How the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is helping African farmers — and why that's good for St. Louis
Africa is the world's fastest-growing continent by population. By 2050, the continent is projected to hold a quarter of the world's people, with urban populations booming and consumer markets expanding at record speed. For St. Louis business leaders, this is more than a righteous humanitarian issue — it's a generational opportunity.
But Africa's potential hinges on one essential factor: feeding its people sustainably. Sub-Saharan Africa's agricultural productivity remains stubbornly low. Smallholder farmers — who make up over half the labor force — often struggle to escape poverty, and expanded food production frequently comes at the expense of natural habitats.
A new frontier for markets and partnerships
For companies in St. Louis and beyond, Africa's transformation represents a frontier for business, trade and investment. Countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda and Kenya are already among the fastest-growing economies, with expanding consumer markets and demand for agricultural innovations.
Yet hunger, poverty and fragile food systems remain serious barriers. Improving Africa's agricultural productivity will help farmers and their communities, while also ensuring these markets can thrive. Boosting farm productivity frees up labor to build new industries, creates jobs in cities and drives economic growth across sectors.
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The Danforth Center is the largest nonprofit research institute for plant science in the world. The center's work focuses on solutions for global food security and environmental sustainability.
A St. Louis bridge to Africa's future
At the heart of these efforts is the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center and its BRDG (pronounced 'bridge') Park campus in Creve Coeur. As the biggest independent plant science research institute in the world, the Danforth Center is helping African farmers grow more with less — while opening doors to trade and collaboration that benefit St. Louis' own economy (see sidebar).
In Nigeria and Ghana , the Center's work on improved cowpea is transforming health and boosting incomes.
, the Center's work on improved cowpea is transforming health and boosting incomes. In East Africa , virus-resistant cassava developed by Danforth scientists is poised to protect food security for over 500 million people.
, virus-resistant cassava developed by Danforth scientists is poised to protect food security for over 500 million people. In the Horn of Africa, improved semi-dwarf teff can ease labor demands and boost yields.
These breakthroughs aren't charity — they're investments in stability and opportunity. Stronger African farms mean stronger local markets, reduced need for emergency aid and a new wave of economic partners for St. Louis companies.
Solutions seeking venture philanthropists
For the Danforth Center, the mission is clear: harness plant science to solve these problems and ensure that Africa's rising population can thrive. But recent shifts in federal funding have put these vital projects at risk.
Earlier this month, as reported in the St. Louis Business Journal, the Danforth Center detailed cuts and delays to federal research grant funding — including money for the virus-resistant cassava program in Africa, among others. With federal dollars under threat, the Danforth Center needs local philanthropic and corporate support through its Future Forward campaign now more than ever.
Why it matters for St. Louis businesses
As Africa's consumer markets grow and as its agricultural sector modernizes, opportunities for St. Louis businesses — from biotechnology to infrastructure — will multiply. By supporting the Danforth Center's work, St. Louis business leaders can help unlock Africa's economic promise while strengthening their own region's role as a global agtech leader.
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Visitors from the Rwandan cabinet with Danforth Center scientists. 70% of the Rwandan workforce is agricultural. A new seed entrepreneur program there is creating private-sector opportunities — and helping lift rural communities out of poverty.
© Donald Danforth Plant Science Center | Kristina DeYong
SIDEBAR: Rwanda visit highlights Africa's promise — and St. Louis's role
The promise of Africa's agricultural and economic potential came into sharp focus last year when the cabinet-level Honorable Francis Gatare, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, visited St. Louis, as reported in the St. Louis Business Journal.
For the Danforth Center, this wasn't a new relationship. Since 2019, the center has led a project in Rwanda to deploy virus-resistant cassava — an essential food for hundreds of thousands of Rwandan farm households. In a country where agriculture employs 70% of the workforce and makes up 35% of GDP, this work is transforming rural livelihoods.
The Danforth Center is also helping to create a sustainable cassava seed system by training and supporting 250 Cassava Seed Entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs will multiply, steward and sell improved cassava seed — creating new private-sector opportunities and helping to lift rural communities out of poverty. For St. Louis business leaders, it's a powerful example of how investing in Africa's growth can create shared prosperity across continents.
To learn more about how the Future Forward campaign can sustain this impact and how your company can get involved, visit campaign.danforthcenter.org.
The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is a nonprofit research institute focused on plant science solutions for global food security and environmental sustainability. Located in St. Louis, the Center is home to world-class scientists and a growing network of agtech innovation.
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