Kigali, Rwanda – African leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders at the African Conference on Agricultural Technology (ACAT) 2025 have renewed their urgent call for increased investment and the accelerated adoption of agricultural technologies (AgTech) to combat food insecurity across the continent. The second day of the conference, held in Kigali, Rwanda, was marked by high-level discussions focused on empowering farmers and fostering inclusive innovation in agriculture.
Dr. Édouard Ngirente, Rwanda’s Prime Minister, emphasized the critical need for supportive ecosystems. In his keynote address at the official opening ceremony, he highlighted that such ecosystems must encompass enabling policies, improved infrastructure, and enhanced access to finance. “The voices and agency of farmers themselves must shape the solutions we develop and promote,” Ngirente stated, urging delegates to forge partnerships that deliver tangible impacts for smallholder farmers.
Former Nigerian President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan echoed this sentiment, stressing that transforming African agriculture requires a collective effort. “Africa must make progress and move forward. It’s time for governments, the private sector, civil society, and farmers to work hand-in-hand,” Jonathan asserted. He advocated for strengthened biosafety regulations, increased rural infrastructure investment, and alignment of agricultural budgets to reassure investors and drive sustainable growth.
Financing and Collaboration Take Center Stage
A series of panel sessions on the second day set a clear agenda, beginning with ‘Financing AgTech Solutions: Aligning Capital, Risk, and Innovation’. Panelists underscored the necessity of private sector involvement, youth inclusion, and robust risk-sharing mechanisms to foster innovation. Hannington Namara, Managing Director of Equity Bank Rwanda, made a significant announcement, committing that the bank would allocate at least 30 percent of its loan portfolio to agriculture, and encouraged other financial institutions to follow suit.
Another pivotal session, ‘Charting a Collaborative Roadmap for Quality Partnerships’, focused on aligning stakeholder goals and breaking down silos between researchers, communicators, and implementers. Conference panelists emphasized that successful partnerships are built on trust, shared vision, and mutual responsibility.
Ministerial Commitments and Farmer-Centric Policies
The ministerial dialogue featured representatives from six African nations: Rwanda, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Nigeria. These ministers pledged to improve access to AgTech, mainstream gender inclusion, and significantly increase research investment.
Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, reinforced the imperative of placing smallholder farmers at the core of all policy and innovation decisions. “This is about defining the investments we seek and shaping the partnerships we need,” he stressed.
Dr. Canisius Kanangire, Executive Director of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), underscored the urgency of action, stating, “It is not the seed in the field that feeds the nation; it is the seed in the soil.” This highlights the critical role of foundational investments in agricultural development.
Participants at ACAT 2025 are united in their resolve to transform African agriculture into a more resilient, inclusive, and technology-driven sector, ensuring food security for future generations. The conference signals a strong commitment from African leaders to leverage innovation and collaboration for sustainable agricultural growth.
