Across Africa, a quiet revolution is transforming how smallholder farmers access improved seed. For decades, they depended on saved seed, informal exchanges, or costly imports poorly adapted to local conditions. Today, the rise of African-owned seed companies is giving farmers access to high-quality, climate-resilient, and quality-assured seeds, produced and distributed within their own communities. This shift is strengthening food systems, boosting productivity, and building resilience to climate change.

The Rise of African Seed Companies

A few decades ago, private seed companies were almost absent in most African countries. Public research programs released improved varieties but lacked the means to deliver them to farmers, while multinational companies had little reach. This left a gap between science and farmers’ needs.

In recent years, locally owned and managed seed companies have emerged—often led by entrepreneurs with backgrounds in farming, plant breeding, or agronomy. They focus on crops vital to African farmers and diets. These companies are not only multiplying certified seed but also creating jobs, building rural distribution networks, and partnering with agro-dealers. Unlike imports, their seed is bred for local soils and climates, tested in-country, and packaged in quantities affordable to smallholders.

Bridging the Gap between Research and Farmers

One of the most important roles of African seed companies is connecting public research to farmers. Over the past two decades, national agricultural research systems and international research centers have developed hundreds of improved varieties. Without private companies, however, many of these would remain on research shelves.

Local seed businesses are changing this narrative by getting licensed varieties from national research institutes and international centers, multiplying them at scale, and marketing them locally. They also invest in farmer training, demonstrations, and extension support, ensuring that farmers understand and use improved seed effectively.

Building Resilience in the Face of Climate Change

Resilient seed is critical as climate change brings higher temperatures, erratic rainfall, and new pests. Farmers need drought-tolerant, fast-maturing, and pest-resistant varieties. African seed companies are delivering these solutions with support from development partners.

In Senegal, Ghana, and Kenya, for example, seed companies are multiplying and distributing drought-tolerant varieties of cowpea, pigeon pea, pearl millet, finger millet, mung bean, and amaranth—crops that produce harvests even under poor rainfall conditions—with support from Seed Systems Group (SSG). These climate-smart options enable farmers to adapt, protect their livelihoods, and reduce dependence on food aid.

Strengthening Economies

The revolution in seed supply is also driving economic growth. Local seed companies generate employment in production, processing, packaging, warehousing, transportation and sales. They expand opportunities for women and youth and strengthen agro-dealer networks that serve as vital links to farmers. By anchoring seed supply locally, they reduce reliance on imports and ensure that the benefits of agricultural innovation stay within African communities.

SSG’s Role in Seed Sector Growth

SSG partners with African seed companies to accelerate this transformation. Through training, technical support, and financial linkages, SSG helps companies build production capacity, assure quality, and expand distribution. So far, SSG has enhanced the capacity of over 40 seed companies in 15 African countries namely Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, and Togo. SSG is collaborating with public research to ensure a steady flow of improved varieties and hybrids. Seed companies get expert training in the field and in classrooms on seed production techniques and seed business management. Additionally, the organization works with extension agencies on promoting new seed technologies and with agro-dealers to deliver seed to the last mile. The results are clear: higher yields, improved incomes, better food security, and more resilient communities.  A quiet revolution is happening in African food systems.

Looking Ahead

Africa’s seed sector has made remarkable progress, but its potential is far greater. With continued investment, innovation, and collaboration, millions more farmers can access high-performing seed. What began as a quiet revolution is now a powerful force reshaping African agriculture—and proving that Africa’s food security can be secured by African hands.