Sudan’s Farmers Look to Private Investment as War‑Scarred Agriculture Seeks Revival

The conflict that erupted in April 2023 has crippled Sudan’s economy and agricultural output. Crop yields have dropped between 40 % and 70 % in many regions, while the cost of inputs such as fertilizer and fuel has surged. Before the war, Sudan supplied gum arabic, sesame, cotton, hibiscus, sorghum and livestock to global markets, holding a 12‑13 % share of the world sesame trade; that share is now about 6 %. The humanitarian picture is stark, with more than 19 million people facing hunger, nearly 35 million requiring assistance and at least 13 million displaced.

In late September, the UN Development Programme and Sudan’s Ministry of Finance convened a three‑day dialogue in Khartoum. Over 300 participants from 20 countries, representing government, financial institutions, private‑sector firms, farmers’ unions and trade bodies, discussed ways to re‑engage the private sector, which provides roughly 98 % of Sudan’s jobs. The meeting produced a private‑sector recovery roadmap for agriculture and highlighted an encouraging potential investment of about $155 million from investors in Pakistan, India, Türkiye, Egypt and Syria. Organisers view the dialogue as a stepping stone toward broader private‑sector participation essential for socioeconomic recovery.

UNDP is now exploring mechanisms to channel private capital to farmers. About 90 % of Sudanese farmers lack access to financing, prompting UNDP to consider credit‑guarantee schemes and the revival of a warehouse‑receipt system that would let producers store produce and use receipts as collateral. Trade facilitation is also a priority; UNDP is working with customs and port authorities, alongside UNCTAD, to identify reforms that ease business operations. Stakeholders flagged regulatory hurdles and difficulties linking with international investors, underscoring the need to pair development initiatives with ongoing humanitarian assistance to rebuild livelihoods.