AGRA Pushes for Stronger Africa-China Partnerships to Drive Agricultural Transformation at Agri-Tech Forum in Nairobi
NAIROBI, Kenya — Africa's agricultural transformation will not be achieved through technology alone but through partnerships that connect innovation, investment and markets to the realities of farmers, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has said.
The call was made during the second China-Africa Agri-Tech and Industrial Cooperation Forum in Nairobi, where more than 100 delegates drawn from governments, research institutions, development agencies, investors and private sector players convened to explore how technology, trade and industrial cooperation can accelerate agricultural modernization across the continent.
Speaking at the forum, AGRA Vice President for Program Delivery, Prof. Hamadi Boga, emphasized that sustainable transformation of Africa's food systems requires coordinated action that ensures innovations reach farmers and translate into tangible improvements in productivity and incomes.
"Africa's agricultural transformation will not be driven by technology alone. It will be driven by partnerships that connect innovation, investment and markets to the realities of farmers," Boga said.
"When innovation reaches farmers, productivity grows. When markets work, incomes rise. When partnerships align, transformation happens at scale," he added.
His remarks reflected the forum's broader focus on strengthening cooperation between China and Africa through technology transfer, knowledge exchange, mechanization and investment in agricultural value chains.
The event showcased practical examples of collaboration already yielding results. Following the inaugural summit last year, AGRA facilitated a partnership between Chinese and African engineers that led to the co-development of 200 tractors tailored to the needs of Kenyan farmers. Organizers cited the initiative as evidence that agricultural innovations can be adapted to local conditions and scaled across the continent.
Boga noted that Africa stands to benefit significantly from China's agricultural development experience, particularly in areas such as technology adoption, innovation, research collaboration and investment.
Through stronger partnerships, he said, China and Africa can accelerate agricultural modernization, create jobs, strengthen food security and unlock new economic opportunities for millions of people across the continent.
The forum also highlighted emerging opportunities in digital agriculture, climate-smart farming and improved seed systems as key pathways to boosting productivity and narrowing Africa's persistent yield gaps.
Participants stressed that low agricultural output remains a major challenge in many African countries and called for wider adoption of efficient, locally adapted farming practices informed by successful experiences from China.
Youth involvement also featured prominently in discussions, with innovation challenges and incubation programmes showcased as tools for nurturing the next generation of African agritech entrepreneurs and expanding digital inclusion in rural communities.
In her opening remarks, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan described agricultural modernization as a cornerstone of China-Africa cooperation under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
She expressed optimism that combining Africa's vast agricultural resources and youthful population with China's technological expertise, development experience and market opportunities would strengthen food security and promote shared prosperity.
The discussions were closely aligned with commitments under FOCAC, which increasingly prioritizes agricultural modernization, poverty reduction and sustainable development.
Delegates reviewed plans to establish or upgrade 10 agricultural technology demonstration centres and develop approximately 6,667 hectares of overseas agricultural demonstration zones across Africa.
Organizations including AGRA and the Tea Board of Kenya underscored the need for stronger institutional collaboration to bridge Africa's agricultural potential with China's technological advancements.
Participants further called for deeper cooperation among governments, researchers, private sector actors and farmers to build resilient food systems capable of withstanding climate and economic shocks.
The forum's focal message was about the future of African agriculture depending less on expanding farmland and more on harnessing innovation, technology and strategic partnerships to increase productivity and create value.
As AGRA marks two decades of advancing food systems transformation across Africa, the organization reaffirmed its commitment to forging partnerships that translate innovation into impact, strengthen farmer livelihoods and drive sustainable agricultural growth at scale.
The Nairobi gathering builds on years of China-Africa cooperation in agricultural research, technology exchange and investment, reinforcing a shared ambition to modernize agriculture and secure the continent's food future.