In The Spotlight
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi. (Image source: Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Republic of Kenya)
Ahead of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation's (FOCAC) summit following the 2024 edition, the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, is in China, attending the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of Follow-Up Actions of the summit
Attended by China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and representatives from all 54 African member states of FOCAC, the high level engagement is evaluating the progress since FOCAC 2024.
Mudavadi visited the Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center at the Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences (HUNAAS) in Mapoling, Changsha. Founded in 1984 by globally renowned Academician Yuan Longping—celebrated as the “Father of Hybrid Rice”—the center has made significant advancements in rice production through innovative research and technology. The hybrid varieties developed at HUNAAS can yield over 18 tonnes per hectare, marking a transformational leap in food production.
The visit presents an opportunity for Kenya to explore enhanced collaboration in agricultural innovation, aimed at strengthening national food security and sustainable agricultural development.
Generative AI models support the agricultural industry in their small molecule discovery process. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Computational biology company, Evogene Ltd has developed a generative AI foundation model, version 1.0, for small molecule design, in collaboration with Google Cloud
The new model expands on Evogene's ChemPass AI by identifying novel small molecules that meet multiple complex product criteria.
Generative AI models support the agricultural industry in their small molecule discovery process by enabling the simultaneous consideration of multiple complex product requirements, all while creating truly novel molecular structures. This allows the industry to access strong, defensible IP portfolios.
Ofer Haviv, president and CEO of Evogene, said, "Completing our foundation model is a major milestone in our offering. It unlocks new frontiers for ChemPass AI, giving us the power to generate wholly novel molecules—ones that not only perform but also create new IP space. This is key to overcoming long-standing challenges in life-science R&D: from reducing late-stage failure in pharma to developing ag-chemicals that are effective, sustainable, and proprietary."
Boaz Maoz, managing director, Google Cloud Israel, said, "We're pleased to collaborate with Evogene's innovation in AI-powered molecule design. Their progress with ChemPass AI highlights the strength of pairing advanced AI infrastructure with deep scientific insight. We look forward to seeing the impact of this new model in drug discovery and agriculture."
The development will empower thousands of smallholder farmers. (Image source; Adobe Stock)
Blue Earth Capital has announced a US$30mn private credit commitment of its investment vehicles to Valency International
Based in Singapore, Valency is a global trader, processor, and exporter of agricultural commodities with a specialty in edible nuts (particularly cashew & sesame) and agricultural inputs (agrochemicals & fertilizers). The company operates large-scale commodity processing facilities across four countries in Africa and Asia.
The investment marks BlueEarth’s fourth impact-linked facility (ILF), which are designed to encourage borrowers to align with pre-defined impact goals.
The additional funding will provide Valency with working capital to buy agricultural commodities from the company’s network of smallholder farmers and local traders across Africa.
Amy Wang, Head of Private Credit at BlueEarth, said, “By providing this impact-linked facility to Valency, BlueEarth is excited to not just support a market leading business but also empower thousands of smallholder farmers and support critical local processing capacity while reducing the carbon footprint of cashew nuts. Valency’s approach to bridging agricultural value chains between Africa and Asia demonstrates exactly the kind of measurable, scalable impact our capital is designed to accelerate.”
Sumit Jain, Chief Executive Officer of Valency, comments: “We are excited to partner with Blue Earth Capital on this $30 million sustainability-linked financing, which strengthens our commitment to supporting smallholder farmers and driving local value addition in Africa. This investment will help us enhance our sourcing network, reduce environmental impacts, and contribute to the sustainable development of agriculture in the region, all while aligning with our mission to create lasting social and environmental impact.”
The event saw the unveiling of the EUACC Financing Agribusiness in Africa Programme. (Image source: EUACC)
The European-Union -Africa Chamber of Commerce (EUACC) hosted the first edition of the Financing Agribusiness in Africa Forum at the Parc des Expositions in Abidjan
The Forum saw the presence of the Consul General of Cote d'Ivoire in New York and General Delegate of the Economic Promotion Service of Cote d'Ivoire in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Inza Camara, among other prominent stakeholders.
Peter Boamah Otukonor, Director of the Presidential Initiative in Agriculture and Agribusiness of Ghana, led a delegation of project owners.
The event saw the unveiling of the EUACC Financing Agribusiness in Africa Programme and the issuing of a Call to Action, a landmark framework outlining 10 pillars to catalyse investment, scale agribusiness, and accelerate inclusive growth across the continent. The Call to Action will be officially presented at COP30 in Belem, Brazil, in November 2025.
