Strategy for agricultural transformation in africa

bringing 
to scale
existing and successful interventions across Africa, while further developing the 
required capacity of actors – public and private – throughout the system to sustain the positive 
impacts of these interventions. The AfDB is poised to play a particularly important role in the 
transformation through its strategy, acting as a catalyst for these efforts using, among other 
strengths, its 
financial leverage
to raise the investments required and its 
convening power
to 
bring different partners to the table and enhance accountability. 
Addressing the unfulfilled potential of agriculture is an imperative for Africa. 
T
ransforming the agriculture sector can and should be harnessed towards a vital impact on 

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inclusive growth on the continent. In 2014, over 60% of people in Africa lived in rural areas 
and relied on agriculture for their livelihoods,
4
and women in Africa made up at least half of 
the agricultural labor force.
5
The further development of agriculture as a business can used to 
create opportunities for those in rural areas, as well as for women and youth across the 
continent. It can drive inclusive growth, helping to reduce poverty and build wealth. As 
Africa’s development bank, the AfDB will elevate its efforts in the space and work with 
partners to make this vision a reality. 
 
 
4
 Word Bank Databank, Agriculture and Rural Development, 2015, 
<
http://data.worldbank.org/topic/agriculture-and-rural-development
>. 
5
 FAO, State of Food and Agriculture, 2011.

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