The food processing sector in Africa has enormous growth potential: by 2040, it is predicted that the value of food purchased in East and Southern Africa would have increased by sevenfold. The sector plays a major role in boosting local economies in East and Southern Africa by connecting millions of small-scale farmers with suppliers and raising rural incomes. The demand for food is higher than ever as the region's population and urbanization rates rise quickly and hundreds of millions of people still experience food insecurity. Growing processors can make a big contribution to meeting the region's food needs if they have access to more inputs, new markets, financing, and business expertise in food processing best practices, such as manufacturing, food safety, packaging, marketing, budgeting, and planning.
The graph highlights the concentration of food and beverage (F&B) manufacturing companies across African countries, with figures ranging from more than 100 F&B manufacturing companies to zero (countries with no available data). According to the analysis, Egypt, Nigeria, Morocco, Kenya, Senegal, and Uganda have emerged as Africa's top countries in F&B manufacturing. Meanwhile, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique have between 70 and 99 F&B manufacturing companies. South Africa and Ghana host between 40 and 69 companies, while data for the remaining countries is unavailable.
As Africa's youth population rapidly expands, with projections indicating that one billion young people will be aged between 15 and 35 by 2063, the food processing sector presents a promising and sustainable solution for youth employment. Currently, food processing accounts for nearly a third of all manufacturing jobs in many sub-Saharan African countries, making it a key driver of economic growth and job creation for the continent’s future workforce. Expanding this sector offers significant potential to further reduce unemployment and empower the next generation.
If you are based in Sub-Saharan Africa and currently working in the food processing sector, we encourage you to get in touch with us. We welcome the opportunity to connect and collaborate with industry professionals.