Agriculture stands out as the predominant economic activity across the African continent. It serves as the primary source of employment for approximately two-thirds of the continent’s workforce. On average, it contributes between 30 to 60% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for each country and about 30% of export value. Despite its significance, arable land and land dedicated to permanent crops account for only about 6% of Africa’s total land area.

With the exception of nations with significant European-descended populations like South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Kenya, agriculture has primarily been characterized by subsistence farming and has heavily relied on inefficient shifting cultivation practices.

Agricultural Products:

Grains

Africa produces all major grains—corn, wheat, and rice—in descending order of importance. Corn has the broadest distribution, cultivated across nearly all ecological zones. Egypt boasts the highest yields per acre.

Fodder

Fodder crops are not extensively cultivated except in subtropical regions of North Africa and highland areas of East and Southern Africa, where alfalfa (lucerne) is commonly grown.

Fruits

Key fruits include bananas, pineapples, dates, figs, olives, and citrus, while significant vegetables include tomatoes and onions. Bananas are widespread across tropical Africa but are intensively cultivated as irrigated crops in Somalia, Uganda, Tanzania, Angola, and Madagascar.

Beverage Crops

Africa cultivates tea, coffee, cocoa, and grapes. Major tea producers include Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, while Ethiopia, Uganda, Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania, and Madagascar lead in coffee production. Cocoa cultivation is concentrated in the tropical forests of western Africa, with top producers being Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon.

Livestock

Cattle, sheep, and goats are the primary livestock raised, predominantly for meat except in South Africa, where wool production is significant, especially from Merino or crossbred Merino sheep.

Fishing

Fishing holds local importance in all coastal and inland countries. Commercial ocean fishing is prevalent among nations bordering the rich fishing grounds of the west coast, including South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and Morocco. Herring, sardines, anchovies, jack, mullets, sauries, and redfish are among the most caught ocean species.

SCA-Partner and Agricultural Machinery

As SCA-Partner, we recognize the agricultural advancements in Africa and supply European-made machinery and equipment to meet consumer demand. Our clientele across the African continent imports various agricultural machinery from Europe.

Our Range of Agricultural Machinery:

• Gasoline & Diesel Tractors
• Soil Preparation Machinery
• Mechanical Seeders
• Pneumatic Planters
• Fertilizer Spreaders
• Drum Mowers
• Potato Harvesters