ACAT 2025: Addressing the Agricultural Imperative

Agriculture remains a cornerstone of many African economies, employing a significant portion of the population and contributing substantially to national GDPs.

However, the sector often faces numerous challenges, including climate change impacts, soil degradation, limited access to information and resources, prevalence of pests and diseases, and inefficient farming practices.

Agricultural technology (Ag-Tech) offers immense potential to address these challenges by enhancing productivity, improving resilience, optimizing resource use, and creating more sustainable and profitable farming systems.    

The need for a dedicated platform to specifically address the unique context of agricultural technology in Africa became increasingly apparent. Existing global or regional agricultural forums often lacked the specific focus required to tackle the distinct challenges and opportunities within the African agricultural landscape. This realization paved the way for AATF (African Agricultural Technology Foundation) a not-for-profit African led technology- transfer organization working in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to establish the African Conference on Agricultural Technology (ACAT) that takes place bi-annually.  

ACAT stands as a pivotal platform dedicated to fostering the adoption and advancement of agricultural technologies across the African continent. Recognizing the critical role of agriculture in driving economic growth, ensuring food security, and improving livelihoods for millions of Africans, ACAT aims to bridge the gap between cutting-edge innovations and the practical needs of farmers. The conference serves as a crucial meeting point for researchers, policymakers, private sector players, development partners, and farmers themselves, facilitating knowledge exchange, forging collaborations, and charting a course towards a technologically empowered agricultural future for Africa.     

ACAT 2023: A Landmark Inauguration in Nairobi, Kenya  

The inaugural ACAT took place in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2023. Emerging ag played a critical role in program design and execution. This landmark event marked a significant milestone in the continent’s journey towards embracing technological advancements in agriculture. Hosted in a country with a vibrant agricultural sector and a growing innovation ecosystem, ACAT 2023 brought together 700 international delegates from a diverse range of stakeholders committed to transforming African agriculture through technology.    

The conference also featured a rich program encompassing keynote addresses from prominent figures in African agriculture and technology, panel discussions on critical topics such as precision agriculture, digital farming solutions, biotechnology, and sustainable land management. It also provided a platform for researchers and innovators to showcase their latest technologies and for entrepreneurs to network with potential investors and partners. Farmer representatives actively participated, ensuring that the discussions and solutions were grounded in the realities and needs of agricultural practitioners on the ground. 

Emerging ag was able to execute ACAT 2023 successfully: 

• Raised awareness about the transformative potential of Ag-Tech for African agriculture. 

• Facilitated networking and collaboration among key stakeholders across the continent and beyond.    

• Showcased innovative technologies and solutions relevant to the African context.    

• Identified key challenges and opportunities for the adoption and scaling of Ag-Tech. 

• Contributed to shaping policy discussions around agricultural technology development and deployment.    

The success of the first ACAT in Nairobi laid a strong foundation for future iterations, demonstrating the immense value of such a focused and collaborative platform for driving agricultural transformation in Africa. 

Building Momentum: ACAT 2025 in Kigali, Rwanda

Building on the momentum generated in Nairobi, the next African Conference on Agricultural Technology (ACAT) is set to take place in Kigali, Rwanda, in June 2025. Under the compelling theme, “The Next-Gen Ag-Tech Solutions for African Farmers,” ACAT 2025 aims to delve deeper into the cutting-edge technologies and approaches that hold the key to unlocking the next phase of agricultural development in Africa.    

The choice of Rwanda, a country recognized for its strong commitment to agricultural transformation and technological adoption, underscores the growing recognition of Ag-Tech’s importance across the continent. ACAT 2025 will focus on exploring and promoting the adoption of next-generation solutions, including:    

• Advanced Digital Agriculture: Leveraging artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to optimize farming practices, improve resource management, and enhance decision-making. 

• Precision Agriculture at Scale: Exploring cost-effective and accessible precision farming techniques tailored to the diverse scales and contexts of African farming systems. 

• Climate-Smart Agriculture Technologies: Showcasing innovations that enhance resilience to climate change, promote sustainable land management, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. 

• Biotechnology and Genetic Innovations: Examining the responsible and ethical application of biotechnology to improve crop yields, nutritional content, and resistance to pests and diseases. 

• Robotics and Automation: Investigating the potential of agricultural robots and automated systems to improve efficiency and address labor shortages. 

• FinTech and Agri-Finance Solutions: Exploring innovative financial technologies that improve access to credit, insurance, and market information for farmers. 

• Supply Chain Innovations: Utilizing technology to enhance transparency, efficiency, and sustainability within agricultural value chains. 

ACAT 2025 will provide an even larger and more impactful platform for stakeholders to: 

• Gain insights into the latest advancements in agricultural technology relevant to Africa. 

• Engage in in-depth discussions on the challenges and opportunities associated with adopting next-gen Ag-Tech. 

• Network with leading researchers, innovators, policymakers, investors, and farmers. 

• Witness firsthand demonstrations of cutting-edge technologies and solutions. 

• Forge partnerships and collaborations to drive the development and scaling of impactful Ag-Tech innovations. 

• Contribute to shaping policy frameworks that support the responsible and inclusive adoption of agricultural technology. 

With its successful inaugural event in Kenya and the upcoming focus on next-generation solutions in Rwanda, ACAT is rapidly establishing itself as a vital catalyst for agricultural transformation in Africa. By fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the adoption of innovative technologies, ACAT is playing a crucial role in empowering African farmers, enhancing food security, and driving sustainable agricultural development across the continent. The anticipation for ACAT 2025 in Kigali underscores the growing momentum and collective commitment towards a technologically empowered agricultural future for Africa.