Crops

Ghana Opens Timbuktoo AgriTech Hub to Power Digital Agriculture.

Ghana has taken a bold step towards reshaping its agricultural future with the official launch of the Timbuktoo AgriTech Hub, a purpose-built initiative designed to bring digital innovation to the heart of the country's farming sector.

The hub arrives at a time when Africa's agricultural landscape is crying out for practical, technology-driven solutions, and Ghana is positioning itself as a serious contender in leading that charge.

The launch ceremony in Accra drew considerable attention, with the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George (MP), lending his presence and voice to the occasion. His message to African entrepreneurs was unambiguous: technology holds the key to transforming agriculture and building stronger, more resilient food systems across the continent.

The hub is not operating in isolation. It brings together a compelling mix of innovators, investors, incubators, and ecosystem leaders from across Africa, with partnerships already in place with the United Nations Development Programme, 500 Global, and Seedstars. That kind of backing signals serious intent and gives the initiative a solid foundation from which to grow.

The problems the hub is set up to tackle are well known to anyone familiar with African agriculture. Climate pressures, fragmented supply chains, poor market connectivity, and restricted access to financing continue to hold farmers and agribusinesses back. The Timbuktoo AgriTech Hub aims to chip away at these barriers through data-driven tools, mobile platforms, artificial intelligence, and improved digital infrastructure, all geared towards boosting productivity and expanding market reach.

Beyond supporting startups directly, the hub will run a capacity-building bootcamp for incubator managers, investing in the institutions that nurture early-stage businesses. Access to both catalytic and commercial capital will be made available to participating startups, addressing one of the most persistent obstacles to scaling agricultural innovations across the continent.

The minister rounded off proceedings with a call to action, urging governments, investors, and innovators to work more closely together and turn promising ideas into tangible, lasting development outcomes. It was a fitting note on which to close a launch that felt less like a ceremony and more like the beginning of something genuinely significant.

Uganda’s coffee steps into the global spotlight.(Image credit: The Independent)

Uganda’s presence at the Melbourne International Coffee Expo has moved beyond simple visibility.

What once drew curiosity is now drawing scrutiny, as international buyers begin to assess whether the country is ready for premium markets. Uganda’s coffee is no longer just being tasted, it is being judged on its ability to meet higher expectations.

Australia stands as one of the most disciplined coffee markets in the world, where quality is carefully measured and consistency is expected every time. For years, Uganda’s coffee has quietly played a role here, mainly through blends where its Robusta adds body and balance. Yet this contribution has often gone unnoticed.

That is beginning to change. Feedback from cupping sessions at the expo points to a shift in how Uganda’s coffee is perceived. Buyers are recognising its depth and improving quality, while showing growing interest in traceable sourcing, distinct origins, and reliable espresso performance. Uganda appears well placed to respond, but simply being ready is no longer enough. It must now prove it can deliver.

High Commissioner to Australia, Dorothy Hyuha Samali, has made it clear that Uganda is stepping forward not only to be recognised, but to be trusted. This signals a deeper level of commitment, where honesty and consistency will define long term success in a market that values credibility above all else.

A key moment came through the presentation by Gordon Katwirenabo, which helped shape a clearer understanding of Uganda’s progress. It highlighted improvements in quality control, post harvest handling, and value addition, while also acknowledging areas that still need attention.

Compared with giants like Brazil and Vietnam, Uganda offers a different story. It combines strong production with a value chain that is still developing. This creates opportunity, but also pressure to build systems quickly and effectively.

Uganda now stands at a turning point. Interest is growing and perceptions are improving, but the real test lies in execution. In global coffee markets, attention may open doors, but only consistent delivery will keep them open.

Tapping into mutual interests for agricultural expansion, Ghana and Egypt have expressed intent for collaboration in key sectors including technical and training, poultry production, and animal feed manufacturing, among others

Leveraging these areas for fostering economic growth and inter-trade relations, the Ambassador of Egypt to Ghana, Wael Fathy Ahmed, recently had a call with Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare. 

While Egypt is keen on sharing expertise with Ghana and securing investments in the region, Ghana is ready for official commitment through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance mutual trade relations to the next level. The collaboration in agriculture and other sectors can potentially create jobs, enhance skills development, and boost trade between the two countries. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) can aid this development as a body aiming to accelerate intra-African trade, investment and industrial development.

According to Ofosu-Adjare, Ghana's Agribusiness Directorate is designed to serve beyond value addition, also including support for production and sustainable supply of raw materials required to strengthen local industries. Ghana has also recently refined its policies strategically in sectors such as the Textile and Garment Policy, the Pharmaceutical Policy, and the Automotive Policy.

The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of Ghana and Egypt to expanding economic cooperation, fostering private sector partnerships, and advancing sustainable industrial development for the mutual benefit of both nations. 

South Africa raises alert as goss’s wilt spreads across maize regions

South Africa’s Department of Agriculture has issued an important update on the spread of Goss’s Wilt, a serious bacterial disease affecting maize

The announcement is directed at farmers, growers and the wider public, highlighting a change in the distribution of the disease and the need for continued awareness.

The disease was first identified in 2024 in four provinces, namely Free State, North West, Gauteng and Eastern Cape. After a detailed survey carried out in 2025, it has now been confirmed in additional regions including Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and Western Cape. At present, KwaZulu Natal remains the only province where no cases have been reported.

Efforts to manage the disease are ongoing, with the department working closely with research bodies and industry partners. Current work includes building a collection of local bacterial strains, improving testing and monitoring systems, and identifying maize varieties that can better tolerate or resist the disease. There is also a strong focus on sharing knowledge between farmers, scientists and policymakers, as well as developing practical guidance suited to different regions.

Goss’s Wilt is regulated under national agricultural laws, with measures in place to limit its spread. These rules are aimed at protecting unaffected areas by controlling the movement of plant material and farming equipment from infected zones. Maize remains the only crop of economic importance that is known to be affected.

The disease can spread in several ways. Within fields, it can move from plant to plant through direct contact. Over longer distances, it may travel through infected seeds, although this is considered rare. A more significant risk comes from farm equipment such as harvesters and planters, which can carry infected plant material between fields if not properly cleaned.

There are currently no chemical treatments available to control Goss’s Wilt. Farmers are therefore encouraged to rely on good farming practices, such as crop rotation, use of resistant varieties and careful handling of equipment. Strong hygiene and biosecurity measures remain essential to limit further spread and protect maize production across the country.