From 22 to 25 September 2026, agricultural economists, researchers, policymakers and development partners gathered in Nairobi for the 8th African Conference of Agricultural Economists (ACAE). Organized by the African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE) in partnership with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)-Africa, the conference was held under the theme “Smart Agriculture: Innovation, Digital Transformation, and Trade for a Climate-Challenged Africa.”
addresses and a distinguished lecture, covering agricultural innovation, digital technologies, food security and nutrition, climate-smart agriculture, trade and value chains, gender and youth, and environmental economics.
The conference opened with an address by AAAE President Joshua Ariga and remarks from Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mutahi Kagwe. Keynote addresses were delivered by Matin Qaim, President of the International Association of Agricultural Economists (IAAE) and Director of ZEF, and Johan Swinnen, Director General of IFPRI. On the second day, Ousmane Badiane, Executive Director of AKADEMIYA2063, delivered the Distinguished Lecture, followed by a panel on “The Future of Agriculture in Africa and the Developing World,” convened by AAAE and IFPRI.
From digital agriculture to resilient food systems
A major strand of the conference examined how digital transformation and innovation can reshape
African agriculture. Research sessions addressed agricultural innovation and digital technologies, digital agriculture and platforms, and the opportunities and constraints associated with bringing new technologies to farmers. These discussions were complemented by work on climate-smart agricultural practices and the economics of land use and environmental sustainability. Together, they highlighted that technological innovation needs to be considered alongside institutions, markets, farmer incentives and access if it is to deliver impact at scale.
Food security and nutrition were another major component. Several parallel sessions examined the relationships between agricultural transformation, livelihoods and nutrition, while IFPRI contributed work examining the links between climate change and food safety in Africa. The programme therefore approached resilience not simply as increasing agricultural production, but through the interconnected challenges of nutrition, livelihoods, climate change and functioning food markets.
Youth, women, markets and agricultural research
The programme also gave considerable attention to gender, youth and inclusion in agrifood systems. An
invited session on “The Future of Agrifood Work in Africa: Youth, Women, and Inclusive Employment Pathways” examined employment opportunities associated with transforming agrifood systems. Other sessions considered agricultural trade, value chains and regional integration—important dimensions for turning agricultural innovation into viable economic opportunities for producers and agrifood SMEs.
Of particular relevance to agricultural research organizations was the 24 September session on “Measuring impacts of international agricultural research,” involving IFPRI Senior Research Fellow Alan de Brauw. The topic goes to the heart of a continuing challenge for agricultural research: demonstrating how investment in research translates into adoption, improved livelihoods, resilient food systems and wider development outcomes.
The final day also brought attention to research in fragile environments through the session “Evidence-Based Pathways for Agrifood System Resilience and Recovery in Conflict-Affected Settings: Insights from Sudan.”
Related:
The Political Economy of AI in African Agrifood Systems
📅 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: 26 October 2026
📍 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
📌 Held on the margins of the 13th ANAPRI Annual Stakeholders Conference
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