This Week, on African Farms

Nigerian egusi (melon seeds) are helping create the future of food. They are now in space as part of the Earth Seeds for Space Initiative, a project run by partners The Karman Project and Jaguar Space LLC. For the first time, an African crop is being studied to see how it grows with zero gravity. This is a huge step for African farming that could teach everyone how to grow stronger, more resilient food.

The World Bank has joined the African Development Bank and Mastercard to lead the MADE Alliance, a group working to bring more digital services to Africa. The alliance is starting with the agriculture sector, aiming to help more farmers get online and use digital tools. For example, a recent project has already provided affordable high-speed internet and digital skills training to about 10,000 farmers in Kenya.

A new AI platform called CropSense has been launched to help African farmers use satellite data by CipherSense AI. Now open for testing in Nigeria, the tool gives farmers real-time advice on crop health, weather, and pests to help boost their harvests and reduce losses. The platform also provides useful data for banks, exporters, and government policy.

According to a new report from AGRA, Kenya is leading Africa in climate-friendly farming. By using methods that improve soil health, the country is making its food supply more secure, especially in dry areas. A key project called STRAK has shown great success, with farmers in one region nearly tripling their sorghum harvests and another area seeing a more than five-fold return on investment.

A new innovation hub called KATIC has been opened in Kenya to bridge the gap between academic research and practical farming. Launched by Elgon Kenya and the University of Nairobi, KATIC—short for Kantaria Agricultural Technology and Innovation Centre—will bring students, farmers, and startups together to test new business ideas and develop modern agricultural solutions using tools like drones and data analysis to improve food security.

Kenya's national agricultural research organization, KALRO, has partnered with the Indian tech company SatSure to bring satellite technology to local farmers. They will combine their expertise to create new tools using satellite data and AI. These tools will help farmers better monitor crops, predict harvests, check soil health, and plan for climate change.

Somalia has launched a major push to modernize its agriculture sector with two new initiatives. First, the government unveiled a five-year National Digital Agriculture Strategy to digitize farming services and data systems. Second, it announced the Somalia Agri-Food Investment Partnership (SAIP), a $100 million program to scale the country's food system by funding a large commercial farm, supporting 15,000 smallholder farmers, and building a modern processing facility.

Billionaire Aliko Dangote has signed a $2.5 billion deal to build one of the world's largest fertilizer plants in Ethiopia. This massive project will position Ethiopia as a major hub for fertilizer production on the continent, with a scale comparable to the huge Dangote facility already operating in Nigeria.

Nigeria has secured a $2.2 billion investment, led by the African Development Bank (AfDB), to transform its agriculture sector. The funds will be used to expand special zones for farming and food processing across 24 states. This major initiative aims to boost the country's food security and create jobs, with nearly $1 billion already raised to get the project started.

In a sign of growing investment in African agriculture, Chinese firm Sinohydro Group has signed a $100 million deal to develop large-scale grain farms in Angola. The investment follows a similar $250 million deal from another Chinese company just days ago, highlighting China's strategy of funding farming projects on the continent to help secure its own long-term food supply.

Mainland Group, an investment firm with agricultural projects across Africa, is now investing $100 million in Liberia's farming sector. The funds will support the growth of key crops like rice and cassava and will also be used to build storage facilities. The company plans to start by building a new rice plant by the end of this year, with the overall goal of creating jobs and improving the country's food security.

A new $50 million project has been launched in Kenya to help over 2.7 million farmers adapt to climate change. The six-year plan, led by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other partners, will promote more sustainable farming methods and improve farmers' access to funding. The initiative will focus on key products like dairy, coffee, and tea to boost incomes and food security in the region.

To boost food production, Kano, a Nigerian State, has secured a $12.3 million deal with the Sasakawa Africa Association. The investment will be used to provide local farmers with modern machinery, including tractors and harvesters, to increase the use of technology in farming and improve food security in the state.

Nigerian agritech social enterprise Babban Gona has secured a $7.5 million investment from British International Investment (BII) to scale its support for smallholder farmers here in Northern Nigeria. The funding will help expand Babban Gona's digital platform, which uses a franchise-like model to provide farmer groups with training, financing, and access to markets.

Just a few months after securing $2.5 million in June, Ghanaian agri-tech startup Complete Farmer has raised an additional $5 million from the global impact investor Symbiotics. This new funding will allow the company to more than double its reach, expanding its services to over 12,000 smallholder farmers. The continued investment highlights confidence in Complete Farmer's digital platform, which uses satellite and IoT technology to connect farmers with international markets and provide them with data-driven farming advice.

Are you an African founder ready to scale your agri-tech startup? The SAIS Investment Readiness Programme is now accepting applications for its free, year-long support program. Designed for startups creating impact in agriculture and related sectors like fintech, climate, and logistics, the program helps founders become investor-ready through customized advisory, targeted technical support, and access to a vibrant community of experts and investors. If you're ready to grow your business, you can apply now in English or in French before the September 28 deadline.

Applications are open for the Innovate47 Agri-Accelerator, a free, two-month virtual program designed to help early-stage startups that are revolutionizing the food and agriculture sector. The program is structured to help founders scale their business and prepare for investment. Throughout the program, participants will receive expert mentorship in areas like sustainable farming and technology, guidance on agricultural regulations, and access to a valuable network of peers and industry partners. Apply by September 30.

Innovate47 is also accepting applications for its Climate Action Accelerator, a three-month virtual program designed to empower early-stage startups tackling climate change and sustainability challenges. The program equips founders with the knowledge and connections needed to succeed, offering a specialized curriculum on business models and fundraising, personalized mentorship from global industry leaders, and direct access to potential investors. Apply by September 15.

For the first time on African soil, the 8th Sustainable Phosphorus Summit (SPS8) is set to take place in Accra, Ghana, from September 30th to October 3rd. This major global conference will bring together top scientists, policymakers, and industry leaders to tackle key issues in food and water security. Attendees will explore innovative ways to improve fertilizer use, reduce waste, and recover vital nutrients. Register here.

Registrations are open for the 37th edition of the Sahara International Agricultural Exhibition, returning to Cairo, Egypt, from September 14th to 16th. This long-running event serves as a major gathering for agricultural professionals from across the region and beyond. Check it out.

The international agriculture community is invited to Accra, Ghana, for Agritech West Africa, taking place from September 19th to 20th. This major exhibition is designed to showcase the entire agricultural value chain under one roof. The event provides a platform for industry professionals to discover and engage with the latest advancements in farm machinery, irrigation systems, agrochemicals, and food processing technologies. Secure your spot.

Experts in agricultural economics are set to convene in South Africa for the 2025 Annual Conference of the Agricultural Economics Association, scheduled for September 29th to October 1st. This specialized conference brings together leading academics, researchers, and professionals to discuss the key business and economic trends shaping the continent's farming sector, with a focus on the growing role of technology and innovation. Find out more.

The West Africa Agri Show returns to Accra, Ghana, from September 24th to 25th, offering a focused trade show and exhibition for the region's agricultural sector. This event is targeted at industry professionals and businesses looking to explore the latest in agrotechnology, farm machinery, and food processing, serving as a key marketplace for discovering new equipment and connecting with suppliers. Register now.