Latitude59, the Estonia-based tech and startup platform, is making significant strides in its global expansion, with a particular focus on Africa. The organisation, led by CEO Liisi Org, recently hosted the Latitude59 Kenya Edition, the Nairobi Tech Innovation Startups Summit. This event brought together dozens of innovators from across the food systems sector, highlighting the role of technological innovation in transforming agriculture.
Technological innovation has become a powerful catalyst for transforming agriculture, not just in Kenya but across emerging markets. Over the years, agriculture has steadily shifted from traditional practices to more data-driven and efficiency-oriented methods. Whether it is precision farming, digital marketplaces, agri-fintech tools or green innovations supporting climate adaptation, technology is helping farmers optimise processes that were previously manual and unpredictable. Innovation also fuels value addition, which is the secret of money in agriculture. By digitising processes, improving market linkages, enhancing traceability and enabling farmers to access finance, technology not only increases productivity but also ensures that agricultural enterprises have the structure and competitiveness needed to scale.
The event featured a startup competition, where agriculture-focused innovations performed strongly. Out of 250 applications submitted from 40 countries, agri-tech remained one of the most visible categories. This signals a clear pattern: the region’s entrepreneurs are increasingly turning their attention to solving agricultural problems through creative and technology-driven approaches. Although fintech continues to dominate African tech competitions in general, agri-tech, green tech and climate-related innovations were among the leading sectors this year. These included solutions supporting carbon footprint tracking, improving access to finance for farmers, enabling smarter resource use and introducing scientific research into everyday agricultural practices.
Kenya’s adoption of technological innovation within food systems is growing steadily, though still in the early-stage ecosystem. From the applications reviewed, Kenya hosts numerous promising agri-tech startups with robust products and meaningful traction. This confirms that farmers, agribusinesses and food supply actors are indeed embracing digital tools, though adoption varies and is not yet uniform across the value chain. Many innovators are solving real, existing problems, but more education is needed to help farmers fully understand how technology enhances farming operations. Startups are building impressive tools, but wider adoption will require mindset shifts, training, and stronger collaboration among private sector players, government and community organisations.
Innovation holds immense potential to solve long-standing agricultural challenges related to productivity, efficiency, climate resilience, market access and financing. Digital solutions simplify processes that have historically burdened farmers, among them finding markets, accessing timely credit, managing unpredictable weather, tracking inputs and reducing losses. Deep-tech innovations, though complex, represent the next frontier, enabling scientific breakthroughs in areas such as soil health, seed performance, pest control and environmental monitoring. However, technical solutions require collaboration between universities, research institutions and startups, because such problems cannot be solved by entrepreneurs alone. With strong partnerships, innovation can turn agricultural obstacles into opportunities for growth, sustainability and wealth creation.
In the face of climate change, technology is becoming indispensable as farmers’ experience worsening climate shocks. Many of the applications reviewed in the competition demonstrate a growing interest among young innovators in tackling climate-related challenges. These include tools that monitor carbon emissions, improve air quality, enhance access to climate finance, support early warning systems and enable green innovation within agricultural value chains. Climate change technology must be paired with strong collaborations to make a meaningful long-term impact. During Latitude59 Kenya Edition, the digital and green innovation summit highlighted how climate-smart technologies, when integrated with policy frameworks and investment, can create systems capable of withstanding future shocks.
The global tech ecosystem is highly competitive. Kenyan startups must think global from day one. Many entrepreneurs build excellent solutions but limit their vision to the local market. By designing products with global scalability in mind, startups immediately elevate their competitiveness. Global-thinking startups naturally attract international investors, partnerships and customers. Through our platform, Kenyan entrepreneurs are already networking with European business enterprises, investors and innovation leaders. The secret is to build for the world, not just for one country.
There are enormous opportunities for strengthening collaborations between African and European ecosystems. Europe and Africa are far more aligned than many assume. With climate, energy, food security and digital transformation high on both continents’ agendas, the need for intentional bridge-building is urgent. European investors bring capital, networks, and deep research connections; African innovators bring context, local insight and real-time solutions for pressing agricultural challenges. Together, they can accelerate agricultural transformation, strengthen green innovation and unlock new market opportunities that benefit both ecosystems.