9 -12 June 2025. African Conference on Agricultural Technologies (ACAT) Kigali, Rwanda

ACAT is the foremost forum that focuses on game-changing novel agricultural technologies, ideas, and policies that foster agricultural transformation on the continent. The Conference is an agriculture technology transfer platform that promotes innovative and practical solutions to catalyse more efficient, inclusive, and resilient agriculture in Africa.

It brought together government representatives, industry thought leaders, policymakers, technical experts, private institutions, farmers, women and youth across the globe to discuss and define practical actions and solutions to the challenges of technology access and use faced in the agriculture sector in Africa.

Extracts of the programme

Day 1 Theme: Farmer-Centric Design: Developing Need-Based Solutions

09/10 Farmer-Centric Design: Developing Need-Based Solutions

This session explored how cutting-edge scientific advancements, coupled with appropriate

and accessible technological tools, can be strategically harnessed to empower farmers.

This empowerment encompasses providing them with the knowledge, resources, and

control necessary to make informed decisions, optimize their farming practices, and

navigate the complexities of modern agriculture. Discussions highlighted how STI can

facilitate access to vital information (weather patterns, market prices, best practices),

improve resource management (water, fertilizers, seeds), and enhance their capacity to

adapt to challenges like climate change.

Panel 1: Farmer Representative Voices: Sharing Experiences and Insights

Mr. Ishmael Sunga, CEO, Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions (SACAU)
Ms. Elizabeth Nsimadala, President, EAFF
Mrs. Césarie Kantarama, Farmer & President of the Board, Ingabo Syndicate Rwanda
Ms. Sharon Akanyana, Founder and Managing Director, Ishyo Foods Ltd

Panel 2: Harnessing STI for Farmer-Centric Solutions

Mr. Obai Khalifa, Deputy Director, Agricultural Development, Gates Foundation
Ms. Verena Ruzibuka, Country Director, Rwanda, Heifer International
Ms. Julie Borlaug, President, Borlaug Foundation
Mrs. Lucia Zigiriza, Senior Partnership Officer, AGRA

09/10 User-centred design

This panel session explored how a user-centered design approach can revolutionize the development and deployment of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) in agriculture, with smallholder farmers and other key stakeholders as integral members of the innovation team.

Sequence 1: How can we better understand and prioritize the specific needs of smallholder African farmers to ensure that technological solutions are truly impactful and sustainable?

Dr. Milindi Sibomana, Chief Agriculture Officer, One Acre Fund
Ms. Margaret Awinja, Coordinator, Western Region Farmers Network
Mr. Anthony Kioko, CEO, CGA
Prof. Maggie Gill, Board of Trustees Member, AATF
Dr. Kayode Sanni, Project Manager and Director of The Alliance for Hybrid Rice in Africa (AHyRA), AATF

Sequence 2: How can we create effective partnerships between researchers, policymakers, private sector actors, and farmers to design scalable farmer centric agtech solutions?

Prof. Richard O. Oduor, Research, Innovation and Outreach, Kenyatta University
Prof. Hlami Ngwenya, Head of Research Chair, Communication for Innovation Center for Sustainable Food Systems and Development, University of Free State
Prof. Bernard Slippers, Board of Trustees Member, AATF
Prof. Firew Mekbib, Chair, National Variety Release, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Dr. Jean Claude Rubyogo, Director, Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA)

09/10 Building robust digital infrastructure in rural areas

This session explored a two-pronged approach: establishing resilient and accessible infrastructure for present impact and proactively developing the robust and interconnected infrastructure required to harness the transformative potential of AI, robotics, precision agriculture, and data analytics.

Sequence 1: How can digital solutions be leveraged to accelerate the adoption and application of agricultural innovations?

Dr. Bellancile Uzayisenga, Plant & Microbial Biotechnology Programme Coordinator Senior Principal Research Fellow, Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board, (RAB)
Mr. Deo Massawe, CEO, Bank of Kigali (BK) TecHouse
Mr. Emmanuel Assiak, Chief Investment Officer, Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA)
Dr. Ndambe Magnific, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Research, RICA

Sequence 2: What are the key challenges and opportunities in deploying digital tools in remote rural areas, and how can these challenges be overcome?

Mr. Pierre Kayitana, General Manager, Zipline Rwanda
Mr. Gabriel Macharia, Data Management Officer, AATF
Mr. Paul Kwengere, Board Member, International Trade Council
Mr. Faissal Sehbaoui, CEO, AgriEdge

09/06 Digital divide and promoting Ag-tech literacy

This panel addressed the critical issue of farmers’ voices to the forefront and exploring practical solutions to promote tech literacy and the adoption of farmer-centric agricultural technologies.

