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By Christophe Uwizeyimana
The African Conference on Agricultural Technologies (ACAT) 2025, held from June 9-12, 2025, at the Kigali Convention Centre, concluded with a resounding commitment to accelerate agricultural transformation through innovative, farmer-centric technologies. Convened by the Government of Rwanda and the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), under the theme “NextGen Ag-Tech Solutions for Africa’s Farmers”, the conference brought together over 700 participants from 35 countries, including high-level government officials, researchers, private sector leaders, farmers, and youth representatives.
Key Outcomes and Resolutions
1. Strengthening Ag-Tech Adoption and Farmer-Centric Approaches
ACAT 2025 emphasized the need for co-creation of agricultural technologies with farmers to ensure adoption and sustainability. The conference called for:
- Enhanced last-mile delivery of Ag-Tech solutions through improved rural infrastructure and extension services.
- Farmer-centric models, such as “seeing and eating is believing” demonstrations, farmer-to-farmer training, and smart villages, to drive adoption.
- Equitable access to climate-smart innovations, agro-inputs, and digital services for smallholder farmers.
2. Policy and Investment Commitments
The Ministerial Dialogue, chaired by Hon. Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, Rwanda’s Minister for Agriculture and Animal Resources, outlined critical policy actions:
- Increased public budget allocations for Ag-Tech infrastructure and agricultural training.
- Regional harmonization of policies to align with continental frameworks like CAADP, AfCFTA, and the Kampala Declaration.
- Public-private partnerships to de-risk agriculture and attract investments in Ag-Tech commercialization.
3. Empowering Youth and Women in Agripreneurship
Recognizing Africa’s youth as key drivers of Ag-Tech adoption, ACAT 2025 resolved to:
- Develop youth-friendly policies and increase funding for youth-led agribusinesses.
- Enhance mentorship programs, investor linkages, and skills development in agriculture.
- Promote youth-led innovations through dedicated funding and incubation programs.
4. Integrating Indigenous Knowledge and Ethical IP Frameworks
The conference highlighted the importance of traditional farming knowledge in climate adaptation and pest control. Key resolutions included:
- Ethical integration of indigenous practices into formal R&D systems.
- Open-source licensing models for plant materials to democratize access.
- Strengthening intellectual property (IP) frameworks to protect farmers’ rights while fostering innovation.
5. Sustaining Momentum Beyond ACAT
To ensure continuous progress, participants agreed to:
- Hold Strategic Dialogues on Agricultural Technologies (SDATA) between ACAT editions.
- Establish ACAT as a biennial continental forum for knowledge exchange and innovation showcase.
- Reconvene in Nairobi, Kenya, in May 2027 to review progress.
Closing Remarks and Gratitude
The conference concluded with appreciation for H.E. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, former Nigerian President and AATF Goodwill Ambassador, and gratitude to H.E. President Paul Kagame and the people of Rwanda for their hospitality.
The Road Ahead
ACAT 2025 has set a clear agenda for scaling Ag-Tech solutions, empowering farmers, and fostering sustainable food systems across Africa. With strong commitments from governments, private sector players, and development partners, the continent is poised to harness NextGen agricultural innovations for a resilient and food-secure future.
Photo:The conference brought together over 700 participants from 35 countries, including high-level government officials, researchers, private sector leaders, farmers, and youth representatives.
#ACAT2025 Photos’ Links:
Link 1:https://acatmeeting10.pixieset.com/acat2025meetingday1/
Link 2:http://https://acatmeeting.pixieset.com/acat2025meetingday2/
Link 3:http://https://acatmeetingday3.pixieset.com/acatmeeting2025day3/
Link 4:https://acatmeetingday4.pixieset.com/acatmeeting2025day4/
- #ACAT2025 #NextGenAgTech #AfricaRising