"Financing agribusiness is not just an economic opportunity—it’s a strategic pathway to Africa’s resilience, sustainability, and inclusive growth. Our role at the EU-Africa Chamber of Commerce is to connect them with the right finance, at the right time, for the right impact. This forum is another step of the EUACC’s long-term commitment to unlock capital where it matters most," said Sonia Toro, Executive Director, EU-Africa Chamber of Commerce.
Nigeria's annual milk production is 700,000 tonnes. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
With an aim to double milk production over the next five years, Nigeria has begun importing dairy cattle from Denmark, Livestock Minister Idi Maiha announced
While Nigeria is known to have considerable cattle populations, its annual milk production is limited to 700,000 tonnes — less than half of its 1.6 million-tonne demand. As a result, around 60% of the country’s dairy needs are met through imports.
"Our goal is ambitious but achievable," says Maiha. “We aim to double Nigeria's milk production from 700,000 tonnes to 1.4 million tonnes annually in the next five years."
In a further move to modernise the sector, eight new pasture species — the first in nearly five decades — have been registered, while a national strategy for animal genetic resources has been rolled out in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
“With over 20.9 million cattle, 60 million sheep, and 1.4 million goats already, we are not starting from zero — we are building from strength,” Maiha said.
The R1 Single-Plot Research Combine by Alamco. (Image source: Alamco)
The R1 Single-Plot Research Combine by Alamco is designed to provide quick harvest without damaging the seeds
This is made possible by its advanced rotary technology that allows optimisation of the harvest process and improve data accuracy.
Unlike conventional plot combines that rely on high-speed threshing cylinders, R1 utilises exclusive top-fed axial rotors. This innovative design gently pulls material into the threshing chamber, which is over eight feet long, enabling higher throughput and greater efficiency. Operating at lower RPMs (350-500), the R1's rotary technology allows for the early harvest of large green plants, tough stems, and high-foliage crops, giving researchers a longer harvest window for faster decision-making. The self-cleaning system ensures easier cleanout and more pure samples for more reliable seed research data.
Equipped with Cummins QSF 3.8L FT4 Diesel Engine and Poclain rear Torque King 4WD wheel motors and tandem electronically controlled hydraulics, it delivers superior performance in tough field conditions.
This milestone strengthens Ethiopia’s ability to ensure safety and quality. (Image source: FAO)
The Animal Products and Inputs Quality Testing Center (APIQTC) under the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority (EAA) has officially earned ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation
This milestone strengthens Ethiopia’s ability to ensure the safety and quality of animal products and inputs, prevent and contain the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and safeguard human, animal, and environmental health through a One Health approach.
The accreditation confirms the APIQTC’s technical competence in performing on 13 parameters on veterinary pharmaceutical quality; Aflatoxin residue monitoring in animal source food and feed, and microbiological analysis.
These functions are vital for independently verifying animal products and inputs quality and adherence to international trade requirements and supporting public confidence. In a country where livestock plays a central role in the economy, such capabilities are indispensable for market access, trade, and sustainable agricultural development.
Minister of Agriculture, Girma Amente, said, “ISO accreditation is critical for Ethiopia’s agricultural sustainability and public health security. This international recognition reflects our commitment to quality assurance and our readiness to meet global food safety standards.”
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi. (Image source: Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Republic of Kenya)
Ahead of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation's (FOCAC) summit following the 2024 edition, the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, is in China, attending the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of Follow-Up Actions of the summit
Attended by China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and representatives from all 54 African member states of FOCAC, the high level engagement is evaluating the progress since FOCAC 2024.
Mudavadi visited the Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center at the Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences (HUNAAS) in Mapoling, Changsha. Founded in 1984 by globally renowned Academician Yuan Longping—celebrated as the “Father of Hybrid Rice”—the center has made significant advancements in rice production through innovative research and technology. The hybrid varieties developed at HUNAAS can yield over 18 tonnes per hectare, marking a transformational leap in food production.
The visit presents an opportunity for Kenya to explore enhanced collaboration in agricultural innovation, aimed at strengthening national food security and sustainable agricultural development.
The event saw the unveiling of the EUACC Financing Agribusiness in Africa Programme. (Image source: EUACC)
The MoU will extend support to smallholder farmers. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Nigeria's annual milk production is 700,000 tonnes. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
With an aim to double milk production over the next five years, Nigeria has begun importing dairy cattle from Denmark, Livestock Minister Idi Maiha announced
While Nigeria is known to have considerable cattle populations, its annual milk production is limited to 700,000 tonnes — less than half of its 1.6 million-tonne demand. As a result, around 60% of the country’s dairy needs are met through imports.