Sequence 1: Bridging the Gap - Farmers and Tech Developers in Dialogue

Ms. Elizabeth Nsimadala, President, EAFF
Mr. Pacifique Nshimiyimana, Founder & CEO, Real Green Gold Ltd
Mr. Naboho Wiledyo, Farmer, People’s Republic of Burkina Faso
Mrs. Tigist Endashaw Bealem, Consultant - Climate Action Policy Advocacy, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Sequence 2: Interactive workshop and reporting

What are the effective training and education models for Ag-Tech solutions in Africa?
What are some practical strategies for enhancing access and affordability of digital tools for farmers?
The role of youth in championing digital literacy among older farmers?

Day 2: Theme: Enabling Environment: Investment and partnerships for Ag-Tech Solutions

10/06 : Enabling Environment: Investment and partnerships for Ag-Tech Solutions

This session explored strategic investments across a range of vital linkages, markets, credit facilities, capacity building, and other essential support services.

Keynote Address: Investing in the Future of African Agriculture - H.E. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, AATF Goodwill Ambassador & Former President, Federal Republic of Nigeria

Panel 1: Charting a Collaborative Roadmap for Quality Partnerships:

Dr. Canisius Kanangire, Executive Director, AATF
Prof. Appolinaire Djikeng, Director General, ILRI
Dr. Yuichiro Asai, President & CEO, Asai Nursey, Inc
Dr. Sheila Obim, Executive Director, Alliance for Science
Prof. Jean Jacques Muhinda, Regional Director East & Southern Africa, AGRA

Panel 2: Building the Ecosystem: Infrastructure, Finance, and Capacity

Hon. Tesi Rusagara, Minister of State for Resource Mobilization and Public Investments,
Rwanda.
Ms. Brenda Gunde, Lead Global Technical Specialist ICT4D, Sustainable Products, Markets and Institutions Division, IFAD
Dr. Stella Simiyu (picture), Director Regulatory Affairs & Stakeholder Relations, CropLife Africa Middle East: see video
@ 42:27 - 46:38 She answers the question: How do we foster a PPP that works for the farmers?
Ms. Katie Taft, Communications and Engagement Lead, Gates Ag One
Mr. Hannington Namara, C.E.O Equity Bank Rwanda

10/06 : Developing sustainable business models for Ag-Tech

This session explored diverse investment opportunities, innovative financing mechanisms, and policy frameworks that can unlock the widespread development and adoption of impactful Ag-Tech.

Sequence 1: For sustainable Ag-Tech to thrive across diverse African markets, what are the primary investment hurdles and the resulting opportunities once these are addressed?

Dr. Eugene Mutimura, CEO, National Council of Science and Technology, Republic of Rwanda
Dr. Jonga Munyaradzi, Seed Production Manager, AATF
Dr. Said Rutabayiro Ngoga, Division Manager for Technology Innovation, Rwanda Information Society Authority
Ms. Martha Haile, Founder, Abze

Sequence 2: How can we foster a new generation of innovative agripreneurs who can drive sustainable agricultural development and economic growth?

Prof. Alfred Bizoza, Professor, University of Rwanda
Mr. John Agboola, Foundation Manager, AGCO Corporation
Mr. Peter Wamboga-Mugirya, Director for Communication and Partnerships, Science Foundation for Livelihoods and Development (SCIFODE)
Dr. Nomathemba Mhlanga, Country Representative, FAO

10/06 Researchers Dialogue Session Title: Integrating traditional knowledge systems with modern technology solutions

This session examined the synergies between indigenous ecological knowledge—deeply rooted in local cultures and ecosystems—and innovations such as precision agriculture, biotechnology, and digital platforms.

Sequence 1: Collaborative Pathways to Next-Gen Agriculture

Mrs. Gift A. Kadzamira, Director General, National Commission for Science and Technology Rwanda
Dr. Omar Mukama, Lead GCP inspector of Clinical Trials, Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority
Dr. Allan Liavoga, Technical Advisor, North American Millers Association
Ms. Bakang K. Kgasudi, PhD student, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Sequence 2: Interactive workshop and reporting - Bridging Wisdom and Technology

What core elements of traditional farming must be safeguarded and integrated?
How can digital agriculture enhance, rather than replace, local practices?
What governance mechanisms can ensure ethical knowledge sharing?

Day 3 : Last Mile Delivery: Commercialization and Scaling of Ag-tech Solutions

11/06 Commercialization and Scaling of Ag-tech Solutions

The panellists analysed the persistent barriers hindering access in rural communities and explore how strategic, multi-sectoral partnerships, empowered by cutting-edge technological advancements in logistics and information flow, can revolutionize delivery.

