Digitalization of agriculture in Africa

Abstract

This paper examines the state of digital technologies in African food systems, highlighting the implementation status of several digital agriculture pilot programmes, with limited data on actual scaling and the extent to which they are managed by governments. It examines the challenges of implementing digital technologies in African agriculture, including the digital divide, data privacy and security, lack of private sector participation, capacity constraints and the need for regulatory change. It provides recommendations for further implementation of digital technologies to help make food systems more productive, sustainable and inclusive. Recommendations are made for further adoption of digital technologies to improve the productivity, sustainability, and inclusiveness of food systems.