By Debra Mallowah, Head of Crop Science, Africa at Bayer SSA
Across Sub-Saharan Africa, women have long been the bedrock of families and communities – female warriors who till the land, nurture crops, and feed nations. Yet, while they power the continent’s food systems, they remain invisible in the formal agri-food economy – the vast ecosystem that spans production, processing, packaging, and distribution.
Despite their indispensable role, structural and social barriers continue to lock women smallholder farmers out of value chains and investment flows. Without a comprehensive and coordinated multi-stakeholder approach, these barriers that women face leave the region vulnerable to potential food insecurity, especially given the severity and frequency of climate-related risks that threaten smallholder farming practices. Extreme heat, droughts, or floods carry significant social and economic consequences, as seen in parts of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region in 2024. According to recent estimates, around 64% of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa experienced moderate to severe food insecurity in 2024, highlighting the magnitude of the crisis.
Climate-related risks emerge during increasing global uncertainty, as countries grapple with the impacts of global tariffs. Indeed, the apparent reorganisation of global trade order disproportionately impacts emerging and developing countries.
However, history reminds us that every crisis presents an opportunity, and B20 provides a suitable platform to build consensus and create buffers against external shocks. These include developing resilient and sustainable farming practices that utilize innovation and advanced technology.
Africa imports around $50 billion worth of food annually, with the figure expected to double by the end of 2025, according to Afreximbank. The heavy dependence on food imports also makes the continent vulnerable to fluctuations in foreign exchange markets, which can drive imported inflation and weaken its terms of trade.
For women smallholder farmers, limited access to capital hampers their ability to invest in essential inputs like quality seeds, fertilisers, irrigation systems, and farming equipment – the key tools needed to increase productivity per hectare and adapt to climate shocks.
Financial institutions often view small-scale agriculture as high risk, and women face additional hurdles due to a lack of collateral, weak land tenure rights, and limited credit histories. In many African countries, rural women have little access to formal financial services.
Investing in women smallholder farmers is not just a moral imperative; it is sound economics. When women earn more, they invest in their families’ health, education, and nutrition, creating intergenerational benefits for communities.
Moreover, as global supply chains strive for greater sustainability and traceability, including women farmers presents ethical and strategic advantages. Consumers increasingly demand socially responsible sourcing practices, and companies prioritising gender equity in their supply chains can strengthen their brand reputation and enhance market resilience.
Investing in women farmers is not charity; it is smart economics. Studies consistently show that when women earn more, they reinvest in their families’ health, education, and nutrition – multiplying impact across generations. And as global supply chains demand higher standards of sustainability and traceability, including women farmers is both an ethical imperative and a strategic advantage. Companies that take gender equity into account in their sourcing strengthen their brands, build consumer trust, and future-proof their value chains.
The challenges facing women farmers are deep-rooted, but they are not immovable. With decisive action from the B20, governments, and development partners, Sub-Saharan Africa’s women smallholders can become catalysts of food security, climate resilience, and inclusive growth alongside their male counterparts.
It starts with a shift in mindset: recognising women not as passive beneficiaries of aid, but as entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders. The B20 must now use its convening power to align global capital with its potential – ensuring that financial inclusion, technology access, and supply-chain integration sit at the very heart of Africa’s agricultural transformation.
