Africa’s private sector is rapidly rising and playing a transformative role in key industries like energy, agriculture, digital technology, and job creation, according to Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact.
In an exclusive interview with ENA, Ojiambo highlighted Africa’s untapped potential in areas such as food production, land use, and capital investment.
She emphasized the continent’s fast-growing youth population and the increasing pace of innovation.
“There is a need to move fast from promises to real investment, particularly in food systems, infrastructure, and skill development,” she said.
During her visit to Mojo, Ethiopia this week, Ojiambo witnessed firsthand the impact of cluster farming.
This model, which brings smallholder farmers together, improves access to quality seeds, market data, and agricultural support.
She noted that this approach has shown progress in both the wheat and banana value chains, demonstrating how collaboration can lead to practical results.
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According to ENA, she also referenced a recent effort by the UN Global Compact, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, and the Food and Agriculture Organization to compile over ten case studies.
These examples show how successful public-private partnerships in food systems can serve as models for scaling up investment and achieving measurable outcomes.
“The African private sector plays such a key role in a number of things, including in creating jobs and creating incomes,” Ojiambo said.
“We have a lot of homegrown innovation.
We see a lot of agri-tech, FinTech that can help advance food systems, but most importantly, creating jobs and incomes and helping de-risk economies.”
She also emphasized the importance of the African private sector in supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“We need to first be able to grow enough food to feed ourselves, to trade within countries, trade across countries, and even on the continent,” she said.
Supporting local businesses to work efficiently and across borders, she noted, is essential for unlocking the potential of intra-African trade.
Ojiambo further called for more investment in climate-resilient agriculture, including improved seeds, technologies, and infrastructure to protect food systems from future climate shocks.
She spoke about the Global Africa Business Initiative, also known as Unstoppable Africa, which aims to establish the continent as both a major investment destination and a driver of global growth.
According to her, Africa already has the key ingredients for growth: labor, markets, and renewable energy.
What’s needed now is sustained investment, stronger political leadership, and effective partnerships that place African stakeholders at the heart of decision-making.
Ojiambo concluded by congratulating the Government of Ethiopia for successfully hosting the UN Food Systems Summit, which brought together global leaders and representatives from governments, civil society, and the private sector to reaffirm their commitment to transforming global food systems.
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Image Credit: United Nations Global Compact
