IMF Working Papers

Crop Productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Role of Research and Development

ByChristian H Ebeke, Mireille Ntsama Etoundi

December 5, 2025

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Format: Chicago

Christian H Ebeke, and Mireille Ntsama Etoundi. "Crop Productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Role of Research and Development", IMF Working Papers 2025, 249 (2025), accessed 12/6/2025, https://doi.org/10.5089/9798229026567.001

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Disclaimer: IMF Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to encourage debate. The views expressed in IMF Working Papers are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board, or IMF management.

Summary

This paper provides new cross-country evidence that greater investment in agricultural R&D significantly mitigates the adverse effects of climate variability on crop yields in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite this critical role, only a handful of countries have invested at levels sufficient to reach the thresholds where R&D delivers effective risk adaptation. Our analysis indicates that closing this gap would require an additional US$1–3 billion in annual agricultural research investment across the region.

Keywords: Agricultural productivity, Climate variability, Research and Development, Sub-saharan Africa