DIANI, Kenya — President William Ruto has challenged Africans to take agriculture seriously, declaring that the continent’s next generation of billionaires will emerge from farming.
Speaking at the Mashariki Cooperation Conference in Kwale County on Friday night, Ruto said Africa’s vast natural resources and expanding population present a unique opportunity to transform agriculture into a major source of wealth and jobs.
“We have resources, and we have assets. We have two-thirds of the world’s remaining arable land,” Ruto said, urging policymakers and investors to prioritise agriculture as a pathway to economic growth.
The President noted that Africa’s population, currently estimated at about 1.58 billion, is projected to rise to 2.5 billion by 2050—roughly a quarter of the global population. He argued that this growth will create both a massive consumer market and a pressing need to scale up food production.
The remarks come against the backdrop of persistent unemployment challenges across the continent. Data from the African Development Bank shows Africa’s unemployment rate stands at about 7.9pc, above the global average, with youth disproportionately affected.
Experts estimate that nearly one-third of Africa’s 420 million young people aged between 15 and 35 are unemployed or discouraged, while another third are in vulnerable employment—highlighting the urgency of job creation strategies.
Ruto argued that agriculture offers a viable solution to both unemployment and poverty, particularly if supported by innovation, investment, and regional trade integration.
“I was told by the former president of the African Development Bank that the future billionaires will be farmers. That is why I’m trying farming myself,” he said.
Despite Africa’s agricultural potential, food security remains a major concern, especially in regions affected by climate shocks and instability. An estimated 50 million people in the Horn of Africa—including parts of Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, and South Sudan—continue to face acute food insecurity.
The President linked Africa’s economic prospects to the African Continental Free Trade Area, saying the agreement has the potential to create the largest single market globally and unlock value chains in agriculture and other sectors.
He called for strategic leadership and collaboration to harness the continent’s resources effectively.
“There is a need for thought leaders. There is a need for intelligence leaders to think about how we are going to organise ourselves,” Ruto said.
