Agribusiness innovation: A pathway to sustainable economic growth in Africa

• Published in: Trends in Food Science & Technology Vol. 59; pp. 88 - 104
• Main Authors: Adenle, Ademola A., Manning, Louise, Azadi, Hossein
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2017; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Africa; Agribusiness; Business competition; case studies; Cassava; Economic development; Economic growth; Government policy; Innovations; issues and policy; Key drivers; Nigeria; R&D; Research & development; research and development; Risk analysis; Risk factors; Science and technology; supply chain; Sustainability; Technological change; Thailand; Value analysis; Africa; Nigeria; Thailand; Agribusiness; Key drivers; Economic growth; Risk factors; Africa; Science and technology
• ISSN: 0924-2244; 1879-3053
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2016.11.008

The paper considers the factors that drive a strong and competitive agri-business sector with particular attention to investment in research and development (R&D) for technological innovation as well as the broader drivers and risk factors of influence. It develops a case study and in particular contrasts the very successful value chain in Thailand with the weak one in Nigeria in order to highlight the implications for Nigerian government policy if it wishes to exploit the potential for a strong cassava agri-business sector. •Science and technology has an underpinning role in sustainable agribusiness development in Africa.•Public-private partnership is key to viable agribusiness development.•A coherent policy framework is needed to stimulate agribusiness development.