The second edition of the African Conference on Agricultural Technologies (ACAT) has commenced in Kigali, Rwanda, with a resounding call for increased investment and stronger partnerships to drive the sustainable adoption of agricultural technologies across the continent. The four-day event, co-hosted by the Rwandan government and the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), has brought together a diverse cross-section of participants, including government officials, policymakers, private sector representatives, researchers, and farmers.
Under the theme “NextGen Ag-Tech Solutions for Africa’s Farmers,” the conference aims to stimulate discussions and forge partnerships that can scale proven innovations and drive real transformation for smallholder farmers. Rwanda’s Prime Minister, H.E. Dr. Édouard Ngirente, emphasized the need for supportive ecosystems, including enabling policies, investments in infrastructure, and access to finance. He stressed that farmers themselves must have a voice and agency in shaping the solutions developed and promoted.
“Technology is not just about tools and platforms, it is about people,” Ngirente said. “It is about a farmer, young or old, in a rural village using a mobile phone to check crop prices. It is about a young innovator designing a drone to monitor pests and diseases. It is about a continent that believes in its capacity to feed itself and thrive.”
Former Nigerian President, H.E. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that transforming Africa’s agriculture requires collaboration beyond borders and across sectors. He highlighted the importance of governments working hand in hand with the private sector, research institutions, civil society, and farmers to usher in a new era of farming and food production.
Jonathan underscored that the future of agriculture on the continent is closely tied to the ability to embrace and scale both existing and emerging technologies, such as precision farming, satellite imaging, drone applications, artificial intelligence, and digital tools. He noted that promising innovations are already emerging across the continent, but for these to scale meaningfully, intentional investments in rural infrastructure, digital literacy, and affordable connectivity are crucial.
Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Mark Bagabe, emphasized the need to prioritize the needs and preferences of farmers. He explained that Rwanda’s agricultural transformation has been shaped by a farmer-centric approach, ensuring that relevant innovations are both accessible and usable by those who need them most.
The Executive Director of AATF, Dr. Canisius Kanangire, highlighted that farmer-centred technologies, when implemented within an enabling environment, significantly boost productivity, improve livelihoods, and promote economic empowerment. However, he pointed out that the dissemination of these innovations to end-users, particularly smallholder farmers, remains limited due to persistent bottlenecks.
The conference has drawn more than 800 participants from across Africa and beyond, and it is expected to build momentum toward implementing solutions and mobilizing action around the adoption of innovative agricultural technologies. The implications of this conference are far-reaching, as it seeks to unlock the full potential of Africa’s agricultural sector and drive rural economic transformation.
The discussions and partnerships forged at ACAT could pave the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future for Africa’s farmers, ultimately contributing to the continent’s food security and socio-economic development.