Sorghum remains a staple food, livestock and local industries in the African continent. Sorghum is widely grown throughout sub-Saharan Africa, especially in the Sahel countries, where it plays a pivotal role that goes beyond mere basic food consumption.

Data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Food Outlook report of November 2025 highlights five countries that dominate production on the continent.

sorghum

Nigeria

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Nigeria's average sorghum production was 6.6 million tons between 2021 and 2023, making it the largest producer in Africa and the second largest producer in the world after the United States.

In this most populous country on the continent, sorghum cultivation covers about 5.2 million hectares annually, making it the third most important grain after corn and rice.

Sorghum is grown mainly in the northern semi-arid regions, where rainfall is scarce and irregular, while temperatures are high, and it has multiple uses.

Among its benefits, it is a staple food consumed in the form of porridge, dough, fermented pastries, or roasted grains. It is also used as livestock feed and a key ingredient in beer making.

AFEX Commodities Exchange, Nigeria’s leading private exchange for agricultural commodities, estimated in 2023 that around 20% of the national sorghum crop is used in the beverage and animal feed industries.

Ethiopia

Africa’s second-largest sorghum producer recorded an average annual output of 4.2 million tons between 2021 and 2023, according to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Sorghum is grown mainly in the Tigray, Oromia and Amhara regions, covering an area of more than 1.5 million hectares nationwide.

Sorghum is ranked as the fourth most important cereal crop in the country after corn, wheat and teff.

In Ethiopia, sorghum is widely consumed in the form of injera bread, porridge and nifru (boiled grains), and is also used in traditional alcoholic drinks such as tella and areke.

Besides its use in food, its use is increasing in animal feed and in small-scale manufacturing processes, including flour, snacks and baby food.

sorghum

Sudan

Sudan ranks third, with an average annual production of 3.93 million tons between 2021 and 2023. Sorghum is grown on more than 6 million hectares each year, especially in the states of Al Qadarif, Kordofan and Darfur.

It is the only country in this ranking where sorghum is the main grain crop.

The traditional kisra dish, made from sorghum, forms a staple of the local diet.

As in other African sorghum-producing countries, this crop is also used as cattle feed, in the production of local beer, and in the preparation of a variety of foods and porridges.

Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso averaged 1.8 million tons per year during the same period, making it one of the most important sorghum producers in West Africa.

Sorghum is grown mainly in the Boucle du Mohon, Oriental and Central West regions, covering an area of nearly two million hectares annually.

Sorghum was once the country's main crop, but it has fallen behind yellow corn as its production has improved.

However, sorghum remains a staple in the local diet, used in the preparation of dishes such as “tu” (thick dough), couscous, pancakes, flatbread, and local beer (dolu), as well as syrup and biscuits, and is consumed fresh or boiled.

Niger

Niger rounds out the top five countries, with an average production of 1.66 million tons between 2021 and 2023. The crop is grown mainly in the Niamey, Dosso and Maradi regions, covering about 3.6 million hectares each year.

Sorghum is the second most important grain in the country after millet, reflecting its key role in food security and rural livelihoods.