As the global development landscape undergoes seismic shifts, agriculture development agency AGRA is rallying local investments to safeguard Africa’s agricultural transformation and food security goals.
Speaking during a high-level partners’ reception in Nairobi, AGRA President Alice Ruhweza emphasized the agency’s renewed focus on empowering youth and women in agriculture amid a tightening international funding environment.
“We gather at a pivotal moment in international development when the ecosystem of support we have known for decades is fast changing,” said Ruhweza. “This shift in the funding landscape demands greater efficiency, innovation, and collaboration from organizations such as AGRA.”
Ruhweza, who recently took over AGRA’s leadership, noted that these changes only underscore the urgency of AGRA’s mission. “Despite these headwinds, AGRA remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering impact at scale,” she added.
Over the last 20 years, AGRA has worked with governments, civil society, and the private sector to reach more than 26 million farmers across 11 African countries. The agency has facilitated access to improved seeds, affordable fertilizers, and robust market systems.
In Kenya, AGRA has set ambitious goals including doubling maize production to 7.9 million bags by 2027, boosting rice production by 574 percent and generating 77,000 jobs for youth over five years. These efforts are being driven through initiatives like the National Value Chain Support Programme, which supports 1.26 million farmers in 41 counties.
Ken Lusaka, Governor of Bungoma County, stressed agriculture’s central role in Kenya’s economy.
“Agriculture employs nearly two-thirds of the country’s workforce. We must change the perception of agriculture among youth and this can be achieved through innovation,” he said.
Steve Muchiri, CEO of the East Africa Farmers Federation, credited AGRA for supporting grassroots efforts.
“At EAFF, our work is catalytic. We operate through leveraging partnerships and support from institutions such as AGRA and governments,” he said.
Mastercard Foundation’s Director of Agrifood Business Wambui Chege revealed that the foundation’s largest agri-food sector investment has been with AGRA through the YEFFA initiative.
“We imagine and hope that the next generation of farmers, agribusiness, and agripreneurs must be led by young people,” she said.
Similarly, Betty Kibaara of the Rockefeller Foundation praised AGRA’s evolution saying that, “We take pride in AGRA’s growth from an idea to a continental force for change.”
Priscilla Wakawira, winner of the Gogettaz Prize and founder of Rea, shared how AGRA’s support went beyond funding.
“AGRA has ensured that they are not only equipping the youth with funding but giving them support and enabling them to serve the country and the region,” she said.
Aggie Konde, Director at AGRA, encapsulated the vision saying that with the right collective effort, agriculture on the continent can not only meet our needs but also feed the rest of the world.
Ruhweza also highlighted the strategic importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in boosting intra-African trade. “With a single market of 1.3 billion people and a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion, AfCFTA is a game-changer for African farmers and agribusinesses,” she said.
As traditional donors shift priorities and reduce funding, AGRA is urging African governments, philanthropies, and the private sector to step up. “We must take charge of our development destiny and invest in bold, homegrown solutions that work for Africa,” said Ruhweza.
