway to job creation. Africa’s population is projected to double by 2050, with young people making up the majority. Harnessing this demographic dividend will require employment opportunities on a massive scale — something agriculture is uniquely positioned to provide.
According to Dangote, a revitalised agricultural sector could absorb millions of young workers, reduce poverty, and stimulate agro-industrial growth. By linking farmers to processing facilities, logistics networks, and export markets, agriculture could become the foundation for long-term prosperity.
Challenges on the Horizon
Despite the optimism, there are hurdles to overcome. Land tenure issues, inadequate infrastructure, limited access to finance, and weak rural road networks continue to hinder productivity in many African countries. Climate change adds another layer of complexity, with erratic rainfall and rising temperatures threatening yields.
However, with coordinated action, Dangote and other stakeholders believe these obstacles can be overcome. The Niger State partnership, backed by AfricaRice, exemplifies how targeted investment and collaboration can turn potential into reality.
Conclusion
Aliko Dangote’s call for Africa to embrace agriculture as the cornerstone of its future comes at a critical juncture. With vast arable land, a youthful workforce, and growing demand for food, the continent stands at the threshold of opportunity.
If governments adopt the right policies and the private sector continues to invest, Africa could transition from a net food importer to a global agricultural powerhouse. The vision is ambitious, but the message is simple: food security is not optional — it is the foundation for prosperity, stability, and independence.
