L-R: Sofia Tesfazion, Director Resource Mobilisation, AATF; H.E. Prof. Muhammadou M. O. Kah, AATF Board Trustee and the ambassador and permanent representative of The Gambia to the UN Office in Geneva and World Trade Organization, and H.E. Moses Vilakati, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Development at the AUC./PHOTO ; Courtesy
African leaders have renewed calls for faster, inclusive growth in agriculture through African-led solutions that deliver measurable returns on investment, strengthen partnerships, and drive innovation for a more resilient and prosperous continent.
The call came during a high-level roundtable convened by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80), held in September 2025 in New York, USA.
Leaders at the meeting emphasized the urgency of transforming agriculture into a driver of sustainable growth, food security, and economic opportunity across Africa.
While addressing the forum, H.E. Moses Vilakati, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Development at the African Union Commission, emphasized the importance of making agriculture an aspirational career for young people.
He emphasized the importance of integrating modern technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and digital platforms, into traditional farming systems while building value chains that are profitable, sustainable, climate-smart, and appealing to young people.
“The future of African agriculture lies in African technology, tailored to our realities and driven by our innovators,” said H.E. Vilakati.
He noted that Africa possesses unparalleled agricultural potential from vast arable lands and abundant water resources to a dynamic youth population that is both an asset and the foundation of a transformative agenda.
He added that nutrition, health, and sustainability must be embedded in Africa’s food systems by adopting a holistic approach that addresses productivity, climate adaptation, and the human dimension of agriculture.
“Africa is ready to lead its agricultural renaissance, with bold ideas, strategic partnerships, and unwavering commitment. Let us seize this opportunity to shape a future where African agriculture is a global benchmark for innovation, equity, and impact,” said H.E. Vilakati.
Hosting the event, H.E. Prof. Muhammadou M. O. Kah, AATF Board Trustee, noted that Africa’s agricultural landscape and food systems are changing rapidly, both in positive and exciting ways, with growing investment opportunities that can accelerate transformation.
To unlock Africa’s latent productivity and advance food sovereignty, Prof. Kah called for the rapid adoption of innovations such as precision mechanization and digital farm management to create new avenues for profit and scalable impact.
“Investing in advanced, climate-smart agricultural techniques and technologies offers a high-impact opportunity to drive Africa’s food security and growth. Such investments not only help farmers adapt to a rapidly changing climate but also build resilience against recurring famines. These changes can trigger and create both social and economic returns for investors,” he stated.
He further emphasized that investment in technologies addressing community needs should be prioritized, especially those focused on food and nutrition security, pest and disease management, climate resilience, and improved efficiency across agricultural systems.
“These are those that address current challenges, including climate change and the related impacts of pests and diseases; food and nutrition security needs; building agriculture as a business; and improving agricultural efficiency,” he said.
The roundtable took place at TIAA’s global headquarters, where Martin Davies, Global Head of Nuveen Natural Capital (a TIAA-owned company), highlighted that access to capital remains one of the most critical barriers to advancing agriculture across the continent.
Leaders at the event agreed that enabling Africa’s agricultural transformation will require sound policy and regulatory frameworks, harmonized processes for technology adoption, and stronger collaboration among governments, investors, and research institutions.
Such efforts, they noted, are essential for positioning agriculture not only as a cornerstone of Africa’s development but also as a sector capable of attracting sustained philanthropic and private investment to secure the continent’s future.
About AATF (https://www.aatf-africa.org/)
The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) is an international not-for-profit organization established in 2003 to empower smallholder farmers across Sub-Saharan Africa with access to agricultural innovations that enhance productivity, strengthen food and nutrition security, and improve livelihoods.
Working with governments, research institutions, private sector players, and development partners, AATF facilitates the access, development, delivery, and commercialization of transformative technologies that address key farmer productivity constraints.
Its work spans the entire agricultural value chain from research and product development to policy engagement, capacity building, and market linkages, ensuring farmers benefit from technologies that are practical, affordable, and sustainable.
Over the past two decades, AATF has championed innovative solutions reaching millions of farmers in 32 countries.
