Transforming Africa’s Agrifood Sector: The Role of Technology and Policy
Africa’s agrifood sector stands on the brink of a transformative wave, propelled by scalable technologies and digital innovations that promise to redefine productivity across the continent. Amidst this backdrop of rapid development, a recent flagship report underscores a critical divide—while some nations are quickly adapting to these advancements, others face the looming threat of stagnation due to infrastructure deficits and ineffective policy frameworks.
The 2025 Annual Trends and Outlook Report (ATOR 2025)
Launched during the ReSAKSS Annual Conference, the ATOR 2025 titled “Moving the Technology Frontiers in African Agrifood Systems” reveals a comprehensive examination of technologies poised to revolutionize food systems. The report identifies numerous digital tools with transformative potential yet emphasizes that technology’s success hinges on an integrated approach rather than isolated solutions.
Dr. Ousmane Badiane, Executive Chairperson of AKADEMIYA 2063, articulates this perspective succinctly: “The latest Annual Trends and Outlook Report demonstrates that the ‘technology frontier’ is not a single breakthrough, but rather the integration of biological, digital, engineering, ecological, and institutional innovations within a supportive political economy.” This holistic view is pivotal for achieving ambitious productivity goals and cost efficiencies within Africa’s agrifood systems.
Immediate vs. Long-Term Technological Potential
The report expertly categorizes digital tools into immediate and long-term potentials. Techniques such as digital farming, precision agriculture, remote sensing, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology emerge as critical players in enhancing efficiency, lowering transaction costs, and fostering innovative institutional frameworks.
Yet, it cautions that governance, financing, and integrated regulatory frameworks are vital for technology adoption. Drawing from experiences in Europe, China, and Latin America, the report calls for urgent reforms: “To successfully enhance adoption, there is an urgent need for supportive institutions, predictable policy environments, and well-organized diffusion pathways.”
New Indices for Measurement and Progress
This 17th edition of the ATOR introduces two groundbreaking indices: one evaluates the untapped potential for using AI in agrifood systems across African nations, while the Agricultural R&D System Capacity Index (ARDSCI) gauges research and development capabilities, extending beyond mere financial investment. Such metrics not only provide an assessment of current capabilities but also highlight areas demanding significant transformations.
Countries like South Sudan, Niger, and Zambia showcase untapped potential despite their reasonable infrastructure, while others, like Ghana, are making remarkable progress, particularly through their high proportion of PhD-qualified researchers and sustained growth in research intensity.
The Kampala Declaration and Future Strategies
As the Kampala Declaration took effect on January 1, 2026, alongside the CAADP Strategy and Action Plan (2026-2035), this report becomes paramount in guiding the future of Africa’s agrifood sector. The declaration stresses the necessity of science and innovation in achieving substantial changes within agrifood systems.
H.E. Moses Vilakati, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment (AUC-DARBE), observes, “This edition of the Annual Trends and Outlook Report provides timely evidence on how frontier technologies can be governed and scaled to deliver food security, inclusive growth, and climate adaptation across the continent.”
A Vision for the Next Decade
To navigate the next decade under the directions outlined in the Kampala CAADP Strategy and Action Plan, the report emphasizes fostering innovation ecosystems and promoting inclusive technology dissemination. Expanding digital climate intelligence also stands out as a focal point for developing more resilient agrifood systems.
The ATOR argues for a paradigm shift within ministries of agriculture: by embracing technology as a core driver for inclusive and climate-resilient development, African countries can create more equitable and productive agrifood systems, benefiting their 1.4 billion citizens.
The urgency for implementation is palpable; the future of Africa’s agrifood sector depends not just on identifying promising technologies, but on crafting an environment where those technologies can flourish through inclusive policies and collaborative efforts across the continent.
By continuously monitoring the intersection between technology and agriculture, African nations can not only secure food independence but also position themselves as leaders in global agrifood innovation.