"Our goal is ambitious but achievable," says Maiha. “We aim to double Nigeria's milk production from 700,000 tonnes to 1.4 million tonnes annually in the next five years."
In a further move to modernise the sector, eight new pasture species — the first in nearly five decades — have been registered, while a national strategy for animal genetic resources has been rolled out in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
“With over 20.9 million cattle, 60 million sheep, and 1.4 million goats already, we are not starting from zero — we are building from strength,” Maiha said.
This milestone strengthens Ethiopia’s ability to ensure safety and quality. (Image source: FAO)
The collaboration marks a pivotal step in bridging science and policy to tackle interconnected health challenges worldwide. (Image source: ILRI)
Generative AI models support the agricultural industry in their small molecule discovery process. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Computational biology company, Evogene Ltd has developed a generative AI foundation model, version 1.0, for small molecule design, in collaboration with Google Cloud
The new model expands on Evogene's ChemPass AI by identifying novel small molecules that meet multiple complex product criteria.
Generative AI models support the agricultural industry in their small molecule discovery process by enabling the simultaneous consideration of multiple complex product requirements, all while creating truly novel molecular structures. This allows the industry to access strong, defensible IP portfolios.
Ofer Haviv, president and CEO of Evogene, said, "Completing our foundation model is a major milestone in our offering. It unlocks new frontiers for ChemPass AI, giving us the power to generate wholly novel molecules—ones that not only perform but also create new IP space. This is key to overcoming long-standing challenges in life-science R&D: from reducing late-stage failure in pharma to developing ag-chemicals that are effective, sustainable, and proprietary."
Boaz Maoz, managing director, Google Cloud Israel, said, "We're pleased to collaborate with Evogene's innovation in AI-powered molecule design. Their progress with ChemPass AI highlights the strength of pairing advanced AI infrastructure with deep scientific insight. We look forward to seeing the impact of this new model in drug discovery and agriculture."
The development will empower thousands of smallholder farmers. (Image source; Adobe Stock)
The event saw representatives from FAO. (Image source: FAO)
The R1 Single-Plot Research Combine by Alamco. (Image source: Alamco)
The R1 Single-Plot Research Combine by Alamco is designed to provide quick harvest without damaging the seeds
This is made possible by its advanced rotary technology that allows optimisation of the harvest process and improve data accuracy.
Unlike conventional plot combines that rely on high-speed threshing cylinders, R1 utilises exclusive top-fed axial rotors. This innovative design gently pulls material into the threshing chamber, which is over eight feet long, enabling higher throughput and greater efficiency. Operating at lower RPMs (350-500), the R1's rotary technology allows for the early harvest of large green plants, tough stems, and high-foliage crops, giving researchers a longer harvest window for faster decision-making. The self-cleaning system ensures easier cleanout and more pure samples for more reliable seed research data.
Equipped with Cummins QSF 3.8L FT4 Diesel Engine and Poclain rear Torque King 4WD wheel motors and tandem electronically controlled hydraulics, it delivers superior performance in tough field conditions.
Entomatic is highly versatile and can be used in horizontal and vertical row crops. (Image source: Biobest)
Among Bayer’s 11 sets of tanks, the measurement range varies from a maximum of 9 tons to a minimum of 4 tons. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
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Generative AI models support the agricultural industry in their small molecule discovery process. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
The development will empower thousands of smallholder farmers. (Image source; Adobe Stock)
Nigeria's annual milk production is 700,000 tonnes. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
The R1 Single-Plot Research Combine by Alamco. (Image source: Alamco)
This milestone strengthens Ethiopia’s ability to ensure safety and quality. (Image source: FAO)
The event saw representatives from FAO. (Image source: FAO)
US$10.12mn grant to boost resilient agriculture and livelihoods for rural communities in Zimbabwe. (Image source:
The collaboration marks a pivotal step in bridging science and policy to tackle interconnected health challenges worldwide. (Image source: ILRI)
Angata specialises in customised fertiliser blending. (Image source: Invictus Investment)
As financial advisor, Afreximbank’s Advisory and Capital Markets (ACMA) role will involve leveraging its network to mobilise the US$1.7bn capital needed for the project’s execution. (Image Source: Canva Pro)
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The R1 Single-Plot Research Combine by Alamco. (Image source: Alamco)
Entomatic is highly versatile and can be used in horizontal and vertical row crops. (Image source: Biobest)
Among Bayer’s 11 sets of tanks, the measurement range varies from a maximum of 9 tons to a minimum of 4 tons. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
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