Top 10 African Countries With the Largest Agricultural Workforce

Agriculture remains Africa’s largest employer, providing livelihoods for millions, especially in rural areas. Despite a global decline in agricultural employment, Africa continues to rely heavily on farming, livestock, and fishing.

According to the FAO’s 2024 Statistical Yearbook, Ethiopia leads Africa with 36.2 million agricultural workers, followed by Nigeria (26.8M), Tanzania (19.2M), and DR Congo (18.6M). Other major agricultural economies include Uganda, Madagascar, Mozambique, Kenya, Egypt, and Ghana.

While Ethiopia and Tanzania have high agricultural workforce participation (28%), Nigeria and DR Congo face lower employment ratios due to economic instability. Agriculture remains crucial for GDP and exports in countries like Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, and Malawi.

Despite economic diversification efforts, agriculture continues to be the backbone of African economies, underscoring its vital role in development and employment.