Public Management

IFC partners with Microsoft 4Afrika to promote digital transformation in Africa's agribusiness sector

IFC partners with Microsoft 4Afrika to promote digital transformation in Africa's agribusiness sector
Tuesday, 03 August 2021 15:17

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

 

On the same topic
• Bassirou Diomaye Faye denounces credit rating agencies’ methodologies as ill-suited to African contexts.• Senegal urges reforms to enable fairer...
(AfDB)-The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved a $474.6 million loan for South Africa's Infrastructure Governance...
New card enables African payments without using US or European networks Aims to lower costs, protect financial data, and boost intra-African...
• Burkina Faso-based financial group, Vista Group Holding, has acquired a majority stake in Société Générale Burkina Faso (SGBF).•The move is part of...
Most Read
01

• Maritime sector faces renewed risks amid military tensions in the Middle East• Blockade fears at S...

Israel-Iran conflict raises new threats for global shipping and oil trade
02

Lebara Group is now bringing its affordable and reliable mobile services to Africa, starting with Ni...

Telecoms: Lebara Enters Nigerian Market with Strong Competitive Ambitions
03

• Google unveils Veo 3, its latest AI tool for ultra-realistic video generation• Experts warn deepfa...

Deepfake Threat Becomes Alarming in Africa as AI Advances Faster Than Laws
04

In a West African financial landscape marked by tighter regulation of the fintech sector, digital fi...

In Five Years, Francophone Africa Will be A Major Force in African Tech –Régis Bamba
05

• Gates Foundation commits $1.6 billion over five years to Gavi.• Bill Gates warns of rising ch...

Gates Foundation Pledges $1.6 Billion to Gavi to Boost Global Child Vaccination
Enter your email to receive our newsletter

Ecofin Agency provides daily coverage of nine key African economic sectors: public management, finance, telecoms, agribusiness, mining, energy, transport, communication, and education.
It also designs and manages specialized media, both online and print, for African institutions and publishers.

SALES & ADVERTISING

Benjamin FLAUX
bf@agenceecofin.com 
Téls: +41 22 301 96 11 
Mob: +41 78 699 13 72
Média kit : Download

EDITORIAL
redaction@agenceecofin.com

More information
Team
Publisher

ECOFIN AGENCY

Mediamania Sarl
Rue du Léman, 6
1201 Geneva
Switzerland

 

Ecofin Agency is a sector-focused economic news agency, founded in December 2010. Its web platform was launched in June 2011. ©Mediamania.

 
 

Please publish modules in offcanvas position.