• Africa to lead global pulses market by 2034, with per capita consumption topping 12 kg (OECD–FAO).
• Production to grow by 900,000 tons annually, reaching 25% of global output.
• Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Niger among top producers; growth driven by nutrition demand and smallholder farms.

Africa will become a leader in the global pulses market over the next decade, according to the latest Agricultural Outlook 202562034 report from the OECD and FAO, published on July 15. The report projects that annual per capita consumption in Africa will exceed 12 kg by 2034, up from about 11 kg today. This is significantly higher than the global average of 8.6 kg per person. This growth is driven by population increases and the region's nutritional needs, reflecting a sustained and rising demand for pulses.

Pulses, which include chickpeas, cowpeas, dry beans, lentils, and Bambara groundnuts, are a vital and affordable source of protein. They are widely consumed in various forms, such as whole, split, or as flour, particularly among low-income populations in Central, Eastern, and Western Africa.

The report's authors also noted that Africa will remain a key player in global supply. The continent is expected to increase production by 900,000 tons annually through 2034, thanks to improved yields and expanded cultivated land. This growth will solidify Africa's position as the world's second-largest pulse producer, accounting for 25% of global output, behind Asia's 42%. According to the FAO, Africa's pulse production has nearly tripled since the early 2000s, rising from 8.7 million tons to 23.7 million tons in 2023. This increase is largely due to improvements among smallholder farms.

Pulses require no fertilizer, improve soil quality through nitrogen fixation and increased organic matter, and boost cereal yields when grown in rotation or alongside other crops. The main pulse-producing regions in Africa are West and East Africa. According to 2023 FAO data, the top producers are Nigeria (4.3 million tons), Ethiopia (3.2 million tons), Niger (2.78 million tons), Tanzania (2 million tons), and Kenya (1.3 million tons).

Espoir Olodo