Crops

Uganda strengthens smart agriculture through AI driven partnership

Uganda is placing agriculture at the centre of its digital transformation through a new partnership designed to modernise farming and improve rural livelihoods.

The Ministry of ICT and National Guidance has joined forces with the United Nations Health Industry Foundation and the Prince Kimbugwe Foundation to promote smart agriculture powered by artificial intelligence.

The agreement focuses on bringing practical solutions to farmers by combining technology with everyday agricultural practices. Through this collaboration, AI laboratories will be set up, research projects will be carried out and training programmes will be introduced to equip young people and agricultural professionals with modern skills.

Permanent Secretary Dr Amina Zawedde linked the initiative directly to Uganda’s economic future and the role agriculture will play in it. “This MOU falls in line with our vision of a USD 500 billion economy by 2040. Our people will gain new skills and have opportunities to visit China on exchange programmes to learn about smart agriculture and replicate those practices here,” Dr Zawedde said.

A major goal of the partnership is to transform agribusiness by improving productivity and efficiency. Farmers are expected to benefit from better farming methods, stronger systems and access to digital tools that can guide decision making and increase yields.

Chunxiao Huang, Chairman of the UN Health Industry Foundation, pointed to the wider impact of integrating AI into agriculture. “This partnership will create more than 50,000 jobs in five years and enable Uganda to develop new smart cities,” Huang said.

At the community level, the focus remains on making technology accessible. Edward Kimbugwe, founder of the Prince Kimbugwe Foundation, explained how rural farmers will directly benefit. “Through this partnership, rural farmers will receive drones to monitor their farms and learn smart agriculture practices, helping them apply technology in their daily work,” Kimbugwe said.

The partnership also introduces exchange programmes that will allow Ugandan students and agricultural experts to learn from international best practices and adapt them locally.

With a strong emphasis on smart agriculture, the initiative is expected to boost productivity, strengthen food systems and create new opportunities for farmers across Uganda.

US$5.81mn boost set to drive climate smart farming across Africa

Six African nations, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique and Malawi, are set to benefit from a US$5.81mn grant aimed at improving climate smart agriculture across the continent.

The funding is part of efforts to strengthen food systems and boost productivity in the face of climate challenges.

The initiative is being driven by the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation with backing from the African Development Bank. A key planning meeting was recently held in Rwanda, bringing together a wide range of stakeholders including research institutions, government officials, private sector players and development partners.

Among those involved are the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, CGIAR centres, and national agricultural research systems. The goal is clear: turn strategy into action and ensure the smooth delivery of practical solutions to farmers.

The US$5.81mn grant, provided by Germany and managed through the AfDB’s Transition Support Facility, will support activities across all six countries. The focus will be on improving seed systems, strengthening institutions, encouraging youth participation in agriculture and expanding digital advisory services.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Agricultural Technologies Officer at AfDB, Mr Innocent Musabyimana, stressed the importance of collaboration. “Strong partnerships are key to scaling agricultural transformation, and this meeting is about moving from planning to accelerated action,” Mr Musabyimana said.

The Rwanda representative of IITA, Mr Matieyedou Konlambigue, highlighted the programme’s impact so far, including the distribution of over 309,000 metric tonnes of certified seeds to farmers.

“TAAT has demonstrated success in strengthening seed systems across Africa, and now we need to scale with speed, promote sustainability, and align implementation and accountability commitments to delivering measurable impact for farmers,” he added.

Ms Rachel Zozo, acting coordinator of the TAAT Programme Management Unit, outlined the priorities ahead. “Our priorities in this phase will be to strengthen seed systems and early generation seed (EGS) production, empower youth and institutions, scale digital agriculture solutions, and enhance collaboration across public and private sectors,” Zozo added.

The meeting concluded with firm implementation plans and a signed agreement to fast track activities, marking a strong step towards building resilient and sustainable agriculture across Africa.

Kenya secures billions in new investment deals to agricultural jobs. (Image credit: Capital Business)

President William Ruto has announced a major boost for Kenya’s economy, unveiling over US$2.9bn in 20 new investment agreements expected to generate around 63,000 jobs.

These deals cover key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, ICT, business process outsourcing, healthcare, energy, and real estate.

Many of the projects are already underway, with some having broken ground, reflecting strong confidence from investors. The President highlighted the scale of commitment, saying, “We are not just talking about numbers; we are talking about real investments, including US$1bn in agriculture alone.”

Daniel Chapo, President, Ruto, said, “In direct response to investor feedback, Kenya is implementing a new package of cross-cutting policy actions designed to remove long-standing investment bottlenecks and significantly enhance the ease of doing business.”

The government has introduced measures to strengthen tax systems, including VAT refunds for export driven firms and clearer transfer pricing rules. Other steps include zero rating VAT on exported services and scrapping the 30 per cent domestic equity requirement for ICT companies, opening the door for more global investment.

Ruto also pointed to the One Stop Investment Centre, which is set to become fully digital by 2026. “By the end of 2026, this platform will be fully digitised, enabling permits and licences to be secured entirely online, reducing costs and improving efficiency for investors,” he said.

Beyond policy, the government is investing in infrastructure, energy, and workforce development to support long term growth. Ruto noted that Kenya’s economy remains stable, with rising foreign investment, lower inflation, and strong foreign exchange reserves.

He concluded that these efforts are positioning Kenya as a reliable and competitive destination for global investors.

Kenya and United States advance agricultural trade talks with new framework. (Image credit: State Department for Trade)

Kenya and the United States have moved forward in strengthening their agricultural trade relationship following the first round of consultations on a proposed reciprocal trade framework.

Held in Washington DC, the discussions placed strong emphasis on expanding opportunities within the agricultural sector, which remains central to Kenya’s export economy.

The Kenyan delegation, led by Regina Ombam, engaged with the United States team headed by Osvaldo Gómez Martínez. While the talks covered several areas of trade, agriculture stood out as a key priority, particularly in improving market access, reducing barriers, and increasing value addition.

Trade between Kenya and the United States has seen steady growth in recent years, with agricultural products playing a leading role. Kenyan exports such as coffee, tea, macadamia nuts and fresh cut flowers continue to perform strongly in the US market. These products not only generate foreign exchange but also support millions of farmers and workers across the agricultural value chain.

The consultations also explored ways to improve trade conditions for farmers and agribusinesses. Addressing tariffs and non tariff barriers remains critical in ensuring that Kenyan produce remains competitive. There was also a shared interest in enhancing standards, quality control, and logistics to meet global market demands.

Another important area of discussion was the future of agricultural trade under African Growth and Opportunity Act, which has supported Kenya’s exports to the United States for years. With the programme set to expire in 2026, both countries recognised the need for a new framework that provides certainty for farmers, exporters and investors.

Beyond exports, the talks highlighted opportunities for deeper collaboration in agricultural investment, technology transfer and sustainable farming practices. Strengthening these areas could help improve productivity, resilience and food security.

The meeting concluded with a positive outlook, as both sides expressed commitment to continued engagement. The proposed agreement is expected to create a more stable environment for agricultural trade, opening new opportunities for growth while supporting farmers and agribusinesses in both countries.