The African Union (AU) Commission will host its inaugural conference on Digital Agriculture from December 1-3, 2025, at its headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, focusing on leveraging technology to drive productivity and resilience across the continent’s agricultural sector. Operating under the theme “Shaping Agricultural Policy for Africa’s Future: Innovation, Climate-Smart Practices, and Digital Transformation for Sustainable Development,” the event underscores the AU’s commitment to modernising farming and aligning it with continental growth agendas.

The three-day conference will convene a diverse group of stakeholders, including government officials, policymakers, researchers, technology innovators, agribusinesses, and investors, to deliberate on critical issues shaping the future of African food production. Discussions will center on the latest trends in Agri-Tech solutions, strategies for market access and value chain development, and the promotion of climate-smart practices. A key focus will be establishing robust regulatory frameworks and effective management protocols for agricultural data, drawing lessons from successful digital agriculture initiatives implemented continent-wide and globally.

This strategic event is a direct follow-up to the AU’s Digital Agriculture Strategy, adopted in February 2024, which is an integral part of the broader Policy and Regulation Initiative for Digital Africa. The strategy’s mandate is to expand connectivity, improve the affordability of internet services, and seamlessly integrate digital solutions into the agricultural value chain. By fostering collaboration, promoting investment, and empowering smallholder farmers with digital tools, the conference aims to generate actionable insights and policies that support Africa’s long-term vision for sustainable, inclusive growth, in line with Agenda 2063, the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).