President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Wandile Sihlobo as Presidential Envoy on Agriculture & Land, a strategic role aimed at accelerating growth, addressing structural constraints and unlocking new opportunities across South Africa’s agricultural value chain.
The appointment reflects the centrality of agriculture to national development priorities, including food security, rural development, land reform and export competitiveness. In this capacity, Sihlobo will support The Presidency by advancing coordinated policy action, strengthening partnerships with the private sector and enhancing South Africa’s engagement in international agricultural trade.
Sihlobo is an accomplished agricultural economist with more than a decade of experience spanning policy analysis, trade, and land reform. He currently serves as Chief Economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa and as a Senior Lecturer Extraordinary at Stellenbosch University. He is widely recognised for his contributions to economic research and public discourse on agriculture, land and food security, and for translating complex policy challenges into practical, growth-oriented solutions.
In addition to his academic and industry roles, Sihlobo chairs the Agribusiness Working Group of the South African BRICS Business Council. Through this platform, he has worked to strengthen cooperation between public and private stakeholders and to position South African agriculture competitively in key emerging markets, supporting trade diversification and export expansion.
As Presidential Envoy on Agriculture & Land, Sihlobo will focus on advancing the Presidency’s priorities across the sector, including improving productivity, supporting inclusive land reform, strengthening value chains and enhancing market access. He will work collaboratively with national and provincial government departments, state-owned entities, organised agriculture and agribusiness to promote coherent policy implementation and to mobilise investment for sustainable sector transformation.
The role also places emphasis on agricultural resilience in the face of climate risks, global market volatility and domestic structural challenges. By aligning policy, research and industry engagement, the Envoy will contribute to building a more competitive and inclusive agricultural economy that creates jobs, supports rural livelihoods and drives export growth.
Photo: South African President Cyril Ramphosa has appointed Wandile Sihlobo as Presidential Envoy on Agriculture & Land
