Sustainability and Inclusion Strategy for Growth Corridors in Africa (SUSTAIN-Africa)

This initiative focuses on catalysing climate-resilient development that balances economic growth with ecosystem stewardship and social prosperity, emphasizing how to make agriculture more sustainable in Africa.

The economies of Tanzania and Mozambique are highly reliant on agriculture, forestry and fisheries, with large parts of their populations living in rural areas, dependent on subsistence farming and natural resources for their survival. Both countries are also highly vulnerable to climate change (e.g. increase in cyclones in Mozambique and droughts in Tanzania) leading to major economic costs affecting millions of people and their livelihoods.

SUSTAIN Africa, conceived as a multi-year initiative, concluded its phase 1 in 2020, implemented across the Southern Agriculture Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) and the Zambezi Valley in Mozambique. The first phase established a solid foundation of partnerships among businesses, government agencies, local communities, farmer groups, and others in the landscape, to deliver this vision. Encouraging the implementation of sustainable food systems by adopting a holistic approach, including all aspects related to the food system (i.e. value chains, markets, etc.), alongside economic, environmental and social impacts. To be sustainable, food systems need to be supported by well-functioning ecosystems.

This initiatives continues today through two new complementary programmes: SUSTAIN ECO and SUSTAIN PRO – both underpinned by equity and inclusion, and both striving to accelerate a shift from business as usual to development paradigms that build resilience in economies, people and nature.