The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, today announced a partnership with Microsoft's 4Afrika initiative to make digital tools and training resources more accessible to small-scale farmers and agriculture-linked small businesses.
The partnership will include Microsoft's KuzaBot mobile chat platform which will be piloted among farmers in Kenya, Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, and Uganda. As per the release, the first pilots aim to support 50,000 farmers and more than 50 cooperatives.
"Now more than ever, we need to pay close attention to how agri-tech organizations transform digitally, what challenges they face acquiring new technologies, and the daily challenges they may be facing in the area of digital skills development. Microsoft 4Afrika's strategy is to invest in agri-tech to unlock Africa's vibrant potential, accelerating innovation in agri-tech to enable data-driven farming that can optimize yields, boost farm productivity and increase profitability - all while feeding a nation," said Kendi Nderitu, Country Manager for Microsoft Kenya.
Digital technology is one way to boost agricultural production and efficiency, reducing the impact caused by food insecurity in Africa. According to the 2021 Global Report on Food Crises released two months ago, acute food insecurity now affects more than 155 million people across 55 countries - Of the 10 countries with acute cases, six were in Africa. Africa remained the most affected by food crises as of last year, accounting for 63% of the total number of people in crisis globally. Ongoing conflicts, Poor weather conditions, and impacts caused by the pandemic will further worsen the situation as severe food insecurity globally is forecasted to rise from 20 million people in 2020 to 43 million people facing Crisis-level food insecurity in 2021.
Solange Che
Over the past two decades, mobile money has grown into a cornerstone of African finance. Driven by i...
• Tanzania to host investor talks on expanding CNG infrastructure• Government aims to boost CNG use,...
Nigeria eyes $671m data center market by 2030, seeks Chinese investors. Rising mobile da...
• Lucara secures $10M loan for Karowe underground project• UGP faces delays, costs rise to ...
• Union Bank merges with Titan Trust, forms single entity• All TTB assets, branches now under the Un...
Nigeria introduces 5% levy on gasoline and diesel sales for road upkeep. Government needs 880 bln nairas yearly but budget covers only 20% of...
Six agreements signed during Mozambican president’s visit to Algiers. Deals cover education, communication, culture, and public...
South Africa’s Vaal University launches hydrogen research hub with bank support. Morocco’s UM6P partners with global firms to build green hydrogen...
Atlantic Lithium signs £28 mln deal with Long State to fund Ewoyaa project. Piedmont Lithium dispute over $70 mln mine investment remains...
The Tomb of Askia is one of the most important historical and cultural monuments in Mali, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2004. Located...
The Mount Nimba Nature Reserve, a true cross-border treasure, stretches across Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire, at the edge of Liberia. It is dominated by an...