Agriculture plays a critical role in the lives of African people. In the non- natural resource rich economies across the continent, Agriculture is the backbone of economic systems. In addition to providing food and raw materials, agriculture also provides employment opportunities to a very large percentage of populations of many African nations. Agricultural products such as palm oil, cocoa, coffee, tea, sugar provide significant sources of foreign exchange and thus a significant contribution to national revenues.
The growth of agricultural sectors provide economic security, marketable surplus for producer nations, and revenues for related sectors such as rail, road and water transportation, manufacturing, retail, education and  the service economy.

Finally, Agriculture also plays novel roles in economic viability and sustainability of entire populations, employment, prosperity and food security.