Africa in brief

EGYPT

Between 1 January and 31 December 2021, Egyptian agricultural exports hit a record high of more than 5,6 million tons.

According to the AllAfrica website, citrus made up the largest share of this, with the country exporting more than 805 000t, followed by fodder beet at 650 340t, potatoes at 614 242t, onions at 276 141t, and table grapes at 143 450t.

NIGERIA

The African Development Bank recently committed to lending Nigeria US$210 million (about R3,36 billion) to support small-scale farmers producing ‘strategic’ crops and livestock, Reuters reported. This followed an investment summit held in Saudi Arabia in October 2021, during which Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said that his country had several million hectares of land available and earmarked for agricultural production.

“The loan will support Nigeria’s efforts to raise agricultural productivity, promote investment, create wealth and jobs, and transform rural areas into corridors of economic prosperity,” the bank said in a statement.

KENYA

Due to drought and regional conflict, food prices in Kenya have been soaring, and it is estimated that three to four million people in the country are in need of emergency food aid, The East African reported.

“Large-scale humanitarian assistance and livelihood support are urgently required to cover current needs in northern and eastern Kenya, and assistance should be sustained throughout 2022,” Fews Net said. Inadequate rainfall has led to a serious decline in livestock production, while crop development has also suffered. – Staff reporter