The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Research Series focuses on how to foster inclusive outcomes in sub-Saharan African agriculture by improving agricultural productivity and expanding agribusiness opportunities. This latest analysis is structured in the following sections: i) the importance of closing productivity gaps in sub-Saharan African agriculture; ii) emerging trends, pointing to significant opportunities in agriculture as drivers of transformation and inclusive development; iii) the centrality of smallholders in ensuring that the rural transformation process is inclusive; iv) the issue of linking smallholders to agribusinesses for win–win outcomes; v) the main programmatic/investment and policy elements to be considered for generating inclusive outcomes through agro-industry; and vi) core questions to guide future discussion.