African leaders urge industrialization and seed system investment

African leaders and development institutions are emphasizing the need for industrialization and agricultural resilience to drive economic growth. At the inaugural African Union Seed Summit in Eswatini, King Mswati III called for increased investment in seed production, irrigation, and agricultural infrastructure to bolster food security against climate change.

Economists and experts have urged the continent to translate summit commitments into practical agro-processing jobs and strengthened value chains. While Malawi has committed US$1 million to a national seed investment plan, experts note that many African nations still face gaps between seed policies and actual farm-level delivery.

In a separate push for economic transformation, former African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina urged African nations to move beyond exporting raw materials. He advocated for building globally competitive industries in sectors such as electric vehicles, pharmaceuticals, and artificial intelligence to ensure the continent retains more value from its natural resources.