Dalberg

Africa’s food systems are at a pivotal moment. Faced with rapid population growth, climate change, and environmental degradation, the continent must transform how it produces, distributes, and consumes food. This transformation is not just urgent—it is essential for addressing food insecurity, protecting natural resources, and driving inclusive economic growth. 

The pathway to this transformation lies in embracing innovative approaches such as regenerative agriculture, digital agriculture, and the integration of renewable energy. Reducing dependence on agrochemicals and adopting climate-smart practices can unlock greater productivity, enhance climate resilience, and ensure more equitable food systems that work for smallholder farmers and communities across the continent. 

In collaboration with funders, governments, and local partners, our work is driving the innovations and systemic changes needed to transform food systems. In this series, we delve into the critical issues shaping food systems transformation in Africa and highlight the innovative solutions emerging from our work.

Across our food systems engagements, we are seeing the importance of coordination—between both funders and implementing partners—to unify efforts, increase funding, and enhance collective impact. As we continue to face a sizeable financing gap for Africa’s food systems transformation, collaborative platforms will continue to be the key to unlocking progress.

Alice Tusa

Alice Tusa

Associate Partner, Dalberg Advisors, and Co-Lead of Dalberg's Agriculture and Food Security Practice Area

Project Spotlights

Enhancing Fertilizer Financing in Africa: Unlocking Sustainable Solutions for Food Security

Over half of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa faces food insecurity, and Sustain Africa is taking action to tackle one of the region’s most pressing issues—restricted access to affordable fertilizer for smallholder farmers. By partnering with both public and private sector stakeholders, Sustain Africa aims to close the gap between the demand for and supply of fertilizer, which is essential for boosting agricultural productivity across the continent. Dalberg has joined forces with Sustain Africa to drive sustainable improvements in fertilizer financing throughout Africa.

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Transforming the Global Food System: Strategies for Regenerative, Resilient, and Equitable Solutions

In 2023, an assessment by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations revealed that the toll of our global food system on economies, environments, and lives exceeds $12 trillion annually. 

Dalberg partnered with the Global Alliance for the Future of Food to gather evidence on what is required to transition a costly global food system into a regenerative, resilient, and equitable one. The report outlines investment strategies and identifies catalytic levers to unlock locally led financing and transition pathways.

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Decarbonizing Global Food Systems: Urgent Action for a Sustainable and Resilient Food-Energy Future

Food systems currently account for at least 15% of global fossil fuel use annually, driving as many emissions as all European Union countries and Russia combined. 

Dalberg and the Global Alliance for the Future of Food assessed why a positive change in our food system’s reliance on fossil fuels is essential to keeping global warming below 1.5°C. The report focuses on the interactions, co-dependencies, and opportunities for greater collaboration on the food–energy nexus.

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Interview

Reflections from the Africa Food Systems Forum 2024: An Interview with Sunru Yong, Partner at Dalberg Advisors

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