AU Leaders Declare Digital Agriculture Essential for Africa's Food Security

News in Brief

-African Union leaders at the inaugural Digital Agriculture Conference in Addis Ababa declared digital tech essential for achieving food security across the continent.​

-Commissioners also warned of untapped agricultural potential in Africa, urging countries in the region to shift to digital agriculture.

The African Union (AU) Commission have called for Africa to embrace digital agriculture as a vital tool for survival, prosperity, and food self-sufficiency.

Deputy Chairperson of the AUC, Ambassador Selma Malika Haddadi, made the call while speaking at the inaugural AU Conference on Digital Agriculture at the union's headquarters. She stated that digital agriculture is no longer optional but essential for Africa’s survival and prosperity.

“Agriculture is the lifeblood of our continent,” Haddadi said. “It sustains over 60 per cent of our population, significantly contributes to national economies, and remains central to Africa's development agenda.”

She also emphasised that digital tools such as AI, satellite imaging, and mobile platforms are necessary to transform Africa’s agri-food systems amid climate challenges and youth opportunities.

Stakeholder Collaboration is Essential

Haddadi linked the push to the AU's Digital Transformation Strategy (2020–2030), urging governments, private sectors, and partners to invest in connectivity, harmonise regulations, and scale home-grown innovations for smallholder farmers, women, and youth.​

AU Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment, Moses Vilakati, also warned of untapped agricultural potentials in the region.

"We cannot afford to let our fertile lands go unutilised," Vilakati stated, elaborating that while some countries enjoy adequate rainfall, the potential for agricultural innovation remains largely untapped.

He further underscored the need for African countries to shift towards digital agriculture, asserting that digital agriculture is not merely an option but a necessity for boosting productivity, reducing losses, and enhancing access to finance and markets.

Agriculture Technology is Key to Africa's Food Sustainability

The commissioner urged Africa to actively participate in a world increasingly shaped by technological advancements, including artificial intelligence, satellite imaging, and precision farming.

The conference, which took place from December 1 to 3, under the theme Shaping Agricultural Policy for Africa’s Future: Digital Innovations, Climate-Smart Practices for Agri-Food System Transformation, covered digital extension, agri-tech, value chains, and policy to foster partnerships and empower rural communities.​

The event spotlights Africa's youth bulge as an opportunity to integrate technology with farming. It inspires Nigerian stakeholders to adopt satellite analytics and precision tools for resilient, market-linked agriculture, thereby boosting incomes and jobs.​​