Africa’s agrifood sector is entering a pivotal era of growth as scalable technologies and digital innovations begin to redefine productivity across the continent. While several nations are rapidly adapting to these advancements, a new flagship report warns that others risk falling behind due to infrastructure gaps and a lack of guiding policies.
The 2025 Annual Trends and Outlook Report (ATOR 2025), titled “Moving the Technology Frontiers in African Agrifood Systems,” was launched during the three-day ReSAKSS Annual Conference. The report identifies hundreds of digital tools with the potential to transform food systems but emphasizes that success depends on viewing technology as an integrated system rather than a standalone solution.
“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,” said Dr. Ousmane Badiane, Executive Chairperson of AKADEMIYA 2063. “The Kampala ambitions can be achieved through sustainably raising productivity, cutting costs, and boosting capacity for products and process innovation along agrifood systems chains.”
The report distinguishes between immediate and long-term potential for various digital tools. Techniques such as digital farming, precision agriculture, remote sensing, AI, and biotechnology are highlighted for their roles in strengthening efficiency, minimizing transaction costs, and fostering innovative institutions.
However, the report confirms that governance, financing, and integrated regulatory frameworks greatly impact the success of these technologies, drawing on comparative experiences from Europe, China, and Latin America. To successfully enhance adoption, there is an urgent need for supportive institutions, predictable policy environments, and well-organized diffusion pathways.
The 17th edition of the ATOR includes two groundbreaking indices: one measuring the untapped potential of African countries for using AI in agrifood systems, and the Agricultural R&D System Capacity Index (ARDSCI), which measures research and development capabilities beyond spending alone.
While countries like South Sudan, Niger, and Zambia show high untapped potential—demonstrating a need for deep transformation despite decent infrastructure—others are making significant strides. Ghana, for instance, was highlighted for its high proportion of PhD-qualified researchers and sustained growth in research intensity.
The report comes at a defining moment as the Kampala Declaration officially entered into force on January 1, 2026. This declaration, alongside the CAADP Strategy and Action Plan (2026-2035), sets ambitious goals for agrifood output, value addition, and trade.
“The Kampala Declaration recognizes the role of science and innovation in Africa’s agrifood systems transformation,” noted H.E. Moses Vilakati, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (AUC-DARBE). “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.”
To guide the next decade of transformation under the Kampala CAADP Strategy and Action Plan (2026-2035), the report outlines a strategy focused on strengthening innovation ecosystems, promoting inclusive technology dissemination, and expanding digital climate intelligence.
The report concludes that it is high time for ministries of agriculture to implement these policies and emphasize training. By treating technology as a driver of inclusive and climate-resilient development, Africa can build more productive and equitable agrifood systems for its 1.4 billion people.
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