High-Level Dialogue: Strengthening U.S - Africa Collaboration In The Agri-Food Sector

The high-level dialogue, “Strengthening U.S.-Africa Collaboration in the Agri-Food Sector”brought together an impressive array of heads of state, policymakers, and private sector representatives to discuss pathways for strengthening U.S. business engagement in Africa’s agricultural sector. The session opened with remarks underscoring the strong interest from both African leaders and American investors in unlocking the continent’s agricultural potential. Panelists highlighted Africa’s unique position, possessing roughly 60% of the world’s remaining fertile land, and emphasized that agri-food transformation must become both globally competitive and business-driven to attract substantial investment. Leaders from Ethiopia, Eswatini, and Côte d’Ivoire each showcased their countries’ strengths—from abundant arable land and dynamic workforces to stable political environments and strong logistical networks—aimed at attracting American investors. They made clear that the competitive edge lies not just in production but in building resilient food systems, enhancing trade connectivity, and focusing on value addition and export-ready standards. The discussion also touched on practical success stories, such as Ethiopia’s wheat production transformation and Eswatini’s export of high-quality sugar and citrus, demonstrating capacity to meet international standards. Heads of state encouraged U.S. businesses to invest in niche opportunities like cotton, avocado, and gluten-free crops, and stressed the importance of robust project preparation, infrastructure, and market access through continental frameworks. The session concluded with private sector leaders sharing their approaches to overcoming market, logistics, and transformation challenges—reinforcing that collaborative partnerships and value addition are key to sustainable agri-food investment and mutually beneficial growth between the U.S. and Africa

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