Poultry is emerging as one of Africa’s fastest-growing job creators, offering young people and women real opportunities to build enterprises and participate in a modern, tech-enabled food economy. Smallholder farmers remain the backbone of production, yet high feed costs — which account for nearly 70% of expenses — continue to limit profitability and competitiveness.
Lowering feed costs and diversifying supply are seen as the quickest levers to strengthen Africa’s poultry economy. Through the Southern Africa Poultry Initiative, AGRA is working with governments in Malawi, Tanzania, Mozambique and Zambia to align policies, improve grain and feed supply chains and encourage private investment. Delivery Labs are already reducing bottlenecks in feed manufacturing and refining national strategies to support regional priorities.
Technology and innovation are central to this transformation. AGRA’s Poultry Feed Accelerator Challenge is helping MSMEs scale solutions such as improved formulations, climate-smart ingredient sourcing and digital advisory tools. More affordable feed means stronger smallholders, resilient youth-led enterprises and a stable supply of protein for consumers.
Momentum is building through platforms like the Poultry Futures Forum, which convened governments, investors and industry leaders in November 2025 to accelerate reforms and spotlight innovations. Similar lessons are emerging in aquaculture, with Ghana’s Blue Food Innovation Hub driving feed and production solutions for small-scale fish producers.
Africa’s long-term prosperity will depend on food systems that combine innovation, technology and youth-powered enterprise. By tackling systemic barriers and fostering collaboration, poultry and blue foods can anchor a more competitive, inclusive and sustainable food economy for the continent’s future.
