Agriculture remains one of Africa’s most important economic sectors, but its future is being shaped by much more than farming. Across the continent, business leaders are connecting agricultural production with processing, technology, infrastructure, storage and access to larger markets.
The African Agro-Industrial Leaders on this list represent different parts of that transformation. From cocoa and grain to agricultural technology and food processing, their work demonstrates how stronger value chains can create more opportunities from Agriculture in Africa.
Here are the Top 10 African Agro-Industrial Leaders Transforming Agriculture in Africa in 2026:
1. Engr. Alex Omaghomi (Nigeria)
Engr. Alex Omaghomi is Group Chief Executive of Zilex Holding and Hostplace Group. His work focuses on engineering-led agro-industrial development, connecting agriculture with infrastructure, processing and integrated value chains. Pasted text
2. Rasheed Sarumi (Nigeria)
Rasheed Sarumi is Group CEO of Saroafrica and Chairman of Presco Plc. His leadership spans agribusiness, agricultural processing and the development of integrated agricultural value chains across West Africa.
3. Mohammed “Mo” Dewji (Tanzania)
Mohammed Dewji leads MeTL Group, a diversified Tanzanian conglomerate with substantial interests in agriculture and agro-processing. His work demonstrates how large-scale private investment can strengthen Agriculture in Africa through production and value addition.
4. Alloysius Attah (Ghana)
Alloysius Attah is Co-founder and CEO of Farmerline. His work uses technology and agricultural services to connect farmers with information, resources and commercial opportunities while strengthening agricultural supply chains.
5. Kate Kanyi-Tometi Fotso (Cameroon)
Kate Kanyi-Tometi Fotso is a leading figure behind Telcar Cocoa. Her work across cocoa sourcing, farmer support and international trade has made her an important figure within Cameroon’s cocoa industry.
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These African Agro-Industrial Leaders show that agricultural transformation goes beyond producing more crops. Processing, infrastructure, technology and stronger markets are equally important to creating greater value from agriculture.
6. Uka Eje (Nigeria)
Uka Eje is Co-founder and CEO of ThriveAgric. Through agricultural technology, his work connects farmers with finance, farming support and access to markets, helping strengthen commercial opportunities within Agriculture in Africa.
7. Francois Strydom (South Africa)
Francois Strydom has built a long career in South African agribusiness through his work with Senwes. His contribution spans grain, agricultural services and commercial systems that support farmers and agricultural markets.
8. Timi Oke (Nigeria)
Timi Oke is Chief Executive and co-founder of AgroEknor. His work focuses on agricultural commodities, processing, storage and exports, helping connect Nigerian agricultural production with international markets.
9. Tony Freiji (Lebanon)
Tony Freiji is Executive Chairman of Wadi Group, with decades of agribusiness activity centred significantly in Egypt. His work across poultry, animal feed and food production has contributed to integrated agricultural value chains in North Africa.
10. Caleb Karuga (Kenya)
Caleb Karuga leads Wendy Farms in Kenya, combining commercial agriculture with practical farmer education. His work promotes agriculture as a business opportunity while helping farmers build knowledge around commercially sustainable farming.
African Agro-Industrial Leaders Are Strengthening Agricultural Value Chains
What connects these African Agro-Industrial Leaders is their involvement beyond primary agricultural production. Their work extends into processing, technology, infrastructure, financing, storage, exports and other systems required to build commercially sustainable agricultural industries.
This wider approach is important for Agriculture in Africa because greater economic value can be created when agricultural products are processed, stored and marketed efficiently.
Some of these leaders operate large industrial businesses, while others are developing technologies and commercial systems that help farmers participate more effectively in agricultural markets. Together, they demonstrate the different approaches being used to strengthen African agribusiness.
What This Means For Africa
The future of Agriculture in Africa will depend partly on the continent’s ability to transform its agricultural resources into stronger businesses and industries.
From cocoa and grain to agricultural technology and food processing, these African Agro-Industrial Leaders demonstrate how private enterprise can contribute to stronger agricultural value chains, greater market access and value addition.
Building stronger links between production, processing and markets can help Agriculture in Africa support more businesses and economic opportunities while improving the continent’s position within regional and international agricultural trade.
Methodology: Crest Africa’s selection considers leadership, entrepreneurship, agro-industrial development, agricultural processing, technology, value-chain development and wider contribution to the agricultural sector. The numerical order represents an editorial selection and is not an objective measurement of individual industry influence.
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Image Credit: Magnific
