Cultivating the future: Exploring the the potential and impact of a green revolution in Africa

This policy brief, produced by the African Futures project, uses International Futures (IFs) software to model the potential for a 'Green Revolution' in Africa. It argues that while aggressive policy interventions could make Africa a net food exporter within a decade, such production increases must be coupled with developmental policies to ensure food reaches low-income Africans rather than being exported to rich countries, and must be supported by improvements in water and sanitation to realize health gains.

• Modeling using International Futures (IFs) software indicates that Africa could transition from being a net food importer to a net exporter of food within the next 10 years through aggressive and reasonable policy interventions to increase agricultural production.
• Increasing agricultural yields and land under cultivation without accompanying developmental policy interventions risks a scenario where food is exported to wealthy nations while millions of Africans remain unable to access necessary calories.
• To improve human development, a green revolution must be paired with programs to increase food access for low-income populations and improvements in water and sanitation, as diarrheal diseases can offset the health benefits of increased caloric intake.

APA

Moyer, J. D., & Firnhaber, E. (n.d.). Cultivating the future: Exploring the the potential and impact of a green revolution in Africa. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.org/research/policy-brief/cultivating-the-future-exploring-the-the-potential-and-impact-of-a-green-revolution-in-africa

Chicago

Moyer, Jonathan D, and Eric Firnhaber. Cultivating the future: Exploring the the potential and impact of a green revolution in Africa. Institute for Security Studies, n.d. https://issafrica.org/research/policy-brief/cultivating-the-future-exploring-the-the-potential-and-impact-of-a-green-revolution-in-africa.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Moyer |first1=Jonathan D |last2=Firnhaber |first2=Eric |title=Cultivating the future: Exploring the the potential and impact of a green revolution in Africa |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |url=https://issafrica.org/research/policy-brief/cultivating-the-future-exploring-the-the-potential-and-impact-of-a-green-revolution-in-africa |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{moyerndcultivating, author = {Moyer, Jonathan D and Firnhaber, Eric}, title = {{Cultivating the future: Exploring the the potential and impact of a green revolution in Africa}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, url = {https://issafrica.org/research/policy-brief/cultivating-the-future-exploring-the-the-potential-and-impact-of-a-green-revolution-in-africa}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }