Mapping and proposal of action plan to promote investment for the transformation of agrifood systems in the Near East and North Africa region
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The transformation of agrifood systems in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region is critical to addressing food security, environmental sustainability, and economic resilience. This report analyzes the enabling and hindering factors shaping investments in the sector, identifies policy and regulatory gaps, and proposes actionable recommendations with a phased action plan to attract investment and foster innovation.A review of policies across the region reveals a diverse landscape shaped by national priorities and global commitments. While countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have developed strong investment frameworks, others face challenges including bureaucratic inefficiencies, weak infrastructure, and inconsistent regulations. Key enablers include tax incentives, subsidies, public–private partnerships, and innovative financing models, while persistent obstacles include water scarcity, climate risks, and outdated policies.Comparisons with international best practices highlight gaps in areas such as irrigation, wastewater recycling, and integrated value chains. For example, advanced systems in the Netherlands serve as benchmarks for NENA countries. Priority areas for improvement include expanding smallholder farmers’ access to finance, modernizing irrigation, building climate resilience, and enhancing regional collaboration.The report identifies several thematic investment areas: promoting agritech solutions such as precision agriculture and smart irrigation; investing in water management through desalination and recycling; developing climate resilience strategies; and improving infrastructure, including storage, cold chains, and transport. Supporting smallholder farmers through credit access, cooperative models, and modern technologies is highlighted as essential. These priorities complement existing national strategies, such as Morocco’s Green Generation Strategy and Egypt’s Sustainable Agricultural Development Strategy.To attract and sustain investments, the report recommends strengthening policy and regulatory frameworks, simplifying administrative procedures, and standardizing investment policies. The introduction of blended finance models, alongside tax incentives and subsidies for advanced technologies, would enhance investment appeal. Capacity-building and regional platforms for sharing knowledge and best practices are also emphasized. Infrastructure investments should target reducing post-harvest losses and improving market access, leveraging public–private partnerships for large-scale projects.The proposed action plan outlines three phases: short-term reforms, pilot projects, and training; medium-term scaling of successful initiatives and infrastructure expansion; and long-term systemic transformation through sustainable and integrated agrifood systems driven by regional cooperation.