Irish Business Leaders: Africa Key to Increasing Agriculture & Food Production
Irish business leaders with operations in Africa are urging global enterprises to invest in local capacity—especially empowering young Africans—to boost agriculture and food productivity across the continent.
Why the Spotlight on Africa and Youth?
At Dublin’s Africa Ireland Trade Horizons conference, Chris Teeger of the Kerry Group emphasized that education and youth leadership are essential to unlocking Africa’s agricultural potential. Kerry, which manages the continent’s largest taste facility, is focused on nourishing local talent for scalable food projects.
Despite ratifying the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), many African nations still import vast quantities of food. In 2024, agricultural imports hit $55 billion—set to double in 2025—despite plentiful regional resources
Empowering Africa’s Youth: A Strategic Shift
“We need to see the value in African people. The youth are the key… educate them, upskill them and let them lead the future of food production,” stated Teeger. Kerry has already hired dozens of local graduates, integrating them into food-system roles and leadership pathways.
Localizing Skills, Building Capacity
Ivor Queally, CEO of QK Group in South Africa, shared the company’s journey since 2005. QK Group revolutionized the nation’s cold storage and meat-packing industry—first importing Irish trainers, then developing local educational institutions and clinics to support employee well-being amid challenges like HIV/AIDS.
“When we entered South Africa… we brought in Irish people to train our employees. Now, we have no Irish employees in South Africa and we bring Africans to Europe to do training,” Queally explained, demonstrating the long-term benefits of investing in people.
AfCFTA: Trade and Agriculture Transformation
The AfCFTA—Africa’s largest trade pact—aims to eliminate tariffs on 90% of intra-African goods, potentially increasing the continent’s GDP by up to 1.2% by 2045. Experts project that intra-African agrifood trade could rise 20–30% by 2035:
This trade expansion is leading to boosted agro-processing infrastructure—milling, packaging, distribution—which not only adds value locally but also impacts job creation, especially for women and youth
Why Africa Still Imports Massive Food Volumes
- Infrastructure gaps and regulatory hurdles persist despite AfCFTA’s operational launch in 2021
- Despite 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, Africa imported approximately $50 billion of agricultural goods annually in 2024 .
- Staple imports like rice, wheat, and dairy remain high even in major producer nations.
The Role of Education, Clinics & Agro-Innovation
Education and skills training are at the heart of sustainable change. Kerry and QK Group have successfully used localized training hubs and clinics to build resilient workforces. This holistic model offers a blueprint for replication across sectors—from fresh produce to cold-chain logistics.
Benefits for European Investors & African Economies
As Teeger and Queally noted, Europe must recognize Africa as an equal and lucrative partner. Opportunities in agro-processing, supply chains, and trade infrastructure are abundant.
International investment can catalyze:
- Technological transfer: modern tools from Europe and local R&D centers.
- Market access: Europe gains reliable suppliers; Africa gains export revenues.
- Sustainable growth: agribusiness leads to food security, jobs, and climate-smart farming.
Case Study: Agro-processing and Local Markets
Agri-processing is central to retaining value within Africa. The World Economic Forum reports elimination of tariffs could increase intra-African trade by 574% by 2030 :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
Companies like OCP (fertilizer), Coca‑Cola (packaging & distribution), and Yara (crop nutrition) are investing in regional partnerships, farmer hubs, leadership academies, and local production facilities :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
What Comes Next?
To fully transform agriculture, African nations must address:
- Infrastructure development: roads, cold storage, logistics hubs.
- Extension services: widespread training and farmer support.
- Clinical care & well-being: clinics for farms/worksites with health challenges.
- Regulatory alignment: reducing non-tariff barriers and harmonizing standards.
- Inclusive youth policies: ensuring access to finance, land, and market networks.
Conclusion: A Shared Path to Food Sovereignty
The dialogue initiated by Kerry Group and QK Group highlights a vision for agriculture rooted in empowerment—not just output. By prioritizing youth, local leadership, infrastructure, and trade integration, Africa can transition from importer to exporter, with sustainable agribusiness at its core.
European and global firms who engage in holistic investment—education, logistics, agro-processing—will play a critical role in this transformation. The future of food is African.
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