Africa’s Strategic Role in Global Food Security within the India Africa Economic Corridor News Feature with Samuel Shay,

 

News Feature with Samuel Shay,  Entrepreneur and Senior Economic Advisor to the Abraham Accords Treaty, and CEO of Gulf Technologies Systems (GTS)

Africa steps into a decisive moment as global powers turn their attention to the continent’s unmatched agricultural potential. In an exclusive interview, Samuel Shay explains how the India Africa Economic Corridor can transform Africa from a region rich in resources yet dependent on imports into the foundation of global food security. Shay, known for his regional development work under the Abraham Accords framework, describes a strategy that unites Asia, the Middle East and Africa around a shared agricultural mission.

Africa as the New Global Food Engine

Shay notes that Africa contains sixty percent of the world’s uncultivated arable land. Despite this, the continent imports more than forty billion dollars in food annually. He calls this a structural contradiction created by decades of underinvestment, outdated farming methods and insufficient logistics.

According to Shay, the India Africa Corridor can reverse this trend by merging Indian agricultural expertise, Israeli water technologies and Gulf investment capital. He outlines vast areas such as the Nile Basin, the Great Rift Valley and West African savannas as regions capable of producing rice, wheat, maize, vegetables and livestock for both local and international markets.

Shay highlights three core initiatives. Smart agricultural zones powered by solar energy and AI based irrigation. Agro industrial parks that process and package food for export. Biotechnology centers that preserve seeds and strengthen crop resilience.

Food Security as a Driver of Stability

Shay explains that food insecurity is a primary cause of migration, insurgency and social instability across many African regions. He states that building self sufficient food systems is more effective than military intervention. Stable access to food creates community resilience, reduces dependency on aid and weakens the influence of extremist organizations.

He emphasizes the role of the African Continental Free Trade Area, which allows surplus crops to move efficiently between regions. “Food stability is the basis for political stability,” he says.

India Africa Partnership for Agricultural Transformation

Shay points to India’s Green Revolution as a model for African development. Indian experience in water management, seed engineering and rural finance can be adapted to African conditions. Under the corridor framework, India and African states can build joint training centers and digital crop platforms.

Gulf nations also play a critical role. Saudi Arabia’s capacity to finance mega farms. Qatar’s investment in agricultural innovation centers. The UAE’s strength in logistics, ports and digital trade systems. Shay explains that these contributions are essential for building large scale agricultural networks.

Israel’s agro tech experience, especially in desert cultivation and precision irrigation, provides the technological backbone for Africa’s agricultural transformation.

Connecting Farms to Global Markets

Shay describes logistics as the missing link. The India Africa Corridor will create a transport spine connecting ports in East Africa with hubs in the Red Sea and the Mediterranean. This reduces shipping times significantly, improves freshness and lowers food loss.

Cold chain systems will support the export of fruits, vegetables, dairy and meat. Artificial intelligence will optimize storage and routing. Blockchain systems will certify product origin and sustainability.

A Multi Trillion Dollar Economic Vision

The corridor’s projected value ranges from two to four trillion dollars over five years. Agriculture represents more than twenty percent of this potential. Shay explains that industrial parks, renewable powered irrigation and processing zones will generate millions of jobs.

He adds that integrating village projects into national agricultural networks will multiply economic productivity and strengthen regional currencies.

Humanitarian and Environmental Impact

Shay notes that this is not only an economic project but a humanitarian mission. Empowering farmers through technology transforms aid recipients into producers. Climate smart agriculture, renewable irrigation and reforestation will protect the environment and reduce carbon emissions.

Securing Africa’s food supply directly contributes to global stability by reducing hunger driven migration and strengthening governance structures.

Strategic Role of the Gulf and Israel

Shay outlines a strategic triangle connecting African resources, Gulf financing and Asian markets. Saudi Arabia funds food security initiatives. Qatar invests in education and innovation. The UAE supplies logistics and port infrastructure. Israel provides high precision agro tech and water systems.

Together, these partners anchor the corridor and link the continents.

Conclusion

Shay concludes that Africa is not only the future of food production but the foundation of global food security. With coordinated investments, technology transfer and intercontinental cooperation, the continent can become a global powerhouse of sustainable agriculture.

He states that this mission goes beyond trade. It seeks to ensure that every farmer becomes a partner in prosperity and that cooperation replaces competition in feeding a growing world.