• About
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
Friday, June 27, 2025
  • Login
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
Tech | Business | Economy
  • News
  • Tech
    • DisruptiveTECH
    • ConsumerTech
    • How To
    • TechTAINMENT
  • Business
    • Telecoms
    • Mobility
    • Environment
    • Travel
    • StartUPs
      • Chidiverse
    • TE Insights
    • Security
  • Partners
  • Economy
    • Finance
    • Fintech
    • Digital Assets
    • Personal Finance
    • Insurance
  • Features
    • IndustryINFLUENCERS
    • Guest Writer
    • EventDIARY
    • Editorial
    • Appointment
  • TECHECONOMY TV
  • Apply
  • TBS
  • BusinesSENSE For SMEs
  • Chidiverse
  • News
  • Tech
    • DisruptiveTECH
    • ConsumerTech
    • How To
    • TechTAINMENT
  • Business
    • Telecoms
    • Mobility
    • Environment
    • Travel
    • StartUPs
      • Chidiverse
    • TE Insights
    • Security
  • Partners
  • Economy
    • Finance
    • Fintech
    • Digital Assets
    • Personal Finance
    • Insurance
  • Features
    • IndustryINFLUENCERS
    • Guest Writer
    • EventDIARY
    • Editorial
    • Appointment
  • TECHECONOMY TV
  • Apply
  • TBS
  • BusinesSENSE For SMEs
  • Chidiverse
No Result
View All Result
Tech | Business | Economy
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Africa: Microsoft Enabling Digital Transformation in Agriculture to Solve Food Security

by Yinka Okeowo
June 15, 2022
in News
0
UBA
Advertisements

Microsoft hosted a virtual roundtable panel discussion about digital transformation in agriculture for food security in Africa.

The roundtable explored how accelerating digital transformation in agriculture is leading to agritech developments that have a tangible positive impact on food security in Africa.

With agriculture sustaining up to 70% of Africa’s livelihoods, Microsoft is working with government and private sector partners to enable data-driven, precision and connected farming that optimizes yields and boosts farm productivity and profitability.

The conversation was led by Microsoft Nigeria Country Manager Ola Williams, in discussion with partners from the Alliance for a Green Revolution (AGRA) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

The discussion explored the ways in which agritech is changing outcomes for farmers across the continent, unlocking productivity and helping farmers access the latest information and farming advice.  

Microsoft African Development Centre, West Africa launch 2
Advertisements
MTN ADS
| Microsoft African Development Centre, West Africa located in Lagos, Nigeria

Africa’s agriculture sector is set for exponential growth in the coming decade, with a projected value of USD 1 trillion by 2030.

The continent has also seen rapid growth in e-agriculture solutions and is poised to become the global center of agritech solutions. 

In 2021, agriculture contributed 22.35% of the total GDP of Nigeria, with over 70% of Nigerians engaging in agriculture, largely at a subsistence level.

As the Nigerian government seeks to diversify and move away from a dependence on oil as a source of revenue, it has become important to explore ways to make farming in Nigeria more profitable to encourage more entrepreneurs to consider farming as a viable means of livelihood.

Innovative ideas are needed

One way in which agritech changes the face of agriculture is through democratising information. Agriculture is the main driver of employment in Nigeria; however the sector has seen reduced focus post oil era until recently.

Agriculture is coming to the front burner as the Nigeria government is actively seeking to diversify and drive towards moving away from solely depending on oil as source of revenue.

Some of the challenges agriculture faces in Nigeria is the absence of value addition and supply chain linkages.

Innovating in these areas of challenges will empower farmers to gain faster access to the market and provide them with an opportunity to grow their businesses at scale.

To help farmers adopt technology, partnerships are needed to simplify platforms and provide access to technology, particularly for rural farmers.

To meet these challenges, Microsoft, in partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and multi-national companies operating in the country, are hosting an Agro Innovate Hackathon. Microsoft and NITDA believe that within the Nigeria tech eco system lies the solution to solve most of these challenges.

The goal is to create a portal solution where farmers and customers can connect to conduct business, access the internet, and where farmers can gain economic power and improve their profitability.

The Hackathon will produce three winning local agritech startups who will be nurtured through Microsoft’s Africa Transformation Office and NITDA, and the intention is to train 30,000 farmers on the use of the platform, enrolling 10,000 farmers on the platform in the first year.

