Photo by: Bloomberg
Agriculture is one of Africa’s most important economic sectors, making up 23% of the continent’s gross domestic product. Africa’s exports of food and agricultural products are worth between $35-billion and $40-billion a year and, in sub-Saharan Africa, farming provides work for nearly 60% of the economically active population. A recent McKinsey & Company report warns, however, that the Covid-19 pandemic could cost Africa as much as $4.8-billion in lost agricultural exports and affect the livelihoods of 10-million farmers. The report says disruptions ranging from cancelled flights to the closure of chocolate factories in Europe have limited exports of crops ranging from fruit, nuts and vegetables, to roses, coffee and cocoa. Photograph: Bloomberg