Abstract:
The rapid spread of mobile phones across Africa has catalyzed fundamental changes in the way that actors within the agricultural value chain interact and exchange information. This technological shift has opened up new opportunities for innovative business models offering agricultural advice, financial services and market linkages through mobile phone-enabled platforms. This opinion piece explores two approaches that could help scale these services and advance the digital transformation of Africa’s food and agriculture systems. On the one hand, service providers should build on and enhance existing structures that have proven effective, such as extension services and marketing networks rooted in trust and tradition. On the other hand, there is significant potential for more disruptive business models, including digitally enabled loans or insurance, digital agricultural platforms and automation in agroprocessing. To fully realize these opportunities, substantial investments will be required in both technical and soft skills, connectivity infrastructure and financing, embedded within a comprehensive strategy aimed at strengthening the continent’s food and agriculture systems.
