The production of fruits and vegetables (F&V) in Africa has increased 3.3 percent annually during the last 20 years, but only 0.7 percent in per capita terms (FAOSTAT 2022; Figure 3.1).

The need for industrial development in Africa has become more pressing than ever.

A shift from agriculture to manufacturing was one of the hallmarks of job creation, poverty reduction, and rapid growth in low-income countries during the latter half of the 20th century.

Across many parts of Africa, commendable progress has been made in recent years to increase agricultural productivity; reduce hunger, malnutrition, and poverty; create new employment opportunities; and improve the livelihoods of rural communities.