This course provides an in-depth analysis of the challenges and opportunities in transforming agriculture and food systems in Africa, highlighting poverty, hunger, limited access to agricultural inputs and services, low productivity due to natural resource constraints, vulnerability to climate change, and obstacles in processing and logistics. It emphasizes the need for sustainable intensification of agriculture, promoting innovations in technology, policy, and institutions to enhance productivity and resilience. It concludes with a focus on enhancing China-Africa cooperation to transform agri-food systems and address mutual challenges in food security and climate change.

The course comes from 2024 Seminar titled “From Paddy to Prosperity: Inclusive Partnerships and Innovative Financing for China-Africa Rice Value Chain Cooperation,” which was held in 17-19 July 2024 in Chengdu, China. This policy dialogue was co-organised by WFP China COE, United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration (NAFRA). Its objective is to facilitate discussions and exchange insights on China-Africa rice value chain development with a focus on fostering inclusive partnership and promoting innovative financing and investment opportunities.