Africa

In 2018, African leaders took important steps to accelerate agricultural and rural transformation across the continent. These include the January launch of the first-ever continental Biennial Review of countries’ progress in meeting commitments to agriculture sector development. In addition, the signing of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement in March moved the continent toward tighter integration and greater intraregional trade through the free movement of goods and people. Progress in reducing poverty and hunger has continued, but levels remain high, particularly in rural areas. While there is a pressing need to provide for the poor, governments should target investments to areas of synergy between improving social services and promoting productivity growth to ensure that recent increases in agricultural productivity are sustained.