Project Showcase: Climate Smart Remote Sensing Project in Rice Value Chain Project - Dr. Kayode Sanni, Project Manager and Director of The Alliance for Hybrid Rice in Africa (AHyRA), AATF
Opening Remarks & Setting the Stage Mr. Sam Ngabire, Coordinator, Home Grown School Feeding Project, Ministry of Education, Republic of Rwanda
Keynote Presentation: Overcoming Last Mile Hurdles -Ms. Mildred Nadah Pita, Head of Public Affairs, Science and Sustainability, Bayer

Panel Discussion: Building Robust Partnerships Among Stakeholders (Public, Private, NGOs) for Sustainable Scaling of Ag-Tech Solutions

Mr Shavda Tree Onov. CEO of East Africa Agro Limited
Prof. Karimbhai M. Maredia, Professor and Director of International Programs, Michigan State University - "The importance of South-South, North-South partnerships for technology transfer"
Mr. Momar Dieng, Chief Strategy and Partnerships Officer, AIMS Global Network
Dr. Jean Claude Rubyogo, Director, Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA)
Mr. Dagmawi Habte-Selassie, Country Director, Rwanda, IFAD

Panel Discussion: Beyond the Pilot, Scaling Ag-Tech Solutions

Mr. Amath Pathé Sene, Managing Director, Africa Food System Forum (AFSF)
Ms. Zoë Karl-Waithaka, Managing Director and Partner, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) - Inclusive business models
Dr. Mel Oluoch, Director for Strategic Partnerships, Sasakawa
Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye, Director General, Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB)
Path Forward: Dr. Oliver Kamana, Permanent Secretary, MINAGRI

Session: Introducing the Alliance for Cowpea Improvement in Africa (ACIA)

The Alliance for Cowpea Improvement in Africa (ACIA) is an Africa-focused community of cowpea experts. It responds to the demands of African farmers and consumers for cowpea that is safe, affordable and environmentally sustainable.
Cowpea is a delicious and nutritious food crop, one widely featured in African cuisines and widely grown on African farms. The mission of ACIA is to ensure this versatile and resilient crop reaches its full potential to support healthy diets and sustainable, productive farms.
Presenters: See video below @ 1:52:00

Kira Everhart-Valentin of Gates Agricultural Innovations (Gates Ag One)
Prof. Muhammad Lawan Umar - Cowpea breeder, Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Nigeria
Francis Onyekachi, Manager Product Stewardship and Quality (AATF) He presented the progress on gene edited cowpeas
Dr. Jean Baptiste Tignegre - African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF)

11/06 Licensing and IP: access to proprietary traits and germplasm

This session delved into the complex landscape of intellectual property (IP) and licensing concerning proprietary traits and germplasm – foundational elements for agricultural innovation and productivity gains in Africa. Access to these protected resources holds immense potential for developing climate-resilient crops, enhancing nutritional value, and improving yields for African farmers. However, navigating the legal, ethical, and economic considerations surrounding IP and licensing is crucial to ensure equitable access and foster sustainable agricultural development in Africa.

While the private and public seed sector share the same goal of developing improved varieties, there are important differences that must be considered when developing appropriate IPR for cultivars developed in the public sector. Public breeding often focuses on crops with high social returns to investment but low private returns, such as small grains, perennials, cover and soil building crops, root and tuber crops, and tree crops. Public breeders often focus on long arc research, that is, research in which the payoff may require many years of work, often by many individuals. After development and proof of concept by the public sector, the new products are commercialized by the private sector with little return of funding to the public side. In many cases the public breeding sector collaborates with the private sector to commercialize public cultivars, and considerations must be made to facilitate this technology transfer. (See: University of Wisconsin-Madison (2016) Intellectual Property Rights and Public Plant Breeding Recommendations, and proceedings of a conference on best practices for intellectual property protection of publicly developed plant germplasm)

Sequence 1: How can intellectual property and licensing frameworks be structured to enable access to proprietary traits and germplasm while still incentivizing innovation?

Dr. George Smith, Senior Associate Dean for Research, MSU
Dr. Damaris Odeny, Plant Geneticist, International Crops Research Institute for the SemiArid Tropics (ICRISAT)
Dr. Deogracious Protas Massawe, Principal Research Coordination Officer, Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology.

He presented: the Tanzania Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISCs) Innovators are trained on the various aspects of IP, enabling them to identify protectable aspects of their inventions. This safeguards their innovations and gives innovators a competitive advantage at the market. The Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) is managing a credit window (1 M USD) under the national fund for advancement of Science and technology (NFAST) to support commercialization of Innovations in collaboration with CRDB bank foundation and the World Bank. The establishment of this special commercialization fund in collaboration with CRDB Bank Foundation to accommodate market penetration of research and innovation products. This special window will serve to: (i) Promote commercialization of research and innovation products in Tanzania; (ii) Attract more financing opportunities within and outside Tanzania for supporting; commercialization of research and innovation products; (iii) De-risk innovators and unlock them to commercial funding from commercial banks. (the call opened on 5th May 2025)

Ag-Tech Frontier: Mechanizing the Last Miles: A viable, all-terrain machine to unlock rural food production - Mr. Eric Lane, Co-Founder and Principal, Prosparity Systems

Sequence 2: From Ownership to Access — Making IP Work for African Farmers. What practical steps are needed to ensure African researchers and farmers benefit from protected germplasm and traits, especially in the context of climate resilience and food security?

