As the war in Ukraine threatens an unprecedented food crisis, the use of agritech is accelerating on the continent. Even if Tech alone will never be enough to feed the continent.
By Mérième Alaoui, in Paris
« Over the years, we have obviously seen all the enthusiasm around Tech, the metaverse, the use of drones etc. But we forget that Africa is overwhelmingly rural! Far from these digital concerns, Africans need above all to feed themselves and defend their environment » says Ammin Youssouf, co-founder of Afrobytes. For its comeback on June 14 at the Medef in Paris, the show has made its transformation. With the theme « The new frontiers of innovative and sustainable African agriculture », the organizers now want to focus on rurality. This is rich issue when more and more voices are raised to alert on the risks of a food crisis. « Yet we had decided on this topic long before the war in Ukraine! Maybe I had the wrong idea? » he further says.
While the world had forgotten that Ukraine was one of the main exporters of wheat and corn in the world, it is now time to find alternative solutions. Will Africa seize this opportunity in history to finally move towards self-sufficiency? Or even more? As is often the case for the continent, on paper the situation is ideal. « We have 60% of the world’s arable land, sun, rain… If Africa really decides to, it can even feed the world! You have to know that wheat can be grown in three months, » says Charlotte Libog, an agricultural entrepreneur who created the Think Tank, Afrique grenier du monde. For the woman who defends real structural measures for the sector, the best example is Rwanda. « Their digital policy is only effective thanks to their good infrastructure and good governance » she says.
« What Africa lacks is ambition. We have the rain, the land, we have everything we need, except the ambition to feed others »
Talking about his record at the helm of the Ministry of Digital Economy in Côte d’Ivoire, which he left last April, Roger Adom remains optimistic. « What Africa lacks is ambition. We have the rain, the land, we have everything we need, except the ambition to feed others. We are too much in self-sufficiency when we could become the masters of tomorrow’s agriculture. Before February 24 and the war, we were not aware of the impact of Ukraine in our lives, today everyone is thinking about it, » said the guest of honor of Afrobytes.
« We must remember an obvious fact: there is no development whatever, if people are hungry. Otherwise, we risk riots, corruption… And there is no agriculture possible without roads, without logistics, without access to water… Without all this, no digital revolution. I remain very optimistic about the possibilities of Tech but without being blissful, » repeats Ammin Youssouf.
For him, the positive aspect remains the training of young people. « More and more people trained abroad come back with various knowledge on agronomy. Today, the number of African brands of food or cosmetics is important. We are in a process of transformation ». But this must go even further with the presence of research laboratories in Africa. Though rare, very encouraging cases do exist like the Aquapesca aquaculture farm in Mozambique. Following the Israeli example, the family shrimp farming company has invested in biotechnology.
“Trusting women and youth”
« 80% of the production in our countries is provided by small producers who have no access to training or land. It is however towards these people that international investors should turn. The risk is that these young people who have created their startup on the collection of data and other innovations, run out of steam after three or four years and give up, » argues Charlotte Libog, who is not soft on the main governments of West African countries.
For the activist, it is necessary to trust the youth and women who often see further. « If I take stock of the field, there is a significant proportion of young Africans, including many women, with innovative agri-digital solutions. They have this great mission to seek partnerships with the peasantry. But we have noticed that the local population still has a daily subsistence logic, without imagination in creating wealth. Unquestionably more than 90% of the agro-digital potential is untapped.” Present at the show, the two founders of Fresh Africa, are a good example of the connection between Tech and local producers.
Facilitating communication between the world of Tech and those of the earth is still a great mission for Afrobytes. This role is all the more affirmed as the organizers assume their expertise and business side by creating in turn the cosmetic brand The Colors, which will be at the heart of a dedicated show, announced for late January 2023.
