The Role of Digital Technologies in the African Agricultural Sector

The agricultural sector is fundamental to African economies and societies. Yet, African agriculture is characterised by low productivity, inadequate infrastructure, limited market access, and labour-intensive practices; production cannot meet demand. Digital technologies can help overcome these barriers and improve productivity in the agricultural value chain, sustainably strengthening the sector.

• Digital technologies can be applied across all stages of agricultural value chains: from procurement and production to logistics and distribution. Digital platforms and smart farming approaches facilitate access to inputs, optimise production processes, and increase yields, while e-commerce platforms and AI enable access to new markets and optimise transportation and storage.

• Solutions across the entire value chain are used to streamline payments, provide access to financing, enhance information and transparency, foster networking among actors, and offer training opportunities for farmers.

• Nevertheless, structural challenges hinder the implementation of digital technologies. Limited digital infrastructure, insufficient research funding, restricted access to financing for farmers, inadequate education, and a lack of digital skills impede widespread adoption.

Policy Implications

Governments and private actors must work together to overcome these challenges. Public investments in infrastructure and research, improved access to financing, support for start-ups and innovation hubs, and targeted training programmes can sustainably drive the digital transformation of agriculture, which in turn increases productivity.

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