Mastercard Foundation and Regional Stakeholders Drive African Resilience Through Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Action

Across the African continent, a coordinated push for sustainability and food security is taking root, driven by large-scale agricultural programs and a growing demand for environmental policy reform. In Savelugu, Ghana, the HAPPY Programme—a partnership between the Mastercard Foundation and Agri-Impact Limited—recently mobilized over 600 young women farmers for a pre-season durbar. This initiative aims to enhance agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods for the 2026 season by providing critical training and extension services. Local authorities, including Diare Lana and the Municipal Director of Agriculture, emphasized that farming remains a highly profitable livelihood when supported by robust partnerships and modern production techniques.

Parallel to these efforts in Ghana, Zimbabwe is experiencing a significant culinary revival that prioritizes indigenous grains such as millet and sorghum. In Bulawayo, the number of traditional eateries has tripled over the last five years as citizens and returning expatriates seek healthier alternatives to processed foods. Food scientist Makhosi Mahlangu and former Miss Zimbabwe Nomusa Ndiweni-Emiyoit have highlighted how this shift addresses micronutrient deficiencies and serves as a preventative measure against disease. This resurgence of traditional diets not only promotes public health but also supports local farmers who cultivate climate-resilient indigenous crops.

While agricultural sectors modernize, environmental activists and scientists are demanding more stringent protections for the continent’s natural resources. In Nigeria, activists such as Adebayo Babatunde and Tosin Komolafe are calling for improved waste management, recycling, and youth engagement to meet the United Nations' sustainability goals. They argue that civic responsibility and empowered environmental agencies are essential for preserving nature for future generations. These local calls for action are bolstered by a global coalition of 287 scientists who have endorsed the Scientific Consensus on Wildlife and Climate. This group is urging the UNFCCC to integrate wildlife protection into climate policy, noting that animals like forest elephants and fish play vital roles in carbon storage and ecosystem health.

These diverse initiatives—from the fields of Savelugu to the restaurants of Bulawayo and the policy halls of the UNFCCC—underscore a unified movement toward continental resilience. By bridging the gap between traditional practices and modern policy, African stakeholders are working to ensure that agricultural growth and environmental conservation go hand-in-hand. The success of these programs will depend on continued investment in young farmers, the scaling of indigenous food systems, and the formal recognition of biodiversity as a cornerstone of global climate mitigation strategies.