Two Green Golds That Could Change Your Life in Africa

By Marc Reflects

I once thought that wealth was only for the chosen few — the lucky, the highly educated, or those born in cities. But one day, an agronomist friend shook that belief to its core. “Why do you always complain about being broke,” he asked me gently, “when you're standing on land that could make you wealthy?”

“Wealth isn’t always far away. Sometimes, it’s rooted right beneath your feet." I was puzzled. “Wealth? On my land?” I asked.

He smiled. “Yes. You’re sitting on green gold — two of them, actually. Avocado and soybean. "At first, I chuckled. But he was serious.

1. Avocado: The Silent Wealth Tree

He told me, “Just two avocado trees, when matured after about two years, can fetch you at least 100,000 Rwandan francs ($69) every year. And that's on the lower end.”

I was stunned. I imagined what just five trees could do. What if you had ten? Twenty? What if a small piece of land could become a steady income stream — season after season — with a crop as simple and natural as a fruit-bearing tree?

“Don’t overlook the things that grow slowly. They are often the most valuable.” — African Proverb

Many families across East Africa are unknowingly walking past avocado trees in their backyards, treating them like decorations. But with intentionality, those trees could pay school fees, buy health insurance, or even build a home over time.

2. Soybean: The Grain That Never Fails

“Soybean,” he continued, “is the other green gold. Its price rarely goes down because it’s used for food, animal feed, oil, and health products.”

It clicked. This wasn’t just about farming — it was value farming. Unlike perishable or low-market crops, soybean is in constant demand. Its versatility makes it a shield against market shocks.

A small plot dedicated to soybeans can start small, but with consistent reinvestment and learning, it grows into a livelihood. My friend told me stories of youth who turned less than half a hectare into stable agribusinesses.

“The future belongs to those who can feed it.”

From Complaining to Cultivating

That day changed my mindset. I stopped complaining about lack of money and started asking myself: What is in my hands? What is in my soil?

I began researching more. I spoke to people in markets. I joined farmer cooperatives. And soon, I started planting with purpose.

Let me tell you: no big change came overnight. But the direction of my life started to shift the moment I realized wealth isn’t always about what you earn, but what you grow.

Final Thought: Africa’s Wealth Might Be Green

Africa is full of potential — not just in ideas or energy, but in the soil itself. If you’re blessed with a piece of land, even a small one, don’t let it sit idle. Don’t be deceived by its simplicity.

“What looks ordinary to you might be extraordinary in the marketplace.”

Avocado and soybean are just two examples. But they show one powerful truth: we’re not poor because we lack opportunity. Sometimes, we’re poor because we’ve not yet seen the opportunity we already have.

So I leave you with this challenge: Plant something this year — even just two trees. Let them grow while you grow. Your future self will thank you.

I’d love to hear from you: What’s one crop or skill you’ve overlooked that might be your key to a better life? Let’s reflect and rise together! Visit my full blog at Marc Reflects for more life-changing reflections rooted in everyday experience.