The African Union has officially launched in Addis Ababa the Digital Agriculture Conference in Africa, aimed at outlining a continental roadmap for leveraging digital technologies to achieve food security and promote sustainable agricultural growth.
The AU Commission’s Deputy Chairperson, Ambassador Salma Malika Haddadi, stressed that the shift toward digital agriculture is no longer a luxury but a “necessity for the continent’s survival and prosperity,” given that more than 60% of Africans rely on agriculture for their livelihoods.
The conference seeks to develop policies that support digital innovation within agricultural systems.
Ethiopia’s State Minister for Agricultural Affairs, Eva Moleta, presented Ethiopia’s agricultural modernization model, highlighting expanded irrigation, mechanization, and the adoption of climate-resilient crops. He stated that “Africa’s challenges can become its greatest opportunities” if youth potential and technological innovation are properly harnessed. He also called for stronger collaboration between governments and the private sector to scale up digital solutions.
Meanwhile, the AU Commissioner for Agricultural Development, Musa Vilakati, warned of ongoing challenges facing the sector, including climate change, land degradation, and declining youth engagement in farming. He emphasized that the conference aims to provide practical digital solutions to overcome these obstacles.
