As climate shocks intensify across Africa and food systems grow increasingly vulnerable, a cross-section of development leaders, agricultural practitioners, researchers, policymakers and technology innovators convened at the Digital and Technological Empowerment Innovation Initiative for Next Generation – DIniti8tive–Agropedia Webinar on the theme ‘’Climate Risk Management and its Impacts on Food Security’’ to chart concrete pathways for resilience.
The virtual event featured expert contributions from AGRA, Agropedia, IITA/IsDB, Ikore International, Farm Monitor Africa, Extension Africa and the Environmental and Economic Resource Centre (EERC).
Setting the tone for the discussion, Dr. Fidelis Ekom, co-founder/managing partner, DIniti8tive, stressed that climate change has moved beyond prediction and is now a daily operational reality for communities and markets.
“Climate disruption is no longer a distant risk, but a lived experience for millions. Yet across Africa, we are also witnessing inspiring innovation and resilience. Africa cannot feed itself tomorrow with the systems of yesterday,” he said.
Moderated by Dr. Blessing Allen-Adebayo, the session underscored how rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, flooding, droughts and land degradation are reshaping livelihoods across the continent. Dr. Allen-Adebayo noted that Africa is warming faster than the global average, and because agriculture remains the backbone of most African economies, the consequences are immediate and far-reaching.
“This is one of the biggest threats to our food systems but also one of the greatest opportunities for bold, transformative action,” she added.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of Ms. Ogheneovo Ugbebor, managing partner, Ikore International, Nkemjika Onuoha emphasised the urgency of rethinking agricultural systems in the face of escalating climate risks.
She highlighted that climate-induced disruptions could reduce crop yields by up to 20% by 2050, and Nigeria already loses billions annually to flooding, droughts and extreme weather.
“These are not just statistics, they represent farmers, families, and futures,” she said, calling for stronger investment in climate-smart innovation, enabling policies and systems that can move proven solutions from pilot scale to national impact.
The need to convert climate threats into opportunities was further echoed by Mr. Munir Ahmad, Project Coordinator for the IITA/IsDB Tadamon Accelerated Agribusiness Project, who delivered the goodwill message.
He urged practitioners and development partners to focus on scalable, community-tested solutions that address real farmer constraints.
“We must learn to use risk as an opportunity. Practical solutions must be backed by the right investment in farmer education and local support systems,” he stated.
One of the most powerful moments of the webinar came from the experiential sharing session led by Daniel Udeme-Joseph, CEO of Farm Monitor Africa.
Through the stories of smallholder farmers whose yields improved significantly with digital support, he illustrated how data, technology and climate-smart agronomy can transform outcomes for rural households.
Using a combination of satellite imagery, AI-powered crop calendars, real-time monitoring tools, and alternative credit scoring models, farmers supported by Farm Monitor Africa recorded 35% increases in yield, 31% increases in income, and 21% reductions in input waste.
“No one can solve all of agriculture’s problems alone, but everyone can take a piece and solve it well,” he remarked.
These insights set the stage for a rich panel dialogue featuring experts from across the agricultural ecosystem.
Representing Extension Africa, Nazeer Musa Ahmad, the Thematic Coordinator, Rural Structure Formation stressed the need to scale digital advisory systems capable of reaching last-mile farmers and helping them navigate unpredictable climate conditions. He highlighted the promise of AI-driven diagnostics, precision forecasting and digital extension services, while noting persistent challenges such as connectivity gaps and digital literacy.
From EERC, the Program Manager, Ronke Adeniyi shared evidence from Northeastern Nigeria and the Sahel, where techniques such as half-moon water harvesting, drought-tolerant seed varieties, solar-powered irrigation, organic amendments and farmer-led land restoration have proven effective against drought, flooding and soil degradation. She underscored the importance of embedding these interventions within community systems to ensure sustainability.
On the role of women and youth, Chief Bassey Archibong, CEO of Agropedia, emphasised the need for user-centered design in scaling climate-smart innovations.
He noted that trust, and not just technology, is critical for adoption. Women and youth, who drive much of Africa’s
Dr. Rufus Idris, country director at AGRA, provided regional lessons from AGRA’s interventions across Africa, calling attention to the foundational role of strong seed systems, soil fertility management, regenerative agriculture, solar-powered irrigation and innovation in reducing post-harvest losses.
He stressed that multi-stakeholder partnerships anchored in policy, research and private sector alignment are essential to scale.
Collectively, the experts underscored that while climate risks are intensifying, Africa possesses the ingenuity, talent and innovation ecosystem needed to transform its food systems.
The session concluded with a powerful call to action for coordinated investment, evidence-driven policymaking, digital inclusion and farmer-centered solutions capable of driving long-term resilience.
DIniti8tive and Agropedia reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining these conversations, strengthening cross-sector collaboration, and amplifying practical innovations that can support millions of smallholder farmers across the continent.
Meet DIniti8tive
Digital and Technological Empowerment Innovation Initiative for Next Generation (DIniti8tive), is a Nigeria-based non-profit organisation committed to advancing digital inclusion, innovation, and resilience across Africa.
Through capacity-building, technology-driven programmes, research, and cross-sector partnerships, the organisation supports young people, communities and institutions to leverage digital tools for sustainable development.
DIniti8tive works to close the digital divide, strengthen climate and livelihood resilience, and promote equitable participation in emerging technological ecosystems, ensuring that the next generation is empowered to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
