Today, the magic bean has become a symbol of resilience and self-reliance for Africa and the Global South, bearing witness to a rising new tide from the Global South.

Before the transatlantic slave trade, African cuisine featured grains, meats and vegetables. Our foundation of diet staples included black-eyed peas, millet, okra, peanuts, rice and yams.

By focusing on indigenous crops, African food entrepreneurs are creating new markets, generating employment, and empowering women, who are often at the forefront of agriculture.