Tech presence in African agriculture has been on the rise in recent years, and there is no denying the progress made so far. But frankly, there is still a wide gap between digital potential and real transformation on the ground. The future of agriculture in Africa depends on how well it can use data to improve efficiency and resilience. A deliberate plan is needed to strengthen data infrastructure and ensure innovation reaches every farming community.
Where Africa Stands: Current Agricultural Data Systems
Most farmer-focused organisations in Africa—government agencies, NGOs, and agribusinesses—still work in isolation. Each group builds its own database, collects the same type of information, and keeps it locked within separate systems. This approach wastes resources, creates inconsistent records, and prevents anyone from seeing the whole picture of farmers’ activity across regions.
Presently, there is no single data framework that links these systems or allows easy information exchange. Many countries still depend on paper files or outdated tools that cannot track farmer progress or share updates quickly. The result is unreliable data that weakens planning and slows the impact of agricultural programs.
Current realities:
- Farmer data exists in silos, often incomplete and outdated.
- Manual systems remain common in rural regions.
- Limited funding and poor internet access which slows digital adoption.
How Data Can Influence Modern Farming in Africa
Rather than repeating the same data collection, organisations can pool their efforts and work with shared records. This reduces financial pressure while increasing the reach and quality of agricultural programs. Shared access also helps governments and private players track climate shifts, market changes, and farm productivity in real time.
A good example of progress is Côte d’Ivoire, where the government launched Africa’s first virtual storage for agricultural data in June 2025. This platform allows farms, meteorologists, government bodies, and other partners to exchange data securely and responsibly. It gives farmers, agripreneurs, and civil society access to vital information on weather, production trends, and forecasts—resources that can directly improve planning and yield.
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Benefits of shared data systems:
- Better coordination between government, private, and community actors.
- Faster response to weather and market risks.
- Lower operational costs and less duplication of effort.
- Stronger evidence base for planning and resource allocation.
Africa’s progress depends on scaling such models across more regions.
Ways Agritech in Africa Can Be Integrated Into Global Data Systems
Integrating African agriculture into global data systems requires a multi-pronged approach. This involves combining infrastructure, technology, capacity building, and policy. Practical ways to achieve this include:
1. Build Reliable Digital Infrastructure
Strong internet and mobile networks must reach rural areas where most smallholder farmers live. Without this base, no digital platform or open data system can function effectively.
2. Use Localised Data Tools
Simple, low-cost tools—like soil sensors, weather stations, drones, and satellite imagery—should collect farm-level data. These tools make it easier to monitor soil health, track rainfall, and plan field activities.
3. Design Farmer-Focused Platforms
Develop easy-to-use apps that turn raw data into clear advice on weather, planting periods, pest alerts, and market prices. Farmers should get information in simple language that they can act on.
4. Strengthen Digital Skills
Train farmers and extension officers through short videos and field demonstrations. Better understanding of data means better use of digital tools and smarter decisions.
5. Modernise Market Information Systems
Create tech-driven platforms that display real-time market prices and demand trends. This helps farmers link directly to buyers and gain fairer prices.
6. Standardise and Share Data
Adopt one clear data format for all regions. Build national or regional data hubs where information can be stored, verified, and shared safely among stakeholders.
7. Encourage Partnerships
Governments, tech firms, and agricultural groups should work together to develop and fund scalable solutions that connect farmers to the global market.
8. Build Supportive Policies
Set clear rules for data privacy, ownership, and fair competition. This protects farmers and encourages more investment in digital farming systems.
9. Empower Farmer Cooperatives
Support cooperatives to use shared data for stronger negotiations with buyers and to push for fair agricultural policies and better funding access.
10. Link to Global Systems
Connect local and national data hubs to continental and international databases. This gives African farmers visibility in global supply chains and helps their produce reach broader markets.
Wrap Up
The continent of Africa has come a long way, but there is still a lot to be done. “Data is critical to better understand farming and to promote access to finance for smallholders,” as echoed by Daniel Annerose, CEO of Manobi Africa. Data will belong to those who finance the data collection, and it is now more important than ever for African countries to invest in their own data systems to maintain ownership and control over the information that shapes their agricultural policies.
