Africa’s share of global agricultural R&D spending stands at 8%, Says FAO
The continent increased investment and more than doubled its agricultural research workforce over the past two decades, but major gaps remain between regions.
AFRICA – African countries spent US$3.83 billion on agricultural research and development (R&D) in 2023, accounting for about 8% of global spending in the sector, according to a new report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
The report, Agricultural Science and Technology Indicators 2004-2023: Global and Regional Trends, shows that agricultural R&D spending across Africa has grown steadily over the last two decades. Investment rose from US$2.90 billion in 2004 to US$3.83 billion in 2023, reflecting an average annual growth rate of 1.5%.
Despite this growth, spending remains uneven across the continent. North Africa accounted for the largest share at US$1.26 billion, followed by East Africa with US$1.05 billion and West Africa with US$1.03 billion. Southern Africa invested US$386 million, while Central Africa recorded the lowest spending at US$108 million.
Globally, agricultural R&D spending reached US$50.42 billion in 2023, up from US$35.85 billion in 2004. Asia led all regions, accounting for 48% of global spending, ahead of the Americas at 22%, Europe at 20%, Africa at 8%, and Oceania at 3%.
Asia also recorded the strongest growth during the period under review. Spending in the region increased from US$12.5 billion in 2004 to US$24.2 billion in 2023, representing an average annual increase of 3.5%.
The FAO notes that agricultural R&D plays an important role in improving the use of resources, increasing production with fewer inputs, supporting adaptation to changing environmental conditions, and helping lower food costs.
Alongside higher spending, Africa has recorded strong growth in its agricultural research workforce. The number of researchers rose from 17,958 in 2004 to 41,022 in 2023. As a result, Africa’s share of the world’s agricultural researchers increased from 9% to 13% during the period.
The continent recorded the fastest growth in researcher numbers globally, with an average annual increase of 4.4%. This placed Africa ahead of Asia at 3.4%, Oceania at 2%, the Americas at 1.3%, and Europe at 0.6%.
North Africa employed the highest number of agricultural researchers in 2023 with 17,344 staff, followed by East Africa with 11,587 and West Africa with 9,334. Central Africa recorded 1,911 researchers, while Southern Africa had 846.
Worldwide, public agricultural R&D systems employed about 316,358 full-time researchers in 2023, compared with 204,744 in 2004, highlighting continued growth in research capacity across the sector.
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