Dr Usman Gambo Abdullahi, NITDA
| Dr Usman Gambo Abdullahi, Director, Information Technology Infrastructure Solutions, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)

“The Agro Innovate Hackathon will provide livelihood opportunities in the agriculture sector and contribute to the government’s economic diversification agenda while simultaneously offering our brightest young Nigerian minds the chance to launch start-up ventures that will be nurtured by Microsoft. This is an opportunity to make a platform widely accessible to farmers and bridge the gap between farmers and consumers,” says, Dr Usman Gambo Abdullahi, Director, Information Technology Infrastructure Solutions, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

Working in partnership with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)

Microsoft also recently announced that it is extending its partnership with AGRA. The new phase of the relationship will promote digital innovation and technology as an enabler to connect the agriculture ecosystems, sustainably integrating stakeholders in the service of strategic value chains.

“Our partnership with AGRA forms part of Microsoft’s ongoing investment in agritech across the continent as we support digital transformation in the sector. We’re excited to continue building locally relevant technology solutions that address the local farmers’ needs and deliver meaningful impact,” says Ola Williams, Country Manager, Microsoft Nigeria.

Through the partnership, Microsoft and AGRA have explored the use of big data and artificial intelligence in enabling data-driven, precision farming to support and increase farm productivity and profitability.

“At AGRA, we realized early on that digital innovation is critical in advancing food security and poverty eradication in Africa. Our partnership with Microsoft will directly support governments, SMEs and farmers, by bringing the digital tools needed to build resilient food systems,” says John Macharia, Lead Program Officer, AGRA Kenya.

“Microsoft is committed to an ongoing investment in agritech on the continent, with the goal of developing agritech that enables data-driven, precise and connected farming that optimises yields, boosts farm productivity and increases profitability. We understand that these important issues will not be solved by one company, but through partnerships with the private sector and our partners in government for maximum impact and benefit to the farmers of Africa,” concludes Williams.

Loading

Author

  • Yinka Okeowo
    Yinka Okeowo

    View all posts
0Shares
Tags: AgricultureMicrosoft and AGRANIRSALNITDAOla Williams
Yinka Okeowo

Yinka Okeowo

Next Post

Nigeria’s Commerce Infrastructure Provider, Sabi, Appoints New Members to Advisory Group

Comments 0

  1. Pingback: Microsoft Enabling Digital Transformation in Agriculture to Solve Food Security – TechEconomy.ng | Agriculture Forum Nigeria
  2. Pingback: Microsoft Enabling Digital Transformation in Agriculture to Remedy Meals Safety – TechEconomy.ng - Techy Job
  3. Pingback: Microsoft says Africa’s challenge of Food Security can be solved with data-driven farming. - InAfrica Network
  4. Pingback: Africa: Microsoft Enabling Digital Transformation in Agriculture to Solve Food Security – TechEconomy.ng - TechEconomy.ng - news mania
  5. Pingback: Africa: Microsoft Enabling Digital Transformation in Agriculture to Solve Food Security – TechEconomy.ng - TechEconomy.ng - Tricky News

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recommended

NIMMME honours Nigerians

NIMMME Honours Gordian Ezekwe, Romeo Barberopoulos, Don Obikwelu and Inducts 110 Members

2 years ago

Cellulant, Orange Money to Enable Card-To-Wallet Transfers for 8 Banks in Botswana

3 years ago

Popular News

    Connect with us

    • About
    • Advertise
    • Careers
    • Contact Us

    © 2025 TECHECONOMY.

    No Result
    View All Result
    • News
    • Tech
      • DisruptiveTECH
      • ConsumerTech
      • How To
      • TechTAINMENT
    • Business
      • Telecoms
      • Mobility
      • Environment
      • Travel
      • StartUPs
        • Chidiverse
      • TE Insights
      • Security
    • Partners
    • Economy
      • Finance
      • Fintech
      • Digital Assets
      • Personal Finance
      • Insurance
    • Features
      • IndustryINFLUENCERS
      • Guest Writer
      • EventDIARY
      • Editorial
      • Appointment
    • TECHECONOMY TV
    • Apply
    • TBS
    • BusinesSENSE For SMEs

    © 2025 TECHECONOMY.

    Welcome Back!

    Login to your account below

    Forgotten Password?

    Retrieve your password

    Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

    Log In
    Translate »
    This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.