H.E. Ambassador Prof. Muhammadou M.O. Kah, AATF Board
Ms. Keziah Chomba, Legal Officer, AATF
Dr. Nyagatare Guillaume, Principal, University of Rwanda, College of Agriculture

"Let's put Intellectual Property Rights in the social context of Africa, and not from an individual gain perspective"

11/06 : Leveraging Ag-Tech for Sustainable Agriculture

This dialogue empowered young people to create, adopt and scale Nextgen AgTech solutions for a sustainable and prosperous agricultural future in Africa. This youth dialogue amplified the voices of young farmers and inspire a new generation of agricultural leaders.

Sequence 1: Collaborative Pathways to Next-Gen Agriculture

Mr. Norman Mugisha, CEO, Afrifarmers Market
Ms. Mildred Nadah Pita, Head of Public Affairs, Science and Sustainability, Bayer
Mr. Henry Lagat, Lead, Generation Africa, AGRA
Mr. John Agboola, Foundation Manager, AGCO Corporation

Sequence 2: Interactive workshop and reporting

What are the most effective ways to educate and train young farmers on AgTech in a way that resonates with them?
How can governments and other stakeholders create a more enabling environment that supports youth engagement in Ag-Tech?
How can we foster more effective collaboration between different stakeholders to avoid duplication of efforts and maximize impact?

11/06 Private Sector Dialogue: Commercialization and Scaling of Climate Smart and Modern Ag-Tech to the last mile

This private sector dialogue discusses effective strategies for commercialization of climate-relevant agricultural technologies and innovations in Africa.

Dr. Sylvester Dickson Baguma, Executive Director, ASARECA
Ms. Julian Barungi, Program Officer Policy, ASARECA
Dr. Joshua Okonya, Program Officer, Agricultural Technology and Innovation, ASARECA
Mr. Federico Tonelli, Director of Development & Partnerships, Asili Agriculture
Ms. Iheoma Okpara Chienyenwa, Plant Operations Manager, The Rwanda Fertilizer Company Ltd
Mr. Innocent Namuhoranye, Chairman, National Seed Association of Rwanda (NSAR)
Mr. Didace Mparirwa, Head of Agriculture and Livestock Cluster, Private Sector Federation (PSF)
Dr. Geoffrey Ongoya, Technical Manager, Koppert Biological Systems
Ms. Fantu Farris Mulleta, Senior Private Sector Specialist, International Finance Corporation IFC
Ms. Stella Kimani, Chief Operations Officer, Acre Africa
Ms. Sidonie Paques, Climate Finance Investment Lead, The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)

Day 4 : Cultivating a sustainable future with AgTech Solutions

This subtheme explored practices for product integrity preservation to benefit farmers, enterprises, and consumers while creating regenerative and distributive products that work within the planet’s ecological limits.

Project Showcase: The African Union Development Agency-NEPAD’s GenomeEditing Programme: Progress and Milestones - Prof. Olalekan Akinbo, Ag. Head, Genome Editing Programme, African Union Development Agency-NEPAD
Opening Remarks & Setting the Stage - H.E. Ambassador Prof. Muhammadou M.O. Kah, AATF Board
Keynote Address - Dr. Chris Holdgreve, CEO, Global Stewardship Group (GSG) & Executive Director, Excellence Through Stewardship (ETS) Stewardship for Transgenetic Plant Technology; Plant breeding Innovation (PBI) such as genome editing and other breeding innovations.

12/06 Stewardship: Cultivating a sustainable future with Ag-Tech Solutions

This session delved into practices that safeguard product integrity, ensuring the longevity and effectiveness of innovations.

Panel Discussion: Stewardship & Sustainability in Action

Prof. Johnnie Van Den Berg, Program Manager: Integrated Pest Management, North-West University, South Africa He mentioned Nigerian Farmer’s Success Story with Bt Cowpea
Dr. Olusegun Adedayo Yerokun, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, RICA
Prof. Emmanuel Ikani, Executive Director, National Agricultural Extension and Liaison Services, Zaria, Nigeria
Dr. Gregory Jaffe, President, Jaffe Policy Consulting LLC - He mentioned: the FAO Global Agrifood Biotechnologies Conference Biotechnologies for a Sustainable Future: Driving Agrifood Systems Transformation
Stella Rosine, Chief Economist Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning Rwanda
Ms. Evelyn Lusenaka, Director Stewardship Africa Middle East, CropLife Africa Middle East @ 1:15:00 on Pesticides and Stewardship

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

African Conference on Agricultural Technologies