Rwanda will host ACAT 2025: Harnessing Next-Gen Ag-Tech for Africa’s Agricultural Transformation

Rwanda’s Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) and the African Agriculture Technology Foundation (AATF) have confirmed that Kigali will host the second African Conference on Agricultural Technology (ACAT) from June 9-13, 2025. Rwanda takes the baton from Kenya, where the inaugural event was held.

Dr. Alexandre Rutikanga, Chief Technical Advisor at MINAGRI, representing the Minister, Hon. Dr. Ildephonse Musafiri, expressed Rwanda’s excitement at co-hosting this significant forum. He remarked, "We are eager to welcome global, regional, and local communities to Kigali for ACAT 2025, where we will engage in vital conversations aimed at addressing the challenges facing agriculture across the continent." Rutikanga emphasized the urgency of the event, noting how the timing aligns with Africa's struggle to combat food insecurity exacerbated by climate change. He stressed that innovation and technology are key to addressing these challenges.

ACAT is a leading platform for showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies and fostering policies that drive agricultural transformation in Africa. It aims to catalyze more efficient, inclusive, and resilient farming by promoting practical, innovative solutions. Participants, including government officials, industry leaders, policymakers, farmers, and youth, will gather to explore actionable strategies for improving technology access and usage in African agriculture.

Dr. Canisius Kanangire, Executive Director of AATF, highlighted the critical role of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) in revolutionizing African agriculture. He pointed out that, while technology development has surged, significant barriers prevent many of these advancements from reaching the farmers and entrepreneurs who need them most. "Despite large investments in agricultural technology, persistent bottlenecks hinder products from making their way to the market, limiting their impact," said Dr. Kanangire.

He added that ACAT will provide a crucial platform for addressing these barriers and promoting the transfer of technologies that can drive socio-economic development, improve food security, and support farmers in overcoming the challenges posed by population growth and climate change. It should be noted that for over two decades, AATF has been instrumental in fostering public-private partnerships that enhance access to agricultural technologies, thereby improving productivity and strengthening African economies. ACAT 2025, under the theme “NextGen Ag-Tech Solutions for Africa’s Farmers,” promises to continue this mission by facilitating solution-driven discussions and promoting scientific research to unlock the future of African agriculture