Agriculture remains the backbone of many African economies, employing a significant portion of the population.
- Agriculture is the primary source of livelihood for millions in Africa
- Despite global decline, agriculture remains the largest employer in Africa
- Top African economies like Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Kenya heavily rely on agriculture
Most African economies depend on farming, livestock rearing, and fishing as their primary source of livelihood.
Despite advancements in other industries, agriculture continues to be Africa’s largest employer, particularly in rural areas, and is the second-largest source of employment globally after the services sector.
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According to the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) 2024 Statistical Yearbook, the number of people working in agriculture worldwide—including forestry and fishing—declined by 13% between 2000 and 2022, reaching 892 million in 2022, a decrease of 133 million from 2000.
The FAO report
The report notes that between 2000 and 2019, employment in agriculture declined to 863 million, a trend linked to various economic shifts and later exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, this figure reversed between 2019 and 2020, as individuals migrated back to rural areas and took up agricultural work, particularly in Africa and Asia, leading to an increase of 5 million workers.
The report further highlights that in Africa, nearly two-thirds of the population were employed in agrifood systems during this period, underscoring the sector’s critical role in livelihoods across the continent.
Africa’s booming agricultural industry
Several African economies rely heavily on agriculture for growth, employment, and exports.
Countries like Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Kenya depend on agriculture for a significant portion of GDP and workforce engagement.
Ghana, Tanzania, and Côte d’Ivoire rely on cash crops like cocoa, coffee, and tea for foreign exchange. In Malawi, Sudan, and Uganda, agriculture employs a majority of the population, with key exports including tobacco, maize, and livestock.
Despite efforts at economic diversification, agriculture remains a crucial driver of development across the continent.
According to the FAO Statistical Yearbook 2024, the table below reveals the top 10 African nations with the highest employment in the agricultural industry.
| Rank | Country | Number Employed (Million) | Population (Million) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ethiopia | 36.2 | 132.5 |
| 2 | Nigeria | 26.8 | 232 |
| 3 | Tanzania | 19.2 | 66.6 |
| 4 | DR Congo | 18.6 | 109,2 |
| 5 | Uganda | 11.7 | 50.0 |
| 6 | Madagascar | 10.5 | 31.9 |
| 7 | Mozambique | 9.9 | 34.6 |
| 8 | Kenya | 7.6 | 55.3 |
| 9 | Egypt | 5.7 | 116.5 |
| 10 | Ghana | 5.5 | 34.4 |
Ethiopia, with a population of 132 million and 36.2 million employed, has an employment ratio of approximately 28.5%.
Tanzania follows closely with a 28% employment ratio, as 19.2 million of its 66 million people are employed. Uganda has 11.7 million employed out of 50 million, resulting in an employment ratio of 23.9%.
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DR Congo and Nigeria, despite their large populations of 109.2 million and 232 million respectively, have lower employment ratios at 17% and 12%, with 18.6 million and 26.8 million employed.
These figures highlight significant disparities in employment opportunities, with Ethiopia and Tanzania showing stronger workforce participation compared to Nigeria and DR Congo, where large informal sectors and economic instability hinder job creation.
Uganda, though performing better than Nigeria and DR Congo, faces youth unemployment challenges that affect overall workforce participation.
