Africa can feed the world—The key to 21st-century food security

His latest mission is to show that Africa can transform from a net recipient of international aid to a global bread basket. He sets out his views in his latest book, Africa Can Feed the World. Having made his reputation running some of the world's most prized mines, the octogenarian Forrest has now reinvented himself as an agricultural powerhouse. Committed to putting “all his strength” into the fight for nutrition, he outlines an ambitious vision not only for Africa but for the entire Global South: one of food sovereignty built on local resources, talent, and South-South cooperation.

It was in the solemn setting of a grand hotel in Paris’s 8th arrondissement that Forrest presented his new book to the press and political establishment. The author—one of the leading industrial figures active on the African continent—shared a powerful vision built on a simple observation: In a world facing geopolitical instability, climate disruption, and demographic pressure, Africa can no longer be seen as peripheral. It can—and must—play a central role in global food security.

The Paris conference drew attention not only for its insights into African realities but also for the broader message it carried: food sovereignty is not a utopian dream. It is a strategic development path, a lever for economic independence, and a driver of political stability. And it is from the Global South that the boldest and most relevant models for addressing 21st-century challenges may emerge.

A strategy built on local resources and know-how

Forrest was born in the Congo during the Second World War and has witnessed the dramatic and often traumatic history of a country which has become emblematic of the wider African struggle to find its place in the world order. In his book, he offers a frank assessment of Africa’s food situation: 25% of the population still suffers from undernourishment, while the continent imports over $35 billion worth of food annually. This heavy dependency is not a reflection of lacking potential. Africa boasts available farmland, a young workforce, a favorable climate, and abundant natural resources. The true challenge lies in politics, logistics, and organization.

Forrest’s solution is based on a dual ambition: to achieve food self-sufficiency in African countries while building a globally competitive agricultural model. He advocates for a structured approach involving massive investment in rural infrastructure, modernization of production tools, access to land and credit for farmers, and training for younger generations. He also calls for coordinated public policies at the regional level, with a central role for states in driving and regulating agricultural sectors.

A message that goes beyond Africa

Although Africa is central to the analysis, Forrest’s message reaches far beyond the continent. Through Africa’s example, an entire swath of the world—the so-called Global South—is being called upon. From Southeast Asia to Latin America, the Caribbean to the Indian subcontinent, many countries face similar challenges: food dependency, vulnerability to global markets, climate instability, and territorial imbalances.

Indonesia’s case perfectly illustrates this convergence of challenges and responses. Since coming to power, President Prabowo Subianto has made food sovereignty a cornerstone of his agenda. The Makan Bergizi Gratis initiative, which provides free nutritious meals to schoolchildren and pregnant women, is a strong political statement: food is a fundamental right and a pillar of human, educational, and economic development. A large-scale example is now being closely watched by many nations.

An inclusive, forward-looking vision

The model George Arthur Forrest proposes is rooted in a deeply human vision of development. Agriculture, in this view, is not merely a productive sector. It is a source of social cohesion, job creation, rural revitalization, and strategic sovereignty. The link between access to nutritious food and social stability is made clear: a well-fed population can learn, work, create, and thrive.

Many of the projects mentioned in the book—in Congo, Senegal, and Ghana—show that this vision can be concretely realized. Provided that states play their full role, public-private partnerships are encouraged, and local youth are trained and empowered. Agriculture can once again become a driving force—not of the past, but of the future.

A more favourable moment than often thought.

Today’s advocates for food sovereignty are no longer swimming against the tide. Several signals, once barely perceptible, now converge to make this vision more credible, more realistic—and above all, more urgent.

The war in Ukraine, which disrupted global supply chains and grain markets, served as a powerful wake-up call. “When a conflict 8,000 kilometers away decides what your children eat, it’s time to take back control,” says George Arthur Forrest. This loss of control, felt in many capitals across the Global South, has triggered a strategic shift: food is no longer just a social issue—it has become a matter of sovereignty.

Another reason for optimism is the rise of a new generation of political leaders in Africa and beyond who embrace a more structured and ambitious vision for agricultural investment. Lastly, the tools have changed: with digitized supply chains, satellite data, crop management platforms, and traceability systems, farmers and policymakers now have technical levers that were previously out of reach. Added to this is the renewed vitality of rural communities: a better-educated, more connected youth that sees agriculture not as a burden, but as a field of opportunity.

A call for South-South cooperation

Africa Can Feed the World opens a resolutely international perspective. George Arthur Forrest calls for stronger cooperation among countries of the Global South: sharing expertise, harmonising standards, pooling strategic investments, and forging a common agricultural diplomacy. In a multipolar world, such solidarity can elevate a collective voice to tackle global challenges.

By stressing that food security is a prerequisite for peace and prosperity, Forrest also sends a message to Northern partners: the time has come to rethink the logic of aid and dependence. What’s needed now is a new era of balanced partnerships, grounded in respect for local priorities and potential.

The opinions and thoughts expressed in this article reflect only the author's views.

Jack Zaoui is the France correspondent for Global South World, an international media outlet focused on the dynamics of the Global South. A recognised expert in economics and geopolitics, he regularly contributes in-depth analysis, offering a unique perspective on global power shifts, economic transformations, and contemporary strategic balances. With an international background, Jack Zaoui has lived in France, Israel, and several other countries—an experience that enriches his reporting and sharpens his understanding of global issues.