Kigali, Rwanda is once again proving to be a continental hub for innovation as it hosts the 2025 edition of the African Conference on Agricultural Technologies (ACAT).

The three-day gathering kicked off today with scientists, startups, farmers, and government officials all rallying around the future of food in Africa.

With agriculture employing over 60% of Africa’s population, the stakes are high.

From AI-driven irrigation systems to drone-assisted crop monitoring, ACAT 2025 is showcasing technologies that could revolutionize how Africans grow and distribute food especially under the looming shadow of climate change.

A standout moment came during the launch of a new digital platform by a Nigerian startup that connects rural farmers to real-time weather data and markets.

The platform, backed by Kenyan and South African investors, is already piloting in six countries and aims to reach 2 million users by next year.

Policy makers at the conference emphasized the need for more financing and better infrastructure to scale these innovations.

Several African ministers pledged new seed funds and public-private partnerships to support youth-led agri-tech ventures.

ACAT 2025 closes in two days, but the energy and ambition in Kigali suggest a longer-lasting impact.

As one Rwandan farmer-entrepreneur put it: “Africa doesn’t need to copy anyone. We just need the tools, and we’ll build something better.”