President Bola Tinubu has urged African governments to prioritise investment in science, research and innovation to tackle food insecurity, as the continent's food import bill climbed to $122.9 billion.
Speaking at the 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week in Abuja, Tinubu said Africa's agricultural future depends on knowledge-driven development rather than natural resources alone.
Represented by Agriculture Minister Abubakar Kyari, the president said Nigeria is implementing reforms in irrigation, mechanisation, digital agriculture, financing and agro-industrial development to build a more productive and climate-resilient food system.
A report by AKADEMIYA2063 warned that Africa's rising dependence on imported food exposes deep structural weaknesses, despite the continent possessing nearly two-thirds of the world's uncultivated arable land.
The report also noted that 845 million Africans face moderate or severe food insecurity and urged governments to invest more in agricultural research, innovation and regional trade to boost food production and create jobs.
Credit: Nwasha TV
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