“Agriculture is the most important business in the world,” said Akinwumi Adesina, African Development Bank President this Tuesday (27) when he was conferred with an honorary doctorate in, Abeokuta, Nigeria, his homeland.
“The size of food and agriculture in Africa will rise to $1 trillion by 2030. The population of Africa, now at 1.2 billion, will double to 2.5 billion by 2050. They all must eat. And only through food and agribusiness can this be achieved,” he explained.
Adesina said the African Development Bank was spearheading efforts to feed Africa and was investing $25 billion over a ten-year period to transform the continent’s agriculture sector.
In his acceptance speech, Adesina also reminded students of the important role they have to play in the continent’s economic development.
“I am delighted to see so many of our young people engaged in agriculture. From their innovations in the use of drones, food processing, packaging, transport and logistics and marketing, they are already unlocking the opportunities in agriculture,” he said.
“Africa’s youth must become leaders to help feed our world”, concludes.
+ The Doctorate of Science was awarded to Adesina by the Federal University of Agriculture of Abeokuta, in honor of his work in agriculture and food security across the continent.