Africa’s capacity to feed the world is fast emerging as a defining economic opportunity, even as global tensions intensify, with renewed calls for the continent to leverage its vast arable land and resource base to drive long-term growth.
Group Chief Executive Officer of Absa Group, Kenny Fihla, says Africa must shift its narrative from vulnerability to strategic advantage in the face of global volatility.
Speaking on The Point of View on Channel One TV with Bernard Avle, he identified the continent’s underutilised agricultural capacity and critical mineral reserves as key drivers of resilience and global relevance.
“But I think there are opportunities that also come with this crisis. Africa is endowed with natural resources and minerals. These will continue to be in demand, either to support energy transition or to accelerate the development of AI and data centers.”
Fihla underscored the scale of the opportunity, noting that about 60 percent of the world’s uncultivated arable land is located in Africa — a position he says places the continent at the centre of future global food security if effectively harnessed.
He stressed that the real challenge lies not in resource availability but in execution.
“What can we do to accelerate the development of these resources that we have? How do we position ourselves to ensure that we take advantage of some of the crisis that is happening around us?” he questioned.
“Africa would emerge, and Ghana in particular is likely to lead that day.”
While acknowledging that deeper integration into global trade and financial systems exposes Africa to external shocks, Fihla insisted this should not deter progress.
“Whatever happens in terms of the global economy shifts, it will affect the African continent. But I don’t think that should scare us.”
“If anything, we should see that as an opportunity for Africa to do more with the world and for Africa to benefit by leveraging its own resources for the benefit of its own people”, he added.
Source: citinewsroom.com
