As International Women's Day approaches on March 8, 2026, African Development Bank Group (AfDB) agriculture director Martin Fregene emphasizes that Africa's economic future hinges on addressing systemic barriers facing women in agriculture. With women constituting 76% of sub-Saharan Africa's agrifood workforce yet owning less than 20% of agricultural land, structural reforms are urgently needed to unlock the continent's food production potential.
"When women farmers succeed, Africa succeeds," Fregene states, drawing from decades of field experience. Current challenges include limited access to credit, modern farming inputs, and land ownership rights due to legal and cultural barriers. The AfDB's 2023 Africa Gender Index reveals these constraints directly impact food security and economic growth.
The Bank's new initiatives focus on creating equitable financial systems and climate-resilient infrastructure. "Equal opportunity in agriculture could help Africa feed 1.5 billion people by 2030 while creating youth employment," Fregene adds, highlighting the connection between gender equity and continental development goals.
As global markets increasingly look to Africa as a future breadbasket, investors and policymakers are urged to recognize women's pivotal role in transforming agrifood systems. With proper support, Africa's women farmers could increase crop yields by 20-30% – enough to feed 150 million more people annually.
