The African workforce will grow by 800 million people over the next 30 years. Generating sufficient jobs and incomes to meet their needs is one of the biggest political and economic challenges of our time. This report proposes strategies and policies, harnessing cooperation between Africa and Europe, to enable the African agri-food and rural economy to respond to that challenge. Africa has the world’s fastest growing population in the 21st century, projected to reach 2.5 billion in 2050. A majority of the African population will remain rural until the 2040s, notwithstanding expanding urbanisation: hence the need for a strong focus on the rural economy in future development strategy. Africa’s overall political and economic conditions will determine how the agri-food sector and rural economy will develop. The report highlights Africa’s diversity, the need to address governance and investment in Africa’s people, and Africa’s deepening relationship with Europe.