Access to technology and finance can change agriculture in Africa

The report argues that Africa requires an agricultural revolution through AgTech and improved soil fertility to avoid food insecurity, as per capita production is projected to decline by 2043 despite overall increases. It highlights the role of mobile connectivity in providing credit, insurance, and equipment sharing, while noting that rural electricity and internet gaps remain major barriers. The document also details the critical need for affordable fertilisers, contrasting Africa's low usage (22 kg/ha) with the global average (146 kg/ha), and discusses regional initiatives like the AU's 10-year Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan to triple fertiliser use by 2033.

• While total agricultural production in Africa is forecast to increase steadily until 2043, rapid population growth means that per capita production will slowly decline during this period.
• Agricultural technologies (AgTech) are improving farmer access to financial services, inputs, and shared assets. Examples include Hello Tractor for equipment rentals, FarmDrive in Kenya for credit scoring via geospatial data, and blockchain-based insurance for over 20,000 farmers in Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda.
• Fertiliser use in sub-Saharan Africa is significantly lower than the global average, at 22 kg per hectare compared to 146 kg per hectare. High costs are driven by poor transport infrastructure, lack of competition, and inappropriate regulations, leading to 90% of consumed fertiliser being imported.
• The African Union's Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan 2023-2033 aims to triple fertiliser use from 18 kg/ha in 2020 to 54 kg/ha by 2033 through increased investment in local manufacturing and a combination of chemical and organic fertilisers.
• Significant barriers to the adoption of modern agricultural technology in rural Africa include low internet penetration and a lack of access to electricity.

APA

le Roux, A., & Cilliers, J. (2026). Access to technology and finance can change agriculture in Africa. Institute for Security Studies. https://futures.issafrica.org/thematic/guide.pdf?thematic=04-agriculture&topic=08-access-to-technology

Chicago

le Roux, Alize, and Jakkie Cilliers. Access to technology and finance can change agriculture in Africa. Institute for Security Studies, 2026. https://futures.issafrica.org/thematic/guide.pdf?thematic=04-agriculture&topic=08-access-to-technology.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=le Roux |first1=Alize |last2=Cilliers |first2=Jakkie |title=Access to technology and finance can change agriculture in Africa |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=29 March 2026 |url=https://futures.issafrica.org/thematic/guide.pdf?thematic=04-agriculture&topic=08-access-to-technology |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{leroux2026access, author = {le Roux, Alize and Cilliers, Jakkie}, title = {{Access to technology and finance can change agriculture in Africa}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2026}, month = mar, url = {https://futures.issafrica.org/thematic/guide.pdf?thematic=04-agriculture&topic=08-access-to-technology}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }