Status of Digital Agriculture in 47 Sub-Saharan African Countries
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adaSTATUS OF
DIGITAL AGRICULTURE
IN 47 SUB-SAHARAN
AFRICAN COUNTRIES
STATUS OF
DIGITAL AGRICULTURE
IN 47 SUB-SAHARAN
AFRICAN COUNTRIES
Published by
the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
and
the International Telecommunication Union
2022
Required citation:
FAO and ITU. 2022. Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries. Rome.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v Lesotho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi Liberia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Acronyms and abbreviations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii Madagascar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Key messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix Malawi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Executive summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x Mali . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Mauritius . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Country profiles Mozambique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Angola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Namibia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Benin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
The Niger. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Botswana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Nigeria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Burkina Faso . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Rwanda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Burundi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
São Tomé and Príncipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Cabo Verde . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Senegal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Cameroon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Seychelles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Central African Republic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Sierra Leone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Chad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Somalia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Comoros . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
South Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Congo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
South Sudan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Côte D’Ivoire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Togo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Democratic Republic of Congo . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Uganda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Djibouti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
United Republic of Tanzania. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Equatorial Guinea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Zambia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Eritrea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Zimbabwe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Eswatini . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Main findings and opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Ethiopia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Main findings in 47 countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Gabon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121
Opportunities for digital agriculture in
The Gambia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 sub-Saharan Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Ghana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 Opportunities for impactful investments . . . 320
Guinea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Guinea-Bissau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Kenya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
iii
FOREWORD
Sub-Saharan Africa has enormous potential to drive digital transformation in the agriculture sector of
economic growth and transform the agriculture 47 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The region’s
sector thanks to rapid population growth and digital agriculture landscape is assessed through
advancement in digital technologies. Unfortunately, six key themes, namely: infrastructure, digital
and despite gradual progress made toward penetration, policy and regulation, business
the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, environment, human capital and agro-innovation.
the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the
challenges faced by sub-Saharan African countries, Beyond the analysis of the region against the
making the agricultural sector even more critical six focal themes, the report presents both the
in ensuring food security. The pandemic has also status-quo and challenges faced by countries in
demonstrated the urgent need for digitalization their digital transformation journeys, which can
and accelerated the shift toward innovation and assist policymakers to identify possible areas of
digital transformation to harness more digital intervention to drive the process of agricultural
economies. With almost 60 percent of the region’s digitalization in the region. It highlights the need
population under the age of 25, active engagement to strengthen digital infrastructure for universal
of youth in agriculture is essential. connectivity, to connect the unconnected in
sub-Saharan Africa and to support the integration
Countries in sub-Saharan Africa are at varying of digital technologies to advance digital
levels of digital transformation, reflected in their agricultural transformation.
differences in coping with complexity, untapped
potential and availability of information. For the We would like to take this opportunity to thank our
most part, vast populations in the region still respective members and all relevant stakeholders
experience acute food insecurity and lack access to for their invaluable engagement and contribution
basic digital technologies. As the main backbone of to this report and their active involvement during
most of sub-Saharan Africa economies, agriculture the consultation and validation process. We would
remains a priority sector. Its digitalization is also like to express our sincere gratitude to all
therefore fundamental to leveraging the benefits colleagues and experts from FAO’s regional and
of digital technologies in transforming societies, country offices and ITU’s regional offices for their
improving livelihoods and accelerating the guidance, contribution and support. We hope
ability of the Sustainable Development Goals to this publication will reach broad audiences and
eradicate poverty. provide a basis for further engagement to unlock
the potential of digital agriculture in sub-Saharan
The Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan Africa. We invite countries to continue updating us
African countries report is co-published by the Food on their digital agriculture progress and to share
and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations experiences that can advance digital agriculture
(FAO) and the International Telecommunication transformation and improve livelihoods in
Union (ITU). It aims at providing a holistic view of sub-Saharan Africa.
Abebe Haile-Gabriel Anne-Rachel Inné
Assistant Director General and Regional Director for Africa
Regional Representative for Africa International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)
v
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
FAO and ITU joined forces to facilitate the scaling FAO and ITU would like to express their sincere
up of digital technologies in agriculture globally, gratitude to the respective FAO and ITU members
under the framework of the FAO-ITU cooperation for their invaluable contributions from the focal
and the mandate of the World Summit on the points working on digital agriculture in the
Information Society (WSIS) for facilitating Action respective countries in the form of input, thoughtful
Line 7 pertaining to e-agriculture. To that effect, the views and feedback.
two agencies undertook this study to enhance the
understanding of the status of digital agriculture Gratitude is expressed to the ITU Country Focal
in 47 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. This report Points: Houégnon Geoffoy Bonou (Benin), Abdoul
highlights the potential of digital technologies to Karim Kone (Côte d’Ivoire), Magdalene Apenteng
transform the agricultural sector and by extension (Ghana), Gisela Constância and Silva de Azevedo
to improve livelihoods in sub-Saharan Africa. Inácio (Angola), Kenny M. Mphahlele (South Africa),
Horácio Clemente L. Parquinio (Mozambique),
FAO and ITU would like to acknowledge and thank Emilia Nghikembua (Namibia), Lindiwe Dlamini
all their partners and the various contributors to (Eswatini), Kalid Ahmed (Ethiopia), Samson John
this report for their support and commitment to Mwela (the United Republic of Tanzania), Simon Ali
the goal of this study, namely, to offer a holistic (South Sudan), Tari Bako Ousmane (the Niger) and
understanding of the status of digital agriculture in Aminu Mojeed Olawale (Nigeria).
sub-Saharan Africa and how to advance it.
Gratitude is also extended to the FAO country
This study is an agency-wide comprehensive offices in sub-Saharan Africa, national focal
technical work, developed and finalized by points in relevant ministries and FAO experts
numerous technical experts at FAO and ITU: in the Regional Office for Africa, who shared
Arnaud C. Gogan (ITU), Bonaventure Nyamekye their latest data and provided valuable insights
(FAO), Caroline Gaju (ITU), Joshua Oiro (ITU), presented in this study. This report would not have
Nikola Trendov (FAO), Thembani Malapela (FAO), been possible without the contributions of: FAO
and Wei Liang (FAO). Regional Office for Africa, FAO Angola Office, FAO
Benin Office, FAO Botswana Office, FAO Burundi
The work has been undertaken under the overall Office, FAO Cabo Verde Office, FAO Djibouti
supervision and direction of: Abebe Haile-Gabriel Office, FAO Ethiopia Office, FAO Kenya Office,
(FAO Regional Office for Africa), Andrew Rugege FAO Liberia Office, FAO Malawi Office, FAO Niger
(ITU), Anthony RennerMicah (FAO Regional Office Office, FAO Rwanda Office, FAO Senegal Office,
for Africa), Hani Eskandar (ITU), Marta Iglesias FAO Sierra Leone Office, FAO Somalia Office, FAO
(FAO) and Paul Whimpenny (FAO). South Sudan Office, FAO Togo Office and FAO
Zambia Office.
The team apologizes to any individuals
inadvertently omitted from this list and expresses
its gratitude to all who contributed to the status of
the report.
vi
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
A4AI Alliance for Affordable Internet
ACE Africa Coast to Europe
ADEA Association pour le développement de l’éducation en Afrique
AfCFTA African Continental Free Trade Area
AFD Agence Français de Développement
AfDB African Development Bank
AGRA Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa
AIPO African Intellectual Property Organization
AVU African Virtual University
CAADP Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme
CAB Central African Backbone
CARE Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere
CEMAC Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa CEEAC
CGIAR Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers
CIDA Canadian International Development Agency
CIRAD Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement
CNPC China National Petroleum Corporation
CORAF Conseil ouest et centre africain pour la recherche et le développement agricoles
CTA Centre technique de coopération agricole et rurale
DB2020 Doing Business 2020
EAAPP East African Agricultural Productivity Programme
EASSy Eastern Africa Submarine Cable System
EC European Commission
ECCAS Economic Community of Central African States
ECOWAS Economic Community of West African States
EPDC Education Policy Data Center
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
FDI Foreign direct investment
GDP Gross domestic product
GFRAS Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services
GHG Greenhouse gas
GNI Gross national income
GSMA Global System for Mobile Communications
HCI Human Capital Index
ICCO Interkerkelijk Coördinatie Commissie Ontwikkelingshulp
(Interchurch Coordination Committee Development Aid)
ICRA International Center for Development Oriented Research in Agriculture
ICRISAT International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
ICT Information and communication technologies
IDA International Development Association
IDRC International Development Research Centre
vii
IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development
IFPRI International Food Policy Research Institute
ILO International Labour Organization
IMF International Monetary Fund
ITC International Trade Centre
ITU International Telecommunication Union
JIRCAS Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences
MCC Millennium Challenge Corporation
MNOs Mobile network operators
MFIs Mobile finance institutions
NCDF National Center for Disaster Fraud
NEPAD New Partnership for Africa’s Development
OECD The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
OHADA Organisation pour l’harmonisation en Afrique du droit des affaires
R&D Research and development
RCoE Regional Centres of Excellence
SADC Southern African Development Community
SAIDA Services Agricoles et Inclusion Digitale en Afrique
SDGs Sustainable Development Goals
SEACOM Southern and Eastern Africa Communication Network
SFSA Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture
TAAT Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation
UEMOA West African Economic and Monetary Union
UN United Nations
UNCDF United Nations Capital Fund
UNCTAD United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
UNDP United Nations Development Programme
UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
UNFPA United Nations Fund for Population
UNICEF United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund
UNPF United Nations Population Fund
USAID United States Agency for International Development
USSD Unstructured Supplementary Service Data
WACS West Africa Cable System
WARCIP West African Regional Communications Infrastructure Program
WBG World Bank Group
WCT WIPO Copyright Treaty
WEF World Economic Forum
WFP World Food Programme
WIPO World Intellectual Property Organization
WPPT WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty
WSIS World Summit on the Information Society
viii
KEY MESSAGES
The potential for digital agriculture transformation in sub-Saharan Africa is enabled by the
continent’s youthful population and increased mobile penetration. Countries across the region
are in varying stages of digital agriculture transformation, which creates an opportunity for the
exchange of knowledge, expertise and lessons. However, an inclusive and collaborative process
is essential so that no one is left behind.
Although the region has high potential for digital transformation, barriers still exist, such as
limited infrastructure in rural areas, insufficient funding for agriculture, inadequate investment
in research and development, agro-innovation and agricultural entrepreneurship, which are
essential drivers for digital agriculture transformation.
An enabling business environment is fundamental to attract investment in digital agriculture.
The majority of countries in the region still face challenges in creating a favourable business
environment, especially for start-ups.
Sub-Saharan Africa is served by multiple undersea cables. Prioritising the connection to these
cables to improve broadband access for both coastal and landlocked countries is needed.
Undersea cables can also be complemented with national terrestrial broadband backbones
that link both urban and rural areas.
It is essential that digital transformation for agriculture is anchored to addressing low digital
skills in the population, especially among women, youth and rural populations, through
customized digital skills development programmes.
Although there are existing policies on information and communication technologies (ICTs) and/
or the digital economy, these are not aligned to existing agriculture policies, which hinders the
process of digitalization in the agriculture sector. National strategies, therefore, need to be
developed to support the digital transformation of agriculture.
As most interventions were at the production level, the digitalization process should encompass
the entire agriculture value chain. As such, governments need to foster the transformation of
inclusive agri-food systems by leveraging the potential of digital solutions across value chains.
Increased collaboration among countries, international organizations and private entities is
necessary to create an inclusive set of digital public goods in agriculture that are sustainable
and scalable.
ix
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
With the largest area of arable uncultivated land in digital literacy, inadequate research and limited
the world, a youthful population of approximately capacity development have further constrained
60 percent and vast natural resources, sub-Saharan the advancement of digital transformation in the
Africa is uniquely positioned to double or even triple agriculture sector in the region.
its current agricultural productivity. Such an increase
in agricultural productivity would help lift more than Irrespective of the existing challenges, digital
400 million people in sub-Saharan Africa who live maturity varies across countries. The study further
on USD 1.9 or less a day out of extreme poverty and highlights examples and initiatives existing in sub-
improve the livelihood of approximately 250 million Saharan Africa that can be promoted, replicated
smallholder farmers and pastoralists in the region. and scaled up to advance digital agriculture
This however would require digital transformation transformation. Sharing experiences and good
of the agriculture sector through improved practices in digital agriculture across countries
infrastructure, and increased access to and use of in the region offers an opportunity for the inter-
digital technologies for agriculture. To improve our country transfer of knowledge, expertise and skills.
understanding of the current landscape of digital
agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa, the Food and Leveraging digital technologies in sub-Saharan
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Africa will not only contribute to the development
(FAO) and the International Telecommunication of national digital economies but also accelerate
Union (ITU) undertook this study in 47 countries. the competitiveness of the agriculture sector
of the region. To that end, the study proposes
The report is categorized into two main sections. The opportunities for digital agriculture and impactful
first presents the output of desk-based research, investments in the region that cut across the study’s
whose country-focused results is presented through six thematic focal points. This includes proposals
six thematic focal areas essential to understanding to create roadmaps in the form of national digital
digital agriculture, namely: infrastructure, digital agriculture strategies, capacity building (especially
penetration, policy and regulation, business among agriculture institutions), strengthening
environment, human capital and agro-innovation. of digital skills, increased youth engagement,
Each country profile aims at capturing the digital enhancing the business environment to attract
agriculture status of the respective 47 countries in investors to deploy digital products, and services
sub-Saharan Africa. The second section highlights across the agri-food systems.
the main findings of the analysis of the country
profiles and suggests possible steps for future Finally, although the present study provides a
action. The findings of the study are presented to useful snapshot of the status of digital agriculture
FAO and ITU Member States, as well as all relevant in sub-Saharan Africa against the six focal themes,
stakeholders with the purpose of advancing and further research is required to facilitate qualitative
supporting investment in digital transformation of and quantitative impact assessment of the (positive
the agricultural sector in sub-Saharan Africa. and negative) environmental, social and economic
effects (e.g. reduction of inputs/emissions) of the
While the implementation of digital agriculture is use of digital technologies in food and agriculture
beneficial, it is not without significant challenges. adequately support countries and the region as a
The study identifies the need to enhance key digital whole to identify specific gaps and priorities for
infrastructure such as access to electricity, reliable future investment to advance digital agriculture
network coverage and access to digital devices, transformation. A digital ‘readiness index’ is also
which is out of reach of most rural populations necessary to assist countries to understand and
in sub-Saharan Africa. Whereas most countries transform their digital agriculture landscape
recognize the importance of having national toward policy formulation, targeting interventions,
policies for digital agriculture, the majority of resource allocation, partnership establishment and
them have not as of yet implemented national informed decision-making.
digital agriculture strategies. Low levels of
x
INTRODUCTION
Sub-Saharan Africa has the largest area of The Malabo Declaration and the Agenda 2063
arable uncultivated land in the world and a both emphasise and aim at increasing investment
youthful population of almost 60 percent under in agriculture to transform the sector and its
the age of 25, which is expected to double by associated food systems. The African Union (AU)
2050. And while agriculture currently accounts for has also prioritized the need for digitalization,
30 to 40 percent of the region’s gross domestic with renewed investments, and the creation of
product, employing an average of 54 percent of the Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa,
the working population (ILO, 2017), sub-Saharan which aims at building a digital single market by
Africa’s agricultural productivity has the potential 2030. This complements the AU’s flagship projects
to double or even triple. However, agricultural such as a pan-African e-network. The AU is also
transformation remains one of the region’s aiming at harmonizing policies, legislations and
most pressing priorities that has been difficult regulations, building inclusive digital skills and
to achieve. Limited public funding prevents the human capacity across the digital sciences,
provision of adequate institutional support judiciary, and education, including the creation
and suitable business environment, which in of an environment conducive to fostering the
turn hinders private sector participation and development of digital agriculture.
investment in agriculture. Of the 1.3 billion people
in Africa, almost 400 million are extremely poor, How sub-Saharan African countries position
living on USD 1.9 or less daily (African Union themselves to harness and deploy digital
Commission and OECD, 2018). Despite having vast t e c h n o l o g i e s w i l l d e t e r m i n e t h e f u t u re
energy resources, only 43 percent of sub-Saharan competitiveness of the region’s agriculture
Africa’s total population and 25 percent of its rural and its contribution to countries’ economies.
population have access to electricity (Blimpo and Yet, African countries are at varying stages of
Cosgrove-Davies, 2019). Although some progress the digital agriculture transformation process
has been made, much of sub-Saharan Africa is still and a long way away from the desired levels of
unconnected and large populations cannot fully development. Therefore, an effective roadmap
realize the benefits of connectivity as about one- for digital agriculture transformation will require
third of the population is out of reach of mobile a holistic and bottom-up approach that leaves
broadband signals. Only 22 percent of people in no one behind, with cross-cutting support
the region have Internet access, suggesting there across stakeholders, including (but not limited
are more illiterate people than there are Internet to) those dealing with the digital economy, food
users in the region (ITU, 2021). production and processing, rural development,
irrigation and water management, disaster
On the other hand, sub-Saharan Africa’s digital management, telecommunication, governance,
transformation is already underway, which can transportation, finance and commerce, education
leverage the potential benefits of digitalization and and social affairs.
new technologies for agriculture. Digital agriculture
offers opportunities for farmers and rural Conceptual framework of this study
communities in a digitally driven agri-food system To better understand the status of digital agriculture
that has the potential to transform the perception transformation in sub-Saharan Africa, the Food and
of women and youth of the broad agricultural sector Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
as a positive and fruitful source of job opportunities (FAO) and the International Telecommunication
along the agricultural value chains. An inclusive, Union (ITU) commissioned this study to assess and
digitally transformed agriculture could help achieve document the status of digital agriculture in the
meaningful livelihood improvements for Africa’s region, summarize key findings, and infer potential
250 million smallholder farmers and pastoralists opportunities for digital agriculture transformation
(CTA, 2021), while ensuring that sub-Saharan in sub-Saharan Africa in the respective 47 countries.
Africa’s rural areas are not left behind. The results would enable both FAO and ITU to
1
prioritize investments in digital agriculture as well The process of digital agriculture transformation
as offer other interested parties these results for spans multiple issues including policymaking
their own interventions. and regulation, limited access to finance, status
of digital skills, and the need to understand and
This study was conducted as desk-based research overcome existing digital divides, as well as access
that consulted various national, regional and to infrastructure and information. Furthermore, the
international reports. Additionally, the research lack of broadband infrastructure in rural areas
team conducted an e-consultation process to and connectivity to mobile devices, coupled with
gather views, as well as consulting FAO and ITU the limitations on inter-system data exchange
country teams to validate the respective country present additional barriers and challenges
profiles. The study examined the digital agriculture that are considered and addressed within the
transformation process through six thematic areas 47 country profiles. The six themes cover the
(see Figure 1) supported by relevant indicators that process broadly and present key enablers that
enable a better understanding of digital agriculture need to be addressed when considering digital
maturity at the national and regional levels. agriculture transformation.
Figure 1: Key themes in digital agriculture status assessment
INFRASTRUCTURE
Focuses on the essential infrastructure required for digitalization, such as electricity,
internet connectivity and mobile coverage
DIGITAL PENETRATION
Explores the degree of mobile technology penetration in agriculture, the start-up
ecosystem and social media platform engagement
POLICY AND REGULATION
Highlights key legal enactments and institutional setups related to ICT and agriculture
service delivery
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Presents an outlook of supportive systems essential for investment in the agriculture
sector as well as those that enable entrepreneurship
HUMAN CAPITAL
Explores the literacy, skills and employment dynamics of the human resources required
to power the digital agriculture transformation process
AGRO-INNOVATION
Weighs in on the research and development (R&D) environment and innovation,
taking cues from existing collaborative arrangements, research agendas and links to
agriculture productivity
2 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
More specifically: BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
This theme explores whether support
INFRASTRUCTURE systems or structures exist to promote
This thematic area explores the issues local and foreign direct investment and
related to the essential infrastructure entrepreneurship in a country. It
required to sustain digitalization encompasses an overview of the legal and
investments. The indicators and desk regulatory components required to spur the growth
research findings focus on (but are not limited and resilience of new, mostly private sector
to) access to connectivity and electricity in rural enterprises that focus on the agriculture sector,
areas, ICT affordability and features of which are critical in attracting the youth who are
smartphones, computers, etc., the ability to connect currently at the forefront of the digital drive.
to and the coverage of broadband networks,
Internet access costs, as well as affordability and HUMAN CAPITAL
availability of nascent technologies that focus on This theme relates to the education
rural communities. levels, literacy, digital skills and literacy,
n u m e ra c y, a n d e m p l oy m e n t i n
DIGITAL PENETRATION agriculture of people in rural areas/
This area focuses on the availability of agricultural communities, especially youth and
digital services in the agricultural women, who can position themselves to propel the
sector. It seeks to explore key elements digitalization drive in the agriculture sector.
that impact the digital agriculture Digitalization in agriculture sector doesn’t just
transformation process in each country, such as require highly skilled and knowledgeable people,
Internet users, active subscriptions, the availability but those who have the capacity to engage with
and cost of mobile phones and computers, the and leverage digital solutions.
availability, type and role of mobile network operators
(MNOs), and existing digital agriculture services AGRO-INNOVATION
within the sector that also serve farming communities. Understanding the environment of R&D
Specifically, this focal area of the methodology and innovation in a country can
explores the usage levels of the Internet and other expound the key elements that are
digital tools (e-commerce, digital finance, for essential for digital agriculture
example), as well as the extent to which farmers and transformation. Most of the innovations are
rural communities leverage these tools to interact digitally driven, based on science and research,
with service providers and the private sector. enable digital agriculture transformation, and
create a digital competitive ecosystem. As such, this
POLICY AND REGULATION study aims at assessing to what extent a country is
This theme assesses the level of ready to perform in this area. Specific indicators
e-government services in rural areas include existing digital tools and services applied
and for farmers where possible. It across agriculture value chains, adoption of
explores existing mechanisms and technologies, available innovation programmes in
institutional support for digital agriculture, and the the ecosystem, and actions taken by the public and
relevant policies and regulatory framework needed private sector.
to nurture and support digital agriculture
transformation. Furthermore, it examines available
laws and policies, including those addressing
agriculture and food that could assist policymakers
to identify gaps and limitations, while expounding
the level of digital agriculture investments that can
be made in a country. Selected policy and regulatory
indicators can enable analysis of and serve as a
reference for creating a digital agriculture
ecosystem framework in the relevant countries
under study.
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 3
©FAO/Shutterstock/Fabian Plock
ANGOLA
Angola is a lower-middle- categorized as small holders. Immediately prior to
income country with a gross the publication of this report, the government was
domestic product (GDP) of prioritizing agriculture, specifically the promising
USD 62.3 billion. The country has fisheries sector (which represented 3 percent of the
extensive oil and gas resources, GDP in 2018). Out of 45.7 percent of Angola’s arable
diamonds and rich agricultural agricultural land, only 7 percent is used, which
land. However, the oil sector accounts for one-third signifies tremendous potential for agricultural growth.
of GDP and oil earnings drive the economy. Despite
the country’s economy being the third largest in sub- The country’s ICT is liberalizing – Angola has opened
Saharan Africa, Angola continues to face significant its telecoms market to attract foreign investments.
challenges in reducing poverty and diversifying its Still, mobile penetration remains low with half of
economic growth (see Table 1). Angola’s mobile addressable market remaining
underserved. A number of countries are investing
The agricultural sector accounts for 9.4 percent of in Angola’s ICT sector including Germany, China and
the country’s GDP and employs 50.7 percent of the the United Arab Emirates. Additionally, multilateral
workforce (World Bank, 2020; ILO, 2019). In 2016, partners such as the World Bank and the European
94 percent of rural households were categorized as Union have invested in projects to improve the
poor, and an estimated 80 percent of farmers were availability of agricultural digital technologies.
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 32 866 268 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 66.83 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 33.17 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 62 307 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 569 525 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 45.68 FAO
5
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
Most of Angola’s infrastructure was three of which offer 4G connectivity with
BOTSWANA
destroyed in the country’s civil war and 50 percent coverage, while one is preparing to
BURKINA FASO
demining the millions of remaining land start operating. As a coastal country, Angola
BURUNDI
mines has been a slow process. Transport modes has advantageous access to the SAT-3, WACS
CABO VERDE
that include roads, railways and bridges were and SACS fiber optic submarine cable, which
CAMEROON
significantly impacted. For energy needs, the provides gateway connectivity via Europe,
CENTRAL
country depends on hydro-electricity, but it falls Asia and America. Additionally, the country AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
short of meeting national demand. About has an impressive 29 satellite earth stations.
CHAD
7.3 percent of the rural population has access to Angola Cables is an operator of fiber optic
COMOROS
electricity, while the power grid supports only telecommunications and operates the Angola
CONGO
73.7 percent of the population. Domestic Network System (ADNS) that connects
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
eight Angolan coastal cities – 70 percent of
DEMOCRATIC
Angola has four mobile network operators: Angolans live close to the sea (see Table 2). REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
UNITEL, MOVICEL, Angola Telecom and AFRICELL,
DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
Table 2: Infrastructure GUINEA
ERITREA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
ESWATINI
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2018 7.33 WBG
(% of rural population) ETHIOPIA
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 50.00 GSMA GABON
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 46.42 GSMA THE GAMBIA
(% of population)
GHANA
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 20.08 WBG
GUINEA
(per 1 million people)
GUINEA-
Availability of the latest technologies 2014 3.19 WEF BISSAU
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
KENYA
to a great extent)
LESOTHO
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2020 44.56 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) LIBERIA
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 21.18 ITU MADAGASCAR
(per 100 inhabitants) MALAWI
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 0.70 ITU MALI
(per 100 people)
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
DIGITAL PENETRATION THE NIGER
While Internet connectivity in Angola identified 12 main initiatives, which did not NIGERIA
remains low with over 10.4 million include agriculture. Rodrigues (2010) noted that RWANDA
users representing 31 percent of the the post-war potential of Angolan youth provides SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
population, it is growing steadily (We are a huge opportunity for the country (see Table 3).
SENEGAL
Social and Hootsuite, 2021). In urban areas,
SEYCHELLES
broadband Internet subscription and access to According to the GSMA, the penetration rate
SIERRA LEONE
mobile devices has continued to increase. The of mobile social networks in the country has
SOMALIA
number of mobile broadband subscribers been increasing over the past five years, rising
SOUTH AFRICA
rose from 2.7 per 100 people in 2010 to 21.20 from 5.3 percent to 6.8 percent. The number of
SOUTH SUDAN
per 100 people in 2019. applications in the national languages ranged
TOGO
from 55 to 57 over the past five.
UGANDA
Angola has more than 15 million mobile phone
UNITED
users, 70 percent of whom are youth. The Angola is seeking to strengthen its agriculture REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
government created a strategy for digital information systems and digital technologies to
ZAMBIA
inclusion of youth through ICTs. The strategy mitigate the impact of drought in the country.
ZIMBABWE
6 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Upcoming digital agricultural initiatives include To improve digital inclusion across society, the ANGOLA
100 Angolan farmers participating in the Mavo government is building the Multimedia Library BENIN
Diami project by registering for a new satellite- Network of Angola (REMA). It will feature BOTSWANA
based service that provides them with crop advice 25 centres with covered areas of 2 100 m , one in
2 BURKINA FASO
and weather updates on their smartphones. each Angolan province and by 2020, nine fixed BURUNDI
Another example is the Roque Online e-commerce Mediatheques and six Proximity Mediatheques CABO VERDE
platform that facilitates the sale of online were installed. CAMEROON
products and connects small producers with CENTRAL
AFRICAN
seller’s markets such as hotels and restaurants. REPUBLIC
CHAD
Table 3: Digital penetration COMOROS
CONGO
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 5.29 Cable
penetration (USD) DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2018 3.24 ITU CONGO
as a % of adjusted per capita income DJIBOUTI
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2018 8.6 ITU EQUATORIAL
adjusted per capita income GUINEA
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 6.82 GSMA ERITREA
Number of apps in national language 2019 57.98 GSMA ESWATINI
(quantity) ETHIOPIA
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 49.55 GSMA GABON
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 57.71 GSMA THE GAMBIA
GHANA
GUINEA
POLICY AND REGULATION GUINEA-
BISSAU
The government has shown political will Driven by the National Plan for the Information KENYA
to support investment in digitization Society, 2005 (Plano Nacional para a Sociedade LESOTHO
and digital agriculture. The Ministry of de Informação) and Strategic Plan for Electronic LIBERIA
Telecommunications, Information Technology Governance 2013–2017 (Plano Estratégico para MADAGASCAR
and Social Communication is the authority for a Governação Eletrónica), the government is MALAWI
electronic communications in Angola and is pushing toward e-government. Although these MALI
responsible for defining the sector’s development initiatives aim at attaining ambitious outcomes, MAURITIUS
policies. INACOM serves as the country’s such as the use of digital public services by a MOZAMBIQUE
regulatory body and is responsible for the minimum of 10 percent of the population, there is NAMIBIA
sector’s policies and licensing. The 2017 Law on no data on the results achieved (OECD, 2018). In THE NIGER
Electronic Communications and other laws the digital agriculture scene, FAO and Agrinatura, NIGERIA
regulate the telecommunications sector. In in collaboration with Angola’s Ministry of RWANDA
August 2019, the government introduced a plan Agriculture and Rural Development, launched the SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
to privatize a number of state service providers Capacity Development for Agricultural Innovation
SENEGAL
such as MSTelcom, Net One, Unitel, TV Cabo Systems initiative to support innovative
SEYCHELLES
Angola and Multitel. capacities of smallholder farmers, agribusinesses
SIERRA LEONE
and consumers.
SOMALIA
Angola’s policy framework to encourage
SOUTH AFRICA
investment in digital agriculture is weak; The Innovation Lab for Payment Systems
SOUTH SUDAN
agriculture is one of the areas under (LISPA) is another relevant initiative from
TOGO
reconstruction concerning policy and innovation private and public stakeholders. It is led by the
UGANDA
investment (UNCTAD, 2008) (see Table 4). National Bank of Angola and Standard Bank
to promote engagement of the main players UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
However, there are some initiatives for in the Angola start-ups landscape and to TANZANIA
e-government and digital government strategies. incentivize partnerships. ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 7
In partnership with MINAGRIP and with support Plan in Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition ANGOLA
from FAO Angola, the Ministry of Economy and (PNIASAN), 2021/2022. BENIN
Planning launched the National Investment BOTSWANA
BURKINA FASO
Table 4: Policy and regulation BURUNDI
CABO VERDE
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
CAMEROON
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2015 2.84 WEF
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ CENTRAL
AFRICAN
framework there is a clear plan) REPUBLIC
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2015 2.77 WEF CHAD
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
COMOROS
extremely successful)
CONGO
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 1.90 WEF
digital business models (index ranking CÔTE D’IVOIRE
1–7: not fast at all/very fast)
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 2.56 WEF CONGO
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
extremely well developed) DJIBOUTI
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 64.7 EC/ITU EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
framework
ERITREA
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation ESWATINI
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation
ETHIOPIA
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4). GABON
THE GAMBIA
GHANA
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT GUINEA
GUINEA-
Competitiveness and ease of doing Manyuchi (2016) examined the possibility of FDI BISSAU
business in Angola is hampered by in the Angola oil and energy sectors that lead KENYA
unfavourable investment and to transfer of technologies. The study found LESOTHO
institutional environment for the private sector. no evidence of FDI translating to knowledge LIBERIA
Angola lags behind on business environment transfer and technologies to other sectors. Policy MADAGASCAR
metrics as shown in Table 5. For example, Angola implementation to support the diversification of MALAWI
ranked 137 out of 140 countries on the Global Angolan investment and technologies is needed MALI
Competitiveness Index of 2018 due to weak (see Table 5). MAURITIUS
infrastructure and inadequate human capital. It MOZAMBIQUE
is difficult to obtain permits and approvals due Like most emerging economies, Angola has NAMIBIA
to a heavy bureaucracy and lack of transparency. growing start-ups such as: Roque-Online, THE NIGER
which seeks to connect the informal markets of NIGERIA
The private companies that invested in Angola the world with empowering technologies. The RWANDA
have had huge input costs, lack of reliable venture has grown from 250 to 36 000 members; SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
electricity and huge expatriate labour costs. DroneSIG uses drones to collect and analyse
SENEGAL
Outside the gas and oil sectors, there is weak aerial data; HUMBITEC leverages geospatial
foreign investment in other sectors. For example, and aerospace technology to improve precision SEYCHELLES
while FDI in oil and gas averaged USD15 billion agriculture; KEPYA is an agri-commerce digital SIERRA LEONE
per year from 2012 to 2016 (being 82 percent solution with 500 users via web, SMS and SOMALIA
of total investment), agribusiness received only telephony, which also facilitates transport, SOUTH AFRICA
6 percent. quality control and product traceability; and SOUTH SUDAN
PAY 3 is a platform that allows payment for TOGO
services and products in installments. UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
8 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 5: Business environment ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 -4 098 UNCTAD
environment culture BURKINA FASO
Growth of innovative companies 2019 3.14 WEF BURUNDI
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ CABO VERDE
to a great extent)
CAMEROON
Venture capital availability 2014 2.35 WEF
CENTRAL
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ AFRICAN
extremely easy) REPUBLIC
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 36 WBG CHAD
Ease of access to loans 2014 2.16 WEF COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ CONGO
extremely easy)
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 3.32 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
to a great extent) CONGO
DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
HUMAN CAPITAL ERITREA
Of the 32.9 million population in Angola, policy. Despite the efforts of the government, the ESWATINI
the adult literacy rate remains below digital skills within the population are still low ETHIOPIA
80 percent. School enrolment for and evaluated at 2.4 out of 7 according to the GABON
secondary (percentage gross) in Angola was World Bank in 2019 (see Table 6). THE GAMBIA
reported at 50.7 percent in 2016 (World Bank, GHANA
2016) with secondary school enrolment, female Overall employment in agriculture is 50.7 percent, GUINEA
(percentage gross) at 39.7 percent and male of which 56.8 percent is female, signifying women GUINEA-
BISSAU
enrolment at 61.7 percent in 2016. The Gender bear most of the labour burden in farms. While
KENYA
Parity Index (GPI) is 0.7 at university level – (GPI the legal framework affords women the same
LESOTHO
indicates the level of access by females to rights as men. Household assets are generally
LIBERIA
education compared to males). the property of male heads of households
MADAGASCAR
and women do not have access to resources
MALAWI
Angola has several public and private universities (see Table 6).
MALI
and higher educational institutions, yet most
MAURITIUS
schools do not have access to ICTs. Angola Human capital remains low despite progress
MOZAMBIQUE
lacks a dedicated ICT education policy. The in employment. For a better penetration rate,
NAMIBIA
government established the National Information Angola must strengthen the digital skills of actors
THE NIGER
Technology Agency to develop a national ICT at various levels.
NIGERIA
RWANDA
Table 6: Human capital
SÃO TOMÉ
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source AND PRÍNCIPE
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2014 66.03 UNESCO SENEGAL
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above) SEYCHELLES
Literacy rate, youth total 2014 77.43 UNESCO SIERRA LEONE
(% of people ages 15–24)
SOMALIA
Digital skills among population 2019 2.45 WEF
SOUTH AFRICA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) SOUTH SUDAN
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 50.73 ILO TOGO
(% of total employment) UGANDA
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 56.78 ILO UNITED
(% of female employment) REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
Unemployment, total 2020 7.77 ILO
(% of total labour force) ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 9
AGRO-INNOVATION ANGOLA
BENIN
The previous sections demonstrate that Within agro-innovation, there are also a number
BOTSWANA
Angola lacks the structured approach of initiatives. For instance, the European Union
BURKINA FASO
required for digital agriculture is supporting research and innovation applied
BURUNDI
investment. However, there are pockets of to family farming for climate change adaptation
CABO VERDE
existing innovation and investments that are and resilience. The initiative seeks to build
CAMEROON
worth mentioning. The ATLANTICO established the capacities of stakeholders to generate
CENTRAL
the first digital laboratory in Angola in 2018. The knowledge and innovation in agriculture through AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
lab’s main objective is to promote an ecosystem the involvement of European research entities.
CHAD
of entrepreneurship and digital innovation in Meanwhile UNDP’s Accelerator Lab-Angola has
COMOROS
Angola, through the aggregation of skills been working at the ground level to trace local
CONGO
originated in technology start-ups, universities solutions collectively with young people to help
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
and national and international financial articulate a response to the COVID-19 pandemic
DEMOCRATIC
institutions. ATLANTICO’s strategic focus is on (see Table 7). REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
transformation, innovation and digitalization
DJIBOUTI
through the development of digital and
EQUATORIAL
analytical skills. GUINEA
ERITREA
Table 7: Agro-innovation ESWATINI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source ETHIOPIA
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 10 723.36 FAO GABON
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions) THE GAMBIA
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 11.08 FAO GHANA
(2014–2016 = 100)
GUINEA
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.05 WBG
GUINEA-
(index ranking 1–5: low/high) BISSAU
Research and Agricultural research spending 2017 N/A IFPRI KENYA
technology (% of AgGDP)
LESOTHO
development
LIBERIA
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2014 2.01 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/ MADAGASCAR
extensive collaboration)
MALAWI
Capacity for innovation 2015 2.68 WEF
MALI
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) MAURITIUS
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2018 2.52 UNCTAD MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
10 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
©FAO/Shutterstock/fleboedec
BENIN
Benin is a lower-middle-income resources, Benin has great potential for agricultural
country. In 2019, more than half development. Cotton plays an important role as
of its population (51.6 percent) a key cash crop and a leading export product,
lived in rural areas. Due to making up 80 percent of export revenues. Maize,
the excessive influence of rice, cassava and yams are the main food crops.
its neighbouring countries, However, Benin has experienced a steady increase
Benin’s economic performance fluctuates greatly. in rice import, making the country the sixth
Meanwhile, Benin’s GDP has increased slowly but largest rice importer in the world as of 2018. Also,
steadily rising by 2.3 percent from 2012 to 2018, frozen products such as poultry and fishery, as
while in 2015 the poverty rate was estimated at well as eggs and milk are also imported to meet
40.1 percent, based on the international poverty line domestic demand.
(World Bank, 2020). That said, Benin’s moderate
growth cannot significantly reduce poverty. The The agriculture sector in 2019 generated 27 percent
World Food Programme (WFP) estimates that of GDP and 38.3 percent of total employment
around 23 percent of households in Benin are (World Bank, 2019). Women make up 30 percent
food insecure, making the population even more of employment in agriculture and 14 percent of
vulnerable to shocks or risks (see Table 1). agricultural households are led by women (World
Bank, 2019). However, the overall proportion of
Benin is dependent on subsistence agriculture and agriculture’s contribution to employment has
almost 38 percent of the population earns a living declined steadily due to an increase of employment
from agriculture. With abundant irrigable land in the service industry.
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 12 123 198 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 48.41 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 51.59 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 15 652 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 39 500 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 35.03 FAO
11
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
In Benin, around 40 percent of the relatively low-level incomes further decreases the
BOTSWANA
population has access to electricity, operator’s motivations to expand infrastructure.
BURKINA FASO
with rural access increasing from less
BURUNDI
than 3 percent in 1996 to 17.4 percent in 2019. To improve the ICT infrastructure, the Government
CABO VERDE
of Benin launched The Telecommunications
CAMEROON
With insufficient electricity supply and difficulties and ICT Infrastructure Development (PDI2T),
CENTRAL
in connecting to the electricity grid, mobile a flagship project aimed at providing basic AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
operators are facing great challenges in infrastructure to accelerate broadband
CHAD
expanding network coverage, particularly in rural coverage. This includes the extension of fiber
COMOROS
communities. According to GSMA, the network and 4G/LTE networks, as well as offering quality
CONGO
coverage of the territory was 63.4 percent in services. The World Bank also approved a loan
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
2019, with 2G at 98 percent, 3G at 89 percent for the Rural Digital Transformation Project,
DEMOCRATIC
and 4G at 45 percent respectively. Also, the focusing on services and digital solutions in REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
usage of fixed line Internet services is quite the agriculture and ICT sector. Meanwhile, the
DJIBOUTI
low due to poor infrastructure, making mobile leading mobile operators, such as MTN and
EQUATORIAL
networks the mainstay of Internet connections. Moov, are also contributing to the improvement GUINEA
Furthermore, high cost is another constraint for of infrastructure and services, by initially ERITREA
operators to maintain the infrastructure, while launching 3G and 4G network services in the ESWATINI
the low number of users in rural areas due to a country (see Table 2). ETHIOPIA
GABON
Table 2: Infrastructure THE GAMBIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source GHANA
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 17.37 WBG GUINEA
(% of rural population) GUINEA-
BISSAU
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 45.00 GSMA
KENYA
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 53.00 GSMA
(% of population) LESOTHO
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 18.64 WBG LIBERIA
(per 1 million people) MADAGASCAR
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 3.51 WEF MALAWI
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
MALI
to a great extent)
MAURITIUS
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2020 91.90 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) MOZAMBIQUE
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 21.46 ITU NAMIBIA
(per 100 inhabitants)
THE NIGER
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 0.25 ITU
NIGERIA
(per 100 people)
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
DIGITAL PENETRATION SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
As of January 2021, Benin’s Internet increased, with an average growth of 35 percent
SIERRA LEONE
penetration rate was 28.4 percent from 2012 to 2016.
SOMALIA
(3.5 million users). Although fixed
SOUTH AFRICA
Internet services have been available in Benin Currently, the rapid growth of mobile phone users
SOUTH SUDAN
since 1995, access is limited to a small proportion is raising awareness of the use of mobile money,
TOGO
of the population. More connections are being particularly in urban areas, where 9 percent of
UGANDA
made through mobile networks. The number of people own mobile money accounts. However,
UNITED
mobile connections (10.27 million) increased by men hold double the number of unique accounts REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
3.8 percent between January 2020 and January at 12 percent compared to women who hold only
ZAMBIA
2021. Household computer users have also 6 percent. The rapid growth of mobile and Internet
ZIMBABWE
12 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
users has also impacted the use of social media. national and international operators, which is ANGOLA
There was an estimated 1.6 million social media transforming the sector’s competitiveness (see BENIN
users in January 2021, reflecting an increase of Table 3). La Société Beninois d’Infrastructures BOTSWANA
45 percent compared to 2020. However, according Numériques (SBIN) was created in 2016 as a BURKINA FASO
to GSMA there was likewise a gender gap of public operator to manage digital infrastructure BURUNDI
about 18.6 percent in social media use in 2019. and provide telecommunication services to CABO VERDE
individuals and businesses. In March 2021, CAMEROON
As of 2020, the mobile telephony sector was Sonatel Group was assigned to manage SBIN’s CENTRAL
AFRICAN
still dominated by the largest operator, MTN provision of fixed and mobile telecommunication REPUBLIC
Benin, which has a market share of 68.2 percent, networks. Benin’s Council of Ministers authorized CHAD
followed by Moov with 31.8 percent, according the Minister of Digital and Digitalization to initiate COMOROS
to the ARCEP Dashboard. However, the market procedures to grant a third mobile electronic CONGO
is increasingly being flooded with a number of communications network license to SBIN. CÔTE D’IVOIRE
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
Table 3: Digital penetration CONGO
DJIBOUTI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
EQUATORIAL
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 27.22 Cable GUINEA
penetration (USD)
ERITREA
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2015 4.24 ITU
ESWATINI
as a % of adjusted per capita income
ETHIOPIA
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2015 25.45 ITU
adjusted per capita income GABON
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 9.21 GSMA THE GAMBIA
Number of apps in national language 2019 29.48 GSMA GHANA
(quantity)
GUINEA
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 18.56 GSMA GUINEA-
BISSAU
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 33.33 GSMA
KENYA
LESOTHO
LIBERIA
POLICY AND REGULATION MADAGASCAR
In Benin, the overall sector strategy and into a digital service platform for West Africa MALAWI
development are the responsibility of to accelerate growth and social inclusion by MALI
the Ministry of Digital and Digitalization 2021” through its Action Programme 2016–2021 MAURITIUS
(Ministère du Numérique et de la Digitalisation, (see Table 4). MOZAMBIQUE
MND). Apart from MENC, several regulatory NAMIBIA
institutions also play a key role, such as the Since 2019, and to further combine agriculture THE NIGER
Electronic Communications and Postal and the ICT sector, the Government of Benin NIGERIA
Regulatory authority (ARCEP), the Beninese has initiated the process of mainstreaming RWANDA
Agency for the Universal Service of Electronic its own national digital agriculture into the SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Communications and the Post (ABSU-CEP), the country’s overall agriculture development.
SENEGAL
Digitization and Digital Agency and Services With the support of FAO and ITU, the national
SEYCHELLES
and Information Systems Agency. digital agriculture strategy is awaiting final
SIERRA LEONE
validation. In addition, in collaboration with
SOMALIA
The country’s agricultural policy is mainly the Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI)
SOUTH AFRICA
implemented through the Strategic Plan for the in 2019, the Government of Benin seeks to
SOUTH SUDAN
Development of the Agricultural Sector (Plan develop a Universal Access vision to boost
TOGO
Stratégique de Développement du Secteur digital connectivity in the country. Furthermore,
UGANDA
Agricole – PSDSA) with a vision and three the new Drone-Assisted Land Mapping for
UNITED
key specific objectives to achieve by 2025. Climate Smart Cashew Production initiative will REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
The Government of Benin has also set up an help farmers adopt climate-smart agriculture
objective for ICT sector to “transform Benin through drone technology. ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 13
Table 4: Policy and regulation ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 3.23 WEF
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ BURKINA FASO
framework there is a clear plan) BURUNDI
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 3.43 WEF CABO VERDE
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
CAMEROON
extremely successful)
CENTRAL
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 2.96 WEF AFRICAN
digital business models (index ranking REPUBLIC
1–7: not fast at all/very fast)
CHAD
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 2.55 WEF
COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
extremely well developed) CONGO
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 65 EC/ITU CÔTE D’IVOIRE
framework DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation DJIBOUTI
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score EQUATORIAL
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4). GUINEA
ERITREA
ESWATINI
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ETHIOPIA
GABON
By fostering investment, including difficulties and longer procedures because
THE GAMBIA
increasing FDI inflows reaching of additional required documentation when
GHANA
USD 230 million in 2019, Benin has registering a business, such as an identification
GUINEA
improved its business environment. This is helping card, a marriage certificate, etc.
GUINEA-
the country’s economic development, while BISSAU
reforming the national regulatory framework, The Government of Benin has taken a series of KENYA
creating tax incentives to facilitate public-private measures to improve the business climate within LESOTHO
partnerships and attracting private investments. the country. A five-year Government Action Plan LIBERIA
worth USD 15 billion was launched in 2016 to MADAGASCAR
The average time to start a business in Benin achieve reforms in the infrastructure, agriculture MALAWI
is about 8.5 days. However, women face more and agribusiness sectors (see Table 5). MALI
MAURITIUS
Table 5: Business environment MOZAMBIQUE
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source NAMIBIA
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2020 230 UNCTAD THE NIGER
environment culture NIGERIA
Growth of innovative companies 2019 3.53 WEF RWANDA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
SÃO TOMÉ
to a great extent) AND PRÍNCIPE
Venture capital availability 2017 1.72 WEF SENEGAL
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/
extremely easy) SEYCHELLES
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2017 8.5 WBG SIERRA LEONE
Ease of access to loans 2018 2.32 WEF SOMALIA
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ SOUTH AFRICA
extremely easy)
SOUTH SUDAN
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 3.19 WEF
TOGO
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
14 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
HUMAN CAPITAL ANGOLA
BENIN
The literacy rate in Benin remains low The Government of Benin has made great efforts
BOTSWANA
at 42.36 percent in 2018 with an in reforming education and enhancing the
BURKINA FASO
evident gender gap. Of women aged 15 digital and innovation capacities of youth. For
BURUNDI
or older, only 31 percent were able to read and example, the Sèmè City project trains students
CABO VERDE
write. The rate was a bit higher for younger and researchers and supports entrepreneurs
CAMEROON
women aged 15–24 at 51.9 percent. Women in spurring innovation. Schools and NGOs
CENTRAL
account for 55 percent of the rural population have also begun to focus on the improvement AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
and 30 percent of employment in agriculture. of digital capabilities by providing computer-
CHAD
Therefore, such low literacy levels prevent them related courses. Also, an e-learning platform has
COMOROS
from adopting and handling advanced ICT tools been established and will soon be operational
CONGO
and technologies. The low digital literacy level with the support of the European Union through
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
in Benin is also a result of low secondary school the Projet d’Appui au Développement Durable du
DEMOCRATIC
enrolment at 59 percent in 2016, ranking 106 of Secteur Agricole (PADDSA), which will facilitate REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
130 countries (UNESCO, 2016). Higher levels of access to knowledge. In addition, some start-
DJIBOUTI
education are required to master advanced ups like Cabinet S-Lab offer training on the use
EQUATORIAL
digital knowledge and techniques. Particular of digital tools. All of those practices generate GUINEA
attention has been paid to the issue of gender opportunities in digital capacity development ERITREA
imbalance. In 2019 the World Bank approved a and improve digital skills of the new generation ESWATINI
grant of USD 90 million to empower adolescent (see Table 6). ETHIOPIA
girls in Benin by improving their access to GABON
secondary education and skills, thereby giving THE GAMBIA
them more opportunities in the labour market GHANA
once they graduate. GUINEA
GUINEA-
BISSAU
Table 6: Human capital
KENYA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
LESOTHO
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2018 42.36 UNESCO
LIBERIA
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above)
MADAGASCAR
Literacy rate, youth total 2018 60.95 UNESCO
(% of people ages 15–24) MALAWI
Digital skills among population 2019 3.68 WEF MALI
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ MAURITIUS
to a great extent)
MOZAMBIQUE
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 38.27 ILO
(% of total employment) NAMIBIA
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 29.76 ILO THE NIGER
(% of female employment) NIGERIA
Unemployment, total 2020 2.54 ILO RWANDA
(% of total labour force)
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
AGRO-INNOVATION SIERRA LEONE
Considering Benin’s current levels of extension services; TechnoServe for the SOMALIA
poverty and low agricultural applications of drones; electronic entry SOUTH AFRICA
productivity, modernising the agriculture management and e-voucher project for accessing SOUTH SUDAN
sector is critical for the country. In the past few inputs and fertilizers; as well as AgriYara for TOGO
years, Benin has initiated several practices online trading of agriculture products. UGANDA
through projects or pilots to digitalize agricultural UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
services, such as PCGIPP, a platform providing However, R&D levels remain quite low. TANZANIA
agriculture sector financial information; call The expenditure of R&D in agriculture only ZAMBIA
centres for agriculture techniques and inputs and accounted for 0.6 percent of the total agriculture ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 15
GDP. The leading role in agriculture R&D is Some initiatives provide favourable environment ANGOLA
played by public agencies, universities and and access to resources for researchers and BENIN
NGOs, represented by the National Institute technology start-ups. For example, Sèmè City BOTSWANA
of Agricultural Research of Benin (INRAB), the serves as an open laboratory for students, BURKINA FASO
University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), the faculty of researchers and entrepreneurs to obtain BURUNDI
Agronomy of the University of Parakou, etc. They essential research material. It also supports CABO VERDE
contribute to the research on topics relevant around 250 start-ups to foster innovation. TEKXL, CAMEROON
to agriculture, technology and socioeconomic an incubator and EtriLabs, an innovation hub, CENTRAL
AFRICAN
issues. Still, attracting and keeping qualified also trained developers and tech entrepreneurs REPUBLIC
researchers is quite challenging in Benin with the to accelerate start-ups (see Table 7). CHAD
R&D infrastructure still in need of improvement. COMOROS
CONGO
Table 7: Agro-innovation CÔTE D’IVOIRE
DEMOCRATIC
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 3 973.05 FAO
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions) DJIBOUTI
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 119.37 FAO EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
(2014–2016 = 100)
ERITREA
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.75 WBG
(index ranking 1–5: low/high) ESWATINI
Research and Agricultural research spending 2016 0.60 IFPRI ETHIOPIA
technology (% of AgGDP)
GABON
development
THE GAMBIA
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 2.84 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/ GHANA
extensive collaboration) GUINEA
Capacity for innovation 2017 4.39 WEF GUINEA-
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ BISSAU
to a great extent) KENYA
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 1.51 UNCTAD LESOTHO
LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
MALI
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
16 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
©FAO/Shutterstock/Artush
BOTSWANA
Botswana is an upper-middle- change. The sector contributed 2.1 percent to
income country with a GDP of Botswana’s GDP in 2020 and employed 19.9 percent
USD 15.78 billion. The service of the population in 2019. About 29.2 percent of
sector is the primary contributor the population still lives in rural areas, of which
to growth, constituting 60.7 percent are unemployed (21.4 percent women).
60.6 percent of GDP in 2019. In 2010, rural poverty was 8.3 percent compared to
The country is also rich in natural resources and 3.3 percent in cities and towns, of which 33 percent
a leading exporter of diamonds. Botswana’s are female-headed households.
population is about 2.35 million with the majority
(70.8 percent) of its people living in urban areas as Botswana may have one of the highest levels of
of 2020 (see Table 1). access to mobile telephony in Africa, the majority
of people still do not have affordable access to
Because the agricultural sector is predominantly Internet. The enhanced ICT services required for
composed of rain-fed crops and rangeland- effective participation in the knowledge economy
based livestock production systems, Botswana and society continue to elude the vast majority of
is extremely vulnerable to the impact of climate the country.
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 2 351 625 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 70.88 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 29.12 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 15 782 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 258 616 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 45.63 FAO
17
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
Overall electricity coverage averaged integrated operators: Mascom Wireless, Orange
BOTSWANA
40.3 percent with 27.1 percent in rural Botswana and Botswana Telecommunications
BURKINA FASO
areas. The government continues to Corporation (BTC). For example, BTC plays the
BURUNDI
electrify villages under the Rural Village dual role of an ISP and a bandwidth supplier
CABO VERDE
Electrification Programme bringing the total of to ISPs. Furthermore, BTC has also enhanced
CAMEROON
rural electrification progress to 88 percent with rural broadband access to support e-learning
CENTRAL
435 out a total of 492 gazetted villages in the services. The introduction of BoFiNet was AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
country now with access to electricity. intended to provide open access to backhaul
CHAD
infrastructure at lower prices.
COMOROS
GSMA (2019) affirms good mobile connectivity in
CONGO
the country with 80 percent 4G coverage. About The recent introduction of VSAT technology
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
74 percent of the population also owns mobile by BTC enables countrywide coverage even in
DEMOCRATIC
devices. The number of mobile connections in the most remote parts of the country, giving REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Botswana in January 2020 was equivalent to farmers Internet connectivity through its vast
DJIBOUTI
150 percent of the total population. The market telecoms network.
EQUATORIAL
remains structured around three vertically GUINEA
ERITREA
Table 2: Infrastructure ESWATINI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source ETHIOPIA
GABON
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 27.58 WBG
(% of rural population) THE GAMBIA
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 80.17 GSMA GHANA
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 74.07 GSMA GUINEA
(% of population)
GUINEA-
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 263.65 WBG BISSAU
(per 1 million people) KENYA
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 4.30 WEF LESOTHO
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
LIBERIA
to a great extent)
MADAGASCAR
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2020 162.40 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) MALAWI
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 88.44 ITU MALI
(per 100 inhabitants)
MAURITIUS
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 3.06 ITU MOZAMBIQUE
(per 100 people)
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
DIGITAL PENETRATION RWANDA
As a landlocked country, the cost of connection, the most-used type of connection SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
accessing international undersea mobile 3G (44.4 percent), followed by ISDN
SENEGAL
cables is high as a result of transit cost dial-up (23.5 percent) and wireless broadband
SEYCHELLES
charged by operators in neighbouring countries. (17.3 percent). The Botswana Technology Centre
SIERRA LEONE
High broadband prices limit access to and use study revealed that 91.5 percent of the sample
SOMALIA
of the Internet. The 2012 RIA Botswana ICT rural population had never used a computer
SOUTH AFRICA
Survey found that only 9 percent of respondents (BOTEC, 2000). In addition, about 18 percent of
SOUTH SUDAN
use the Internet mostly in urban areas, of which people in Botswana access social networks via
TOGO
71 percent accessed it for the first time via mobile phones. Launched in 2020 the GABZ
UGANDA
computer and 51 percent accessed it at work, FREE Wi-Fi initiative provides free daily Wi-Fi for
UNITED
while 52 percent stated that the high cost is the one hour per user in some public areas REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
main reason for limited use of the Internet. in Gaborone.
ZAMBIA
Among the few households with an Internet
ZIMBABWE
18 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
The information needs of rural Botswana are marketplace respectively. Lunch Box, Plaasio, ANGOLA
distinct from those of the urban centres. In most Greenhouse Technologies provide e-commerce BENIN
cases, the issue of most interest to rural areas services, hydroponics and value chain using the BOTSWANA
is information on government schemes (BOTEC, latest technologies such as blockchain, AI, etc. BURKINA FASO
2000: p.1). Through the national public radio In addition, public digital agricultural services BURUNDI
service, the government is the major source of are already introduced to the sector through the CABO VERDE
information in rural areas, dating back to 1961 Botswana Animal Information And Traceability CAMEROON
when Radio Botswana started broadcasting. System (BAITS), a platform for farmers to provide CENTRAL
AFRICAN
One of its core functions was to encourage information on their livestock; Modisar, a farm REPUBLIC
efficient farming. Botswana Television (BTV) management productivity software application; CHAD
also introduced farming programs to augment and Botswana Meat Commission that shares COMOROS
the voice broadcast through radio. information about cattle pricing with farmers CONGO
through mobile phone and Internet (Mahabile, CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Nowadays, a range of digital agricultural 2013). PosoMoney is a mobile money platform DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
services are penetrating the market, such that allows 66 000 registered customers to CONGO
as mAgri and Brastorme in partnership access a wide range of financial products DJIBOUTI
with Orange offering advisory services and and services. EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
ERITREA
Table 3: Digital penetration
ESWATINI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source ETHIOPIA
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 13.87 Cable GABON
penetration (USD)
THE GAMBIA
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2015 1.05 ITU
GHANA
as a % of adjusted per capita income
GUINEA
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2015 4.40 ITU
adjusted per capita income GUINEA-
BISSAU
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 41.97 GSMA
KENYA
Number of apps in national language 2019 31 GSMA
(quantity) LESOTHO
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 93.16 GSMA LIBERIA
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 100 GSMA MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
MALI
MAURITIUS
POLICY AND REGULATION MOZAMBIQUE
Botswana has experienced radical in the agriculture and ICT sectors (National NAMIBIA
changes in its ICT institutional and ICT policy, and National Policy for Agriculture THE NIGER
regulatory framework since 2006 when Development). In addition, the Implementation NIGERIA
the market was liberalized to allow Internet of the Digital Transformation/4IR Strategy or RWANDA
service providers (ISPs) to provide voice over SmartBots that was kickstarted in October SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Internet protocol (VoIP), the mobile operators to 2020, aims at driving the digitization of the
SENEGAL
build their own infrastructure and the public sector and spurring Botswana toward
SEYCHELLES
international voice gateway to be opened to a knowledge-based economy including
SIERRA LEONE
competition. This was further complemented in digital agriculture.
SOMALIA
2007 by Maitlamo, the National Information and
SOUTH AFRICA
Communications Technology Policy. The government is reviewing the Integrated
SOUTH SUDAN
Support Programme for Arable Agriculture
TOGO
The National Development Plan 11 (NDP11), and Development (ISPAAD) that will be launched
UGANDA
significant investment has recently been made during the course of 2021 to enable
UNITED
in upgrading Botswana’s communications critical infrastructure development such REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
networks to facilitate new technologies. as digitalization.
Botswana has clear policies providing direction ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 19
In 2020 Botswana engaged with the United increasing rural access to ICT to connect ANGOLA
Nations Conference on Trade and Development Batswana’s farmers worldwide. BENIN
(UNCTAD) and developed the National BOTSWANA
E-Commerce Strategy, with an overall objective In addition, the National Payments System BURKINA FASO
to promote the diffusion and use of e-commerce Vision and Strategy (NPSS) 2020–2024 is BURUNDI
throughout Botswana’s commercial and public designed to promote the use of digital payments CABO VERDE
spheres, and alignment with digital agriculture platforms. The NPSS is expected to accelerate CAMEROON
transformation through the Government’s financial inclusion and support the growth of CENTRAL
AFRICAN
Nteletsa II programme that is focussed on the digital economy. REPUBLIC
CHAD
Table 4: Policy and regulation COMOROS
CONGO
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 3.99 WEF
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
framework there is a clear plan) CONGO
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 3.90 WEF DJIBOUTI
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
EQUATORIAL
extremely successful) GUINEA
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 3.27 WEF ERITREA
digital business models (index ranking
1–7: not fast at all/very fast) ESWATINI
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 3.32 WEF ETHIOPIA
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/ GABON
extremely well developed)
THE GAMBIA
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 85 EC/ITU
GHANA
framework
GUINEA
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation GUINEA-
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation BISSAU
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score
KENYA
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4).
LESOTHO
LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT MALAWI
In the last decade, the government climate for investors and entrepreneurs. This MALI
prioritized investment in ICT and includes the introduction of electronic tax MAURITIUS
agriculture. In 2012, the Government processes between 2016 and 2017. Launched MOZAMBIQUE
invested BWP 70 million in the East Africa in 2019, the Online Business Registration NAMIBIA
Submarine Cable System (EASS), which is System (OBRS) has a key objective to achieve THE NIGER
providing local data users with one of the faster, cheaper and more accurate business NIGERIA
world’s fastest speeds at lower costs. Another registration. As part of this reform, the CIPA has RWANDA
BWP 250 million has been invested in the integrated with the Department of National SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
development of the West African Cable System and Civil Registration and efforts are ongoing
SENEGAL
(WACS), a submarine fiber optic cable. In 2020, to finalise the integration with the Botswana
the government allocated BWP 1.39 billion for Unified Revenue Service (BURS), as well as the SEYCHELLES
agriculture development. Also, to further PPADB systems. SIERRA LEONE
diversify the economy, the government SOMALIA
introduced the residency by investment Delivering a new growth model for Botswana SOUTH AFRICA
programme to attract foreign investment in non- will require the private sector to take the lead SOUTH SUDAN
mineral sectors including agriculture. in investment and developing competitive TOGO
outward-oriented firms. At the moment, while UGANDA
Through the Companies and Intellectual entrepreneurs are emerging, the private sector UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
Property Authority (CIPA), the government has remains shallow. Botswana is promoting TANZANIA
firmly pursued reforms to improve the business entrepreneurship development through the ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
20 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) focusing Through the Industry Facility Support Fund, ANGOLA
on Agriculture and Manufacturing Sectors. the government will assist smallholder dairy BENIN
However, the majority of smallholder farmers farmers to increase their production capacities BOTSWANA
who happen to be women have no credit by providing them with an accelerated business BURKINA FASO
worthiness and thus have little access to sources subsidy and an interest free loan, which will be BURUNDI
of financial credit. Most commercial financial administered by the National Development CABO VERDE
institutions are reluctant to extend credit to Bank (NDB). CAMEROON
smallholder farmers with little or no collateral. CENTRAL
AFRICAN
Perhaps the “high-risk” business nature of REPUBLIC
agricultural production also plays a part. CHAD
COMOROS
Table 5: Business environment CONGO
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
DEMOCRATIC
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 261 UNCTAD REPUBLIC OF
environment culture CONGO
Growth of innovative companies 2019 3.55 WEF DJIBOUTI
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ EQUATORIAL
to a great extent) GUINEA
Venture capital availability 2017 2.86 WEF ERITREA
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ ESWATINI
extremely easy)
ETHIOPIA
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 48 WBG
GABON
Ease of access to loans 2017 3.83 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ THE GAMBIA
extremely easy) GHANA
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 3.71 WEF GUINEA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
GUINEA-
to a great extent) BISSAU
KENYA
LESOTHO
HUMAN CAPITAL LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
Adult literacy in Botswana was about over generations of farming, but they lack the
MALAWI
86.8 percent in 2013 (World Bank, knowledge of contemporary farming techniques
MALI
2020). However, this statistic is and technologies. The level of farmer training
MAURITIUS
segmented, with the literacy rate among rural is relatively low and opportunities for further
MOZAMBIQUE
dwellers being as low as 37.4 percent. More than training are limited and expensive. Academic
NAMIBIA
70 percent of the rural population has been to institutions like the Botswana University of
THE NIGER
a primary school (Moepeng, 2010), suggesting Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN)
NIGERIA
low rural capacities to adopt and use digital through its Centre for In-service and Continuing
RWANDA
technologies (MoESD, 2020). Education (CICE), offer short courses and train
SÃO TOMÉ
farmers. However most farmers cannot afford to AND PRÍNCIPE
The government has undertaken a number of pay for such courses, let alone afford to come SENEGAL
initiatives to streamline efforts to improve digital from remote areas to the city. Tertiary education SEYCHELLES
literacy. For example, the Botswana Innovation remains a key route to quality employment, but SIERRA LEONE
Hub in 2019 launched the country’s first digital tertiary and vocational systems align poorly SOMALIA
skills training programme. The programme with labour market needs. SOUTH AFRICA
sought to enlist the top 1 000 digital innovators SOUTH SUDAN
in the country to benefit from modules that 2KO Botswana offers onsite training for local TOGO
cut across agriculture, education and health, farmers and farming organizations on ICT UGANDA
among others. and agriculture. Furthermore, extension and UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
training services do not easily reach rural and TANZANIA
In Botswana, local farmers are well acquainted remote areas (FAO, 2011). According to Statistics ZAMBIA
with conventional farming techniques acquired Botswana 2014, Botswana has the highest ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 21
literacy rate of 97.8 percent for youth aged 15–19, seeks to provide free Internet access to ANGOLA
followed by 96.8 percent for youth aged 25–29. public libraries and e-government services BENIN
However, there is still a lack of skilled personnel in Botswana. BOTSWANA
in the agriculture sector. BURKINA FASO
Although e-learning initiatives bring many BURUNDI
Government schools from primary through advantages to the education system, these CABO VERDE
tertiary are also equipped with computer rewards have not been fully realised. Four CAMEROON
laboratories where both learners and their major challenges that should be addressed CENTRAL
AFRICAN
instructors can work to improve their ICT skills. before an e-learning initiative can be introduced REPUBLIC
successfully are identified as: poor infrastructure, CHAD
The integration of technology in the education inadequate IT support, lack of e-learning policy, COMOROS
process has immensely improved the acquisition and lack of university management support. CONGO
and retention of knowledge. A partnership NELSCOM, a national e-learning steering CÔTE D’IVOIRE
between the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, committee has been established to provide DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
Sport and Culture Development (MYSC), the Bill a comprehensive report on the strengths and CONGO
& Melinda Gates Foundation aims at building weaknesses of Botswana’s e-learning strategy. DJIBOUTI
public libraries through a collaboration that EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
ERITREA
Table 6: Human capital
ESWATINI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source ETHIOPIA
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2013 86.82 UNESCO GABON
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above)
THE GAMBIA
Literacy rate, youth total 2013 97.46 UNESCO
GHANA
(% of people ages 15–24)
GUINEA
Digital skills among population 2019 3.69 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ GUINEA-
to a great extent) BISSAU
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 19.90 ILO KENYA
(% of total employment) LESOTHO
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 15.28 ILO LIBERIA
(% of female employment)
MADAGASCAR
Unemployment, total 2020 17.70 ILO
MALAWI
(% of total labour force)
MALI
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
AGRO-INNOVATION NAMIBIA
The number of private and public sector and Innovation (BITRI), the government has THE NIGER
initiatives that have been rolled-out to support established a software development centre. NIGERIA
local innovation among the youth is indicative The Botswana Open University (BOU), in RWANDA
of Botswana’s agro-innovation. For example, collaboration with Huawei Technologies SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
the Go-To-Market programme, a three-year Botswana, formed the Huawei ICT Academy to
SENEGAL
USD 3 million partnership between the De Beers encourage students to cultivate professionals
SEYCHELLES
Group and Standford University involved a and practical skills. SmartBots, a government
SIERRA LEONE
week-long training for young innovators and initiative under the Digital Implementation
SOMALIA
industry players in agriculture, services, IT and Strategy, announced the 2021 Virtual Smart
SOUTH AFRICA
the performing arts. Hackathon Challenge targeting citizens aged
SOUTH SUDAN
between 18–35 years of age to participate in the
TOGO
Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural development of the mobile Gov App.
UGANDA
Resources BUAN was the first in the nation
UNITED
to offer agricultural programmes geared Finally, the initiative of First Steps Venture REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
toward precision agriculture. Through the Centre (FSVC), a technology entrepreneurship
ZAMBIA
Botswana Institute for Technology Research development program within the Botswana
ZIMBABWE
22 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Innovation Hub (BIH), is mandated to coordinate work to universities and research organizations. ANGOLA
the establishment of a functional and integrated In addition, the Innovation Fund serves to BENIN
national innovation ecosystem. Key to this is the encourage companies and organizations BOTSWANA
creation of an Innovation Fund that promotes awarded funding to transfer skills to citizen BURKINA FASO
innovation through provision of seed/early- employees by providing cash grants to be BURUNDI
stage funding to companies or organizations utilized for institutional training and on the job CABO VERDE
registered with the Botswana Innovation Hub, training programmes. CAMEROON
which may subcontract part of the development CENTRAL
AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Table 7: Agro-innovation CHAD
COMOROS
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
CONGO
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 333.47 FAO
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions) CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 97.94 FAO DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
(2014–2016 = 100) CONGO
Logistics Performance Index 2016 3.05 WBG DJIBOUTI
(index ranking 1–5: low/high)
EQUATORIAL
Research and Agricultural research spending 2017 2.27 IFPRI GUINEA
technology (% of AgGDP) ERITREA
development
ESWATINI
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 3.28 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/ ETHIOPIA
extensive collaboration) GABON
Capacity for innovation 2017 3.68 WEF THE GAMBIA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
GHANA
to a great extent)
GUINEA
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 2.93 UNCTAD
GUINEA-
BISSAU
KENYA
LESOTHO
LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
MALI
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 23
©FAO/Shutterstock/Travel Telly
BURKINA FASO
Burkina Faso is a landlocked Characterized by low productivity and largely
and low-income country. Due to affected by climate, agriculture production cannot
continuous impacts of security meet domestic demand. About 3.3 million people
and a humanitarian crisis, its suffered food insecurity, accounting for 16 percent
GDP grew by 6 percent in 2019, of the country’s total population (WFP, 2019).
slightly lower compared to its As the main cash crop, cotton is a vital source
6.8 percent growth in 2018. In 2020, 69.3 percent of foreign currency and cotton exports reached
of the country’s population lived in rural areas and an average of USD 239 million per year, making
30.6 percent were still living below the national cotton production a key driver for the agriculture
poverty line. sector’s development.
The country’s economy relies on subsistence The country’s ICT has experienced growth with the
agriculture, contributing 20.4 percent of the sector prioritized as part of five key areas of the
total GDP in 2020. As of 2019, subsistence president’s development programme. The goal is to
agriculture employed nearly 80 percent of the make the public data infrastructure central in social
active population (World Bank, 2019, 2020). and economic development.
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 20 903 278 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 30.61 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 69.39 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 17 369 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 121 000 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 44.23 FAO
24
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
The World Bank reports that electricity better coverage of 2G and 3G, at 97.9 percent
BOTSWANA
c ove ra g e i n u r b a n a re a s wa s and 65 percent respectively, and minimal 4G
BURKINA FASO
64.6 percent in 2019 and only coverage, at only 8.6 percent.
BURUNDI
4.8 percent (as of 2014) in rural areas. To
CABO VERDE
increase the access rate, the government set a Burkina Faso has made efforts developing
CAMEROON
goal of reaching 80 percent by 2020 in its its ICT infrastructure in recent years with
CENTRAL
National Plan for Economic and Social support from development organizations, AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Development. In Burkina Faso, over 50 percent such as the eBurkina Project funded by World
CHAD
of the population owns mobile phones. In terms Bank, aiming at building a digital platform to
COMOROS
of mobile Internet penetration, overall provide e-services to citizens, companies and
CONGO
connectivity was 39.3 percent in 2019, with entrepreneurs (see Table 2).
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
DEMOCRATIC
Table 2: Infrastructure REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source DJIBOUTI
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2014 4.75 WBG EQUATORIAL
(% of rural population) GUINEA
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 8.64 GSMA ERITREA
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 50.86 GSMA ESWATINI
(% of population)
ETHIOPIA
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 5.98 WBG GABON
(per 1 million people)
THE GAMBIA
Availability of the latest technologies 2014 3.54 WEF
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/ GHANA
to a great extent) GUINEA
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2020 105.81 ITU GUINEA-
(per 100 inhabitants) BISSAU
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 31.70 ITU KENYA
(per 100 inhabitants) LESOTHO
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 0.07 ITU LIBERIA
(per 100 people)
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
MALI
DIGITAL PENETRATION MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
The overall low electricity access and With the increasing use of mobile phones, mobile
unstable supply leads to low fixed money has become available and popular in the NAMIBIA
broadband subscriptions, with only country. Orange Money and Mobicash, run by THE NIGER
12 per 100 inhabitants. However, compared to the two large operators Orange and Telmob, NIGERIA
the downturn in fixed broadband, mobile have facilitated mobile money transfers and RWANDA
cellular subscriptions increased sharply. Fixed- payments among the population, and now even SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
network broadband download and upload compete with traditional banks.
SENEGAL
speed is at an average 10.7 and 8.5 Mbit/second
SEYCHELLES
respectively. Also, the number of mobile However, the country has relatively low social
SIERRA LEONE
connections in January 2020 was approximately media penetration, with only 9.4 percent in 2019,
SOMALIA
97 percent of the total population. and a low gender gap score of 9.7 due to low
SOUTH AFRICA
awareness and lack of information (see Table 3).
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 25
Table 3: Digital penetration ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 2.47 Cable
penetration (USD) BURKINA FASO
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2018 N/A ITU BURUNDI
as a % of adjusted per capita income CABO VERDE
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2018 N/A ITU CAMEROON
adjusted per capita income
CENTRAL
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 7.76 GSMA AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Number of apps in national language 2019 18.53 GSMA
CHAD
(quantity)
COMOROS
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 9.47 GSMA
CONGO
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 38.27 GSMA
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
POLICY AND REGULATION DJIBOUTI
Considering the important role of On the other hand, viewing the increasing EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
agriculture in the national economy, it importance of digital technologies, Burkina Faso
ERITREA
has always been a powerful instrument adopted in 2018 a national strategy for the
ESWATINI
for poverty reduction and hence given particular development of the digital economy (2018–2027),
ETHIOPIA
emphasis when designing policies and strategies. to improve infrastructure and promote digital
GABON
The Strategy for Accelerated Growth and technologies applied in the country. However,
THE GAMBIA
Sustainable Development (SCADD 2011–2015) the absence of digital agriculture policy shows
GHANA
defined five key agricultural commodities as that the country has to find its way in connecting
GUINEA
priorities and a national vision was incorporated agriculture and ICT industries (see Table 4).
GUINEA-
into its National Programme for the Rural Sector BISSAU
(PNSR), to further making agriculture “modern, KENYA
competitive, sustainable and an engine of growth”. LESOTHO
LIBERIA
Table 4: Policy and regulation MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
MALI
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2015 3.75 WEF
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ MAURITIUS
framework there is a clear plan)
MOZAMBIQUE
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2015 3.80 WEF
NAMIBIA
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
extremely successful) THE NIGER
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 3.51 WEF NIGERIA
digital business models (index ranking RWANDA
1–7: not fast at all/very fast)
SÃO TOMÉ
Laws relating to ICTs 2015 3.15 WEF AND PRÍNCIPE
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/ SENEGAL
extremely well developed)
SEYCHELLES
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 84 EC/ITU
framework SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation SOUTH AFRICA
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score SOUTH SUDAN
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4)
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
26 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ANGOLA
BENIN
According to the World Bank Doing 2003, aimed at creating a more favourable
BOTSWANA
Business ranking, to start a business in business climate for private investment and
BURKINA FASO
Burkina Faso takes 13 days. Burkina SMEs in rural areas.
BURUNDI
Faso scored 88.2 of 100, ranking higher than the
CABO VERDE
regional average with no evident disparity Furthermore, a lot of effort has been made to
CAMEROON
between men and women. However, women support agricultural entrepreneurs. For example,
CENTRAL
entrepreneurs find it more difficult to access business accelerator programmes called Impulsa AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
digital financial services due to lack of Tu empresa (or boost your business in English)
CHAD
knowledge and awareness compared to men. were implemented to help SMEs access market
COMOROS
and capital to further support their business
CONGO
The Government of Burkina Faso has made development. Also, iDEAL Burkina Project aims
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
efforts in creating a sound business environment at helping provide youth entrepreneurs and
DEMOCRATIC
for agriculture and rural development through farmers access to markets through the use of REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
policies and initiatives, such as the Strategic ICT (see Table 5).
DJIBOUTI
Framework for Poverty Reduction, adopted in
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Table 5: Business environment ERITREA
ESWATINI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
ETHIOPIA
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2015 208 UNCTAD
environment culture GABON
Growth of innovative companies 2019 3.42 WEF THE GAMBIA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
GHANA
to a great extent)
GUINEA
Venture capital availability 2014 1.47 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ GUINEA-
BISSAU
extremely easy)
KENYA
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 13 WBG
LESOTHO
Ease of access to loans 2014 1.64 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ LIBERIA
extremely easy)
MADAGASCAR
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 3.25 WEF
MALAWI
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) MALI
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
HUMAN CAPITAL THE NIGER
In 2018, the adult literacy rate of people To unlock the potential of ICT, a series of NIGERIA
15 years of age or older in Burkina Faso programs and initiatives have been taken in RWANDA
was 41.2 percent. In the past two Burkina Faso. In collaboration with African Youth SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
decades, the literacy rate increased by Network in 2016, UNESCO sought to promote
SENEGAL
28 percent and about 58.3 percent of youth ICT tools and social media channels for youth
SEYCHELLES
between 15 and 24 are literate, with slight girls to enhance their digital capacities and
SIERRA LEONE
disparity between youth male and female, at entrepreneurial skills. Digital Factory Simplon-
SOMALIA
61.8 percent and 54.7 percent respectively. AUF was set up in January 2020 to train youth
SOUTH AFRICA
Meanwhile, the percentage of secondary school in web development. The Ministry of Education,
SOUTH SUDAN
enrolment, at 41 percent, is far less compared to together with the Orange Foundation carried
95 percent of primary school, highlighting the out the Digital Schools Program to equip schools TOGO
issue of accessing higher education and with computers and tablets (see Table 6). UGANDA
specialized capacities. This also leads to a low UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
score of 2.89 out of 7 among the population TANZANIA
regarding the country’s digital aptitude. ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 27
Table 6: Human capital ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2018 39.35 UNESCO
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above) BURKINA FASO
Literacy rate, youth total 2018 58.87 UNESCO BURUNDI
(% of people ages 15–24) CABO VERDE
Digital skills among population 2019 2.89 WEF CAMEROON
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
CENTRAL
to a great extent) AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 26.21 ILO
(% of total employment) CHAD
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 21.41 ILO COMOROS
(% of female employment) CONGO
Unemployment, total 2020 4.96 ILO CÔTE D’IVOIRE
(% of total labour force)
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
DJIBOUTI
AGRO-INNOVATION EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
In Burkina Faso, digital tools have supported by public institutions. One of the ERITREA
been applied in various forms in the largest of such entities is the Environmental ESWATINI
agriculture sector, such as the use of Institute for Agricultural Research (INERA), which ETHIOPIA
drones for rice production, the use of radio and employs two-thirds of the country’s agricultural
GABON
phones to obtain agriculture information, as and environmental researchers. Universities
THE GAMBIA
well as the establishment of the agriculture (such as the University of Ouagadougou)
GHANA
market information system (AMIS) and and NGOs (such as the Association for the
GUINEA
meteorological information system for Promotion of Livestock in the Sahel and in the
GUINEA-
agriculture development. The digitalization of Savannah (APESS) and the Center Ecologique BISSAU
the agriculture sector seems to be advancing, Albert Schweitzer) also play an important role in KENYA
slowly bridging the digital divide in Burkina Faso. conducting agricultural research. Furthermore, LESOTHO
in 2011 Burkina Faso created a national fund LIBERIA
Apart from digital services for agriculture, for research and innovation for development MADAGASCAR
agricultural R&D in Burkina Faso is mainly (FONRID) to support R&D (see Table 7). MALAWI
MALI
Table 7: Agro-innovation MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
NAMIBIA
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 3 208.17 FAO
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions) THE NIGER
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 107.19 FAO NIGERIA
(2014–2016 = 100) RWANDA
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.62 WBG SÃO TOMÉ
(index ranking 1–5: low/high) AND PRÍNCIPE
Research and Agricultural research spending 2014 1.01 IFPRI SENEGAL
technology (% of AgGDP)
SEYCHELLES
development
SIERRA LEONE
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2014 3.17 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/ SOMALIA
extensive collaboration) SOUTH AFRICA
Capacity for innovation 2014 3.45 WEF SOUTH SUDAN
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
TOGO
to a great extent)
UGANDA
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 2.74 UNCTAD
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
28 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
©FAO/Shutterstock/Robin Nieuwenkamp
BURUNDI
Burundi is a low-income country and a vast network of water bodies such as rivers,
with a population of 11.8 million dams and lakes. The main crops grown are banana,
people as of 2020. About cassava, coffee, sweet potato and beans. Coffee
86 percent of the population is the main export, accounting for more than
was registered as employed in 60–80 percent of export revenues.
the agriculture sector in 2019.
Burundi has 400 inhabitants per square kilometre, Agriculture supports more than 86 percent of the
making the country one of the mostly densely labour force and accounts for 38 percent of Gross
populated in Africa. Its economy is agro-based and Domestic Product (GDP). Also, its GDP per capita
86.23 percent of the people live in rural areas; with remained low at USD 274 in 2020, making the
90 percent of the population reported to be living country face great challenges in fighting against
on less than USD 2 per day. Historically, the country poverty. Although the government is committed
experienced a decade of civil war (1993–2003) to investment in ICTs, this has generally been
which had severe effects on the economy. Burundi limited, partly due to political instability. Still, in
also experienced political instability in 2015. cooperation with the World Bank, the government
undertook a 13 000 km fiber optic project to cover
While more than 50 percent of the population is Bujumbura, 17 provinces and the borders. In 2018,
chronically food insecure, Burundi has a potential the government launched the Burundi Broadband
to increase its food production, as the country has Project. A new ICT strategy running through 2028
abundant rainfall, a large farming population, was designed in 2020.
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 11 890 781 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 13.71 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 86.29 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 3 258 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 20 330 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 79.17 FAO
29
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
Burundi’s infrastructure, such as its The first sections of the fiber optic network
BOTSWANA
fixed line network particularly outside project launched by World Bank and the
BURKINA FASO
the main urban areas, is limited. For government were switched on in early 2014, and
BURUNDI
transportation, Burundi relies on roads with no additional provinces were added later. Based
CABO VERDE
rail infrastructure. Most roads face erosion and on these and other positive developments,
CAMEROON
are in a poor condition. Burundi’s electricity the government and the International
CENTRAL
needs are partially supplied by the parastatal Telecommunications Union (ITU) developed AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
providers; the shortfall is imported from the the ICT Strategy 2028 to make use of the
CHAD
neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo. telecommunications to promote the country’s
COMOROS
Consumption in 2018 was estimated at socio-economic development.
CONGO
315.6 GWh of which 273 GWh was consumed in
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Bujumbura, 18.7 GWh in Gitega and 23.9 GWh Additionally, the Burundi Backbone System
DEMOCRATIC
by the rest of the country. Company SM (BBS), a joint venture between REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
local telecommunications operators, signed
DJIBOUTI
Mobile network operators include Econet Leo, an agreement with national regulators to
EQUATORIAL
Onatel Burundi, Lacell SU and Viet Nam’s Vietell install and operate over 1 000 km of fiber optic GUINEA
Telecom. Internet service providers include cable to cover the entire country. The resulting ERITREA
Cbinet, Spidernet, USAN, Lami wireless and Burundi Broadband System (BBS) involved the ESWATINI
NT Global. Two of the mobile operators launched creation of a 1 250 km fiber optic backbone ETHIOPIA
3G and LTE services to capitalize on the growing connecting all 17 provinces. In the cooperative GABON
demand for Internet access. In February 2018, model, the Government of Burundi did not have THE GAMBIA
Lumitel, the Burundian subsidiary of the Viettel an ownership stake in the BBS directly but GHANA
telecoms group, extended its 4G service to the through Onatel, a state-owned mobile network GUINEA
whole country. According to GSMA, 3G and 4G operator that controls 80 percent of the mobile GUINEA-
BISSAU
network covers only 40 percent and 25 percent telephone market. Unfortunately, some of the
KENYA
of the population respectively (GSMA, 2019) private operators were unable to contribute
LESOTHO
(see Table 2). funds and Onatel faced bankruptcy after a
LIBERIA
failed privatization. As a result, the government
revoked the status of BBS’s status and took MADAGASCAR
ownership of it. MALAWI
MALI
Table 2: Infrastructure MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
NAMIBIA
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 3.09 WBG
THE NIGER
(% of rural population)
NIGERIA
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 25.00 GSMA
RWANDA
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 40.69 GSMA
(% of population) SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 8.66 WBG
(per 1 million people) SENEGAL
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 3.29 WEF SEYCHELLES
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/ SIERRA LEONE
to a great extent)
SOMALIA
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2019 55.77 ITU
SOUTH AFRICA
(per 100 inhabitants)
SOUTH SUDAN
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 11.14 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) TOGO
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 0.04 ITU UGANDA
(per 100 people) UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
30 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
DIGITAL PENETRATION ANGOLA
BENIN
As of 2021, there were more than Table 3 provides additional information related
BOTSWANA
1.5 million Internet users, an increase to digital penetration, for example, the price
BURKINA FASO
of 21 percent from 2019. Internet of local mobile cellular calls per minute was
BURUNDI
penetration was reported at 9.9 percent. USD 0.12 in 2017.
CABO VERDE
According to Cable (2020), the average price
CAMEROON
of 1 GB of mobile data is USD 0.12 (see Table 3). Although there is limited application of
CENTRAL
technology in agriculture, agriculture represents AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
In 2019, there were 6.64 million mobile phone the backbone of the country’s economy
CHAD
subscribers and mobile phone connections are and presents a huge opportunity for digital
COMOROS
equivalent to 59 percent of the total population. agriculture. The Agri ProFocus platform allows
CONGO
Mobile penetration, approaching 60 percent, networking and promotion of businesses in the
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
remains low by regional standards, suggesting agricultural sector and is an example of the very
DEMOCRATIC
considerable room for growth. Access to Internet limited digital services for farmers in Burundi. REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
connectivity and mobile devices are important The platform offers network members an online
DJIBOUTI
contributions to digital agriculture investment space where they can be visible and showcase
EQUATORIAL
in Burundi. Mobile broadband coverage is still their activities, as well as for the promotion of GUINEA
low, and operators are reluctant to expand their products. ERITREA
their networks due to unpredictable regulatory ESWATINI
environment, an adverse business environment, Data about digital gender divide is unavailable, ETHIOPIA
meagre profit margins driven by both high however, based on Digital Gender Gaps with GABON
infrastructure deployment, maintenance costs, a gender gap of approximately 30 percent in THE GAMBIA
and weak consumer demand, especially in rural Internet use suggests that women’s use of the GHANA
areas (World Bank, 2020). Internet is much lower than that of men in Burundi. GUINEA
GUINEA-
BISSAU
Table 3: Digital penetration
KENYA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
LESOTHO
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 2.12 Cable
LIBERIA
penetration (USD)
MADAGASCAR
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2018 N/A ITU
as a % of adjusted per capita income MALAWI
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2018 N/A ITU MALI
adjusted per capita income MAURITIUS
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 4.47 GSMA MOZAMBIQUE
Number of apps in national language 2019 6.74 GSMA NAMIBIA
(quantity)
THE NIGER
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 20.20 GSMA
NIGERIA
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 10.57 GSMA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
POLICY AND REGULATION
SEYCHELLES
The Regulatory Agency for ministerial entity (President’s Office) and a line SIERRA LEONE
Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s ( A R C T ) i s ministry level policy oversight. The strategic SOMALIA
responsible for regulating communi- framework is guided by the Politique Nationale SOUTH AFRICA
cations in Burundi. ARCT regulates by processing de Développement des Technologies de SOUTH SUDAN
applications for licenses, establishing standards l’Information et de la Communication (PNDTIC TOGO
for equipment and operation, arbitrating 2010–2025), i.e. The National ICT Development UGANDA
disputes, ensuring fair competition, and Policy 2010–2025; the National Development
UNITED
managing the frequency spectrum. However, in P l a n 2 0 1 8 –2 0 2 7 a n d t h e B u r u n d i I C T REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
Burundi there are two models for governance Strategy 2028.
ZAMBIA
regarding the digital or ICT sector: a supra-
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 31
While these policies assign implementing However, the government has enacted new ANGOLA
functions to existing institutions, the respective laws to support digital payment systems to BENIN
institutions have limited capacity to conduct the facilitate mobile money services, which is BOTSWANA
said functions and these policies were found to another opportunity for digital agriculture BURKINA FASO
lack a clear roadmap (World Bank, 2020:23). For solutions in the area of financial services and BURUNDI
example, the PNDTIC 2010–2025 set ambitious mobile payments. International Communications CABO VERDE
objectives and indicators that have not been Consultancy Organisation (ICCO) is an CAMEROON
achieved, such as one computer per census international emergency relief and development CENTRAL
AFRICAN
hill, at least one multi-service tele-centre organization made up of the partnership of REPUBLIC
per municipality and to spread applications 13 mobile finance institutions (MFIs) to develop CHAD
in local languages. It remains to be seen if their capacity to scale up mobile money services COMOROS
the new strategy launched in 2020 will yield to rural communities and smallholder farmers. CONGO
positive results. CÔTE D’IVOIRE
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
Table 4: Policy and regulation CONGO
DJIBOUTI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
EQUATORIAL
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 3.03 WEF GUINEA
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/
ERITREA
framework there is a clear plan)
ESWATINI
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 3.04 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/ ETHIOPIA
extremely successful)
GABON
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 3.35 WEF
THE GAMBIA
digital business models (index ranking
1–7: not fast at all/very fast) GHANA
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 2.35 WEF GUINEA
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/ GUINEA-
extremely well developed) BISSAU
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 64 EC/ITU KENYA
framework LESOTHO
LIBERIA
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation MADAGASCAR
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score
MALAWI
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4).
MALI
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
NAMIBIA
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a recession. low skilled labour and limited privatization. THE NIGER
Burundi’s annual GDP growth contracted, See Table 5 for specific parameters on doing NIGERIA
reaching 0.3 percent after four-year increase, business in Burundi. RWANDA
pushing the country deeper into poverty. SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Investment figures in Burundi have shown a Digital entrepreneurs in Burundi are limited but
similar declining trend, According to UNCTAD’s emerging. This is impacted by the high cost of SENEGAL
2020 World Investment Report, FDI inflows to data, electronic gadgets and a small market for SEYCHELLES
Burundi are quite limited, with agriculture and digital solutions. Additionally, finance for start- SIERRA LEONE
mining attracting more investments. ups is not available due to institutional and SOMALIA
policy support for new digital entrepreneurs. SOUTH AFRICA
The government has made progress in terms of Examples of budding start-ups include PayWay SOUTH SUDAN
improving the business climate notably through a payments platform aggregator, E-Soko (an TOGO
the adoption of a new investment law. However, online e-commerce market platform), and Nova UGANDA
the investment culture is still characterized by taxi (a ride-hailing application). UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
political instability, high cost of public services, TANZANIA
ambiguous trade policies, poor infrastructure, ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
32 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 5: Business environment ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 1 UNCTAD
environment culture BURKINA FASO
Growth of innovative companies 2019 3.56 WEF BURUNDI
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ CABO VERDE
to a great extent)
CAMEROON
Venture capital availability 2017 2.57 WEF
CENTRAL
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ AFRICAN
extremely easy) REPUBLIC
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 5 WBG CHAD
Ease of access to loans 2017 2.83 WEF COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ CONGO
extremely easy)
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 3.59 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
to a great extent) CONGO
DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
HUMAN CAPITAL ERITREA
The government has prioritized primary Bank 2020:48). Higher educational institutions ESWATINI
education and as a result primary are now offering ICT-related courses either ETHIOPIA
school children are performing better as crosscutting or dedicated departmental GABON
than regional averages. However, significant courses. For example, during the 2017/2018 THE GAMBIA
challenges exist. For example, the influx of academic year, approximately 3 431 students GHANA
children in schools due to a free education for were reportedly enrolled in related courses GUINEA
all policy and poor resourced schools. Even (World Bank, 2020:49). GUINEA-
BISSAU
though basic digital skills are mandatory and
KENYA
embedded into secondary school, few schools The private sector is reported to be offering
LESOTHO
are able to deliver relevant training and ensure some digital skills training although specific
LIBERIA
the quality (World Bank, 2020:14). Since over data reference is unavailable. Burundi’s only
MADAGASCAR
86 percent of the country’s population is tech hub, Buja Hub, is also offering a series
MALAWI
employed in the agriculture sector, with the of digital skills initiatives. For example, it is
MALI
education system not addressing digital skills, an implementing partner of the Digital Skills
MAURITIUS
Burundi’s digital agriculture landscape has a 4 Africa initiative run by Google. There are also
MOZAMBIQUE
digital skills gap. pockets of digital skills training by NGOs or
NAMIBIA
international organizations, although concrete
THE NIGER
The following statistical figures from 2018 data is not readily available.
NIGERIA
are indicative: Basic education had a
RWANDA
Gross Enrolment Ratio (GRE) of 111 percent There is still a need for unified human capital
SÃO TOMÉ
(total), 111.2 percent (female), 111.7 percent development in digital skills, within higher AND PRÍNCIPE
(male), secondary education had a GRE of education and specific to agriculture digital SENEGAL
48.5 percent (total), and tertiary education skills, while training needs to be part of SEYCHELLES
had a GRE 6.1 percent (total), 3.8 percent the national agenda. Access to electricity, SIERRA LEONE
(female), 8.4 percent (male). In universities, connectivity, lack of ICT equipment and enabling SOMALIA
ICT is taught as a subject, however, there are policies do inhibit Burundi’s human capital SOUTH AFRICA
no notable outcomes due to the absence investment in digital agriculture. SOUTH SUDAN
of adequate connectivity, electricity and TOGO
ICT equipment. However, the government is If properly invested in, digital skills are poised UGANDA
committed to creating new higher education to create new jobs, spur innovation and UNITED
disciplines available for students, which transformation of the informal sector, while REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
will include areas such as technology and ushering new entrepreneurial skills (see Table 6). ZAMBIA
AI (Government of Burundi, 2020 and World ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 33
Table 6: Human capital ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2017 68.38 UNESCO
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above) BURKINA FASO
Literacy rate, youth total 2017 88.22 UNESCO BURUNDI
(% of people ages 15–24) CABO VERDE
Digital skills among population 2019 3.22 WEF CAMEROON
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
CENTRAL
to a great extent) AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 86.21 ILO
(% of total employment) CHAD
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 93.66 ILO COMOROS
(% of female employment) CONGO
Unemployment, total 2020 0.80 ILO CÔTE D’IVOIRE
(% of total labour force)
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
DJIBOUTI
AGRO-INNOVATION EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Agricultural innovation is at its infancy Agronomiques du Burundi (ISABU), which ERITREA
in Burundi with low in-country R&D. conducts agricultural research, and the Centre ESWATINI
Family farming provides 95 percent of National de Technologie Alimentaire (CNTA), ETHIOPIA
the food supply with low investment in which promotes technological innovations for
GABON
mechanization and technology. The Ministry of food processing (see Table 7).
THE GAMBIA
Agriculture manages the Institut des Sciences
GHANA
GUINEA
Table 7: Agro-innovation
GUINEA-
BISSAU
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
KENYA
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 1 070.91 FAO
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions) LESOTHO
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 149.62 FAO LIBERIA
(2014–2016 = 100) MADAGASCAR
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.06 WBG MALAWI
(index ranking 1–5: low/high)
MALI
Research and Agricultural research spending 2016 0.39 IFPRI
MAURITIUS
technology (% of AgGDP)
development MOZAMBIQUE
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 3.03 WEF NAMIBIA
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/
THE NIGER
extensive collaboration)
NIGERIA
Capacity for innovation 2017 3.36 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ RWANDA
to a great extent) SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 2.43 UNCTAD
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
34 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
©FAO/Shutterstock/Samuel Borges Photography
CABO VERDE
Cabo Verde is a lower-middle- 2005, 81 percent of rural households in the country
income country with a GDP of were involved in primary sector activities directly
USD 1.7 billion. The country linked to agriculture and livestock.
has a population of 555 988 of
which 66.6 percent live in urban Agriculture employs 10.6 percent of the population
areas. Poverty fell to 35 percent and continues to be adversely affected by the
in 2015 and is mainly concentrated in rural areas. impact of the year-long drought of 2017 which
Much of urban poverty is a consequence of caused enormous and unpredictable risks for rural
deprivation and economic decline in rural areas populations. Cabo Verde has made progress in
(see Table 1). its ICT sector, having liberalized it in 2005, with
measures taken to encourage competition, to
The agriculture sector (9 percent of GDP) is bring economic growth, expand opportunities and
developing but lags far behind meeting domestic improve service delivery and quality. The vision of
needs. Only 19.6 percent of the country’s land is Cabo Verde as an ICT hub aims at contributing to
used for agriculture, while Cabo Verde imports this economic diversification, leveraging digital
85 percent of its food needs. Crops produced by technologies. It has been articulated in the Strategic
smallholder farmers include maize, beans, sweet Plan for Sustainable Development (PEDS in its
potatoes and cassava. Services account for roughly Portuguese acronym – Plano de Desenvolvimento
74 percent of economic activity and 65 percent of Sustentáve) for the 2018–2030 timeframe.
labour force participation, mostly in tourism. In
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 555 988 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 66.65 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 33.35 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 1 704 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 790 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 19.60 FAO
35
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
The country has shown a strong same time, Huawei is developing a pilot
BOTSWANA
political will to develop its experiment of 5G implementation according to
BURKINA FASO
telecommunication infrastructure, to the Multisectoral Economic Regulation Agency
BURUNDI
transform Cabo Verde into a digital platform of (ARME) of Cabo Verde. The Government of Cabo
CABO VERDE
quality services. Access to electricity in urban Verde has awarded telecom companies CV
CAMEROON
areas is high at 95.3 percent coverage and Mobile and Unitel T+ the frequencies and
CENTRAL
95.9 percent in rural areas respectively making license to offer 4G services to consumers. AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
it a unique case with better access in rural than
CHAD
in urban areas. Cabo Verde is undergoing The number of mobile connections was
COMOROS
technological change thanks to a USD 60 million equivalent to 102.3 percent of the total
CONGO
investment from Cabo Verde Telecom to deploy population in January 2021, with Internet
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
4G via fiber to the home. The incumbent penetration reaching about 61.9 percent across
DEMOCRATIC
operator has obtained USD 25 million funding the country. However, there is a gap between REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to mobile Internet coverage and adoption,
DJIBOUTI
connect the country to the EllaLink cable that 30 percent of the population have access to
EQUATORIAL
came into service at the end of 2020. At the mobile broadband but do not use it. GUINEA
ERITREA
Table 2: Infrastructure ESWATINI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source ETHIOPIA
GABON
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 95.94 WBG
(% of rural population) THE GAMBIA
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 0.00 GSMA GHANA
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 75.76 GSMA GUINEA
(% of population)
GUINEA-
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 178.06 WBG BISSAU
(per 1 million people) KENYA
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 4.48 WEF LESOTHO
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
LIBERIA
to a great extent)
MADAGASCAR
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2020 97.98 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) MALAWI
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 76.54 ITU MALI
(per 100 inhabitants)
MAURITIUS
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 4.47 ITU MOZAMBIQUE
(per 100 people)
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
DIGITAL PENETRATION RWANDA
Digital technologies represent a great are in the national language and 63 percent of SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
opportunity for Cabo Verde but at the the population have access to the top ranked
SENEGAL
cost of USD 4.8 per 1 GB of data that applications. In terms of social media, Cabo Verde
SEYCHELLES
has remained relatively unchanged over the last had 300 000 users and a penetration rate of
SIERRA LEONE
five years, affordability remains a main obstacle. 53.7 percent as of January 2021 (see Table 3).
SOMALIA
The per minute cost of prepaid cell phone local
SOUTH AFRICA
calls and text message decreased slightly over Through the implementation of the eGovernment
SOUTH SUDAN
the period 2013–2017. project, the government of Cabo Verde is
TOGO
attempting to build a nationwide eGovernment
UGANDA
As of January 2021, Cabo Verde had office network and a national data centre. The
UNITED
346 000 Internet users and an Internet first phase of the eGovernment project was REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
penetration access rate of 70 percent. In initiated in 2010 and delivered in 2014, which
ZAMBIA
addition, 82 percent of mobile applications mainly included the construction of a national
ZIMBABWE
36 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
data centre and an upgrade of the government eGovernment software, covering social security, ANGOLA
communications network. The second phase agriculture, distance learning and tele-health, BENIN
of the project further upgraded the ICT and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) for all BOTSWANA
infrastructure. The integrated ICT training government departments, schools, hospitals, BURKINA FASO
system WebLab was jointly developed with the and state-owned enterprises in Cabo Verde. BURUNDI
Cabo Verde Ministry of Education to support the CABO VERDE
country’s ICT talent cultivation. Cabo Verde’s In 2019, a group of 60 farmers gathered for the CAMEROON
Núcleo Operacional para a Sociedade de launch of the first mobile phone app that enables CENTRAL
AFRICAN
Informação (NOSi, in English the Operational them to access micro-credit in a climatically REPUBLIC
Nucleus for Information Society) developed patterned region by Caixa Economica. CHAD
more than 150 websites and 77 types of COMOROS
CONGO
Table 3: Digital penetration CÔTE D’IVOIRE
DEMOCRATIC
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 4.81 Cable
penetration (USD) DJIBOUTI
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2015 2.76 ITU EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
as a % of adjusted per capita income
ERITREA
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2015 2.59 ITU
adjusted per capita income ESWATINI
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 48.48 GSMA ETHIOPIA
Number of apps in national language 2019 82.83 GSMA GABON
(quantity) THE GAMBIA
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 85.93 GSMA GHANA
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 80.41 GSMA GUINEA
GUINEA-
BISSAU
KENYA
POLICY AND REGULATION LESOTHO
Significant reform of the ICT sector has Cabo Verde’s Digital Strategy (EDCV) is LIBERIA
taken place since the mid-2000s. A new being implemented in alignment to the vision MADAGASCAR
telecommunications law was introduced adopted by the Government Program for the MALAWI
in 2005 that ended the fixed and international IX Legislature (2016–2021). The EDCV reassesses MALI
communications monopoly of Cabo Verde the seven “action pillars“ of the Strategic Plan MAURITIUS
Telecom (CVT). The Multispectral Economic for the Information Society (PESI) approved in MOZAMBIQUE
Regulation Agency (Agência Reguladora 2005 by the government of VIII Legislature. NAMIBIA
Multisectorial da Economia [ARME]), the industry Among Cabo Verde’s legislations and strategic THE NIGER
regulator, was created in 2018. A second mobile plans, the country is signatory to the Budapest NIGERIA
operator, T+ Telecomunicações, was launched in Convention, and has articulated a national RWANDA
December 2007 as a competitor to CVT. strategy on cybersecurity in 2016 as well as SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
legislation on cybercrime in 2017.
SENEGAL
In 2004, the government created NOSi, a cross-
SEYCHELLES
cutting and comprehensive unit for critical state The government has also launched a series
SIERRA LEONE
reform and administrative modernization, with of ICT initiatives, including the construction
SOMALIA
ICT as its foundation. NOSi seeks to establish of secure data centre capacities, programs to
SOUTH AFRICA
an information society by implementing specific attract members of the diaspora who possess
SOUTH SUDAN
measures to mobilize society, the private sector advanced digital skills, and plans to improve
TOGO
and the public sector to take initiatives that spur international access through submarine cables,
UGANDA
e-governance. NOSi is split across three entities: in line with the government’s plans to taking a
NOSiCloud, NOSiApps and NOSiAkademia, leadership position vis-à-vis its digital economy. UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
operating respectively in cloud computing, The EIB loan will provides USD 60 million of new TANZANIA
e-government and online support sectors. investment to Cabo Verde Telecom that will also ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 37
expand 4G coverage across 10 islands, expand as a mid-Atlantic economic hub based on the ANGOLA
fiber optic Internet access to homes while circulation of people, goods and information BENIN
enabling renewable solar energy to power the and the provision of IT and logistics services. BOTSWANA
telecom network. The PEDS envisions an ambitious five-year BURKINA FASO
USD 4.3 billion programme that aims at BURUNDI
The ideal of creating an ICT cluster in Cabo Verde accelerating growth, building on ongoing CABO VERDE
is based on the transformation of the country support from the international community CAMEROON
into an international centre for business. To that and fostering greater involvement of the large CENTRAL
AFRICAN
end, the government has created the Institute of and affluent Cabo Verdean diaspora, notably REPUBLIC
Support and Business Promotion (Pro Empresa) in transfers of technology, know-how, and CHAD
offering several programmes such as Young entrepreneurship. In 2018, the government COMOROS
StartUp, Micro Entrepreneurship, Procredit and began the second phase of PEDS, the objective CONGO
Express+. REMPE and PROMEB are supported of which was to reduce poverty and inequalities, CÔTE D’IVOIRE
by FAO and the African Development Bank aiming at producing agricultural products by DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
(AfDB) to promote blue economy innovation investing in training and machinery. CONGO
and entrepreneurship. DJIBOUTI
Fu r t h e r m o re , T h e I n st i t u te of Q u a l i t y EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Cabo Verde prioritizes the fight against poverty Management and Intellectual Property has a
ERITREA
and the development of agriculture in its remit for policy implementation and monitoring
ESWATINI
programs and policies, such as the National of all IP-related rules and regulations. The
ETHIOPIA
Development Plans from 1980 to 2002 and the main laws and regulations for the protection
GABON
Strategic Plan for the Development of Agriculture of intellectual property (IP) rights are the Law
THE GAMBIA
(PEDA) 2004–2015. on Copyright, the Industrial Property Code and
GHANA
the Resolution 25/2010 that include inventions,
GUINEA
The government has launched the Strategic utility models, factory, trade and services
GUINEA-
Plan for Sustainable Development (Plano marks, industrial designs, names and emblems BISSAU
Estrategico de Desenvolviment Sustentavel, of establishment, logotypes, and awards, KENYA
PEDS), an ambitious development strategy for among others. LESOTHO
2017–2021. It aims at positioning Cabo Verde LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
Table 4: Policy and regulation MALAWI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source MALI
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 4.47 WEF MAURITIUS
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ MOZAMBIQUE
framework there is a clear plan)
NAMIBIA
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 4.38 WEF
THE NIGER
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
extremely successful) NIGERIA
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 3.25 WEF RWANDA
digital business models (index ranking
SÃO TOMÉ
1–7: not fast at all/very fast) AND PRÍNCIPE
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 3.72 WEF SENEGAL
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
SEYCHELLES
extremely well developed)
SIERRA LEONE
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 81.3 EC/ITU
framework SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation
SOUTH SUDAN
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score TOGO
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4).
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
38 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ANGOLA
BENIN
In its investment promotion policy, The government is also developing a data-
BOTSWANA
the Government of Cabo Verde is matching platform to detect tax fraud, reinforce
BURKINA FASO
committed to providing benefits and arrears recovery, and strengthen the technical
BURUNDI
facilities to foreign investors and local skills and capacity.
CABO VERDE
entrepreneurs. Cabo Verde has adopted an
CAMEROON
open but fragmented FDI entry regime through That said, although SMEs generate 70 percent of
CENTRAL
its 2012 Investment Law (UNCTAD, 2018). The jobs and contribute 25 percent of GDP, their growth AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
law defines the general conditions of entry in is constrained by the lack of access to finance
CHAD
economic activities, and it also guarantees and banking services. The law on Business-in-
COMOROS
freedom of enterprise and equal treatment of One-Day from 2018 foresees full online company
CONGO
foreigners. The government created a guarantee registration and is implemented by NOSi, which
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
fund to improve access to credit and stimulate is in charge of rolling out digital technologies in
DEMOCRATIC
private financing, and has also sought to reduce the public administration. Cabo Verde is preparing REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
tax burdens, simplify the system of tax to promote direct private sector investment
DJIBOUTI
declaration and payment of taxes. All these and public-private partnership mechanisms in
EQUATORIAL
measures serve to extend free access to the establishing, exploring and maintaining fiber optic GUINEA
Cabo Verdean market to various economic cables (Ellalink Amilcar Cabral, PEACE and DILCE) ERITREA
actors (see Table 5). and building the data centre in Mindelo. ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
Table 5: Business environment GABON
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source THE GAMBIA
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 104 UNCTAD GHANA
environment culture GUINEA
Growth of innovative companies 2019 3.64 WEF GUINEA-
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ BISSAU
to a great extent) KENYA
Venture capital availability 2017 2.62 WEF LESOTHO
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/
LIBERIA
extremely easy)
MADAGASCAR
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 9 WBG
MALAWI
Ease of access to loans 2017 3.04 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ MALI
extremely easy)
MAURITIUS
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 3.62 WEF
MOZAMBIQUE
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
RWANDA
HUMAN CAPITAL SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Employment in agriculture has declined Until recently, Cabo Verde relied on foreign
SENEGAL
over the past five years, from schools for tertiary education. The University of
SEYCHELLES
14.6 percent in 2015 to 10.6 percent in Cabo Verde was created in 2016, but its curricula
SIERRA LEONE
2019. This regression was observed in the level of focus largely on theoretical studies, rather than
SOMALIA
employment in agriculture for women (percent of fostering the development of technical skills and
SOUTH AFRICA
female employment). Youth unemployment is offering specialized training, which are essential
SOUTH SUDAN
high: in 2019, 50.38 percent of people aged 15–24 for economic diversification in the target sectors,
were unemployed. Most unemployed youth live including digital. The teaching of agricultural TOGO
in urban areas (see Table 6). entrepreneurial culture has not been prominent UGANDA
either. Furthermore, there are very few technical UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
and vocational institutions in Cabo Verde that TANZANIA
could offer digital agriculture programmes. ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 39
On the other hand, The Mundu Novu (New way to bridge the digital divide. Weblab, a ANGOLA
World) programme that started in 2009 seeks technological initiation program was launched BENIN
to integrate ICT in the Cabo Verdean education in 2018 in 44 secondary schools across the BOTSWANA
system. This includes equipping classrooms country, with approximately 6 000 students BURKINA FASO
and promoting access to computers as a enrolled in three technology modules. BURUNDI
CABO VERDE
Table 6: Human capital CAMEROON
CENTRAL
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2015 86.79 UNESCO
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above) CHAD
Literacy rate, youth total 2015 98.11 UNESCO COMOROS
(% of people ages 15–24) CONGO
Digital skills among population 2019 4.035 WEF CÔTE D’IVOIRE
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
DEMOCRATIC
to a great extent) REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 10.6 ILO
(% of total employment) DJIBOUTI
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 5.47 ILO EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
(% of female employment)
ERITREA
Unemployment, total 2020 13.41 ILO
(% of total labour force) ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
GABON
AGRO-INNOVATION
THE GAMBIA
GHANA
Agricultural productivity remains The Cabo Verde Technology Park is under GUINEA
va r i a b l e d u e t o Ca b o Ve rd e’s construction and will serve as a physical space
GUINEA-
geographic location, physical and where all ICT initiatives congregate, creating an BISSAU
climatic conditions (semi-arid region of the ecosystem that is based on close collaboration KENYA
S a h e l ) , v u l n e ra b i l i t y t o e ro s i o n a n d of businesses and technology. In addition, the LESOTHO
desertification and its mountainous relief. Cabo Verde Digital initiative is a public agency LIBERIA
Furthermore, inequalities in land ownership, promoting values of entrepreneurship and MADAGASCAR
fragmentation of small farms, limited water innovation. It is the government’s arm to follow MALAWI
resources and the high cost of mobilization up on a series of public initiatives, including MALI
exert additional pressure on the already scarce a coding school for children, scholarships MAURITIUS
cultivable land (10 percent of the area) to create businesses, and public support to MOZAMBIQUE
(see Table 7). attract digital nomads to the country. It aims NAMIBIA
at creating a leading digital hub across three THE NIGER
Challenges in research and technological areas of intervention: community, training, NIGERIA
development through the strengthening of and acceleration. RWANDA
university-industry cooperation in R&D persist. SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Although the University of Cabo Verde plays an Another initiative is the NOSi Akademia, a
SENEGAL
important role in training agricultural scientists, training and qualification programme, which
SEYCHELLES
the country’s higher education sector is not offers professional internships and certification.
SIERRA LEONE
involved in digital agriculture R&D. The Instituto It is inherent in the NOSi mission to lead the
SOMALIA
Nacional de Investigação e Desenvolvimento digital transformation in the public sector, to
SOUTH AFRICA
Agrário (INIDA) is the only agency involved improve citizens’ lives and promote innovative
SOUTH SUDAN
in agriculture R&D in Cabo Verde. Despite collaborations among companies.
TOGO
an increase in the number of post graduate
UGANDA
qualified scientific researchers at the master’s
UNITED
level in recent years, the institute lacks a critical REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
mass of PhD-qualified researchers, especially in
ZAMBIA
the digital agriculture transformation processes.
ZIMBABWE
40 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 7: Agro-innovation ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 88.34 FAO
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions) BURKINA FASO
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 80.27 FAO BURUNDI
(2014–2016 = 100) CABO VERDE
Logistics Performance Index 2018 N/A WBG CAMEROON
(index ranking 1–5: low/high)
CENTRAL
Research and Agricultural research spending 2016 1.17 IFPRI AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
technology (% of AgGDP)
development CHAD
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 3.22 WEF COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/ CONGO
extensive collaboration)
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Capacity for innovation 2017 3.68 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
to a great extent) CONGO
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 3.04 UNCTAD DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
ERITREA
ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
GABON
THE GAMBIA
GHANA
GUINEA
GUINEA-
BISSAU
KENYA
LESOTHO
LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
MALI
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 41
©FAO/Shutterstock/Fabian Plock
CAMEROON
Cameroon is a l owe r- the country increased to 8.3 million people with
middle-income country with 90 percent of them living in rural areas (see Table 1).
an estimated population
of 26.5 million as of 2020. The contribution of the digital sector to the
Agriculture forms the backbone country’s GDP is still very low at 2.9 percent,
o f C a m e ro o n ’s e c o n o my, providing 10 000 direct and 500 000 indirect jobs.
employing 43 percent of its workforce (49 percent Other areas that have seen considerable progress
of whom are women). It provides 15.1 percent of the include increase in household equipment (such as
country’s GDP and 30 percent of its export revenue. radio, television, and computer) and the regulation of
Cameroon’s agrarian population is essentially quality of service. However, other targets still appear
made up of small-scale farmers and their families, to be far from reach, such as the number of jobs in
who constitute approximately 70 percent of the the digital space or the percentage of the population
population. The number of poor individuals in with access to mobile broadband (MINSPOTEL, 2018).
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 26 545 864 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 57.56 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 42.44 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 39 802 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 97 500 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 20.63 FAO
42
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
Cameroon has seen a slow increase Even though Cameroon has high mobile
BOTSWANA
over the years of access to electricity broadband (3G, 3.5G and 4G) coverage, only
BURKINA FASO
with about 24 percent electricity 23 percent of households nationwide had an
BURUNDI
distribution in rural areas. By 2020, the Internet connection (mobile or fixed) in 2019,
CABO VERDE
government had aimed at achieving a and this percentage is much lower in rural
CAMEROON
48 percent countrywide electrification rate, a areas, especially in the Centre, Northwest, and
CENTRAL
75 percent electricity access rate in urban areas Adamawa regions. This is despite the fact that AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
and a 20 percent rural electrification rate. over 50 companies provide Internet in Cameroon
CHAD
with over a million clients subscribed through
COMOROS
In terms of mobile connectivity, Cameroon AIRBITS, Matrix, CFAO Technologies, etc. In
CONGO
has 4G services available in some parts of the addition, 89 percent of households possess
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
country with 53.4 percent coverage. Moreover, a phone (at least 7 households out of 10
DEMOCRATIC
more than half of the population (56.7 percent) regardless of the region. About 14 percent of REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
owned mobile devices as of 2019. Cameroon households own a computer (29 percent in
DJIBOUTI
has four major telecommunication service urban areas, 5 percent in rural areas).
EQUATORIAL
providers (MTN, Orange, Viettel, and the state- GUINEA
owned CAMTEL) and one virtual operator Cameroon is making steady progress in ERITREA
(YooMee). MTN is the leading service provider establishing a supportive infrastructure toward ESWATINI
with 48 percent of the mobile market share or a digital economy. The Cameroon Digital ETHIOPIA
8.7 million subscribers. MTN’s and Viettel’s 3G 2020 programme aims at refining connectivity GABON
and 3.5G networks reached almost 90 percent of nationwide, including the National Broadband THE GAMBIA
households nationwide in 2019 each (98 percent Network for the establishment of modern high- GHANA
in urban areas and 84 percent in rural areas). speed telecommunication infrastructure and GUINEA
service platforms in Cameroon (see Table 2). GUINEA-
BISSAU
KENYA
Table 2: Infrastructure
LESOTHO
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
LIBERIA
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 24.02 WBG
MADAGASCAR
(% of rural population)
MALAWI
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 53.40 GSMA
MALI
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 56.73 GSMA
(% of population) MAURITIUS
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 16.73 WBG MOZAMBIQUE
(per 1 million people) NAMIBIA
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 3.82 WEF THE NIGER
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
to a great extent) NIGERIA
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2020 95.1 ITU RWANDA
(per 100 inhabitants) SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2017 14.63 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) SENEGAL
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 2.69 ITU SEYCHELLES
(per 100 people) SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
DIGITAL PENETRATION SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
Currently, the average cost of 1 GB of increase. With an estimated per capita income
UGANDA
data is USD 2.74 per month, and of USD 1 500 in 2018, the prevailing rates are
UNITED
with the proposed levy of CFA 200 over and above the recommendation of 1 GB of REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
(USD 0.34) on software and application data costing 2 percent or less of average
ZAMBIA
downloads, costs are expected to further monthly income. The percentage of individuals
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 43
using the Internet increased from 10 percent in From a public perspective, Cameroon is ANGOLA
2013 to 23 percent in 2017, while computer using GIS systems to first register land before BENIN
penetration was at 13.7 percent in 2017 implementing redistribution mechanisms (WEF BOTSWANA
(see Table 3). et al., 2015). The country launched the NEXUS+ BURKINA FASO
app for tracking cargo by geolocation. The BURUNDI
The low penetration rate of Internet is common partnership between public-private sector has CABO VERDE
for both genders with only 36 percent of women also strengthened over the years. For example, CAMEROON
compared to 45 percent of men as Internet the country’s telecom providers collaborated CENTRAL
AFRICAN
users are mostly in urban areas, leaving rural with AgroSpace and Agro-Hub to provide REPUBLIC
regions underserved. market linkages to eliminate price asymmetry CHAD
between rural farmers and buyers (see Table 3). COMOROS
In 2019, GSMA reported that about 13.9 percent CONGO
of the country’s population actively engaged Cameroon has a number of innovative start- CÔTE D’IVOIRE
with social media platforms while 48 mobile ups such as Digifarms, Help Farmers Cameroon, DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
apps existed in the national language. However, Africaware and Agrocom that provide a range of CONGO
less than 1 percent of Cameroonian companies solutions from data management, e-commerce, DJIBOUTI
in the sectors of manufacturing, wholesale advisory services, financial and marketing EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
trade and retail services sell products and linkages to early warning solutions. Jangolo
ERITREA
services online. About 90 percent of companies is a farm management mobile application
ESWATINI
used a computer in 2016 (93 percent for SMEs) that supports farm productivity, serving
ETHIOPIA
and 76 percent of companies had an Internet 8 000 farmers in Cameroon, and providing
GABON
connection in 2017 (73 percent for SMEs). This a platform for bookkeeping, logistics, sales,
THE GAMBIA
is steadily improving due to rapid growth of training, and access to the market prices.
GHANA
e-commerce platforms. There are also gaps in Agrix Tech provides recommendations in local
GUINEA
financial inclusion, with 31 percent of men having languages using interactive voice response
GUINEA-
access to financial accounts versus 23 percent of (IVR), and Freshbag is a platform that connects BISSAU
women. While close to 30 percent of the adult farmers and vendors. KENYA
population made or received a digital payment, LESOTHO
only 5.2 percent paid their utility bills digitally LIBERIA
through online platforms. MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
Table 3: Digital penetration MALI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source MAURITIUS
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 2.75 Cable MOZAMBIQUE
penetration (USD) NAMIBIA
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2018 N/A ITU THE NIGER
as a % of adjusted per capita income
NIGERIA
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2018 N/A ITU
RWANDA
adjusted per capita income
SÃO TOMÉ
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 13.93 GSMA AND PRÍNCIPE
Number of apps in national language 2019 48.01 GSMA SENEGAL
(quantity)
SEYCHELLES
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 59.06 GSMA
SIERRA LEONE
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 75.31 GSMA
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
44 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
POLICY AND REGULATION ANGOLA
BENIN
The country’s digital landscape was the Framework or Law on Consumer Protection,
BOTSWANA
boosted by the launch of the National Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Law and the Law
BURKINA FASO
Strategy of Digital Cameroon by 2020 on Electronic Commerce in Cameroon.
BURUNDI
in 2016, which recognised the digital economy
CABO VERDE
as a driver of development. This is supported The government’s digital strategic plan includes
CAMEROON
and complemented by the eGovernment Master prioritising digital entrepreneurship. This
CENTRAL
Plan and other initiatives such as information includes developing a local digital industry, and AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
and knowledge-based society by the encouraging research and innovation, with the
CHAD
Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation; specific objectives for producing more computers
COMOROS
implementation of ICT development programmes and ICT products domestically, reducing ICT
CONGO
by the Ministry of Higher Education; and the imports, and creating research and development
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
introduction of compulsory ICT related programs hubs for digital technologies. Potential actions
DEMOCRATIC
in primary and secondary schools. include enacting taxation measures to support REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
start-ups, creating a venture capital fund, using
DJIBOUTI
The new wave of digital agriculture requires government procurement to support company
EQUATORIAL
more robust policy formulation, implementation innovation, and setting up a forum between the GUINEA
and regulatory frameworks. Laws enacted to government and ICT companies (see Table 4). ERITREA
promote digitalization and ICT services include ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
Table 4: Policy and regulation GABON
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source THE GAMBIA
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 3.57 WEF GHANA
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ GUINEA
framework there is a clear plan)
GUINEA-
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 4.11 WEF BISSAU
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/ KENYA
extremely successful)
LESOTHO
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 3.41 WEF
LIBERIA
digital business models (index ranking
1–7: not fast at all/very fast) MADAGASCAR
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 3.12 WEF MALAWI
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
MALI
extremely well developed)
MAURITIUS
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 64 EC/ITU
framework MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation
THE NIGER
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score NIGERIA
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4).
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
Cameroon is moving steadily towards cables, the Central African Backbone, urban
SIERRA LEONE
digital transformation with the share of optical loops, a National Broadband Network
SOMALIA
its national budget allocated to ICT (NBN) project, an e-Post project, a Pan-African
SOUTH AFRICA
increasing from 0.5 percent in 2010 to 1.2 percent network of online services and Multipurpose
SOUTH SUDAN
in 2017. Between 2000 and 2016, the digital Community Telecentres, investing CFA 700 billion.
TOGO
economy’s contribution to Cameroon’s GDP In 2015 a contract was signed with Huawei to
UGANDA
increased from 1.4 percent to 5 percent provide electrification for 350 villages in Cameroon.
UNITED
and generated 10 000 direct jobs and REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
USD 232 million in tax revenues. The government Cameroon’s diverse financial landscape has
ZAMBIA
initiated several projects including undersea 454 active formal institutions, including 11 banks,
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 45
six financial institutions, 412 MFIs, 19 insurance rather than high-value software programming ANGOLA
companies, four electronic money institutions, or hardware development. BENIN
and the postal service. Digital finance services BOTSWANA
are provided by banks in partnership with The percentage of firms with female participation BURKINA FASO
telecom operators. Access to financial services in ownership is 39.7 percent, the percentage BURUNDI
grew from 12.2 percent in 2014 to 34.6 percent of firms with majority female ownerships is CABO VERDE
in 2017. On average, there are only 3.64 ATMs 31 percent and firms with a female top manager CAMEROON
per 100 000 adults. is 22.9 percent (World Bank, 2016). There are CENTRAL
AFRICAN
avenues dedicated to women entrepreneurs, REPUBLIC
The business development service sector shrunk, such as Fintech Challenges or B2B platforms CHAD
both in absolute terms from 5 303 firms in initiatives with the German Federal Ministry for COMOROS
2009 to 1 337 firms in 2016 and as a share of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) CONGO
economic activity. Most enterprises are online (see Table 5). CÔTE D’IVOIRE
marketplaces and IT services or Internet cafes, DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Table 5: Business environment DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source GUINEA
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 782 UNCTAD ERITREA
environment culture
ESWATINI
Growth of innovative companies 2019 3.32 WEF
ETHIOPIA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) GABON
Venture capital availability 2017 2.38 WEF THE GAMBIA
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/
GHANA
extremely easy)
GUINEA
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 13.5 WBG
GUINEA-
Ease of access to loans 2017 3.21 WEF BISSAU
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/
KENYA
extremely easy)
LESOTHO
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 3.86 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ LIBERIA
to a great extent) MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
MALI
HUMAN CAPITAL MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
The country has a comparatively literate without Borders (KFDWB) NGO partnered with
NAMIBIA
youthful (85.1 percent) and adult other development agencies, universities and
THE NIGER
population (77.1 percent). And while local communities to provide ICT training for
NIGERIA
digital literacy does not seem to correspond with girls in a rural area of Cameroon.
RWANDA
mean performance (WEF, 2019), the government
SÃO TOMÉ
has successfully integrated ICT into Cameroon’s At the private level, family farm schools, the family AND PRÍNCIPE
education curriculum aimed at empowering and rural schools created in the 1990s, and rural SENEGAL
youth and equipping them with the needed family houses provide training to rural people SEYCHELLES
digital skills for development. for their social and professional integration. The SIERRA LEONE
NextGen Centre is a technological school with a SOMALIA
As of 2021, there were nine technical schools of special focus on girls, which currently has over SOUTH AFRICA
agriculture, six training schools, three regional 800 pupils trained in STEM-related courses. In SOUTH SUDAN
agriculture colleges, 35 farmer training centres, addition, since the launch of the Huawei ICT TOGO
24 rural training centres and 11 young farmers Academy in Cameroon, 236 teachers have been UGANDA
training centres. The private sector has also certified while 659 students have been trained UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
taken the lead in building youth capacities in ICT through the e-learning platform Learn On. TANZANIA
to support the digital agriculture sector. For ZAMBIA
instance, the Knowledge for Development ZIMBABWE
46 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Several initiatives to support the socio- networks, and communication (MINEDUB, 2018). ANGOLA
professional integration of young people have The Divisional Reward of Excellence in Digital BENIN
been launched by the Ministry of Youth and Civic Economy (MDN) provides support and awards to BOTSWANA
Education: the Multifunctional Centers for the best students for digital inclusion in rural areas BURKINA FASO
Promotion of Youth; the Rural and Urban Youth (2035 MIJEF programme) as well as the donation BURUNDI
Support Project and the National Civic Service of computers and printers to administrative CABO VERDE
of Participation in Development. New training services and schools of said localities. CAMEROON
niches have also emerged in universities with CENTRAL
AFRICAN
the creation of specialized majors to provide Also, 20.2 percent of companies have an IT REPUBLIC
Cameroon with highly qualified human resources specialist (computer technician, telecoms CHAD
in the field of ICT. Students are trained in personnel, etc.). This proportion is very high in COMOROS
management of information systems, industrial large companies where 73.6 percent have ICT CONGO
IT, computer systems maintenance, electronics, specialists (see Table 6). CÔTE D’IVOIRE
computer engineering, telecommunications and DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Table 6: Human capital DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source GUINEA
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2018 77.07 UNESCO ERITREA
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above)
ESWATINI
Literacy rate, youth total 2018 85.08 UNESCO
ETHIOPIA
(% of people ages 15–24)
GABON
Digital skills among population 2018 3.90 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ THE GAMBIA
to a great extent)
GHANA
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 43.49 ILO
GUINEA
(% of total employment)
GUINEA-
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 47.70 ILO BISSAU
(% of female employment)
KENYA
Unemployment, total 2020 3.62 ILO
LESOTHO
(% of total labour force)
LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
AGRO-INNOVATION MALI
Compared to the 2018 budget of augmented reality, artificial intelligence, robotics MAURITIUS
CFA 1.6 billion, the country’s agriculture and e-commerce. These start-ups actively MOZAMBIQUE
sector has since suffered budget cuts. cooperate and communicate through premises NAMIBIA
The allocation also represented only 1.75 percent such as ActivSpaces, a physical co-working THE NIGER
of the annual budget allocation. In the area of space, and two WhatsApp groups with more NIGERIA
research and innovation, there is limited than 250 members. These fora enable digital RWANDA
collaboration between educational institutions entrepreneurs to meet and exchange information. SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
and industry (UNESCO, 2018). The rare cases of
SENEGAL
digital innovation are typically process Digital innovation in Cameroon is supported
SEYCHELLES
innovation or business model innovation. through various initiatives such as Globe-
SIERRA LEONE
However, the support ecosystem around trotter, which aim at supporting young digital
SOMALIA
entrepreneurship has been growing, and as of start-ups to transition their projects into digital
SOUTH AFRICA
2021, the country has 18 technology hubs. companies. In addition, 200 Cameroonian start-
SOUTH SUDAN
ups were trained in digital entrepreneurship by
TOGO
Cameroon has an important wealth of digital the Cameroon-Israel Cooperation Programme,
UGANDA
start-ups with a significant transformation and each year, a dozen of young Cameroonians
UNITED
potential in very large companies. Over take part in the Huawei Seeds for the Future REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
3 000 digital start-ups are recorded in the international programme under the cooperation
ZAMBIA
sector of application development, virtual and framework between Cameroon and China.
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 47
Table 7: Agro-innovation ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 5 351.50 FAO
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions) BURKINA FASO
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 107.16 FAO BURUNDI
(2014–2016 = 100) CABO VERDE
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.60 WBG CAMEROON
(index ranking 1–5: low/high)
CENTRAL
Research and Agricultural research spending 2015 0.39 IFPRI AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
technology (% of AgGDP)
development CHAD
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 3.26 WEF COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/ CONGO
extensive collaboration)
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Capacity for innovation 2017 4.29 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
to a great extent) CONGO
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2017 3.39 UNCTAD DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
ERITREA
ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
GABON
THE GAMBIA
GHANA
GUINEA
GUINEA-
BISSAU
KENYA
LESOTHO
LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
MALI
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
48 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
©FAO/Shutterstock/Nick Greaves
CENTRAL AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
The Central African Republic is Among all sectors, agriculture is the largest and
a low-income country with GDP contributed 33.9 percent to GDP in 2020. Also,
growth down to zero (World 69.9 percent of the population is engaged in
Bank, 2021) and 57.8 percent agricultural activities, making agriculture a main
of its population living in rural income for the majority of households. The dominant
areas as of 2020. Conflicts, crop is manioc, while coffee and cotton are the
violence, poor health conditions, and insecurity has main cash crops. The country also has abundant
led to high rates of poverty with 71 percent living forest resources with timber accounting for around
below the poverty line (World Bank 2018). It has also 16 percent of export earnings. However, forced
generated a large number of refugees and internally displacements and persisting conflicts and insecurity
displaced persons. As a result, 85 percent of the in the country prevented agri-food value chain actors
population is severely food insecure, 40 percent from accessing farms, services and markets, causing
of children are stunted and nearly 3 million people low productivity and profits (see Table 1).
require humanitarian assistance.
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 4 829 764 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 42.20 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 57.80 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 2 303 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 50 800 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 8.15 FAO
49
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
The Central African Republic’s rate of the capital, while 3G coverage is a bit higher, at
BOTSWANA
access to electricity, has icnreased from 30 percent according to ITU.
BURKINA FASO
9.8 percent to 14.3 percent between
BURUNDI
2010 and 2019. According to the World Bank, a Since the liberalization of the private sector,
CABO VERDE
slow increase has been transpiring in rural mobile operators have been playing an important
CAMEROON
areas, starting from almost 0 in 2010, to role in improving ICT infrastructure in the country.
CENTRAL
1.5 percent in 2019. Despite having abundant For example, the Orange Group, in collaboration AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
water and solar resources, little has been done with Parallel Wireless and I Engineering Group,
CHAD
to unlock this potential due to weaknesses in the aims at deploying 3G, 4G and 5G software-
COMOROS
country’s political and institutional framework. based networks in the country. In this way, rural
CONGO
4G coverage jumped from 0 to 8.6 percent in populations can also benefit from the services
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
2019 (GSMA, 2019) with a high concentration in with faster and wireless connectivity (see Table 2).
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Table 2: Infrastructure
DJIBOUTI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 1.53 WBG
(% of rural population) ERITREA
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 8.64 GSMA ESWATINI
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 24.64 GSMA ETHIOPIA
(% of population)
GABON
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 1.24 WBG
THE GAMBIA
(per 1 million people)
GHANA
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 N/A WEF
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/ GUINEA
to a great extent) GUINEA-
BISSAU
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2019 33.62 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) KENYA
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 5.03 ITU LESOTHO
(per 100 inhabitants) LIBERIA
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 0.01 ITU MADAGASCAR
(per 100 people)
MALAWI
MALI
MAURITIUS
DIGITAL PENETRATION MOZAMBIQUE
Telecommunications in the Central involved. Telecel is currently the market leader, NAMIBIA
African Republic mainly includes radio, followed by Orange, Moov and Azur. Most of the THE NIGER
television, telephone (fixed and telecommunication services provided are NIGERIA
mobile). Radio is the principal channel of concentrated in the capital, leaving the rest of RWANDA
obtaining information. The overall Internet the country with low accessibility. SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
penetration rate was below 5 percent in 2016
SENEGAL
and rose to 14 percent in January 2020, while According to the country’s telecommunications
SEYCHELLES
fixed line connection remains lower than regulatory authority, around one-third of
SIERRA LEONE
1 percent per 100 inhabitants. The number of the population uses mobile phones. Despite
SOMALIA
mobile connections increased by 9 percent an increase in the number of mobile phone
SOUTH AFRICA
between 2020 and 2021, and was equivalent to users, digital financial services such as mobile
SOUTH SUDAN
30.7 percent of the total population, growing at payments (e.g. Orange Money) haven’t yet been
TOGO
a much faster rate compared to fixed lines. The widely accepted due to the predominance of
UGANDA
fixed line market is mainly controlled by the traditional cash transactions. Data provided
UNITED
Central African Telecommunications Society by the World Bank (2011) indicate that only REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
(SOCATEL), whereas the mobile market is more 3.3 percent of the population owns a bank or
ZAMBIA
competitive with four leading companies mobile-money account. The growth of mobile
ZIMBABWE
50 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
phones also slightly increased social media ANGOLA
users, with a penetration rate at 2.9 percent in BENIN
January 2021 and a gender gap score of 18.35 BOTSWANA
(see Table 3). BURKINA FASO
BURUNDI
Table 3: Digital penetration CABO VERDE
CAMEROON
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
CENTRAL
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 8.25 Cable AFRICAN
penetration (USD) REPUBLIC
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2018 N/A ITU CHAD
as a % of adjusted per capita income COMOROS
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2018 N/A ITU CONGO
adjusted per capita income
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 2.43 GSMA
DEMOCRATIC
Number of apps in national language 2019 24.43 GSMA REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
(quantity)
DJIBOUTI
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 18.35 GSMA
EQUATORIAL
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 45.74 GSMA GUINEA
ERITREA
ESWATINI
POLICY AND REGULATION ETHIOPIA
GABON
Overall, there is room for improvement In general, the country is highly dependent on
THE GAMBIA
on its regulatory and legal frameworks. support from development organizations. The
GHANA
Efforts have been made through the World Bank Group approved a USD 50 million
GUINEA
launch of a few national plans and strategies. For grant integrated into the new Country
GUINEA-
example, the National Plan for Information and Partnership Framework to help the Central BISSAU
Communication Infrastructure (NICI) was launched African Republic’s development efforts. KENYA
in 2002 and the Law on Telecommunications Meanwhile, women’s empowerment and digital LESOTHO
Regulation was legislated in 2007. development are identified as cross-cutting LIBERIA
priorities within this framework (see Table 4). MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
Table 4: Policy and regulation MALI
MAURITIUS
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
MOZAMBIQUE
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 N/A WEF
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ NAMIBIA
framework there is a clear plan)
THE NIGER
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 N/A WEF
NIGERIA
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
extremely successful) RWANDA
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 N/A WEF SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
digital business models (index ranking
1–7: not fast at all/very fast) SENEGAL
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 N/A WEF SEYCHELLES
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/ SIERRA LEONE
extremely well developed)
SOMALIA
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 58 EC/ITU
framework SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation TOGO
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score UGANDA
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4).
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 51
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ANGOLA
BENIN
According to the World Bank, the time infrastructure within the country, leading to high
BOTSWANA
required to start a business in the risks with possible low return. The government
BURKINA FASO
Central African Republic is 22 days, has thus taken measures and reforms to maintain
BURUNDI
which remains unchanged since 2015 with no stabilization and to provide a better business
CABO VERDE
disparity between male and female. Due to the environment. This includes tax reduction for
CAMEROON
tedious and long procedures required for agricultural products like wheat flour, milk
CENTRAL
business creation, the country scored 35.6 out of and frozen fish, and zero rate for exports and AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
100 for its performance of doing business in international transport services. Internally,
CHAD
2019, below the average for sub-Saharan Africa. there are several initiatives to help SMEs start
COMOROS
their businesses. For example, through a UNDP
CONGO
The country’s FDI inflows have resumed after micro-finance programme, entrepreneurs can
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
the 2013 civil war, reaching USD 26 million in invest and accumulate capital while women are
DEMOCRATIC
2019. The overall business climate in the Central given specialized funds for financial assistance REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
African Republic is not favourable for investors, (see Table 5).
DJIBOUTI
due to persisting conflicts and violence and weak
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Table 5: Business environment ERITREA
ESWATINI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
ETHIOPIA
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 26 UNCTAD
environment culture GABON
Growth of innovative companies 2019 N/A WEF THE GAMBIA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
GHANA
to a great extent)
GUINEA
Venture capital availability 2017 N/A WEF
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ GUINEA-
BISSAU
extremely easy)
KENYA
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 22 WBG
LESOTHO
Ease of access to loans 2017 N/A WEF
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ LIBERIA
extremely easy)
MADAGASCAR
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 N/A WEF
MALAWI
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) MALI
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
HUMAN CAPITAL THE NIGER
The security situation and frequent High school dropout rates, as well as lack of NIGERIA
displacements and conflicts have had basic and more advanced education, limit RWANDA
negative impacts on the country’s the potential role formal education can play SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
education. Schools lack human and material in addressing digital gaps and driving digital
SENEGAL
resources and are sometimes forced to close. The transformation. This is particularly relevant
SEYCHELLES
Central African Republic has a relatively low to the agriculture sector that employs around
SIERRA LEONE
literacy rate at 37.4 percent for people above the 70 percent of the country’s population.
SOMALIA
age of 15 and 38.3 percent for youth between the
SOUTH AFRICA
ages of 15–24 as if 2018, with an evident disparity Even though there is no available data indicating
SOUTH SUDAN
between youth male and female, at 47.8 percent the country’s digital skills level, it is evident that
and 28.7 percent respectively. problems afflicting the political environment, TOGO
infrastructure, health, as well as education limit UGANDA
Primary education school enrolment was the overall progress of digitalization and lead to UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
87.8 percent in 2012 while the rate for secondary high dependence on external supply. TANZANIA
education was markedly lower at 17.8 percent. ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
52 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
That said, the Central African Republic security issues, other channels such as radio ANGOLA
recognizes the importance of developing its broadcasting have been explored to provide BENIN
education and digital skills. To further improve instruction. The Orange Foundation has also BOTSWANA
access and quality of education, the government contributed to equipping schools with digital BURKINA FASO
adopted the Education Sector Plan (2020–2029). facilities and devices (see Table 6). BURUNDI
To deal with interruption of education due to CABO VERDE
CAMEROON
Table 6: Human capital CENTRAL
AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
CHAD
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2018 37.40 UNESCO
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above) COMOROS
Literacy rate, youth total 2018 38.27 UNESCO CONGO
(% of people ages 15–24) CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Digital skills among population 2019 N/A WEF DEMOCRATIC
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
to a great extent)
DJIBOUTI
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 69.85 ILO
(% of total employment) EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 72.61 ILO
ERITREA
(% of female employment)
ESWATINI
Unemployment, total 2020 4.33 ILO
(% of total labour force) ETHIOPIA
GABON
THE GAMBIA
AGRO-INNOVATION
GHANA
GUINEA
A s a key s e c to r fo r e co n o m i c However, as another main funding source, donor
GUINEA-
development, agriculture in the Central funding of agriculture R&D fluctuates due to BISSAU
African Republic is always playing a political instability. KENYA
crucial role and receives continuous financial LESOTHO
assistance from donors. In terms of R&D capacity In terms of areas of research, crops and LIBERIA
within the country, there are several institutions livestock remain the two main thematic areas MADAGASCAR
that deploy their efforts in agricultural research. for research, accounting for 53 percent and MALAWI
Chief among them is the Central African 41 percent respectively. The gender gap of MALI
Agricultural Research Institute (ICRA), which is researchers is huge with 81 percent being male MAURITIUS
the principal agriculture research agency that and only 19 percent being female. Furthermore, MOZAMBIQUE
focuses on crops and forestry, while the National R&D in the Central African Republic still faces NAMIBIA
Livestock Development Agency (ANDE) conducts many critical challenges, including weak THE NIGER
livestock and veterinary research. infrastructure, lack of training, lack of qualified NIGERIA
researchers, and low income to retain talent. RWANDA
The latest available figures shows that the SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Central African Republic spent USD 2.7 million
SENEGAL
on public agricultural research in 2011, an
SEYCHELLES
increase of 41 percent compared to 2009.
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 53
Table 7: Agro-innovation ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 622.23 FAO
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions) BURKINA FASO
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2016 105.99 FAO BURUNDI
(2014–2016 = 100) CABO VERDE
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.15 WBG CAMEROON
(index ranking 1–5: low/high)
CENTRAL
Research and Agricultural research spending 2016 0.40 IFPRI AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
technology (% of AgGDP)
development CHAD
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 N/A WEF COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/ CONGO
extensive collaboration)
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Capacity for innovation 2017 N/A WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
to a great extent) CONGO
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2018 3.87 UNCTAD DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
ERITREA
ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
GABON
THE GAMBIA
GHANA
GUINEA
GUINEA-
BISSAU
KENYA
LESOTHO
LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
MALI
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
54 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
©FAO/Shutterstock/Homo Cosmicos
CHAD
Chad is a low-income country the agriculture sector are cotton, gum arabic and
with a GDP of USD 10.09 billion. livestock. Although agriculture land constitutes
The country began exploring 39.9 percent of the total land area, only 6 percent is
its oil resources in 2003, which under cultivation. This is due to the adverse impact
has since been the backbone of climate change, resulting in long periods of
of the economy constituting droughts that adversely impact smallholder farming
60 percent of export revenues. The population is activities (World Bank, 2019). Smallholder farmers
estimated to have grown by 3.1 percent in 2021 have adopted sustainable solutions including
with only 23.5 percent living in urban areas. Poverty rainwater harvesting techniques, although this
levels however remain high with an estimated remains a challenge with just about 1 percent of
66.2 percent of Chad’s population living in severe agriculture land under irrigation.
poverty (see Table 1).
Productivity in agriculture is hampered by
The country’s agriculture sector is a major knowledge and technology gaps, which points
contributor to the economy constituting to the potential of digitalization to transform the
47.7 percent of GDP in 2020 (World Bank, 2020). agriculture sector in Chad. The ICT sector in Chad
The sector is also a key employer in Chad’s labour is already benefitting from streamlining of policy
force with about 75.1 percent of Chadians and direction with discussions in 2020 on how digital
73.4 percent of women obtaining their livelihoods technologies can be integrated in all key socio-
from agriculture. Key non-oil exports emerging from economic activities, including agriculture.
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 16 425 859 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 23.52 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 76.48 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 10 093 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 502 380 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 39.90 FAO
55
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
As a country on the road to recovery, from 7 percent in 2016 to 9 percent in 2019. Airtel
BOTSWANA
Chad’s infrastructure is being steadily Chad and Tigo Chad are the two MNOs offering
BURKINA FASO
redeveloped. Access to electricity is 3G and 4G services within reach of 25 percent of
BURUNDI
currently low with a rate of 8.4 percent in 2019 the population. LTE services by Tigo Chad,
CABO VERDE
due to inadequacy of transmission and expansion in broadband capacity from
CAMEROON
distribution networks (World Bank, 2018). O3b networks by 66 percent and the expansion
CENTRAL
Limited citizen engagement on the Internet since of national fiber backbone infrastructure AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
2018 also slowed down progress in expanding provide a positive outlook of the sector. The
CHAD
Internet access with an estimated 37 percent telecommunication industry has potential to
COMOROS
and 26 percent mobile and broadband drive economic growth. This is further
CONGO
connections respectively as of 2020 (We are complemented by other promising steps such as
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Social and Hootsuite, 2020). Mobile connectivity the European Investment Bank Initiative towards
DEMOCRATIC
is not yet easily accessible to the over 78 percent digitalization, especially in rural areas. Chad has REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
of rural dwellers. About 85 percent of the entire been allotted a USD 12 million investment to
DJIBOUTI
population has 2G coverage , while 15 percent double the ICT sector’s contribution to the
EQUATORIAL
of the population is not covered at all by mobile country’s economy. Millicom has set up a data GUINEA
signals from the two largest operators (GSMA, management centre with an IT power load of ERITREA
2016). The cost of operation by MNOs has gone 400 kW (see Table 2). ESWATINI
up with tax on mobile operations increasing ETHIOPIA
GABON
Table 2: Infrastructure THE GAMBIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source GHANA
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2018 2.28 WBG GUINEA
(% of rural population) GUINEA-
BISSAU
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 12.00 GSMA
KENYA
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 39.77 GSMA
(% of population) LESOTHO
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 1.28 WBG LIBERIA
(per 1 million people) MADAGASCAR
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 N/A WEF MALAWI
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
MALI
to a great extent)
MAURITIUS
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2020 52.89 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) MOZAMBIQUE
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 2.98 ITU NAMIBIA
(per 100 inhabitants)
THE NIGER
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 0 ITU
NIGERIA
(per 100 people)
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
56 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
DIGITAL PENETRATION ANGOLA
BENIN
Following the lifting of an earlier ban gross national income (GNI) and 87 percent of
BOTSWANA
on Internet services by the government, the income of the lowest 20 percent of earners
BURKINA FASO
the number of mobile connections in 2014 (see Table 3).
BURUNDI
increased by 10 percent between 2019 and
CABO VERDE
2020, with a massive increase of 252 percent in There has also been a surge in the number of
CAMEROON
users engaged on social media (We are Social mobile app developers, transforming service
CENTRAL
and Hootsuite, 2020). The use of mobile phones delivery in the country. The use of mobile based AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
also increased with a recorded 34 percent shift applications continues to rise with 15 percent of
CHAD
between 2019 and 2020, bringing ownership to Chadians registered on mobile money platforms
COMOROS
75.5 percent of the entire population. as of 2014 (We are Social and Hootsuite,
CONGO
2020). The steps to recovery in the country has
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Focusing on rural areas, the ITU (2018) reports triggered the entrepreneurial ecosystem with
DEMOCRATIC
that although mobile coverage is limited in rural MNOs and financial institutions collaborating to REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
areas, about 52 percent of households owned provide electronic and mobile money solutions.
DJIBOUTI
mobile phones. In terms of the cost of services, In the donor community, mobile phones have
EQUATORIAL
the ITU indicates that voice and SMS usage equally been leveraged for surveillance of GUINEA
constituted 21 percent of average monthly pastoralists and their activities in rural areas. ERITREA
ESWATINI
Table 3: Digital penetration ETHIOPIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source GABON
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 23.33 Cable THE GAMBIA
penetration (USD) GHANA
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2018 N/A ITU GUINEA
as a % of adjusted per capita income
GUINEA-
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2018 N/A, ITU BISSAU
adjusted per capita income KENYA
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 2.04 GSMA LESOTHO
Number of apps in national language 2019 10.95 GSMA LIBERIA
(quantity)
MADAGASCAR
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 8.16 GSMA
MALAWI
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 0.00 GSMA
MALI
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
POLICY AND REGULATION NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
The Ministry of Posts and New infrastructure that boosts industrialization as
NIGERIA
Information Technologies currently well as prioritize ICT infrastructure that
RWANDA
oversees ICT development, serving as enhances low-cost access and supports
SÃO TOMÉ
a lead implementer of the country’s ICT strategy. innovation in the agriculture sector. The plan AND PRÍNCIPE
Among actions prioritised by the ministry is the also seeks to align efforts in improving resilience SENEGAL
mainstreaming of ICT solutions into policy in farming systems, especially in dry areas, by SEYCHELLES
reduction initiatives and bringing them to the preserving biodiversity and enhancing climate SIERRA LEONE
doorsteps of vulnerable populations mostly adaptation strategies. SOMALIA
found in rural areas (ITU, 2018). As of this SOUTH AFRICA
publication, announcements by the government To augment government efforts, the World Bank SOUTH SUDAN
point to a proposed new digital strategy for the for example approved a USD 41 million grant in TOGO
next 10 years (2020–2030). The government’s 2018 to promote the adoption of technological UGANDA
current National Development Plan was already innovations in the agriculture sector for
UNITED
expected to drive industrialization of agriculture sustainable food production (see Table 4). REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
and boost exports by the end of 2021. The
ZAMBIA
current vision 2030 plan also seeks to develop
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 57
Table 4: Policy and regulation ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 2.97 WEF
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ BURKINA FASO
framework there is a clear plan) BURUNDI
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 3.45 WEF CABO VERDE
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
CAMEROON
extremely successful)
CENTRAL
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 2.47 WEF AFRICAN
digital business models (index ranking REPUBLIC
1–7: not fast at all/very fast)
CHAD
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 2.02 WEF
COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
extremely well developed) CONGO
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 58.3 EC/ITU CÔTE D’IVOIRE
framework DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation DJIBOUTI
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score EQUATORIAL
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4). GUINEA
ERITREA
ESWATINI
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ETHIOPIA
GABON
The oil and gas industry in Chad has eliminating these barriers were the promotion of
THE GAMBIA
contributed to expansion in related public-private dialogue, reduction in taxes and
GHANA
businesses and investment in the country, levies, creating more opportunities for private
GUINEA
but the business environment still suffers from sector growth and strengthening the financial
GUINEA-
political instability and infrastructure deficiencies sector to provide credit for start-ups. BISSAU
affecting investor interest. That said, the KENYA
government has doubled efforts to reform the Institutions such as AFSIC- Investing in Africa have LESOTHO
business environment and diversify the economy. prioritized the agriculture sector in recent efforts LIBERIA
at attracting investors into the country. AFSIC MADAGASCAR
Earlier efforts such as that by the African creates networking platforms for businesses and MALAWI
Development Bank to support the operations shares information on opportunities within the MALI
of small and medium enterprises in 2013 agriculture sector in the country. Also, FDI inflows MAURITIUS
highlighted weak institutions, difficulty in have increased with USD 567 million investment MOZAMBIQUE
accessing finance, and poor enforcement of capital pumped into the economy in 2019 and NAMIBIA
regulations as challenges affecting growth of USD 461 million in 2018, mostly into the oil sector THE NIGER
businesses. Key proposed strategies aimed at (UNCTAD, 2020) (see Table 5). NIGERIA
RWANDA
Table 5: Business environment
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
SENEGAL
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 567 UNCTAD
SEYCHELLES
environment culture
SIERRA LEONE
Growth of innovative companies 2019 2.78 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ SOMALIA
to a great extent)
SOUTH AFRICA
Venture capital availability 2017 2.01 WEF
SOUTH SUDAN
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/
extremely easy) TOGO
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 58 WBG UGANDA
Ease of access to loans (index ranking 1–7: 2017 2.46 WEF UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
extremely difficult/extremely easy) TANZANIA
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 3.03 WEF ZAMBIA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
ZIMBABWE
to a great extent)
58 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
HUMAN CAPITAL ANGOLA
BENIN
The influx of refugees into Chad as a teaching techniques, among others. The most
BOTSWANA
result of three major humanitarian recent attempt at promoting ICT education
BURKINA FASO
crises presented challenges in the led to the development of a 10-year strategy
BURUNDI
educational sector. This impacted related called Education and Training in Liaison with
CABO VERDE
indices such as literacy and learning. Adult Employment (EFE) prioritizing how ICT solutions
CAMEROON
literacy stood at 22.3 percent in 2016 (World can be adopted in improving higher level
CENTRAL
Bank, 2016) and youth illiteracy around education through e-learning (Fall, 2007). In AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
69 percent, translating into 2 million youth 2018, China together with the International
CHAD
unable to read and write (UNICEF, 2014). Centre for Higher Education Innovation-UNESCO
COMOROS
Generally, access to higher education is low with and the Centre of Higher Education Research of
CONGO
secondary school enrolment recorded as Southern University of Science and Technology
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
20.5 percent as of 2019 showing no significant organized a seminar exploring how higher
DEMOCRATIC
change compared to 2018 (20.2 percent). education can be improved through e-learning in REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Chad. Currently, only the University of N’Djamena
DJIBOUTI
Initiatives have been implemented to create the and the Mongo Polytechnic University organise
EQUATORIAL
right support system in education to develop the training in ICT related courses; a situation the GUINEA
country’s human capital. In 2019, the Ministry seminar hoped to change through electrification ERITREA
of National Education and Civic Promotion of all universities, assessment of ICT capacity ESWATINI
organised a teacher’ training programme training potentials of institutions, the building of ETHIOPIA
to bring teachers up to speed with the right a digital library and MOOC centre (see Table 6). GABON
THE GAMBIA
Table 6: Human capital GHANA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source GUINEA
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2016 22.31 UNESCO GUINEA-
BISSAU
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above)
KENYA
Literacy rate, youth total 2016 30.79 UNESCO
(% of people ages 15–24) LESOTHO
Digital skills among population 2019 2.89 WEF LIBERIA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ MADAGASCAR
to a great extent)
MALAWI
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 75.06 ILO
MALI
(% of total employment)
MAURITIUS
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 73.39 ILO
(% of female employment) MOZAMBIQUE
Unemployment, total 2020 2.26 ILO NAMIBIA
(% of total labour force)
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
RWANDA
AGRO-INNOVATION SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
The country’s agriculture sector is contributing to the promotion of improved SENEGAL
c h a ra c t e r i s e d by l o w - y i e l d i n g technologies to support smallholder farmer SEYCHELLES
technologies and practices affecting activities, especially in rural areas. An estimated SIERRA LEONE
productivity (World Bank, 2018). Furthermore, 360 000 people expected to benefit from the SOMALIA
agriculture research led by the Chadian Institute project. The Strengthening Productivity and SOUTH AFRICA
of Agriculture Research for Development remains Resilience of Agropastoral Family Farms Project SOUTH SUDAN
low, which limits the introduction of modern aims at strengthening rural road infrastructure, TOGO
tools, experimentation and testing in the sector. supporting family farms and adding value UGANDA
However, efforts are underway mostly driven by to agropastoral products with about UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
donor organizations to change the narrative. For USD 96.65 million earmarked for the project. TANZANIA
example, the World Bank through the West ZAMBIA
Africa Agriculture Productivity Program aims at ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 59
In enhancing innovation, the Association for the country. For example, the Founder Institute ANGOLA
Promotion of Invention and Innovation (APIIT) also launched a chapter in N’Djamena in 2020 BENIN
in Chad has attempted to consolidate efforts to support start-ups in accessing funding and BOTSWANA
to enhance innovation through partnerships gaining traction for scaling up their solutions BURKINA FASO
with industry and financial institutions in the (see Table 7). BURUNDI
CABO VERDE
Table 7: Agro-innovation CAMEROON
CENTRAL
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 4 601.26 FAO
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions) CHAD
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 118.48 FAO COMOROS
(2014–2016 = 100) CONGO
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.42 WBG CÔTE D’IVOIRE
(index ranking 1–5: low/high)
DEMOCRATIC
Research and Agricultural research spending 2016 0.05 IFPRI REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
technology (% of AgGDP)
development DJIBOUTI
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 2.55 WEF EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/
extensive collaboration) ERITREA
Capacity for innovation 2017 3.03 WEF ESWATINI
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
ETHIOPIA
to a great extent)
GABON
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 N/A UNCTAD
THE GAMBIA
GHANA
GUINEA
GUINEA-
BISSAU
KENYA
LESOTHO
LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
MALI
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
60 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
©FAO/Shutterstock/Altrendo Images
COMOROS
The Comoros is a lower-middle- projects. With 70.4 percent of the land area of the
income country with a GDP of country conducive for agriculture, there is great
USD 1.2 billion, of which half potential for growth in the sector. Present efforts
comes from agriculture. The are focused largely on increasing productivity and
services and industry sectors protecting natural resources.
account for 40 percent and
10 percent of GDP respectively (see Table 1). Despite being the last country to introduce a
mobile telephone network in the world, Comoros
The Comoros has a poverty rate of 64.6 percent. has seen massive development in its ICT sector,
Agriculture employs 34.4 percent of the labour force especially in the last five years. Nevertheless, fixed
(World Bank, 2019). Similarly, over 80 percent of and broadband penetration is still low, and costs
farmers in the country are smallholders. Together of mobile services are high. Multilateral agencies
with development partners, the government of the such as the World Bank are supporting the country
Comoros is taking steps to improve agriculture. This to improve its ICT sector.
has reflected in a number of ambitious policies and
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 869 595 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 29.38 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 70.62 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 1 220 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 1 310 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 70.39 FAO
61
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
Electricity access in the Comoros services. However, only 40 percent of the
BOTSWANA
presently stands at 84 percent, with population have access to mobile services
BURKINA FASO
98.2 percent in urban areas and while less than 1 percent can access
BURUNDI
78.2 percent in rural areas. Energy is generated broadband services.
CABO VERDE
from predominantly biomass sources, hydro
CAMEROON
power, oil and natural gas, geothermal plants Several efforts have been made to improve
CENTRAL
and renewables such as wind and solar. The infrastructure in the Comoros. For instance, the AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
main network operators in the Comoros are the World Bank financed the Comoros Regional
CHAD
partly state-owned Comores Telecom (ComTel) Communications Infrastructure Program in 2018
COMOROS
and Telma Comores, both of which offer 4G to improve connectivity (see Table 2).
CONGO
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Table 2: Infrastructure
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source CONGO
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 78.24 WBG DJIBOUTI
(% of rural population)
EQUATORIAL
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 82.00 GSMA GUINEA
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 34.89 GSMA ERITREA
(% of population) ESWATINI
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 9.2 WBG ETHIOPIA
(per 1 million people)
GABON
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 N/A WEF
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/ THE GAMBIA
to a great extent) GHANA
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2020 54.37 ITU GUINEA
(per 100 inhabitants)
GUINEA-
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 9.46 ITU BISSAU
(per 100 inhabitants) KENYA
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 0.11 ITU LESOTHO
(per 100 people)
LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
DIGITAL PENETRATION MALI
MAURITIUS
Almost 8.5 percent of the country’s In terms of the use of ICT tools in agriculture,
MOZAMBIQUE
population have access to Internet ICT-powered regulatory systems have been
while only 0.11 percent of the population instituted to facilitate seed and fertilizer NAMIBIA
uses fixed broadband and 9.46 percent for application. Through the Strengthen the THE NIGER
mobile broadband. Besides the major network Adaptive Capacity and Resilience to Climate NIGERIA
operators, the other Internet service providers in Change in the Agriculture Sector (CRCCA) RWANDA
the country are Centralcom Plans DSL, Centralcom programme, farmer-trainers are selected and SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Cable, Halo Fixed Wireless, Hughesnest, Viasat equipped to train other farmers on techniques
SENEGAL
and Centralcom Fiber. In addition to the low and technologies that improve agricultural
SEYCHELLES
rates of Internet access, cost also remains high activities. Thousands of farmers have benefited
SIERRA LEONE
(see Table 3). from the project since it was launched in 2014.
SOMALIA
Through the Enhancing Adaptive Capacity and
SOUTH AFRICA
The Comoros has over half a million mobile phone Resilience to Climate Change in the Agriculture
SOUTH SUDAN
users, representing 67.6 percent of the population. Sector in the Comoros project, climate
TOGO
About 46 percent of mobile phone users access resilient technologies were introduced into
UGANDA
the Internet through their phones, which ago-sylvo-pastoral systems.
UNITED
partly compensates for the low penetration of REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
broadband services. Meanwhile, the penetration
ZAMBIA
rate of mobile social media is 15 percent.
ZIMBABWE
62 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 3: Digital penetration ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 4.38 Cable
penetration (USD) BURKINA FASO
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2018 N/A ITU BURUNDI
as a % of adjusted per capita income CABO VERDE
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2018 N/A ITU CAMEROON
adjusted per capita income
CENTRAL
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 19.54 GSMA AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Number of apps in national language 2019 21.06 GSMA
CHAD
(quantity)
COMOROS
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 44.74 GSMA
CONGO
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 54.73 GSMA
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
POLICY AND REGULATION DJIBOUTI
In 2004, the government announced The government receives support from IFAD, EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
plans to transform the telecom- FAO and the World Bank to support the
ERITREA
munications sector, pursuant to which National Investment Plan (NIAP) that promotes
ESWATINI
the telecommunications functions of the and coordinates investments in the country.
ETHIOPIA
national postal and communications operator, Other policies are the Enhancing Adaptive
GABON
SNPT, were separated to establish ComTel. The Capacity and Resilience to Climate Change.
THE GAMBIA
National Regulation Authority of Information In the agriculture sector in Comoros, the
GHANA
and Communications Technology (ANRTIC) was Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development
GUINEA
later established in 2009 to oversee the Program (CAADP) aimed at promoting market
GUINEA-
implementation of ICT policies and regulate the access, food security and agricultural research BISSAU
sector. Following recommendations by the and the promotion of new technologies. The KENYA
World Bank, ComTel was privatized in 2013. With sector is regulated by the Ministry of Agriculture, LESOTHO
further support from the World Bank, the Fisheries, and Environment. The Rural Centres of LIBERIA
Regional Communications Infrastructure Economic Development (RCED) also coordinate MADAGASCAR
programme was launched to increase a number of projects and programmes. MALAWI
connectivity and coverage of broadband MALI
networks (see Table 4). MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
Table 4: Policy and regulation NAMIBIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source THE NIGER
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 N/A WEF NIGERIA
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ RWANDA
framework there is a clear plan)
SÃO TOMÉ
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 N/A WEF AND PRÍNCIPE
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/ SENEGAL
extremely successful)
SEYCHELLES
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 N/A WEF
SIERRA LEONE
digital business models (index ranking
1–7: not fast at all/very fast) SOMALIA
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 N/A WEF SOUTH AFRICA
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
SOUTH SUDAN
extremely well developed)
TOGO
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 82.3 EC/ITU
framework UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation
TANZANIA
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score ZAMBIA
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4).
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 63
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ANGOLA
BENIN
Because the Comoros is a member of However, the government has demonstrated
BOTSWANA
the Common Market for Eastern and commitment to reforming the investment code
BURKINA FASO
Southern Africa (COMESA) free trade and establishing an office that will serve as the
BURUNDI
area, tariffs and policies that govern single point of contact for all business-related
CABO VERDE
agribusinesses involved in trade are determined needs, including foreign investment. This has
CAMEROON
by the COMESA Common External Tariff (CET). reflected in the continued rise inward flow of
CENTRAL
Generally, tariffs are low and non-tariff barriers FDI over the last few years. The investment AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
have also been eliminated with the exception profile of the country was also boosted when it
CHAD
of rice. Since the country is classified as one of joined the World Bank’s Multilateral Investment
COMOROS
the least developed countries (LDCs), Guarantee Agency (MIGA). At present, China is
CONGO
businesses enjoy a total duty and quota-free the biggest investor in the Comoros. Huawei
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
access to the European Union (EU) with the has channelled substantial investment into the
DEMOCRATIC
exception of arms and armament exports ICT industry of the Comoros. REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
(see Table 5).
DJIBOUTI
Agribusinesses, restaurants and other
EQUATORIAL
There is not much clarity of what FDI means in businesses in the food value chain in the GUINEA
the Comoros and investors may be faced with Comoros are also beginning to leverage ERITREA
some hurdles such as a limited local market, technology to offer reservations and delivery ESWATINI
poor infrastructure and unskilled labour. services to customers. Such services are ETHIOPIA
Political instability has also been a major source common in the big cities such as Moroni GABON
of disturbance to the business landscape. and Moutsamoudou. THE GAMBIA
GHANA
Table 5: Business environment GUINEA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source GUINEA-
BISSAU
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 8 UNCTAD
KENYA
environment culture
LESOTHO
Growth of innovative companies 2019 N/A WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ LIBERIA
to a great extent) MADAGASCAR
Venture capital availability 2017 N/A WEF MALAWI
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/
extremely easy) MALI
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 16 WBG MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
Ease of access to loans 2017 N/A WEF
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ NAMIBIA
extremely easy)
THE NIGER
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 N/A WEF
NIGERIA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
HUMAN CAPITAL SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
UNESCO figures peg literacy rate in education, the Comoros adopted a national
SOMALIA
Comoros at 58.8 percent. Among the policy in 2004 that aims at promoting
SOUTH AFRICA
youth, literacy stood at 78.3 percent, infrastructure for improved access, integrating
SOUTH SUDAN
with youth males at 78.2 percent and youth ICTs and computers into teaching and learning
females at 78.3 percent as of 2018. Enrolment at as much as possible, in addition to sever other TOGO
the secondary school level at present stands at goals (see Table 6). UGANDA
50.4 percent. Specifically, enrolment among UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
females is 51.7 percent while that of males is There are a number of opportunities for digital TANZANIA
49.1 percent. In terms of accessibility to ICT for training in the Comoros including the Knowledge ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
64 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Academy’s Digital Transformation Training and been pledged to create an enabling environment ANGOLA
the USGs courses. The University of Comoros for agriculture to thrive, including providing BENIN
also offers a few ICT-related courses. support to agricultural entrepreneurs. The goal BOTSWANA
is to create a market-driven and competitive BURKINA FASO
Through the World Bank-funded Integrated agribusiness sector. A number of youth-led BURUNDI
Development and Competitiveness Project start-ups are also being incubated and given CABO VERDE
launched in 2019, financial commitment has the support to scale up. CAMEROON
CENTRAL
AFRICAN
Table 6: Human capital REPUBLIC
CHAD
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
COMOROS
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2018 58.82 UNESCO
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above) CONGO
Literacy rate, youth total 2018 78.27 UNESCO CÔTE D’IVOIRE
(% of people ages 15–24) DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
Digital skills among population 2019 N/A WEF CONGO
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
DJIBOUTI
to a great extent)
EQUATORIAL
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 34.38 ILO GUINEA
(% of total employment)
ERITREA
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 31.57 ILO
ESWATINI
(% of female employment)
ETHIOPIA
Unemployment, total 2020 8.43 ILO
(% of total labour force) GABON
THE GAMBIA
GHANA
AGRO-INNOVATION
GUINEA
GUINEA-
According to the World Bank, the lack alternative livelihoods. The Building Climate BISSAU
of digital technologies such as mobile Resilience through Rehabilitated Watersheds, KENYA
money or other forms of digital credit Forests and Adaptive Livelihoods project LESOTHO
limits access to finance, especially in rural areas. funded by the Least Developed Countries LIBERIA
The majority of payments continue to be made Fund also ended in 2020. The project aimed MADAGASCAR
through cash as a result of the delayed at researching and promoting technologies for MALAWI
operationalization of electronic payment watershed restoration and reforestation. Over MALI
instruments. A USD 15 million investment from 38 000 people benefited from the project. MAURITIUS
the International Finance Corporation (IFC) has MOZAMBIQUE
the capacity to create the enabling environment The Comoros National Investment Promotion NAMIBIA
for digital solutions such as mobile money services, Agency launched the Greenhouse and THE NIGER
e-agriculture, e-health and e-governance, and is Vegetable Market project in 2011 to establish NIGERIA
reflective of the improvements being made in at least three vegetable farms in each of the RWANDA
the sector. Farmers in the Comoros have been Comoros Union Islands; and 25 green houses SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
introduced to the use of modern feeder for producing lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and
SENEGAL
systems and solar-powered incubators by other vegetables.
SEYCHELLES
FAO (see Table 7).
SIERRA LEONE
On the research front, higher education
SOMALIA
Ongoing research and development projects institutions like University of Comoros and
SOUTH AFRICA
include the Family Farming Productivity and Kampala University along with other institutions
SOUTH SUDAN
Resilience Support Project by IFAD earmarked such as the Agricultural Research Council (ARC)
TOGO
for 2017 to 2022. With over 70 percent funded continue to advance research to improve
UGANDA
by IFAD and partly by other domestic partners, agriculture in the Comoros.
UNITED
the project seeks to help 35 000 smallholder REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
farmers to build resilience against climate The country remains open to digital innovation
ZAMBIA
change, address food insecurity and promote and solutions for improving agriculture. This
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 65
is why during the last Comoros Development emerging economy. One of the goals pertaining ANGOLA
Conference, a government delegation including to this pursuit is to eventually become a supplier BENIN
the president raised EUR 4.2 billion to help of digital infrastructure. BOTSWANA
revamp the country and see it bloom into an BURKINA FASO
BURUNDI
Table 7: Agro-innovation CABO VERDE
CAMEROON
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
CENTRAL
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 372.62 FAO AFRICAN
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions) REPUBLIC
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 99.83 FAO CHAD
(2014–2016 = 100) COMOROS
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.56 WBG CONGO
(index ranking 1–5: low/high)
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Research and Agricultural research spending 2016 N/A IFPRI
DEMOCRATIC
technology (% of AgGDP) REPUBLIC OF
development CONGO
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 N/A WEF DJIBOUTI
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/ EQUATORIAL
extensive collaboration) GUINEA
Capacity for innovation 2017 N/A WEF ERITREA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
ESWATINI
to a great extent)
ETHIOPIA
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 1.18 UNCTAD
GABON
THE GAMBIA
GHANA
GUINEA
GUINEA-
BISSAU
KENYA
LESOTHO
LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
MALI
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
66 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
©FAO/Shutterstock/antoinee
CONGO
Congo is a lower-middle- arable land (or one-third of its territory), remains
income country with a GDP of uncultivated. The main cash crops are beans,
approximately USD 10.8 billion sugarcane, cocoa and coffee. Food crops are
(see Table 1). The country mainly cassava, maize, groundnut, banana, etc.
experienced an economic crisis However, most of the staple foods are produced
in 2014 due to a drop in oil by family farming. Due to a limited capacity in
prices, but slowly recovered in 2018. The country’s providing enough food to meet domestic demand,
population is 5.5 million, 67.8 percent of whom live in Congo depends to a great extent on food imports
urban areas, mostly concentrated in Brazzaville and (WFP, 2019), accounting for 80 percent of total food
Pointe-Noire (see Table 1). In 2011, Congo’s poverty consumption (International Trade Administration,
rate stood at 41 percent, which was a decrease by 2020). Moreover, 21.2 percent of children aged
10 percent from 2005 (World Bank, 2015). However, below five suffered stunting. These facts present a
the rate is substantially higher (70 percent) among great challenge for Congo, which needs to ensure
the 32.2 percent who live in rural areas (FAO, 2021). food security and decrease the vulnerability of
its population.
Congo is rich in natural resources, particularly
tropical forests (which constitute 65 percent of Congo’s ICT sector is growing with significant
the territory), mineral resources and oil reserves. progress made in the mobile sector. There is a
The agriculture sector contributed 4 percent strong demand by the population to access Internet
of the country’s total GDP (International Trade services. However, challenges are also quite
Administration, 2020) and employs 33.5 percent evident, including weak infrastructure, high cost,
of the population, of which females accounted for low income, and unstable connections, which leave
32 percent (see Table 6). Subsistence agriculture a significant room for improvement.
is dominant, however. Over 90 percent of Congo’s
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 5 518 092 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 67.83 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 32.17 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 10 885 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 106 280 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 31.12 FAO
67
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
According to World Bank estimates, is a key competitor providing 2G, 3G and 4G
BOTSWANA
Congo has significantly improved its services within the country. GSMA reported
BURKINA FASO
electricity access from 38.08 percent in that 4G coverage reached 67.2 percent as of
BURUNDI
2008 to 48.3 percent in 2019. However, electricity 2019, significantly improving from 0 percent in
CABO VERDE
supply is mainly concentrated in cities 2015 (GSMA, 2019) (see Table 2). However, the
CAMEROON
(92.4 percent). Only 12.7 percent of rural areas fixed line infrastructure is relatively inadequate
CENTRAL
have access to electricity. Congo has abundant in Congo, resulting in low fixed broadband AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
energy resources including natural gas, tar subscriptions, at 0.01 per 100 people.
CHAD
sands and hydropower, but is yet to meet its
COMOROS
potential. As a result, domestic power supply Congo’s digital infrastructure development has
CONGO
does not yet meet demand, while the national been facilitated by the Central African Backbone
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
grid and distribution system need to be (CAB) regional interconnection programme, with
DEMOCRATIC
upgraded. The Rural Electrification Project was its first phase completed in 2017 to connect a REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
launched in 2013 aiming at providing fiber optic backbone to Gabon’s network. The
DJIBOUTI
sustainable access to electricity in 53 rural second phase is underway to connect Congo
EQUATORIAL
centres in 10 departments, covering a total of to the networks of Cameroon and the Central GUINEA
5 100 households (African Development Bank African Republic (World Bank, 2018). Meanwhile, ERITREA
Data Portal). its National Coverage Project also aims at ESWATINI
improving access to the Internet by constructing ETHIOPIA
3G services in Congo were primarily launched in fiber optic network connecting Pointe-Noire to GABON
2011 by Airtel Congo in Brazzaville. 4G services Brazzaville (see Table 2). THE GAMBIA
were later introduced in 2018. MTN Congo GHANA
GUINEA
Table 2: Infrastructure GUINEA-
BISSAU
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
KENYA
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 12.67 WBG
LESOTHO
(% of rural population)
LIBERIA
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 67.20 GSMA
MADAGASCAR
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 51.72 GSMA
(% of population) MALAWI
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 8.34 WBG MALI
(per 1 million people) MAURITIUS
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 N/A WEF MOZAMBIQUE
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
to a great extent) NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2018 95.34 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) NIGERIA
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2017 6.05 ITU RWANDA
(per 100 inhabitants)
SÃO TOMÉ
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2014 0.01 ITU AND PRÍNCIPE
(per 100 people) SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
DIGITAL PENETRATION SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
In Congo, digital transition is transpiring partially due to high prices for mobile data, at
SOUTH SUDAN
at a slow pace and challenges persist. USD 23.33 for 1 GB (see Table 3), which is not
TOGO
Data shows that only 8.7 percent of affordable for most mobile users. This situation
UGANDA
individuals use the Internet. Despite high mobile has been slowly improving as operator prices
UNITED
cellular subscriptions at 95.34 per 100 people, fell 23.8 percent between 2019 and 2020, REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
active mobile broadband subscriptions remain bringing an increase of 53.3 percent of Internet
ZAMBIA
low at 6.05 per 100 people (see Table 2). This is traffic (ARPCE,2020). Social media penetration
ZIMBABWE
68 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
is growing in Congo, reaching 13.1 percent in Mobile money services have also been ANGOLA
2019 (see Table 2), especially among young provided by these two major players since 2012 BENIN
people for communications. (Massanga and Miere, 2020) and have been BOTSWANA
widely accepted among the urban population. BURKINA FASO
According to the 2020 mobile Internet market Mobile money has panned out to be a dynamic BURUNDI
report published by Agence de Régulation des market with 2.1 million subscribers as of 2020, CABO VERDE
Postes et des Communications Electroniques with MTN having 80 percent of market share CAMEROON
(ARPCE), the mobile Internet market is mainly and 20 percent to Airtel (see Table 3). CENTRAL
AFRICAN
dominated by MTN and Airtel with a total of REPUBLIC
2.8 million subscriptions, reflecting an increase In terms of online businesses, AgriZoom is CHAD
by 35.4 percent. MTN is still dominant with an Android app-powered e-commerce and COMOROS
62.5 percent of market share, followed by Airtel, crowdfunding platform that helps farmers, CONGO
at 37.5 percent. Mobile Internet penetration fishing communities, and agro-processors CÔTE D’IVOIRE
stood at 54.5 percent in 2020 (ARPCE, 2020). raise funds and access market to avoid food DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
waste. It includes a web media that promotes CONGO
agricultural entrepreneurship. DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Table 3: Digital penetration
ERITREA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source ESWATINI
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 1.94 Cable ETHIOPIA
penetration (USD)
GABON
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2018 N/A ITU
THE GAMBIA
as a % of adjusted per capita income
GHANA
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2018 N/A ITU
adjusted per capita income GUINEA
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 13.07 GSMA GUINEA-
BISSAU
Number of apps in national language 2019 48.85 GSMA
(quantity) KENYA
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 43.76 GSMA LESOTHO
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 81.98 GSMA LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
MALI
POLICY AND REGULATION MAURITIUS
In 2019, the national strategy Vision Congo also tries to provide a sound political MOZAMBIQUE
Congo Digital 2025 was approved to ecosystem for agriculture development. A series NAMIBIA
facilitate the country’s transformation of laws and regulations have been adopted THE NIGER
into a digital economy through e-citizenship, to regulate land, agriculture, livestock and NIGERIA
e-government and e-business. To support the forests. Congo has established four special RWANDA
implementation of this strategy, a series of laws economic zones to support the development SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
have been promulgated covering data of agriculture, mineral processing as well as
SENEGAL
protection, cybersecurity and electronic wood industry. For agriculture in particular,
SEYCHELLES
transactions. The ICT sector is mainly regulated more investments will flow for the development
SIERRA LEONE
by the ARPCE which was set up in 2009. It has of crop production and processing as well as
SOMALIA
been appointed as the service provider for the forestry (Ministry of Special Economic Zones).
SOUTH AFRICA
implementation of the Digital Hub with the goal Meanwhile, the International Partnership for
SOUTH SUDAN
of monitoring e-transactions. Human Development (IPHD) is working with the
TOGO
Ministry of Agriculture to launch an agriculture
UGANDA
programme aiming at developing seven farms
and eight operation centres of agricultural UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
machinery (see Table 4). TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 69
Table 4: Policy and regulation ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 N/A WEF
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ BURKINA FASO
framework there is a clear plan) BURUNDI
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 N/A WEF CABO VERDE
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
CAMEROON
extremely successful)
CENTRAL
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 N/A WEF AFRICAN
digital business models (index ranking REPUBLIC
1–7: not fast at all/very fast)
CHAD
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 N/A WEF
COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
extremely well developed) CONGO
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 75.7 EC/ITU CÔTE D’IVOIRE
framework DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation DJIBOUTI
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score EQUATORIAL
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4). GUINEA
ERITREA
ESWATINI
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ETHIOPIA
GABON
In general, Congo offers a stable and several registration procedures and organizes
THE GAMBIA
secure environment for businesses to commercial registration for companies (World
GHANA
operate. It has adopted incentive Bank, 2020), but efficiency remains a problem.
GUINEA
measures such as tax privileges regions for
GUINEA-
domestic SMEs and companies investing more Congo is largely affected by global oil prices. The BISSAU
than FCFA 100 million. It also has a special tax UNCTAD World Investment Report 2020 notes KENYA
regime applicable to enterprises engaging in that FDI inflow decreased to around USD 1 billion LESOTHO
agropastoral, agriculture and fishing (ENSafrica, between 2018 and 2019. To reduce dependency LIBERIA
2019). However, constraints like a weak ICT on the oil sector, Congo has taken a series of MADAGASCAR
infrastructure, inconsistent water and electricity actions to attract more investment. It has signed MALAWI
supply, inadequate qualified labour forces, high bilateral investment agreements with a range of MALI
transport costs still pose major challenges countries, created special economic zones, as well MAURITIUS
for investment. as diversified new investment channels, including MOZAMBIQUE
in the agriculture, forestry and information NAMIBIA
Meanwhile, time-consuming procedures are sectors. Furthermore, Congo has a large amount THE NIGER
considered a main obstacle in terms of doing of uncultivated land, making it possible to unlock NIGERIA
business in Congo. According to Doing Business the investment and development opportunities in RWANDA
2020, it takes 49.5 days to start a business, while agriculture, especially for agro-processing and SÃO TOMÉ
one additional day is needed for married women mechanized agriculture. According to the Ministry AND PRÍNCIPE
as a marriage certificate is required when of Special Economic Zones, agriculture-relevant SENEGAL
applying for an identification card. The Centre companies can settle in the special economic SEYCHELLES
des Formalités des Entreprises (CFE) has been zone of Oyo-Ollombo and acquire approval to SIERRA LEONE
established as a one-stop shop that centralizes operate their businesses (see Table 5). SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
70 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 5: Business environment ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 3 366 UNCTAD
environment culture BURKINA FASO
Growth of innovative companies 2019 N/A WEF BURUNDI
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ CABO VERDE
to a great extent)
CAMEROON
Venture capital availability 2017 N/A WEF
CENTRAL
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ AFRICAN
extremely easy) REPUBLIC
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 49.5 WBG CHAD
Ease of access to loans 2017 N/A WEF COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ CONGO
extremely easy)
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 N/A WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
to a great extent) CONGO
DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
HUMAN CAPITAL ERITREA
In Congo, 80.3 percent of people aged To further lift the digital literacy level, several ESWATINI
above 15 are literate (see Table 6). Of projects and start-ups have been carried out ETHIOPIA
the country’s youth illiterate population to improve ICT infrastructure for education and GABON
(aged 15–24), females accounted for 59 percent. enhance capacity building. IPHD in partnership THE GAMBIA
Meanwhile, 65 percent of indigenous children with the United States Department of GHANA
are not in school, and the total number of out- Agriculture (USDA) and the Ministry of Education GUINEA
of-school children reached 130 688. Education of the Republic of Congo launched a school GUINEA-
BISSAU
is considered as a critical way to fulfil the labour feeding project to improve children’s access to
KENYA
market with qualified workforce. In this context, school feeding and learning conditions; School
LESOTHO
the government continues to expand its connectivity & Y’ello Bibliothèque pour tous is a
LIBERIA
education expenditure. The Education Sector programme launched in 2009 by La Fondation
MADAGASCAR
Strategy 2015–2025 was developed to focus on MTN Congo, aiming at using IT tools and new
MALAWI
three main pillars including providing 10-year technologies for courses and training in schools
MALI
basic education to all children; matching human and universities; the CAB project equipped
MAURITIUS
resources to the economy’s need; and making the public university with software tools
MOZAMBIQUE
the education sector management efficient. and interconnected the 11 higher education
NAMIBIA
Considering the insufficient numbers of people establishments in Brazzaville; Schoolap, a
THE NIGER
with ICT skills, the strategy highlighted the platform that offers digital lessons for students
NIGERIA
importance of introducing ICT to schools to and teaching materials for teachers; Grande
RWANDA
enhance capacities of both teachers and école du numérique du Congo launched in 2016
SÃO TOMÉ
students, as well as the necessity of training to train youth in web and digital professions; AND PRÍNCIPE
with particular focus on the needs of the and PUITS (University Program for Innovation in SENEGAL
labour market. Technologies and Services), established in 2018, SEYCHELLES
supports young people with innovative projects SIERRA LEONE
in their business creation (see Table 6). SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 71
Table 6: Human capital ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2018 80.30 UNESCO
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above) BURKINA FASO
Literacy rate, youth total 2018 82.06 UNESCO BURUNDI
(% of people ages 15–24) CABO VERDE
Digital skills among population 2019 N/A WEF CAMEROON
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
CENTRAL
to a great extent) AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 33.53 ILO
(% of total employment) CHAD
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 32.04 ILO COMOROS
(% of female employment) CONGO
Unemployment, total 2020 10.27 ILO CÔTE D’IVOIRE
(% of total labour force)
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
DJIBOUTI
AGRO-INNOVATION EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
The expenditure of agriculture R&D has Agriculture start-ups exist in the Congo. Most of ERITREA
declined since 2008, accounting for their earnings accrue from exporting agricultural ESWATINI
0.26 percent as a share of agricultural products such as aquarium fish, timber, eggs, ETHIOPIA
GDP in 2016. About 88 percent of researchers coffee, etc. There are also a few private
GABON
have master’s and doctoral degrees but incubators targeting young entrepreneurs.
THE GAMBIA
60 percent are above the age of 50. Female For example, BantHub creates favourable
GHANA
researchers only represent 14 percent. The working spaces for tech-entrepreneurs; Yékolab
GUINEA
National Agricultural Research Institute (IRA), assisted young innovators develop the mobile
GUINEA-
Forestry Research Institute (IRF) and the Natural payment application Wapicash Transfert, and BISSAU
Sciences Institute (IRSEN) are the leading Total Start-up Center supports business skill KENYA
agricultural R&D agencies that employ the enhancement. Agri Zoom is an e-commerce LESOTHO
majority of researchers in the country, however, and crowdfunding platform and mobile app LIBERIA
the number decreased in recent years due to created in 2018 to help farmers secure funding MADAGASCAR
retirement. Moreover, the digitalization level of opportunities and access markets. In 2019 the MALAWI
agriculture remains low. The adoption of Congo and France signed a memorandum of MALI
technologies is limited mainly due to a shortage understanding (MoU) to establish a “digital MAURITIUS
of qualified labour, despite low costs. club” for bilateral cooperation in digitalization, MOZAMBIQUE
including incubators, training centres, as NAMIBIA
well as companies supporting local start-ups THE NIGER
(see Table 7). NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
72 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 7: Agro-innovation ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 801.37 FAO
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions) BURKINA FASO
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 107.32 FAO BURUNDI
(2014–2016 = 100) CABO VERDE
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.49 WBG CAMEROON
(index ranking 1–5: low/high)
CENTRAL
Research and Agricultural research spending 2016 0.26 IFPRI AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
technology (% of AgGDP)
development CHAD
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 A/N WEF COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/ CONGO
extensive collaboration)
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Capacity for innovation 2017 A/N WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
to a great extent) CONGO
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 2.25 UNCTAD DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
ERITREA
ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
GABON
THE GAMBIA
GHANA
GUINEA
GUINEA-
BISSAU
KENYA
LESOTHO
LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
MALI
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 73
©FAO/Shutterstock/Jake Brooker
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Côte D’Ivoire is a lower-middle- and employing 40 percent of the workforce with
income with a population a large percentage of those living in poverty. Yet,
of 26.3 million people, 13.3 percent of the population is undernourished,
48.3 percent of whom are living and 29.6 percent is malnourished (World Bank, 2019).
in rural areas. That said, the
country has one of the fastest- The digital economy represented 7.2 percent
growing economies in Africa with 1.8 percent GDP of GDP in 2017 and 9.8 percent in 2018, with a
growth, although about 57 percent of the rural forecast increase to around 11 percent in 2020, thus
population is below the national poverty line and providing around 5 400 direct and 100 000 indirect
the rural/urban gap has widened (see Table 1). jobs. The performance of the digital economy has
led Côte d’Ivoire to be ranked among the most
The agriculture sector remains the country’s technologically competitive countries in Africa
backbone accounting for 28 percent of the (ITU, 2019).
national GDP, 40 percent of the country’s export
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 26 378 275 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 51.71 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 48.29 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 61 349 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 212 000 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 66.67 FAO
74
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
Even though two-thirds of Ivorians have the vast majority of voice and data connections.
BOTSWANA
access to electricity, only 41.9 percent of Most Ivorians access the Internet using mobile
BURKINA FASO
the rural population can reap these devices. The country’s three MNOs (Orange CI,
BURUNDI
benefits, causing an obstacle to rural markets MTN and Moov) provide effective competition
CABO VERDE
and limiting access to storage facilities. with 34.1 million connections, of which 65 percent
CAMEROON
are broadband (We are social and Hootsuite,
CENTRAL
In Côte D’Ivoire, 74.9 percent of the population is 2020), and 23 percent mobile Internet users AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
covered by 3G, and 55 percent of the territory has (of which “smartphoners” represent more than
CHAD
4G coverage. While 57 percent of Ivorians have 90 percent). This mostly benefits urban areas
COMOROS
mobile devices, one-third of which are smart where about 15 percent use the Internet on a
CONGO
phones, there are nevertheless significant mobile weekly basis. The rate drops to only 3 percent
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
coverage gaps for rural areas. The Autorité de for rural areas, and only 1 percent of youth
DEMOCRATIC
Régulation des Télécommunications/TIC de Côte (15–24 years) have Internet access at home. REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
d’Ivoire (ARTCI) has identified that 48 percent
DJIBOUTI
of the country’s 8 518 localities (representing The fixed Internet and broadband sectors are
EQUATORIAL
23 percent of the total population) were not underdeveloped, however, with access to more GUINEA
covered by any mobile service (see Table 2). submarine cables, the situation has gradually ERITREA
improved with decreasing prices (Henry ESWATINI
In the telecommunication market, the mobile Lancaster, 2020).* ETHIOPIA
sector is the strongest overall, accounting for GABON
THE GAMBIA
Table 2: Infrastructure GHANA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source GUINEA
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 41.89 WBG GUINEA-
BISSAU
(% of rural population)
KENYA
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 55.18 GSMA
LESOTHO
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 56.94 GSMA
(% of population) LIBERIA
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 56.60 WBG MADAGASCAR
(per 1 million people) MALAWI
Availability of the latest technologies 2016 4.92 WEF MALI
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
MAURITIUS
to a great extent)
MOZAMBIQUE
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2020 152.00 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) NAMIBIA
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 66.19 ITU THE NIGER
(per 100 inhabitants)
NIGERIA
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 0.99 ITU
RWANDA
(per 100 people)
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
*https://www.budde.com.au/Research/C%C3%B4te-d-Ivoire-Ivory-Coast-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Broadband-Statistics-and-Analyses SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
DIGITAL PENETRATION SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
Smartphone adoption is quickly make mobile calls and send SMS (ICT Prices,
SOUTH SUDAN
spreading in urban areas among young 2017). The Internet segment also recorded a
TOGO
people (who represent almost half of total number of 17 million subscribers against
UGANDA
subscribers). Youth are attracted to accessing 10 million at the start of 2017, for a penetration
UNITED
the latest features or technologies on the rate of 72 percent against 30 percent for the REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
market, attractive offers by the MNOs (Club’s entire continent (Bruno Nabagné Koné, 2017),
ZAMBIA
cool, Funzone or Moov’In) and very low prices to largely attributed to the continuous dropping of
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 75
the average smartphone price to USD 94 (CFAF That said, the country has a low penetration of ANGOLA
57 000) and an average price of USD 3.20 mobile social networks rated at 18.7 percent. BENIN
per 1 GB data. Some of the main reasons include the BOTSWANA
unaffordability of smartphones and low digital BURKINA FASO
In 2017 almost 77 percent of the population had a literacy rates. The gender gap in the use of BURUNDI
phone, nearly a third of which was a smartphone, social media is also high (34:80), due to lower CABO VERDE
yet only 2 percent of rural populations buy online, literacy rates among women (see Table 3). CAMEROON
18 percent of Ivorian companies have their own CENTRAL
AFRICAN
website, and 60 percent of them use email with The range of digital agriculture solutions is REPUBLIC
their suppliers or clients. broad, ranging from those providing data and CHAD
information services, access to insurance and COMOROS
MNOs have worked to increase the number of finance, precision agriculture, and connecting CONGO
transactions in the digital ecosystem and have market links (GSMA, 2020; RIA, 2020). CÔTE D’IVOIRE
launched initiatives to digitize payments in DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
agriculture, which in turn has increased the use of MNOs like Orange through mAgri and MTN CONGO
digital finance services in rural areas (26 percent) partnering with Effects Advans are already DJIBOUTI
higher than in the cities (22.6 percent), with an offering information services on weather EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
evident gender gap (female, 28 percent and male forecasting, market prices, saving accounts and
ERITREA
38 percent) and only 6 percent used for receiving crop and livestock extension via Unstructured
ESWATINI
agricultural payments. Supplementary Service Data (USSD), IVR, SMS,
ETHIOPIA
call centres, and web chatbots to smallholders
GABON
Boosted by the rise of the middle class and (mostly cooperatives). Weight Control provides
THE GAMBIA
urban youth, e-commerce is viewed by a information on weight for purchased goods
GHANA
growing number of Ivorians as a way to do and “inclusive guarantee” is a form of digital
GUINEA
their shopping through platforms like Jumia, agricultural insurance. WeFlyAgri, Investiv and
GUINEA-
Afrimarket, HelloFood, BabiKen, or Yaatoo, the BeatDrone provide precision farming services BISSAU
leading curb side pick-up e-commerce platform using drones, with remote sensing helping KENYA
for retail food supply. smallholders improve yields and optimize LESOTHO
farming practices. LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
Table 3: Digital penetration MALAWI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source MALI
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 3.20 Cable MAURITIUS
penetration (USD) MOZAMBIQUE
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2015 4.62 ITU NAMIBIA
as a % of adjusted per capita income
THE NIGER
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2019 10.08 ITU
NIGERIA
adjusted per capita income
RWANDA
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 18.72 GSMA
SÃO TOMÉ
Number of apps in national language 2019 48.01 GSMA AND PRÍNCIPE
(quantity)
SENEGAL
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 34.80 GSMA
SEYCHELLES
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 70.47 GSMA
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
POLICY AND REGULATION SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
Keeping pace with digitalization, the implement the country’s digital strategy (Plan
UGANDA
National Agency for the Universal d’Action Du Gouvernement Developpement et
UNITED
Service of Telecommunications (Agence Numerique) and to spread the use and adoption REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
Nationale du Service Universel des Télé of ICT, thereby narrowing the digital gap
communications, ANSUT) was set up in 2012 to between urban and rural areas. ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
76 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
In 2012 the government created the Platform for base of an agro-industrial pole to transform and ANGOLA
Fighting Cybercrime to conduct investigations modernize agriculture in the Bélier region (centre BENIN
and cybersecurity awareness projects. Between of the Ivory Coast) through ICT. The second BOTSWANA
2015 and 2018 the regulators removed duties iteration of the National Agricultural Investment BURKINA FASO
levied on IT equipment, tablets and mobile Plan (PNIA II) is well aligned with PSNDEA in BURUNDI
devices, to expand access to electronic devices. terms of digital agricultural innovation, and CABO VERDE
In October 2017 the Parliament passed the Loi specifically addresses digital identity and CAMEROON
d’Orientation de la Société de Communication, geospatial projects (see Table 4). CENTRAL
AFRICAN
aimed at supporting inclusive, open and REPUBLIC
transparent information. As of 2021, the government worked with La CHAD
Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement COMOROS
In order to promote access to ICT equipment, the and Agence Français de Développement on CONGO
Ivorian government launched the One Ivorian, smart agriculture and technological innovation. CÔTE D’IVOIRE
One computer project and promoted a telecom Also, the National Office of Technical Studies DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
liberalization policy to reduce the costs of fixed and Development (BNETD) advises the CONGO
and mobile telephony and Internet. government on policy for digital transformation DJIBOUTI
in multiple domains, including agriculture. EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
One of the many actions and reforms undertaken
ERITREA
within the framework of development to The government worked with MNOs to subsidize
ESWATINI
promote the ICT sector by the government was computers purchased with mobile money, bringing
ETHIOPIA
the emphasis on new and digital technologies their cost down from as much as USD 300–400
GABON
since 2012 (updated in 2014). These included the when purchased from retailers to around USD 100.
THE GAMBIA
Digital Solutions Project for the Opening up of This was also in addition to the construction of
GHANA
Rural Areas and Agriculture (PSNDEA), initiated in 5 000 cyber centres in rural areas to promote
GUINEA
2018 with technical support from the World Bank digital inclusion. In 2019, the government
GUINEA-
Group. It aims, among other things, at (i) reducing announced a living income differential to be paid BISSAU
the digital divide by providing connectivity in for every tonne of cocoa procured, reforming KENYA
rural areas; and (ii) providing digital services to production and pricing in the farmers’ interest, LESOTHO
rural communities for an improvement of thier making a strong case for digital procurement. LIBERIA
agricultural value chain. In the same vein is the MADAGASCAR
Agro-Industrial Pole Project in the Bélier region Finally, in 2018 the country was ranked 172 globally MALAWI
(2PAI-BELIER), initiated in 2016 with the technical in the UN’s E-Government Development Index, MALI
and financial support of the AfDB. It set up the placing it highest among the ECOWAS countries. MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
Table 4: Policy and regulation NAMIBIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source THE NIGER
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 4.61 WEF NIGERIA
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ RWANDA
framework there is a clear plan)
SÃO TOMÉ
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 4.35 WEF AND PRÍNCIPE
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
SENEGAL
extremely successful)
SEYCHELLES
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 N/A WEF
digital business models (index ranking SIERRA LEONE
1–7: not fast at all/very fast) SOMALIA
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 4.04 WEF SOUTH AFRICA
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
SOUTH SUDAN
extremely well developed)
TOGO
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 61.8 EC/ITU
framework UGANDA
UNITED
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score ZAMBIA
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4).
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 77
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ANGOLA
BENIN
As an emerging economy, Côte D’Ivoire Côte D’Ivoire is built around two primary sources:
BOTSWANA
has initiated reforms to boost its the PSNDEA World Bank funding (USD 70 million
BURKINA FASO
business environment and has seen an over 5 years) and the PNIA II engagement
BURUNDI
improvement in the 2019 Doing Business ranking, (USD 784 million). However, a significant
CABO VERDE
going to 122nd place in mid-2018. Continuous challenge for young start-ups remains the
CAMEROON
improvement in the business climate has availability of funds: they typically lack assets
CENTRAL
attracted national and international investors, for collateral and bear high risks, as well as AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
which translated into the creation of often facing high-interest loans from traditional
CHAD
7 423 companies from January to June 2018. The banks and some degree of bias (see Table 5).
COMOROS
country also set up a large free trade zone in
CONGO
Grand-Bassam. In 2006 the Village des In the rural areas, only 19 percent of the
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Te c h n o l o g i e s d e l ’ I nfo r m a t i o n et d e s population save to start, operate, or expand a
DEMOCRATIC
Biotechnologies (VITIB) was established to farm or business of which 18 percent are females. REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
coordinate and develop the activities of the free Only 2 percent of youth in rural areas borrowed
DJIBOUTI
trade zone. The Ivorian government holds an money from financial institutions. On the other
EQUATORIAL
8 percent stake in the company, with the rest of hand, in 2020 the e-commerce company Afrikrea GUINEA
its equity belonging to various public and raised USD 1 million in funding. With just around ERITREA
private actors. In order to strengthen the USD 2 million of funding received by local tech ESWATINI
business environment for e-commerce, the start-ups, Côte d’Ivoire remains a nascent tech ETHIOPIA
government is partnering with UNCTAD and the ecosystem only now entering the top 20 African GABON
Government of Germany to improve the markets in terms of funding. Although the THE GAMBIA
e-commerce ecosystem in the country. current funding situation is meagre, there is a GHANA
large and growing pool of investors active in GUINEA
The volume of private investments in Côte Côte D’Ivoire that are definitely within reach. GUINEA-
BISSAU
D’Ivoire at mid- 2018 amounted to around The culture of entrepreneurship is not yet prolific
KENYA
USD 600 million; an increase of 76 percent enough, as socially it is not yet considered a
LESOTHO
compared to this same period in 2017. Currently valued career choice.
LIBERIA
available funding for digital agriculture in
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
Table 5: Business environment
MALI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
MAURITIUS
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 1 009 UNCTAD
MOZAMBIQUE
environment culture
NAMIBIA
Growth of innovative companies 2019 N/A WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ THE NIGER
to a great extent)
NIGERIA
Venture capital availability 2016 2.72 WEF
RWANDA
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/
extremely easy) SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 6 WBG
SENEGAL
Ease of access to loans 2016 2.69 WEF
SEYCHELLES
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/
extremely easy) SIERRA LEONE
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 N/A WEF SOMALIA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ SOUTH AFRICA
to a great extent)
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
78 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
HUMAN CAPITAL ANGOLA
BENIN
With just 47 percent of the population Through its programme Grande Ecole du
BOTSWANA
15 and older able to read and write Numérique Africaine, Orange aims at mobilising
BURKINA FASO
(UNESCO, 2018) and with only a its infrastructure, access and expertise to help
BURUNDI
26 percent enrolment rate in secondary schools, meet the challenge of training young people
CABO VERDE
education can play a major developmental role in digital technology. Through the Des Chiffres
CAMEROON
in enhancing digital skills for the future of et Des Jeunes (DCDJ) fellowship programme,
CENTRAL
agriculture, a sector that employs 40 percent of Ivorians between 18 and 34 years of age can AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
the population. Of 23 068 education institutions train in intensive data science and analytics.
CHAD
(preschool to high school) 55 percent are in rural The Kalaan Foundation also prioritizes digital
COMOROS
areas (see Table 6). literacy in its projects.
CONGO
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Education and literacy have undergone some Generally speaking, talent is available in the
DEMOCRATIC
changes with the promotion of new channels market to build a successful career so long as it REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
and alternatives, in particular the dynamic can be paid for.
DJIBOUTI
use of ICT. NGOs and the private sector are
EQUATORIAL
active in education, which is considered a core GUINEA
government policy. ERITREA
ESWATINI
Table 6: Human capital ETHIOPIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source GABON
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2019 89.89 UNESCO THE GAMBIA
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above) GHANA
Literacy rate, youth total 2019 83.63 UNESCO GUINEA
(% of people ages 15–24)
GUINEA-
Digital skills among population 2019 3.8 WEF BISSAU
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ KENYA
to a great extent)
LESOTHO
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 40.15 ILO
LIBERIA
(% of total employment)
MADAGASCAR
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 31.04 ILO
(% of female employment) MALAWI
Unemployment, total 2020 3.50 ILO MALI
(% of total labour force)
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
AGRO-INNOVATION THE NIGER
NIGERIA
The reforms initiated by Côte D’Ivoire in There are about 15 different incubation
RWANDA
research are yielding positive results and acceleration programs for start-ups in
SÃO TOMÉ
through government investments. Gross Côte D’Ivoire, including JokkoLab, Orange Fab, AND PRÍNCIPE
R&D expenditure in agriculture and veterinary She is the Code, Janngo, etc. (Briter Bridges, SENEGAL
sciences (percent of GDP) increased slightly from 2018). Two of these, Vitib and Dream Factory, SEYCHELLES
2.81 percent to 3.29 percent of GDP. Although the are public initiatives, (see Table 7). SIERRA LEONE
government is increasingly focusing on university- SOMALIA
industry cooperation in R&D, the collaboration The involvement of the corporate sector in the SOUTH AFRICA
between ecosystem actors has so far been limited. tech space is led by MNOs. They are taking SOUTH SUDAN
Tech events happen only on a monthly basis. In advantage of the opportunities presented by TOGO
2018, there were about 10 tech events gathering the evolving tech environment to innovate and UGANDA
more than 100 people. Mainstream media does tap into local skills. In 2014, Orange launched UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
not often cover start-ups, but there are about ten an accelerator programme, Orange Fab, aimed TANZANIA
blogs that do that, for example: Alassaut, l’Actu at supporting start-ups in developing solutions ZAMBIA
Web d’Edith, and Aboukam.net. for its platforms and enhancing service delivery ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 79
to its customers. A year later, Moov launched are early-stage start-ups, aspiring entrepreneurs ANGOLA
Cyberlab to train 4 500 Ivorian entrepreneurs and university students. In digital agriculture, BENIN
in mastering digital tools and to develop the Saemaul Undong Foundation organizes BOTSWANA
activities on the Internet. In 2017, MTN Business hackathons and bootcamps to tap the potential BURKINA FASO
Côte d’Ivoire launched the programme Y’ello of rural areas. The PSNDEA has also organized BURUNDI
Startup aimed at supporting young local tech a series of hackathons nationwide between CABO VERDE
entrepreneurs and identifying future business 2018 and 2019 and is undertaking the technical CAMEROON
partners for MTN Y’ello Startup and Seedspace and managerial incubation of the winners CENTRAL
AFRICAN
Abidjan, with local impact investors like TRECC during 2021. REPUBLIC
or Comoe Capital. In 2018, the ecosystem CHAD
experienced a promising growth with the launch Although not all local start-ups have the “codes” COMOROS
or announcement of new initiatives like MEST or speak the same “language” as international CONGO
(2019), Orange Corners and Seedstars Academy. venture capital investors, the talents, innovative CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Given the nascence of the overall ecosystem, solutions and opportunities to invest in DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
the incubation and acceleration offerings local start-ups are there for those ready to CONGO
are substantial. capitalize on that. Côte D’Ivoire’s ecosystem DJIBOUTI
has promising agricultural technology ventures EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
About half of the programs started abroad that are using mobile and digital technologies
ERITREA
(e.g. Founder Institute) and have been replicated to offer hyperlocal solutions tackling local
ESWATINI
in Côte D’Ivoire. The targets of these programs agri-food challenges.
ETHIOPIA
GABON
Table 7: Agro-innovation
THE GAMBIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source GHANA
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 9 158.88 FAO GUINEA
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions)
GUINEA-
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 114.28 FAO BISSAU
(2014–2016 = 100)
KENYA
Logistics Performance Index 2018 3.08 WBG
LESOTHO
(index ranking 1–5: low/high)
LIBERIA
Research and Agricultural research spending 2016 0.50 IFPRI
technology (% of AgGDP) MADAGASCAR
development MALAWI
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2016 3.29 WEF MALI
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/
MAURITIUS
extensive collaboration)
MOZAMBIQUE
Capacity for innovation 2016 4.26 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ NAMIBIA
to a great extent)
THE NIGER
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 3.48 UNCTAD
NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
80 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
©FAO/Shutterstock/Ben Houdijk
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF CONGO
The Democratic Republic of Currently, nearly 54.4 percent of the country’s
Congo (DRC) is a low-income population lives in rural areas (see Table 1) and
country with 72 percent of 64.3 percent is employed by the agriculture sector.
the total population living in The agriculture sector performance in DRC is highly
extreme poverty, despite a affected by political instability in spite of its vast
slight decline in its poverty rate and fertile farmland resources. About 13.9 percent
(World Bank, 2018). Youth under 15 years of age will of the total land area is suitable for agriculture. The
account for nearly half of its population in the next majority of food crops such as cassava and maize,
few decades. About 7.7 million experience acute and cash crops like coffee, cocoa, sugar and palm oil
food insecurity, while almost 2 million children suffer are mainly cultivated by smallholder farmers. Half of
from severe malnutrition (see Table 1). all forest resources in Africa are in the DRC, covering
most of the underdeveloped northern and central
regions. The country’s livestock and fisheries sectors
have been damaged significantly since the civil war.
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 89 561 404 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 45.64 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 54.36 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 49 869 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 315 000 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 13.90 FAO
81
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
Even though the DRC is endowed with means the country relies on cellular networks
BOTSWANA
rich mineral and hydraulic resources, more than wired infrastructure.
BURKINA FASO
they are largely underdeveloped. The
BURUNDI
DRC has a low electricity access rate, at Government agencies are now adopting ICT
CABO VERDE
19 percent in 2019, with 41 percent in urban tools, mostly computers, to increase their
CAMEROON
areas according to the World Bank. But the efficiency. However, unstable power supply and
CENTRAL
government aims at unlocking the country’s slow Internet connections are great challenges, AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
potential and to that end continued enhancing particularly for agencies in rural areas.
CHAD
electricity access from 2018 to 2022, seeking to
COMOROS
ensure general access to electricity for all The government’s focus on improving the
CONGO
segments of society by 2025. country’s ICT infrastructure starts with the
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
improvement of electricity supply. In 2020, the
DEMOCRATIC
Meanwhile, GSMA data also shows that there government signed an MoU with General Electric REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
has been a remarkable increase of 4G coverage, to accelerate the supply of electric energy to
DJIBOUTI
from 0 percent in 2017 to 34 percent in 2019. A benefit more households. Meanwhile, the DRC
EQUATORIAL
similar increase was seen in the number of active is involved in Central African Backbone (CAB) to GUINEA
mobile broadband subscriptions, rising from 3 to establish fiber optic networks within the country ERITREA
19.5 per 100 inhabitants between 2013 and 2019 as well as connecting to other Central African ESWATINI
(ITU, 2019). The rapid spread of mobile phones countries (see Table 2). ETHIOPIA
GABON
Table 2: Infrastructure THE GAMBIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source GHANA
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 1.00 WBG GUINEA
(% of rural population) GUINEA-
BISSAU
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 34.00 GSMA
KENYA
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 42.74 GSMA
(% of population) LESOTHO
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 3.85 WBG LIBERIA
(per 1 million people) MADAGASCAR
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 3.09 WEF MALAWI
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
MALI
to a great extent)
MAURITIUS
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2020 45.55 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) MOZAMBIQUE
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 19.53 ITU NAMIBIA
(per 100 inhabitants)
THE NIGER
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2019 0.01 ITU
NIGERIA
(per 100 people)
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
DIGITAL PENETRATION SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
The number of Internet users in the DRC The mobile sector is dominated by four key
SIERRA LEONE
is on the rise. It increased by 122 percent players. As of the first quarter of 2020, their
SOMALIA
between 2019 and 2020 (9 million users) share of the mobile Internet market was
SOUTH AFRICA
reaching 19 percent Internet penetration in 2020. 32.3 percent for Airtel, 36.7 percent for Vodacom,
SOUTH SUDAN
However desktop computers are scarce in rural 28.1 percent for Orange and 2.8 percent for
TOGO
households due to lack of power supply. Feature Africell. However, operators and consumers
UGANDA
phones are also commonly used by rural both face barriers created by the taxes and fees
UNITED
households instead of smartphones, while radio incurred by the sector. Access prices remain very REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
remains the principal channel through which high with an average cost of USD 50 for 6 GB per
ZAMBIA
news and information is obtained. month as of 2015. These factors cause a slight
ZIMBABWE
82 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
decrease of mobile cellular subscriptions from mobile money services. As a result, mobile ANGOLA
2014 to 2020, with the rate slipping from 50.3 to payments have become more competitive BENIN
45.6 per 100 inhabitants (see Table 2). and the sector as a whole more financially BOTSWANA
inclusive. Mobile money reached a penetration BURKINA FASO
Even though the DRC is still a cash-oriented rate of 9.2 percent in the first quarter of 2020. BURUNDI
society, with only 4 percent of the population The key services provided are mainly money CABO VERDE
having an official bank account, there is an deposits and transfers, television and utility CAMEROON
increasing demand by households and small bill payments, purchases from merchant as CENTRAL
AFRICAN
businesses for money transfers. After the Banque well as international transactions. The main REPUBLIC
Centrale du Congo (BCC) launched a regulatory mobile money services are Orange Money by CHAD
framework on e-money in 2011, four mobile Orange, Airtel Money by Airtel, and Vodacash COMOROS
operators obtained licenses to start trialling by Vodacom and M-Pesa (see Table 3). CONGO
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Table 3: Digital penetration DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
DJIBOUTI
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 N/A Cable
penetration (USD) EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2018 N/A ITU
ERITREA
as a % of adjusted per capita income
ESWATINI
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2018 N/A ITU
adjusted per capita income ETHIOPIA
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 3.52 GSMA GABON
Number of apps in national language 2019 39.59 GSMA THE GAMBIA
(quantity) GHANA
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 31.83 GSMA GUINEA
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 0.00 GSMA GUINEA-
BISSAU
KENYA
LESOTHO
POLICY AND REGULATION LIBERIA
Realizing the potential impact of digital The Agriculture Sector and Rural Development MADAGASCAR
transformation, the DRC adopted Strategy (SSADR) envisions an inclusive and MALAWI
Horizon 2025, a national digital plan prosperous food system in which smallholders MALI
that prioritizes key areas where action is can easily access inputs, services and markets. MAURITIUS
needed. Namely infrastructure, content, Currently, the most pressing task for the DRC is MOZAMBIQUE
application use, and governance and regulation. recovery and ensuring national food security. NAMIBIA
Given that most services provided by telecom To that end, a National Agricultural Recovery THE NIGER
operators are concentrated in urban areas, the Plan was adopted to address the most NIGERIA
national plan aims at improving infrastructure urgent issues faced by the sector. The plan RWANDA
to allow operators and services to enter the also aims at developing a modern, high-yield SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
rural market. agriculture system for all farming households,
SENEGAL
while encouraging value chain actors to adopt
SEYCHELLES
improved technologies to increase productivity.
SIERRA LEONE
This is considered a critical step for the
SOMALIA
digitalization of the country’s agriculture sector
SOUTH AFRICA
(see Table 4).
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 83
Table 4: Policy and regulation ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 N/A WEF
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ BURKINA FASO
framework there is a clear plan) BURUNDI
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 N/A WEF CABO VERDE
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
CAMEROON
extremely successful)
CENTRAL
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 N/A WEF AFRICAN
digital business models (index ranking REPUBLIC
1–7: not fast at all/very fast)
CHAD
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 N/A WEF
COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
extremely well developed) CONGO
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 79.3 EC/ITU CÔTE D’IVOIRE
framework DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation DJIBOUTI
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score EQUATORIAL
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4). GUINEA
ERITREA
ESWATINI
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ETHIOPIA
GABON
The biggest constraint the DRC faces in Since the DRC launched its Investment Code,
THE GAMBIA
attracting and retaining foreign 96 projects were approved of which fifteen
GHANA
investment and donor assistance is the were earmarked for agro-industry and two
GUINEA
deteriorating security situation within the for telecommunications, which generated
GUINEA-
country. Since 2009, the government has more than 2 000 job opportunities. The Loi BISSAU
enacted policy reforms to improve its business Agricole grants tax reductions and exemptions KENYA
and investment climate while fostering a to investors to ensure cost-saving and risk LESOTHO
market-oriented environment to attract foreign resilience for agribusinesses. Moreover, the LIBERIA
capital. The National Agency for Investment National Agriculture Investment Plan (NAIP) MADAGASCAR
Promotion (ANAPI) was created precisely to 2014–2020 emphasized the important role of MALAWI
facilitate the investment process. The adoption the private sector and aims at improving the MALI
of a series of laws, regulations, and incentives livelihood of farmers by facilitating agricultural MAURITIUS
boosted the country’s score in Doing Business enterprises and agri-food industries. MOZAMBIQUE
2020 to 91.6 of 100. The Doing Business report NAMIBIA
reports that it takes 7 days to start a new Some of the groundwork to unlock this potential THE NIGER
business in the DRC (see Table 5) with no has been done. To support youth entrepreneurs, NIGERIA
disparity between male and female applicants, the African Development Bank initiated the RWANDA
while the sub-Saharan regional average is Youth Entrepreneurship in Agriculture and SÃO TOMÉ
21.5 days. The DRC has joined several trade- Agri-business Project (PEJAB) in collaboration AND PRÍNCIPE
oriented regional and international with the Ministry of Finance and Budget and SENEGAL
organizations, offering a promising trade the Ministry of Agriculture. The project aims SEYCHELLES
outlook that would link the country to the rest of at tackling youth unemployment by enabling SIERRA LEONE
the world. With its vast natural and human fresh graduates to start agribusiness with SOMALIA
resources and potential to explore, the mining easy access to finance. The Government of the SOUTH AFRICA
sector attracts more investments. Nevertheless, Democratic Republic of Congo also launched SOUTH SUDAN
the agriculture sector is increasingly getting the Young Farmers Initiative to encourage TOGO
more investor attention. youth entrepreneurs to start businesses in the UGANDA
agriculture sector (see Table 5). UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
84 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 5: Business environment ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 1 478 UNCTAD
environment culture BURKINA FASO
Growth of innovative companies 2019 N/A WEF BURUNDI
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ CABO VERDE
to a great extent)
CAMEROON
Venture capital availability 2017 2.51 WEF
CENTRAL
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ AFRICAN
extremely easy) REPUBLIC
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 7 WBG CHAD
Ease of access to loans (index ranking 1–7: 2017 2.82 WEF COMOROS
extremely difficult/extremely easy) CONGO
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 N/A WEF CÔTE D’IVOIRE
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
HUMAN CAPITAL GUINEA
ERITREA
Reflecting the challenges facing the in only 13.2 percent adults aged 15 years of age
ESWATINI
education sector, the DRC’s literacy rate and older using the Internet and 9.2 percent
ETHIOPIA
for adults above 15 years of age was using computers. The gap is even larger between
GABON
estimated at 77 percent in 2016, with 66.5 percent urban and rural populations, at 20.8 percent
THE GAMBIA
for adult women compared to 88.5 percent for and 2.1 percent for Internet usage respectively.
GHANA
adult men (UNESCO, 2020). Low public To address these gaps, some initiatives have
GUINEA
expenditure in education to the tune of only been undertaken. For example, the application
GUINEA-
2.3 percent of GDP, stunts the overall levels of E-class RDC allows students from primary schools BISSAU
educational in the country. Political instability, to universities to receive online courses at home. KENYA
violence and conflicts also affect schools and the An e-learning platform called KaziAfrika offers LESOTHO
security of school children in no small measure. courses in various areas including information LIBERIA
technology skills. Also, through the Digital MADAGASCAR
In terms of ICT prevalence in schools, 73.8 percent Schools programme, 37 schools were equipped MALAWI
use a computer and 84.8 percent use the Internet with computers. MALI
for higher education, compared to 1.4 percent and MAURITIUS
1.1 percent for primary school, and 12.9 percent Citing the importance of digital skills, the DRC MOZAMBIQUE
and 15 percent for secondary school. Lack of has clearly accounted for the enhancement of NAMIBIA
necessary digital equipment prevents youth educational and public digital capacities in its THE NIGER
from learning basic digital knowledge, resulting Horizon 2025 national plan (see Table 6).
NIGERIA
RWANDA
Table 6: Human capital
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
SENEGAL
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2016 77.04 UNESCO
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above) SEYCHELLES
Literacy rate, youth total 2016 84.99 UNESCO SIERRA LEONE
(% of people ages 15–24) SOMALIA
Digital skills among population 2019 2.8 WEF SOUTH AFRICA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
SOUTH SUDAN
to a great extent)
TOGO
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 64.30 ILO
(% of total employment) UGANDA
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 71.51 ILO UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
(% of female employment) TANZANIA
Unemployment, total 2020 4.55 ILO ZAMBIA
(% of total labour force)
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 85
AGRO-INNOVATION ANGOLA
BENIN
With agriculture considered a main Numerous initiatives and events launched across
BOTSWANA
driver of economic development, the country assist agri-food value chain actors
BURKINA FASO
agricultural R&D in the DRC is booming to access the latest practices and innovations.
BURUNDI
with the support of the government and donor- The Kinshasa International Agricultural Fair is
CABO VERDE
funded projects. It is also bolstered by active one such example. This event brings together
CAMEROON
participation of public agencies, universities, the agricultural operators, investors and banks to
CENTRAL
private sector and NGOs. R&D in agriculture present a showcase of the agricultural potential AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
covers a variety of areas that include crops, of Kinshasa and other provinces of the DRC,
CHAD
livestock, forestry, fisheries, food technologies innovations and research results in the field
COMOROS
and commodity research. of agriculture. The government also launched
CONGO
the Analytical Capacity Building Programme
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
The Institut National d’Etudes et de Recherches to improve agriculture R&D capacities in four
DEMOCRATIC
Agronomiques (INERA) plays the leading public academic institutions. REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
agency role, and accounts for nearly half of the
DJIBOUTI
researchers in the country. In 2016, agricultural Horizon 2025 also underlines the importance of
EQUATORIAL
research overall contributed to only 0.24 percent supporting and promoting start-ups with funds GUINEA
of agriculture GDP. Regarding the qualification and skills training. As a result, entrepreneurs ERITREA
level of researchers, Less than 50 percent of and young start-ups have been encouraged ESWATINI
researchers hold master’s or doctoral degrees. to engage in business through a number of ETHIOPIA
While this is still quite low due to existing support mechanisms such as support platforms GABON
infrastructural and capacity constraints, the in Kinshasa, incubators like Le Hub and Konnect THE GAMBIA
number has nevertheless increased sharply SAS, among others (see Table 7). GHANA
compared to 2009. GUINEA
GUINEA-
BISSAU
Table 7: Agro-innovation
KENYA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
LESOTHO
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 7 657.00 FAO
LIBERIA
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions)
MADAGASCAR
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 109.86 FAO
(2014–2016 = 100) MALAWI
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.43 WBG MALI
(index ranking 1–5: low/high) MAURITIUS
Research and Agricultural research spending 2016 0.24 IFPRI MOZAMBIQUE
technology (% of AgGDP)
development NAMIBIA
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 2.81 WEF THE NIGER
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/ NIGERIA
extensive collaboration)
RWANDA
Capacity for innovation 2017 3.28 WEF
SÃO TOMÉ
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ AND PRÍNCIPE
to a great extent)
SENEGAL
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 N/A UNCTAD
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
86 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
©FAO/Shutterstock/lmascaretti
DJIBOUTI
Djibouti is a lower-middle- 21.9 percent of the total population lives in
income country with a GDP of rural areas, and about 24.6 percent base their
USD 3.3 billion, and a population livelihoods on agriculture. The budget deficit was
of approximately 1 million estimated at 14.2 percent of GDP in 2019, financed
people. With average rainfall mainly by loans and external aid. Poverty remains
at just 130 millimetres per year, widespread, with one out of six people (17 percent)
Djibouti is categorized as an extremely arid country. living on less than USD 1.9 or less a day in 2019,
Only 1 300 ha are actually cultivated, and the most based on the 2019 Djibouti Poverty Assessment.
practiced agricultural technique is the oasis type Unemployment was 21.57 percent among youth
given the absence of permanent surface water labor force, 11.26 percent among women and
sources. In this context, Djibouti is almost totally 10.77 among men as of 2019.
dependent on its imports to feed its population.
Starting in 1988, the Government of Djibouti began
Agriculture plays a minor role in the economy, implementing reforms in its ITC sector to improve
contributing only 1.3 percent of the GDP. About access to high-speed Internet for the population.
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 988 002 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 78.06 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 21.94 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 3 384 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 17 020 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 73.43 FAO
87
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
According to the World Bank, almost purpose-built, Tier 3 data centre facility. It is
BOTSWANA
25 percent of the rural population had already hosting data from the US Army, MTN,
BURKINA FASO
access to electricity in 2019, compared China Mobile and Facebook among others.
BURUNDI
to 71.6 percent in urban areas.
CABO VERDE
Djibouti Telecom, a state-owned enterprise
CAMEROON
Given its strategic port and trade locations (SOE), enjoys a monopoly on first, middle and
CENTRAL
and from an ICT perspective, Djibouti already last-mile connectivity, providing all ICT services AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
has 11 local and international undersea cables, in the country (including fixed telephony,
CHAD
including Gulf Bridge International (GBI), mobile services, and broadband). Growth in
COMOROS
Transcontinental Europe India Gateway (EIG), the mobile and Internet sectors accelerated
CONGO
EASSy, SEACOM, SEA-ME-WE 3, the regional with the launch of 3G in 2011, and the ensuing
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Aden-Djibouti cable, AAE-1 and SEA-ME-WE 5. roll out of a full-blown LTE network in 2016.
DEMOCRATIC
The number of mobile connections in Djibouti REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
The Djibouti Data Center (DDC) is the first and in January 2021 was equivalent to 43.5 percent
DJIBOUTI
only carrier-neutral data centre. It offers a of the total population. However, a geographic
EQUATORIAL
robust product portfolio, which includes flexible digital divide exists where 70 percent of urban GUINEA
options for simplified, competitively-priced households own at least one mobile phone ERITREA
cable head access, backhaul, for both global compared to 25 percent of rural households. ESWATINI
and regional network operators. It also offers Only one-third of the rural population is less ETHIOPIA
colocation, Virtual Point of Presence (vPOP) than 10 minutes away from a location where a GABON
and an Internet Exchange Point (DjIX), all at a phone call can be made. THE GAMBIA
GHANA
Table 2: Infrastructure GUINEA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source GUINEA-
BISSAU
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 24.99 WBG
KENYA
(% of rural population)
LESOTHO
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 N/A GSMA
LIBERIA
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 N/A GSMA
(% of population) MADAGASCAR
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 49.60 WBG MALAWI
(per 1 million people) MALI
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 N/A WEF MAURITIUS
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
MOZAMBIQUE
to a great extent)
NAMIBIA
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2020 43.93 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) THE NIGER
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 23.62 ITU NIGERIA
(per 100 inhabitants)
RWANDA
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 2.54 ITU
SÃO TOMÉ
(per 100 people) AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
DIGITAL PENETRATION SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
To promote the development of a has affected prices, access, and quality of
SOUTH AFRICA
strong digital economy that benefits mobile and fixed services. That said, there has
SOUTH SUDAN
everyone, the government organized been a considerable improvement in the
TOGO
an international conference in 2018. It average mobile price of 1 GB according to Cable,
UGANDA
highlighted the potential benefits of a digital plummeting from USD 37.92 in 2019 to USD 1.12
UNITED
economy and proposed a concrete roadmap in 2020. REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
to support the sector. Djibouti has not yet
ZAMBIA
liberalized its telecommunication market, which
ZIMBABWE
88 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
The ITU and the Ministry of Communication, advertising its products. Possibly, the steep ANGOLA
Post and Telecommunication (MCPT) started prices retained on both sides of the transaction BENIN
deployment of WiMAX that has brought hindered the rapid adoption of this new BOTSWANA
affordable Internet and mobile broadband technology. Djibouti Telecom (the state-owned BURKINA FASO
connectivity to many rural areas in Djibouti. and only available TCL Company in the country) BURUNDI
Internet penetration in Djibouti stood at then launched in June 2020 D-Money, a digital CABO VERDE
55.7 percent in January 2021. mobile money service that allows users to carry CAMEROON
out digital money transfers and payments CENTRAL
AFRICAN
A household report from 2018 indicated that directly from their mobile phones. A wide range REPUBLIC
around 55 percent of individuals above 35 years of financial transactions can now be carried out CHAD
of age reported having had access to the over the Internet or by SMS. COMOROS
Internet in the three months prior, virtually all of CONGO
whom did so using mobile devices. Nevertheless, Local and national digital platforms and CÔTE D’IVOIRE
a large urban-rural digital divide was evident. online government services are making an DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
About 71.3 percent of urban households increasing amount of information and public CONGO
reported access to the Internet versus only services available to Internet users. In 2018, the DJIBOUTI
0.7 percent of rural households. Twenty percent Public Administration Modernization Project EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
of Djibouti’s urban homes have access to a for Djibouti enabled access to e-government
ERITREA
computer, compared to zero percent of rural and promoted efficiency of selected revenue
ESWATINI
homes. Social media penetration in Djibouti administration services. The project comprised
ETHIOPIA
stood at 26.1 percent in January 2021. the development of a digital platform and
GABON
e-services, the establishment of a citizen service
THE GAMBIA
Mobile money service only appeared in 2018 centre (CSC) pilot, and institution-building.
GHANA
when the private company mDJF started
GUINEA
GUINEA-
Table 3: Digital penetration BISSAU
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source KENYA
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 1.12 Cable LESOTHO
penetration (USD) LIBERIA
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2017 5.71 ITU MADAGASCAR
as a % of adjusted per capita income
MALAWI
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2017 5.24 ITU
MALI
adjusted per capita income
MAURITIUS
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 N/A GSMA
MOZAMBIQUE
Number of apps in national language 2019 N/A GSMA
(quantity) NAMIBIA
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 N/A GSMA THE NIGER
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 N/A GSMA NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
POLICY AND REGULATION SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
The strategies followed by Vision way for new opportunities for the region’s
SIERRA LEONE
Djibouti 2035 revolve around five educated youth by way of enhanced economic
SOMALIA
pillars: peace and national unity; good growth and a better functioning domestic
SOUTH AFRICA
g ove r n a n ce ; e co n o m i c d i ve rs i f i ca t i o n ; labour market.
SOUTH SUDAN
consolidation of human capital; and regional
TOGO
integration. Pillar three in particular aims at Djibouti Telecom has developed a new
UGANDA
developing a diversified and competitive private transformation strategic plan PSD-DT-2021 in
UNITED
sector-driven economy. Digital economy 2019, comprising several components. These REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
s o l u t i o n s d eve l o p e d u n d e r e n h a n ce d include an international, regional and national
competition can boost innovation and pave the strategy with two major programmes, Djibouti ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 89
Connector & Connected (Djibouti Connecteur & Sector and Food and Nutrition Security (PNIASAN ANGOLA
Connecté) and Digital Djibouti (Djibouti Digital). 2016–2020) aimed at achieving the following: BENIN
The focus remains however very much outward (i) leasing land for agriculture in other countries BOTSWANA
looking, or to become a regional digital hub. in the region, particularly Ethiopia and Sudan, BURKINA FASO
to create a buffer stock of food, as arable land BURUNDI
In 2015, the government created the Agence is limited in Djibouti; and (ii) developing more CABO VERDE
Nationale des Systèmes d’Information arable land in the country through irrigation CAMEROON
de l’Etat (ANSIE) to connect the country’s systems and mobilization of surface water. CENTRAL
AFRICAN
administrations by a high-speed network REPUBLIC
with collaborative communication tools, and The government also adopted the Strategy CHAD
to develop transversal IT applications to host for Accelerated Growth and Promotion of COMOROS
them in a single data centre in order to improve Employment (SCAPE), and the National CONGO
the efficiency of administration. Through this Employment Policy (NEP), both conceived CÔTE D’IVOIRE
agency, the government intends to establish a to promote the culture of entrepreneurship DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
political and regulatory framework as well as (particularly with young people and qualified CONGO
the much-needed sound management of the women). These initiatives provide support DJIBOUTI
electronic administration. mechanisms to strengthen commerce, tourism, EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
agrobusiness, and the provision of construction
ERITREA
From an agriculture perspective, Djibouti’s m a te r i a l s a n d s e r v i ce s to co m p a n i e s
ESWATINI
National Investment Plan for the Agriculture and individuals.
ETHIOPIA
GABON
Table 4: Policy and regulation
THE GAMBIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source GHANA
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 N/A WEF GUINEA
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/
framework there is a clear plan) GUINEA-
BISSAU
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 N/A WEF
KENYA
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
extremely successful) LESOTHO
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 N/A WEF LIBERIA
digital business models (index ranking MADAGASCAR
1–7: not fast at all/very fast)
MALAWI
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 N/A WEF
MALI
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
extremely well developed) MAURITIUS
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 4.5 EC/ITU MOZAMBIQUE
framework
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation NIGERIA
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score
RWANDA
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4).
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT SEYCHELLES
In 2001 Djibouti created a National The Djibouti International Free Trade Zone SIERRA LEONE
Investment Promotion Agency (NIPA) (DIFTZ) was officially inaugurated in July 2018 SOMALIA
mandated to enhance regulatory to expand manufacturing and processing SOUTH AFRICA
frameworks to accelerate private sector capacities as well as creating jobs in Djibouti. SOUTH SUDAN
involvement. Launched in March 2017, NIPA is a TOGO
one-stop shop initiative that houses several In 2018, Djibouti implemented six reforms in UGANDA
agencies involved in the process of starting the areas of business creation, transfer of UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
a business. ownership, protection of minority investors, TANZANIA
obtaining loans, enforcing contracts and ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
90 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
settling debt insolvency. The cost of registering The Djibouti Economic Development Fund ANGOLA
a business was 41.9 percent of gross national (DEDF) is a public institution of a commercial BENIN
income per capita in 2018, down from over nature seeking to support the creation or BOTSWANA
200 percent. In addition, the government development of SMEs through the loans and BURKINA FASO
launched the Djibouti Partial Credit Guarantee technical assistance. The DEDF offers long and BURUNDI
Fund (DPCGF) to facilitate access to finance medium-term loans of between FDJ 3.5 million CABO VERDE
for SMEs. and FDJ 50 million. CAMEROON
CENTRAL
AFRICAN
Table 5: Business environment REPUBLIC
CHAD
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
COMOROS
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 182 UNCTAD
environment culture CONGO
Growth of innovative companies 2019 N/A WEF CÔTE D’IVOIRE
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ DEMOCRATIC
to a great extent) REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Venture capital availability 2017 N/A WEF
DJIBOUTI
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/
extremely easy) EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 14 WBG
ERITREA
Ease of access to loans 2017 N/A WEF
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ ESWATINI
extremely easy) ETHIOPIA
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 N/A WEF GABON
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
THE GAMBIA
to a great extent)
GHANA
GUINEA
GUINEA-
HUMAN CAPITAL BISSAU
KENYA
Djibouti has announced its intention to not have water supply and 55 percent do not
LESOTHO
connect all schools in the country to have electricity.
LIBERIA
high-speed Internet, and to equip every
MADAGASCAR
student with a tablet. Ultimately, the country The University of Djibouti was established
MALAWI
could also adjust its school programs and in 2006 with faculties in law, economics and
MALI
training courses to ensure that the lessons management, science, humanities, languages
MAURITIUS
provided are in line with the needs of the and social sciences, medicine and engineering,
MOZAMBIQUE
digital economy. as well as a Technical Institute of Industry and
NAMIBIA
a Technical Institute of Tertiary Services. The
THE NIGER
School enrolment increased from 80.5 percent university deployed the country’s first-ever
NIGERIA
in 2016/2017 to 90.2 percent in 2017/2018, “smart classroom” in 2020, conducting multiple
RWANDA
while attendance at primary schools rose rounds of technical training for the university’s IT
SÃO TOMÉ
from 89 percent to 93 percent. Nationally, staff as well as operational training for teachers. AND PRÍNCIPE
38.2 percent of girls attend school, compared The university also participates in the Erasmus SENEGAL
to 64.5 percent of boys; the disparity is larger Mundus Program and collaborates with the SEYCHELLES
in regions outside Djibouti City. Only 22 percent private sector, especially in the fields of logistics, SIERRA LEONE
of youth have no schooling as compared to transportation and civil engineering. SOMALIA
65 percent of those aged 25–64 years. SOUTH AFRICA
A number of private and public vocational SOUTH SUDAN
The low number of schools outside the cities is training entities shut down or are operating on TOGO
also responsible for the big difference between a partial basis. This includes training centres, UGANDA
the 67 percent enrolment rate in urban areas the Ali Sabieh vocational training college, and UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
and 49 percent in rural areas. In rural areas, the Service National Adapté (SNA). The SNA, TANZANIA
schools also tend to be far from homes. which was highly regarded by private sector ZAMBIA
About 20 percent of rural primary schools do ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 91
employers, used to train skilled workers in Professional Development (MENFOP). This is at ANGOLA
various fields before it shut down. in its infancy and requires additional investment BENIN
to reach scale, especially in terms of schools BOTSWANA
Most young people do not participate in the in remote areas. Other initiatives also aim at BURKINA FASO
formal economy. Low labour market-relevant developing digital skills, such as the Center for BURUNDI
skills are an additional mitigating factor. Almost Technology and Innovation for Development, CABO VERDE
50 percent of the working age population have through its Code for Youth project, as well as CAMEROON
never attended school. Women ICT Djibouti. CENTRAL
AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
ICT firms have a high demand for specialized The Djibouti Support for Women and Youth CHAD
engineers and technicians trained in coding, Entrepreneurship (SWYE) project aims at improving COMOROS
cybersecurity, etc., as well as new managerial economic opportunities for entrepreneurs, with CONGO
skills that emphasize flexibility and innovation. a special focus on women and youth. A key CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Expanding the use of ICT, digital learning component of the project is to provide skills DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
and skills development is a key pillar of the training to entrepreneurs and small enterprises. CONGO
reform efforts of the Ministry of Education and DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Table 6: Human capital
ERITREA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source ESWATINI
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2018 N/A UNESCO ETHIOPIA
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above)
GABON
Literacy rate, youth total 2018 N/A UNESCO
THE GAMBIA
(% of people ages 15–24)
GHANA
Digital skills among population 2019 N/A WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ GUINEA
to a great extent)
GUINEA-
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 24.55 ILO BISSAU
(% of total employment) KENYA
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 22.14 ILO LESOTHO
(% of female employment)
LIBERIA
Unemployment, total 2020 11.57 ILO
MADAGASCAR
(% of total labour force)
MALAWI
MALI
MAURITIUS
AGRO-INNOVATION MOZAMBIQUE
In 2011, the government signed a economic and industrial sectors. Supported by NAMIBIA
cooperation agreement with Agence the Ministry of Economy and Finance, which THE NIGER
universitaire de la Francophonie for oversees industry, CLE aims at supporting and NIGERIA
regular co-financing of missions by teachers and accelerating the growth of businesses (including RWANDA
experts, scientific events and research projects agribusinesses) in Djibouti. In cooperation with SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
(in partnership with CERD), the launch at the UNDP, CLE planned to launch in 2021 a series
SENEGAL
university of the partner Francophone digital of funding for small projects and start-ups,
SEYCHELLES
centre, and the annual allocation of funding for including agribusiness-oriented projects.
SIERRA LEONE
master’s and doctoral degrees. The Creative
SOMALIA
Spaces lab housed at the University of Djibouti The Djibouti Young Entrepreneurs Club
SOUTH AFRICA
aims at increasing job and learning opportunities (DYEC) was set up in 2015 had twenty young
SOUTH SUDAN
in technology as well as building stronger entrepreneurs selected and trained in various
TOGO
start-up and entrepreneurial communities. areas including agriculture. Participants were
UGANDA
provided with a platform to network, learn
UNITED
The Leadership and Entrepreneurship Center and collaborate on leveraging technology. REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
(CLE) is dedicated to the development of Le Centre de Technologie et d’ Innovation pour le
ZAMBIA
entrepreneurship and innovation in various Développement (CTID) is privately managed and
ZIMBABWE
92 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
predates CLE. CTID provides diverse ICT activities World Bank, and the technical support of the ANGOLA
and projects, social and solidarity innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and FAO. About 25 youth BENIN
renewable energies, agribusiness, environment were also engaged in a hands-on training on BOTSWANA
and services. Furthermore, the UNDP Youth hydroponics techniques. In 2020 and 2021 BURKINA FASO
Leadership Programme (YLP), in partnership with FAO, in a joint project with UNICEF and WFP, BURUNDI
the youth-serving organizations CTID and Good introduced a demonstrative hydroponics unit CABO VERDE
Planet Africa, provides training and capacity- in a school in the surrounding rural area of CAMEROON
building for youth through workshops, innovation Djibouti. Trained youth were exposed to digital CENTRAL
AFRICAN
camps, hackathons and other activities. agriculture open-source tools, including online REPUBLIC
platforms, such us Arduino IOT Cloud, MyDigital. CHAD
In 2018, a hydroponics pilot project with low-cost Farm, and The Things Network for the LoRA COMOROS
and low technology approach took a complete type of communication in areas not covered by CONGO
cycle through financial contributions from the 4G network. CÔTE D’IVOIRE
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
Table 7: Agro-innovation CONGO
DJIBOUTI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
EQUATORIAL
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 44.62 FAO GUINEA
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions)
ERITREA
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 126.33 FAO
ESWATINI
(2014–2016 = 100)
ETHIOPIA
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.63 WBG
(index ranking 1–5: low/high) GABON
Research and Agricultural research spending 2016 N/A IFPRI THE GAMBIA
technology (% of AgGDP)
GHANA
development
GUINEA
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 N/A WEF
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/ GUINEA-
BISSAU
extensive collaboration)
KENYA
Capacity for innovation 2017 N/A WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ LESOTHO
to a great extent) LIBERIA
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 N/A UNCTAD MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
MALI
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 93
©FAO/Shutterstock/Jan Ziegler
EQUATORIAL GUINEA
Equatorial Guinea is an upper- cultivated area and is geared toward production
middle-income economy with a and household consumption. However, despite
population of 1.4 million people, this potential, the Equatorial Guinea’s food supply
72.2 percent of whom live in is 80 percent dependent on imports, which would
the Continental Region while explain the country’s persistent food insecurity. As
27.8 percent live in the Insular a result, 77 percent of the country’s population lives
Region. About 73.1 percent of the population is in poverty; 57 percent of people do not have access
urban, due to the greater concentration of people to drinking water and 16 percent of children under
in the cities of Malabo and Bata. five suffer from chronic malnutrition.
Industry (45.2 percent) and trade (89.8 percent) Equatorial Guinea’s ICT is generally modest in the
contributed most to GDP in 2020. Agricultural land areas of technological innovation at sub-regional,
represents more than 850 000 hectares, of which continental and even global levels, but the country
only 26 percent is exploited, of which subsistence seems determined to enhance its ICT and telecoms
agriculture occupies more than 85 percent of the sector (see Table 1).
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 1 402 985 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 73.10 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 26.90 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 10 022 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 2 840 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 10.13 FAO
94
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
About 66.6 percent of Equatorial second mobile operator under the Muni brand.
BOTSWANA
Guinea’s population has access to GETESA launched 3G in 2011, and 4G LTE in
BURKINA FASO
electricity, of which 90.9 percent are in 2020, followed by Green Com’s launch of 3G
BURUNDI
urban areas and only 2.2 percent in rural areas. in 2016 and 4G in 2019. In addition to lower
CABO VERDE
When disaggregated by location, only prices, competition between the two operators
CAMEROON
25 percent of the rural population uses non-solid has resulted in a diversity of consumer offers,
CENTRAL
fuels compared to 91 percent in urban areas especially of 3G services. Internet access has AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
(World Bank, 2015). also improved thanks to the connection of
CHAD
Equatorial Guinea to the ACE (Africa Coast to
COMOROS
In terms of connectivity, the number of Europe) in 2012.
CONGO
mobile connections in Equatorial Guinea was
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
equivalent to 54 percent of the total population Established in 2020 as form of FDI, AfriOne is
DEMOCRATIC
in January 2021. a new company that offers mobile devices and REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
telecommunications. It is the first information
DJIBOUTI
For many years, the government has made and communication technology devices
EQUATORIAL
significant economic efforts to develop the assembly plant in Equatorial Guinea aiming at GUINEA
public telecom infrastructure with the sole rendering the local ICT market more affordable. ERITREA
objective of bridging the digital divide. The ESWATINI
state-owned incumbent, Guinea Equatorial In 2011 the government created the Management ETHIOPIA
Telecommunications Society (GETESA), which of Equatorial Guinea Telecommunications GABON
launched its GSM network in 2000, dominates Infrastructures (GITGE) to trade, operate and THE GAMBIA
the market. In 2009, Green Com, a subsidiary maintains the country’s telecommunication GHANA
of a Kuwaiti-based company, launched as the infrastructures (see Table 2). GUINEA
GUINEA-
BISSAU
Table 2: Infrastructure
KENYA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
LESOTHO
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 2.16 WBG
LIBERIA
(% of rural population)
MADAGASCAR
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 N/A GSMA
MALAWI
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 N/A GSMA
(% of population) MALI
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 33.5 WBG MAURITIUS
(per 1 million people) MOZAMBIQUE
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 N/A WEF NAMIBIA
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
to a great extent) THE NIGER
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2018 45.17 ITU NIGERIA
(per 100 inhabitants) RWANDA
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2018 0.14 ITU SÃO TOMÉ
(per 100 inhabitants) AND PRÍNCIPE
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2019 0.01 ITU SENEGAL
(per 100 people) SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
DIGITAL PENETRATION SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
About 26.2 percent of Equatorial 2021. The number of social media users as of
TOGO
Guinea’s populations are Internet users. January 2021 was equivalent to 9.1 percent of the
UGANDA
Although the government claims that total population, of which 97 percent accessed
UNITED
95 percent of municipalities have access to a social media using mobile devices. The most REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
fiber optic network, Internet penetration in visited social media platforms were Facebook
ZAMBIA
Equatorial Guinea stands at 26.2 percent as of (64.9 percent), Pinterest (11.5 percent), YouTube
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 95
(10.2 percent), Twitter (9.2 percent), Instagram According to the United Nations, in 2016 ANGOLA
(3.5 percent) and LinkedIn (0.6 percent). The cost approximately 20 percent of the population BENIN
of mobile data per 1 GB is USD 12.73. By way of had deposits in commercial banks. If a bank BOTSWANA
example, accessing the Internet in a cybercafé does not have a branch in the location where BURKINA FASO
for an hour costs USD 1.80. In addition, Equatorial an individual wants to do business, they would BURUNDI
Guineans consume more than 2.03 GB per month not have access to their funds there. ATMs are CABO VERDE
(global average), the percentage of households only available at limited locations (see Table 3). CAMEROON
with computers stood at 15.8 percent and the CENTRAL
AFRICAN
percentage of households with Internet was REPUBLIC
9.3 percent in 2017. CHAD
COMOROS
Table 3: Digital penetration CONGO
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
DEMOCRATIC
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 12.78 Cable REPUBLIC OF
penetration (USD) CONGO
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2018 N/A ITU DJIBOUTI
as a % of adjusted per capita income EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2018 N/A ITU
adjusted per capita income ERITREA
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 N/A GSMA ESWATINI
Number of apps in national language 2019 N/A GSMA ETHIOPIA
(quantity) GABON
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 N/A GSMA THE GAMBIA
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 N/A GSMA GHANA
GUINEA
GUINEA-
BISSAU
POLICY AND REGULATION KENYA
The government’s development agenda The Ministry of Telecommunications and New LESOTHO
is guided by a medium-term strategy Technologies is responsible for country’s LIBERIA
p a p e r, t h e N a t i o n a l Eco n o m i c digitalization plans. Its imperatives are linked MADAGASCAR
Development Plan: Horizon 2020, which targets to the Government’s Horizon 2020 national MALAWI
economic diversification and poverty reduction. development strategy and include enhancing MALI
The first phase of Horizon 2020 focused on international capacity, improving quality MAURITIUS
infrastructure development and was concluded of services, making prices more affordable, MOZAMBIQUE
in 2012. The second phase focused on economic ensuring competition between operators, NAMIBIA
diversification, targeting strategic new sectors extending coverage across the country, THE NIGER
such as fisheries, agriculture, tourism and strengthening regulations, improving ICT NIGERIA
finance. In the area of agriculture, authorities training, and promoting the development and RWANDA
aimed at increasing production by 2020 to take-up of new applications and services within SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
sustain the development of agri-food, which is different sectors of the economy. The General
SENEGAL
pegged as a priority sector in the diversification Law of Telecommunications of 2005 is the
SEYCHELLES
policy; reverse the trend of increasing food relevant legislation for the sector and, since
SIERRA LEONE
imports; and diversify exports. its enactment, fixed line, mobile and Internet
SOMALIA
services have been open to competition. The
SOUTH AFRICA
The Industrialization Plan, which covers the Telecommunications Regulator Organ came
SOUTH SUDAN
period up to 2020 aimed at encouraging into being after adoption of the law to regulate
TOGO
economic diversification by granting certain the sector.
UGANDA
privileges to the national and international
private sector for the development of specific Through a general legal framework for UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
industrial sectors, including agri-food. data protection matters, Equatorial Guinea TANZANIA
enacted Law No. 1/2016, of 22 July 2016 (the ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
96 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
“Data Protection Law”). In terms of electronic the conditions of competition in the market, ANGOLA
communications and networks, Equatorial Guinea protect Internet users, as well as to respect BENIN
has also enacted Law no. 2/2016 of 22 July the conditions of operation and provision of BOTSWANA
2016 (the “Electronic Communications Law”) public services, and other telecommunications BURKINA FASO
that regulates its electronic communications activities. Through ORTEL, the government BURUNDI
and networks. intends to boost and increase the speed of CABO VERDE
Internet connectivity by installing Ethernet CAMEROON
ORTEL, the country’s telecommunications concentrators (Hub) throughout the country CENTRAL
AFRICAN
regulatory body, was created in 2005 to monitor (see Table 4). REPUBLIC
CHAD
Table 4: Policy and regulation COMOROS
CONGO
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 N/A WEF
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
framework there is a clear plan) CONGO
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 N/A WEF DJIBOUTI
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
EQUATORIAL
extremely successful) GUINEA
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 N/A WEF ERITREA
digital business models (index ranking
1–7: not fast at all/very fast) ESWATINI
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 N/A WEF ETHIOPIA
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/ GABON
extremely well developed)
THE GAMBIA
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 50.3 EC/ITU
GHANA
framework
GUINEA
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation GUINEA-
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation BISSAU
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score
KENYA
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4).
LESOTHO
LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT MALAWI
Through Presidential Decree number In 2017, the government passed Decree MALI
71/2014, HOLDING Equatorial Guinea No. 67/2017, published in September 2017, to MAURITIUS
was created as a public entity of establish a one-stop shop or “single window” MOZAMBIQUE
exclusive state participation. Among its various to simplify the process of registering a business NAMIBIA
functions as an executing arm of the with the aim of bringing down to seven the THE NIGER
government’s economic policy, it co-invests in number of days required to establish a business. NIGERIA
profitable projects focused on agriculture, The “single window” was launched in January RWANDA
livestock, fisheries, mining and services in 2019, pursuant to the government equipping SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
general, with a view to eliminate dependence the facilities for processing applications,
SENEGAL
on revenues from the hydrocarbon sector. and training staff. The government has also
adopted, among other things, the Automated SEYCHELLES
The government has made significant efforts System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) to make SIERRA LEONE
to reduce the time required to start a business, the country’s customs administration more SOMALIA
decreasing from 150 days in 2015 to 33 days in efficient and more transparent. SOUTH AFRICA
2019, according to the World Bank. SOUTH SUDAN
The country does not have a business facilitation TOGO
The government is generally supportive of FDI, mechanism for equitable treatment of women UGANDA
which is regulated by the Foreign Investment and underrepresented minorities in the UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
Law (Decree 72/2018 of April 2018). economy, but there are laws that make it illegal TANZANIA
to discriminate against women (see Table 5). ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 97
Table 5: Business environment ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2020 452 UNCTAD
environment culture BURKINA FASO
Growth of innovative companies 2019 N/A WEF BURUNDI
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ CABO VERDE
to a great extent)
CAMEROON
Venture capital availability 2017 N/A WEF
CENTRAL
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ AFRICAN
extremely easy) REPUBLIC
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 33 WBG CHAD
Ease of access to loans 2017 N/A WEF COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ CONGO
extremely easy)
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 N/A WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
to a great extent) CONGO
DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
HUMAN CAPITAL ERITREA
Equatorial Guinea’s literacy rate was In terms of vocational and technical education, ESWATINI
higher than 90 percent and the gross there are limited specialties, which generally do ETHIOPIA
enrolment rate in primary education not meet the needs of the country’s professional GABON
reached 80 percent and the repetition rate sector. As a result, training active workers is THE GAMBIA
24 percent. However, there are still disparities often the responsibility of the employer or GHANA
relating to place of residence, with only the individual themselves, seeking training GUINEA
40 percent of girls in rural areas completing outside the country. In the area of non-formal GUINEA-
BISSAU
primary school compared to 56 percent in urban skills training, the Ministry of Education and
KENYA
areas. Unemployment affected 9.2 percent of Universities (MEEU) works with the Ministry of
LESOTHO
the working population in 2020 and the Employment and Vocational Training for the
LIBERIA
hydrocarbon sector employed only 4 percent of building construction and service sectors and
MADAGASCAR
the workforce. The lack of sufficiently skilled with the relevant sectoral ministries for specific
MALAWI
agriculture labour is a major obstacle to courses (agriculture, fisheries, mining, and the
MALI
producers in sub-Saharan Africa entering global oil and gas sector). The government and some
MAURITIUS
value chains (ECA, 2013). However, Equatorial national and/or international companies have
MOZAMBIQUE
Guinea recently marked a slight increase in set up several training schemes, particularly in
NAMIBIA
employment in the agriculture sector (percent of the agriculture, fisheries, mining, and oil and
THE NIGER
total employment) from 42 percent (2015) to gas sectors, to develop the skills of their staff
NIGERIA
39.5 percent (2019). (or of the young people they wish to recruit
RWANDA
later) quickly and effectively. These schemes
SÃO TOMÉ
The National University of Equatorial Guinea include in-house training through an internal AND PRÍNCIPE
(UNGE) is the Alma Mater Studiorum of supervision system. SENEGAL
institutions of higher education in Equatorial SEYCHELLES
Guinea. In the 2017–2018 school year, The General Department for the Promotion of SIERRA LEONE
7 707 students were enrolled in the university. Employment and Vocational Training (DGPEFP) is SOMALIA
The faculties with the highest percentage of the main public structure tasked with identifying SOUTH AFRICA
enrolment during the school year in question and anticipating skills requirements. Most new SOUTH SUDAN
were law, political science, communication, and training centres are located in Bata and Malabo TOGO
philosophy, with only 30 enrolled in agricultural whereas other continental regions only have one UGANDA
technologies, and 12 percent enrolled in the centre or no centres at all. As a result, people UNITED
faculty of fisheries. from rural areas have no access to technical REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
and vocational education and training (TVET) ZAMBIA
locally. Moreover, the courses on offer (service ZIMBABWE
98 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
occupations) do not suit the local economic have an investment policy commensurate with ANGOLA
landscape, which comprises mainly agricultural, its development and job creation potential. BENIN
livestock or fishing activities. TVET has been BOTSWANA
largely delegated to the private sector, which Equatorial Guinea’s first ICT training institute BURKINA FASO
runs over 75 percent of TVET centres. Between was established by the technology company BURUNDI
2016 and 2018, the number of TVET centres ZTE in 2015. Its excellent teaching facilities and CABO VERDE
increased from 25 to 45, with strong growth in the network-wide communications laboratory CAMEROON
private centres, which make up 85 percent of new provide a comprehensive environment for CENTRAL
AFRICAN
institutions. The agriculture sector, which employs students to train on cutting-edge technologies REPUBLIC
39.5 percent of the working population, does not (see Table 6). CHAD
COMOROS
Table 6: Human capital CONGO
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
DEMOCRATIC
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2010 94.37 UNESCO REPUBLIC OF
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above) CONGO
Literacy rate, youth total 2010 97.97 UNESCO DJIBOUTI
(% of people ages 15–24) EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Digital skills among population 2019 N/A WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ ERITREA
to a great extent) ESWATINI
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 39.51 ILO ETHIOPIA
(% of total employment)
GABON
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 42.50 ILO
(% of female employment) THE GAMBIA
Unemployment, total 2020 9.15 ILO GHANA
(% of total labour force) GUINEA
GUINEA-
BISSAU
KENYA
AGRO-INNOVATION LESOTHO
Although Equatorial Guinea’s share of Supported by GIGTE, the TEG CAMPUS is the LIBERIA
public agriculture expenditure is largest tech event in Central Africa. With the MADAGASCAR
1.7 percent, the sector has significant aim of promoting awareness, the TEG CAMPUS MALAWI
potential to provide sufficient food production platform connects entrepreneurs, innovators, MALI
for the country. and developers to create a professional network MAURITIUS
around all opportunities in the African ICT sector. MOZAMBIQUE
The National Institute for the Promotion of NAMIBIA
Agricultural Technology in Equatorial Guinea The National Institute for Business Promotion THE NIGER
(INPAGE) was established as an autonomous, (INPYDE) supported by the UNDP provides NIGERIA
decentralized body, linked to the Ministry of entrepreneurship training, offers funding RWANDA
Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development mechanisms for start-ups and encourages SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
(MAGADER), which supports, through subsidies, innovation. In addition, the African Observatory
SENEGAL
the production of cocoa earmarked for export of Science, Technology and Innovation (AOSTI)
SEYCHELLES
(see Table 7). is hosted by Equatorial Guinea.
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 99
Table 7: Agro-innovation ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 239.42 FAO
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions) BURKINA FASO
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 109.47 FAO BURUNDI
(2014–2016 = 100) CABO VERDE
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.32 WBG CAMEROON
(index ranking 1–5: low/high)
CENTRAL
Research and Agricultural research spending 2016 N/A IFPRI AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
technology (% of AgGDP)
development CHAD
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 N/A WEF COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/ CONGO
extensive collaboration)
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Capacity for innovation 2017 N/A WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
to a great extent) CONGO
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 N/A UNCTAD DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
ERITREA
ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
GABON
THE GAMBIA
GHANA
GUINEA
GUINEA-
BISSAU
KENYA
LESOTHO
LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
MALI
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
100 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
©FAO/Shutterstock/Matej Hudovernik
ERITREA
E r i t re a i s a l o w - i n c o m e about 20 to 30 percent of commodity exports
country. Agriculture, animal (Agriculture Sector Strategy, 2014). Additionally,
husbandry and fishing remain about 70 percent of the population is under
the mainstays of the economy, 35 years of age.
with approximately 80 percent
of the population relying on The digitalization of agriculture in Eritrea is
agriculture for their livelihoods. About 65 percent expected to be driven by supportive systems.
live in rural areas and 37 percent of the population The country’s telecom sector operates under
faces high food insecurity. Although the majority a state-owned monopoly with the Eritrean
of the population still relies on agriculture, animal Telecommunication Services Corporation (EriTel)
herding and fishing for their survival, the sector as the key service provider. EriTel has rolled out 3G
only accounts for about 16.9 percent of GDP and services to improve service delivery.
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 3 213 969 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 35.77 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 64.23 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2011 2 065 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 75 920 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 75.17 FAO
101
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
Eritrea has seen a rather slow increase (EriTel). Eritreans fulfilling compulsory national
BOTSWANA
over the years with regards to electricity service cannot own a mobile phone. There were
BURKINA FASO
access. As of 2019, Eritrea had 767.5 thousand mobile connections in Eritrea in
BURUNDI
36.7 percent electricity distribution in rural 2020 or equivalent to 21.5 percent of the total
CABO VERDE
areas. Fixed and mobile communications are population. Despite its coastal location, Eritrea
CAMEROON
owned by the government and operated by the does not have a submarine cable landing station.
CENTRAL
Eritrea Telecommunication Services Corporation AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
CHAD
Table 2: Infrastructure
COMOROS
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source CONGO
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 36.69 WBG CÔTE D’IVOIRE
(% of rural population)
DEMOCRATIC
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 N/A GSMA REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 N/A GSMA
DJIBOUTI
(% of population)
EQUATORIAL
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 0.85 WBG GUINEA
(per 1 million people)
ERITREA
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 N/A WEF
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/ ESWATINI
to a great extent) ETHIOPIA
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2017 20.36 ITU GABON
(per 100 inhabitants)
THE GAMBIA
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2017 0 ITU
GHANA
(per 100 inhabitants)
GUINEA
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2017 0.03 ITU
(per 100 people) GUINEA-
BISSAU
KENYA
LESOTHO
DIGITAL PENETRATION LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
Customers must pay at least USD 46 to From an agriculture perspective, the Agricultural
MALAWI
get an active mobile subscription. Voice Strategic Information System Division (ASISD)
MALI
credits cost USD 3.65 and local mobile department within the Ministry of Agriculture
MAURITIUS
cellular calls per minute cost USD 0.13 as of 2015. manages weather data collected from around
MOZAMBIQUE
Officially, there are 146 fixed broadband 120 agro-meteorological stations. It reports on
subscriptions in the entire country. Dial-up home monthly and seasonal rainfall in the summer NAMIBIA
access costs USD 200 per month. There were and autumn rainy seasons, which facilitates THE NIGER
about 248 000 Internet users in Eritrea in 2020, timely decision making. Supported by FAO, NIGERIA
a decrease of 15 percent compared to 2017. the implementation of eLocust3 is assisting RWANDA
Internet penetration in Eritrea stood at 6.9 percent the government to assess the movement and SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
in 2020. Individuals using the Internet (percent of breeding of locusts as part of early warning
SENEGAL
population) was 1.31 as of 2017. mechanisms in regions throughout the country.
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
There are 100 Internet cafes in the country,
SOMALIA
most of which charge USD 1.34 per hour and
SOUTH AFRICA
have less than 10 computers. There were
SOUTH SUDAN
6 300 social media users in Eritrea in 2020, a
TOGO
decrease of 71 percent compared to 2017. The
UGANDA
number of social media users in Eritrea was
UNITED
equivalent to 0.2 percent of the total population REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
in January 2021.
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
102 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 3: Digital penetration ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 N/A Cable
penetration (USD) BURKINA FASO
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2018 N/A ITU BURUNDI
as a % of adjusted per capita income CABO VERDE
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2018 N/A ITU CAMEROON
adjusted per capita income
CENTRAL
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 N/A GSMA AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Number of apps in national language 2019 N/A GSMA
CHAD
(quantity)
COMOROS
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 N/A GSMA
CONGO
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 N/A GSMA
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
POLICY AND REGULATION DJIBOUTI
Policy development is under the and Vocational Education Training Project EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
purview of the Communications 2010–2016. Furthermore, it is aligned with
ERITREA
Department of the Ministry of Transport the Eritrea National Agriculture Development
ESWATINI
and Communications. The Ministry of National Policy and Strategy, the Five-year Strategic
ETHIOPIA
Development, the Ministry of Information and Agricultural Development Plan (2019–2023)
GABON
EriTel are equally closely involved in the and the draft Strategic Development Plan
THE GAMBIA
development of ICT policy. (2016–2020), and the Small and Medium
GHANA
Commercial Farmers Strategy (SMCFS). The MoA
GUINEA
In 2019, the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) has also introduced the Minimum Integrated
GUINEA-
established the ASISD by merging under Household Agricultural Package, a project that will BISSAU
one umbrella different units within the MoA aid the modernisation and expansion of various KENYA
(GIS and remote sensing, ITC, etc.) to better sectors of agriculture in the country (Ministry of LESOTHO
support the government’s sectoral plans, Information: Eritrea, 2021). That said, Eritrea does LIBERIA
programmes and projects. This includes the not yet have an officially recognized national or MADAGASCAR
Education Development Strategy; the Agriculture sector-specific cybersecurity strategy, or laws on MALAWI
Development Strategy; and the Technical data governance related to the agri-food sector. MALI
MAURITIUS
Table 4: Policy and regulation MOZAMBIQUE
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source NAMIBIA
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 N/A WEF THE NIGER
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ NIGERIA
framework there is a clear plan)
RWANDA
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 N/A WEF
SÃO TOMÉ
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/ AND PRÍNCIPE
extremely successful)
SENEGAL
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 N/A WEF
SEYCHELLES
digital business models (index ranking
1–7: not fast at all/very fast) SIERRA LEONE
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 N/A WEF SOMALIA
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
SOUTH AFRICA
extremely well developed)
SOUTH SUDAN
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 25 EC/ITU
framework TOGO
UGANDA
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation UNITED
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation REPUBLIC OF
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score TANZANIA
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4).
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 103
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ANGOLA
BENIN
The government strongly encourages digital agriculture market find it difficult to
BOTSWANA
companies and individuals to invest in obtaining initial capital support such as loans.
BURKINA FASO
infrastructure projects, particularly in
BURUNDI
building residential housing, roads, airports, More than 75 percent of the population lives
CABO VERDE
ports and hospitals. Eritrea is aiming at creating in rural villages and there are few support
CAMEROON
a modern, private sector-led economy (Macro programs or policies that enable citizens to
CENTRAL
Policy 1994; National Indicative Development successfully launch a business. Businesses AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Plan 2014–2018). in Eritrea also face several infrastructure
CHAD
challenges, such as high fuel prices and
COMOROS
Despite the liberalization of the economy, inconsistent provision of electricity and water.
CONGO
accessing capital remains difficult. The An entrepreneur in Eritrea needs an average
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
central bank controls all of Eritrea’s retail and of 84 days to open a business, 59 days to get
DEMOCRATIC
commercial activities and holds 90 percent of electricity and 59 days to import goods. The REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
the country’s deposits and 80 percent of private government has created a Free Zone Authority
DJIBOUTI
sector claims. Also, start-ups that target the in Massawa to attract new investors, primarily
EQUATORIAL
in energy, tourism and fishing. GUINEA
ERITREA
Table 5: Business environment ESWATINI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source ETHIOPIA
GABON
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 67 UNCTAD
environment culture THE GAMBIA
Growth of innovative companies 2019 N/A WEF GHANA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
GUINEA
to a great extent)
GUINEA-
Venture capital availability 2017 N/A WEF BISSAU
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/
KENYA
extremely easy)
LESOTHO
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 84 WBG
LIBERIA
Ease of access to loans 2017 N/A WEF
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ MADAGASCAR
extremely easy)
MALAWI
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 N/A WEF
MALI
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
HUMAN CAPITAL NIGERIA
The country has a comparatively entrepreneurship in agribusiness to create RWANDA
literate youthful population of a conducive environment for young SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
93.3 percent and an adult population men and woman to become owners of
SENEGAL
of 76.6 percent. In the post-independence time, profitable agribusinesses.
SEYCHELLES
illiteracy rate was estimated at about
SIERRA LEONE
80 percent. The Eritrean government has
SOMALIA
successfully undertaken capacity-building
SOUTH AFRICA
programmes. For instance, the government has
SOUTH SUDAN
partnered with AfDB to support ICT skills
development for youth employability and TOGO
entrepreneurship. Much more has also been UGANDA
done in the agribusiness sector. The AfDB UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
initiative, ENABLE Youth Eritrea, is a skills and TANZANIA
capacity development project that builds ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
104 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 6: Human capital ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2018 76.57 UNESCO
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above) BURKINA FASO
Literacy rate, youth total 2018 93.27 UNESCO BURUNDI
(% of people ages 15–24) CABO VERDE
Digital skills among population 2019 N/A WEF CAMEROON
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
CENTRAL
to a great extent) AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 63.12 ILO
(% of total employment) CHAD
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 68.35 ILO COMOROS
(% of female employment) CONGO
Unemployment, total 2020 7.44 ILO CÔTE D’IVOIRE
(% of total labour force)
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
DJIBOUTI
AGRO-INNOVATION EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
The promotion and/or scaling up of To date, Eritrea’s agriculture sector has ERITREA
innovation is done through benefitted from a EUR 4 million project ESWATINI
partnerships with relevant national known as Development Smart Innovation for ETHIOPIA
institutions, such as the National Agriculture new innovations on smallholder farms, the
GABON
Research Institute (NARI). However, digitalizing strengthening of research, education and
THE GAMBIA
the agriculture sector is hampered by innovation support, and capacity-building
GHANA
inadequate and low skill capacities of staff to aimed at increasing youth employment.
GUINEA
undertake ground-breaking research.
GUINEA-
BISSAU
Table 7: Agro-innovation KENYA
LESOTHO
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
LIBERIA
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 403.51 FAO
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions) MADAGASCAR
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 102.02 FAO MALAWI
(2014–2016 = 100) MALI
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.09 WBG MAURITIUS
(index ranking 1–5: low/high)
MOZAMBIQUE
Research and Agricultural research spending 2011 0.30 IFPRI
NAMIBIA
technology (% of AgGDP)
development THE NIGER
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 N/A WEF NIGERIA
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/
RWANDA
extensive collaboration)
SÃO TOMÉ
Capacity for innovation 2017 N/A WEF AND PRÍNCIPE
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
SENEGAL
to a great extent)
SEYCHELLES
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 N/A UNCTAD
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 105
©FAO/Shutterstock/Sopotnicki
ESWATINI
Eswatini is a lower-middle- and diseases and limited access especially by
income country with a smallholder farmers to financing instruments and
population of about 1.2 million technology. Agricultural activity has been declining
people, most of whom live in in Eswatini over the last two decades. Its exports to
rural areas. About 70 percent South Africa accounts for about 60 percent of total
of the rural population lives output while importing approximately 90 percent of
below the national poverty line and 25 percent are goods from the same trading partner.
considered extremely poor. Smallholder farmers
remain the backbone of rural livelihoods in Eswatini On the other hand, the country’s drive toward
with over 75 percent of the country’s total population a knowledge-based and digital economy is
– 60 percent of whom are women – relying on underpinned by a vibrant telecommunications
subsistence farming. Eswatini’s economy is fairly market. The enabling legislative and regulatory
diversified, with agriculture and manufacturing environment has allowed for easy participation in
contributing significantly to the country’s GDP, the market by individuals, as well as private and
accounting for about 8.2 and 40 percent respectively. public institutions. This has encouraged investments
in new networks and ICT infrastructure, and
However, the agriculture sector has been upgrades for legacy systems to meet the demands
impacted by weather-induced crop failures, pests of the growing local ICT market.
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 1 160 164 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 24.17 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 75.83 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 3 962 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 12 220 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 71.05 FAO
106
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
Eswatini has a 77.2 percent national Fixed telecommunications services are provided
BOTSWANA
coverage of electricity (2019). The by the Eswatini Posts and Telecommunications
BURKINA FASO
electricity supply is linked regionally to Corporation (EPTC), offering broadband services
BURUNDI
the electricity supply network known as the through fixed line and optic fiber connections. To
CABO VERDE
Southern African Power Pool. This ensures the date, the EPTC offers ADSL for both residential
CAMEROON
supply of power at reliable and low-cost rates. and business customers.
CENTRAL
Electricity access has improved in rural areas AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
through the government’s Rural Electrification Over the past few years, the country has seen
CHAD
Program with about 72.9 percent of rural a significant growth in the number of service
COMOROS
dwellers connected. providers, more especially for Internet and
CONGO
broadband services, from just four companies
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Mobile communications services are currently in 2014 to 17 in 2019. This change has resulted
DEMOCRATIC
provided by two service providers (MTN in a highly competitive telecommunications REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Eswatini and Eswatini Mobile) using 2G, 3G and market, characterized by high quality and
DJIBOUTI
4G/LTE technologies, with a combined network affordable services. Between 2014 and 2019,
EQUATORIAL
coverage of over 98 percent for 2G, 91 percent prices of communication services (mobile GUINEA
for 3G and just over 47.40 percent coverage voice and mobile Internet) have come down ERITREA
for 4G/LTE. The service providers are currently by over 200 percent in some cases. Over the ESWATINI
engaged in an aggressive expansion exercise same period, high speed broadband powered ETHIOPIA
for 4G/LTE networks with plans to attain by 4G/LTE and fixed technologies have been GABON
85 percent coverage. With a population of introduced in the market. THE GAMBIA
approximately 1.2 million, mobile subscriptions GHANA
account for 93.5 percent, whereas broadband The Eswatini Communications Commission GUINEA
subscription is about 13 per 100 inhabitants. ensures fair play in the industry through GUINEA-
BISSAU
Also, 3G coverage is within reach of about regulation, licensing and subsequent monitoring
KENYA
47.4 percent of the population. compliance to regulations and laws governing
LESOTHO
the industry.
LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
Table 2: Infrastructure
MALAWI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
MALI
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 72.94 WBG
MAURITIUS
(% of rural population)
MOZAMBIQUE
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 47.40 GSMA
NAMIBIA
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 65.68 GSMA
(% of population) THE NIGER
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 110.33 WBG NIGERIA
(per 1 million people)
RWANDA
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 3.38 WEF SÃO TOMÉ
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/ AND PRÍNCIPE
to a great extent)
SENEGAL
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2017 93.53 ITU
SEYCHELLES
(per 100 inhabitants)
SIERRA LEONE
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2017 15.91 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) SOMALIA
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2017 0.71 ITU SOUTH AFRICA
(per 100 people) SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 107
DIGITAL PENETRATION ANGOLA
BENIN
In 2018, 36 percent of households in The government launched the Computerisation
BOTSWANA
Eswatini owned a mobile device or of Tinkhundla Centres to serve as hubs for
BURKINA FASO
computer, but with no access to the e-government services that aim at providing
BURUNDI
Internet. Only 4 percent of the population infrastructure for communities to access
CABO VERDE
neither have a mobile device nor a computer. In government services from their constituencies.
CAMEROON
addition, 51 percent use mobile or Internet Furthermore, the Eswatini Agricultural Science
CENTRAL
regularly. For 96 percent of the population, cell Information System (SASIS) collects data on AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
phone services and electricity are available. In agricultural production while also providing
CHAD
Eswatini, 3.4 percent of households have fixed functions on database administration, queries
COMOROS
broadband and 46 percent have mobile and reports. Additionally, other service providers
CONGO
broadband. However, the GSMA (2019) reports like EPTC, Real Image, DataNet also offer data
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
that only 21.9 percent of Swazis are actively centres, IT-related services and disaster recovery
DEMOCRATIC
engaged in social media platforms, through services to the market. REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
mobile technology. There is a relatively low
DJIBOUTI
number of mobile apps in the local languages. Concerned about the relative lack of farmers’
EQUATORIAL
Equally, Cable (2020) reports of high data prices organizations’ membership data, the Electronic GUINEA
with users having to pay as much as USD 13 for Membership Data Management System for ERITREA
1 GB of data. the Swaziland National Agricultural Union ESWATINI
(SNAU) was launched in 2016. It has over ETHIOPIA
Digital penetration is progressing in Eswatini 23 000 registered farmers. In addition, an GABON
through various platforms established by e-voucher system was developed that uses THE GAMBIA
public or private entities, such as the OVC smartcards for farmers to access farming inputs GHANA
Management Information System. Through from agri-dealers located in close proximity to GUINEA
Eswatini MTN Mobile Money technology, it 10 000 farmers in Eswatini. GUINEA-
BISSAU
ensures OVC beneficiaries in rural areas receive
KENYA
their payments in a fast and reliable manner. The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) has digitalized
LESOTHO
Rural areas accounted for 82 percent of the the national plant health inspectorate web-
LIBERIA
total mobile money payment. However, banks based service to provide online plant health
find it costly and risky to serve rural SMEs, services. It also established four innovation MADAGASCAR
smallholders and particularly the poorest strata platforms for honey, goat, horticulture and MALAWI
of the population. indigenous chickens. In 2020, The National MALI
Agriculture Marketing Board (NAMBoard) MAURITIUS
launched Farm Store, an online market platform. MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
Table 3: Digital penetration THE NIGER
NIGERIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
RWANDA
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 13.31 Cable
penetration (USD) SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2016 5.33 ITU
SENEGAL
as a % of adjusted per capita income
SEYCHELLES
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2016 15.20 ITU
adjusted per capita income SIERRA LEONE
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 21.95 GSMA SOMALIA
Number of apps in national language 2019 5.00 GSMA SOUTH AFRICA
(quantity) SOUTH SUDAN
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 64.78 GSMA TOGO
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 96.21 GSMA UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
108 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
POLICY AND REGULATION ANGOLA
BENIN
Over the years, the government has responsible for oversight and supervision of
BOTSWANA
developed a range of policies and the electronic communications sector and the
BURKINA FASO
strategic instruments to provide a road Electronic Communications Act of 2013.
BURUNDI
map to economic recovery, all of which are yet
CABO VERDE
to deliver. Key among these is the National In addition, a National Broadband policy has
CAMEROON
Development Strategy (NDS) that was originally been drafted and is currently being refined
CENTRAL
conceived in 1997 to span a 25-year horizon. It for validation by stakeholders. The National AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
was adopted in 1999 and revised in 2014, before Broadband policy as well as the National
CHAD
evolving into the Strategy for Sustainable Cybersecurity Strategy 2022 seek to specifically
COMOROS
Development and Inclusive Growth (SSDIG), with improve the Internet governance framework
CONGO
a vision to be achieved by 2022, and the Poverty and services provision in the country. Other
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Reduction Strategy and Action Plan (PRSAP), institutions that will be established as called
DEMOCRATIC
approved by the cabinet in 2007. for by the policies include a National Internet REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Governance Forum (IGF), a National Computer
DJIBOUTI
Vision 2022 includes an industrial development Emergency and Response Team (CERT) and a
EQUATORIAL
policy, which seeks to be humane, sustainable, Data Protection Authority. GUINEA
social, and above all, technological. The NDS ERITREA
strategy focused on seven macroeconomic Toward digitalization and to address the ESWATINI
pillars, including: agricultural development; digital divide, the government adopted a ETHIOPIA
economic acceleration; industrialization and Strategic Road Map: 2019–2023 aiming at GABON
diversification; environmental management implementing e-government to centralise THE GAMBIA
and sustainable development; infrastructure data and systems into a single solution. The GHANA
development; balanced regional growth and road map also aims at digitally transforming GUINEA
urbanization; research and development; and key strategic sectors, including agriculture, GUINEA-
BISSAU
governance and sound economic management. energy, ICT and education, manufacturing and
KENYA
agro-processing, and tourism. In addition, the
LESOTHO
The agriculture sector has seen momentous government’s commitment to battle climate
LIBERIA
developments over the last ten to fifteen years, change and climate change preparedness have
MADAGASCAR
during which the government has formulated been demonstrated by the development of the
several policies to create an enabling national climate change policy (NCCP). MALAWI
environment within the sector. This included MALI
the Comprehensive Agriculture Sector Policy In terms of education, the first National MAURITIUS
(CASP-2005), the National Food Security Policy, Ed u ca t i o n a n d Tra i n i n g I m p rove m e n t MOZAMBIQUE
the National Irrigation Policy, the Livestock Programme (NETIP) was adopted in 2013. NAMIBIA
Development Policy, the National Forestry It articulated various educational sector THE NIGER
Policy. All of the above-mentioned policies activities within the short-term period of three NIGERIA
are nearing their period review point and are years (2013/14–2015/16). The NETIP II seeks RWANDA
accompanied by the draft National Agricultural to operationalize two policy documents, SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Research Policy (NARP), and the draft National namely the Education Sector Strategic Plan
SENEGAL
Agricultural Extension Policy (NAEP). The sector (ESSP) covering the period 2010–2020 and the
SEYCHELLES
is further guided by the Eswatini National Education and Training Sector (EDSEC) aiming
SIERRA LEONE
Agriculture Investment Plan (SNAIP) 2015–2025 at introducing ICT in all sectors of the education
SOMALIA
and the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture system, including agriculture.
SOUTH AFRICA
Development Programme (CAADP).
SOUTH SUDAN
From an entrepreneurial perspective, the revised
TOGO
From an ICT perspective, Eswatini adopted SMME National Policy is intended to update the
UGANDA
the National Information and Communications existing one that was first issued in 2004. The aim
UNITED
Infrastructure (NICI) Policy. It also established is to create a modern, comprehensive, targeted REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
an independent regulatory office in 2013 (the and coherent framework that will create a highly
ZAMBIA
Eswatini Communications Commission) that is competitive, profitable and entrepreneurial sector.
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 109
Table 4: Policy and regulation ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 3.20 WEF
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ BURKINA FASO
framework there is a clear plan) BURUNDI
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 2.95 WEF CABO VERDE
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
CAMEROON
extremely successful)
CENTRAL
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 N/A WEF AFRICAN
digital business models (index ranking REPUBLIC
1–7: not fast at all/very fast)
CHAD
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 2.60 WEF
COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
extremely well developed) CONGO
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 59.3 EC/ITU CÔTE D’IVOIRE
framework DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation DJIBOUTI
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score EQUATORIAL
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4). GUINEA
ERITREA
ESWATINI
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ETHIOPIA
GABON
The persistent decline in FDI and However, the country’s start-up ecosystem is yet
THE GAMBIA
business dynamism in Eswatini has to be prioritized through legislation to support
GHANA
created, among other things, capital new businesses with incentives, especially
GUINEA
stock obsolescence and a persistent decline in in agriculture, whereas agricultural capital
GUINEA-
capital productivity in the domestic private development expenditure (CDE) is allowed as an BISSAU
sector. Investments are generally provided for in incentive for agriculture. Lack of capital, the high KENYA
the Eswatini Investment Promotion Act of 1998. cost of business registration and unfavourable LESOTHO
Antitrust laws exist to avoid monopoly tendencies attitudes towards young entrepreneurs present LIBERIA
and are guided by the Eswatini Competition serious obstacles to a youth-led MSME sector. MADAGASCAR
Commission. In 2011, Eswatini developed the MALAWI
Fiscal Adjustment Roadmap (FAR) and the MALI
Economic Recovery Strategy (ERS) with a view to MAURITIUS
accelerate and sustain economic growth. MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
To date the country has hosted a number of THE NIGER
multinational corporations like the Coca-Cola NIGERIA
Concentrate factory, YKK Africa and Mondelez RWANDA
International, to name just a few. Two sites have SÃO TOMÉ
already been declared special economic zones AND PRÍNCIPE
through legislation under the Special Economic SENEGAL
Zones Act of 2018. The first is the Royal Science SEYCHELLES
and Technology Park, which will leverage SIERRA LEONE
biotech industries and high-value agribusiness. SOMALIA
The other site is the King Mswati III International SOUTH AFRICA
Airport Zone. Both of these special economic SOUTH SUDAN
zones offer lucrative incentives to qualifying TOGO
investments in bio-science, technology UGANDA
and innovation. UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
110 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 5: Business environment ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 130 UNCTAD
environment culture BURKINA FASO
Growth of innovative companies 2019 N/A WEF BURUNDI
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ CABO VERDE
to a great extent)
CAMEROON
Venture capital availability 2017 2.63 WEF
CENTRAL
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ AFRICAN
extremely easy) REPUBLIC
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 21.5 WBG CHAD
Ease of access to loans 2017 3.50 WEF COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ CONGO
extremely easy)
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 N/A WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
to a great extent) CONGO
DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
HUMAN CAPITAL ERITREA
With an adult literacy rate of The government also supports international ESWATINI
88.4 percent, skills and a trainable undergraduate and postgraduate studies for ETHIOPIA
workforce are abundant in Eswatini. Eswatini students in advanced fields that are GABON
There is no huge gap between literacy rate for not available in the country through scholarship THE GAMBIA
adult women and men, with 88.5 percent and funding at international academic institutions. GHANA
88.3 percent separately. Youth literacy rate is GUINEA
95.5 percent. However, there were adverse effects associated GUINEA-
BISSAU
with skilled-labour cross-border migration and
KENYA
Primary education is free and there are grants the high labour adjustment costs induced by
LESOTHO
for orphaned and vulnerable children at the the Employment Act amendments and the new
LIBERIA
secondary and high-school levels. Access to Industrial Act of 2000. Youth constitute just
MADAGASCAR
secondary education continues to be very 12 percent of the country’s workforce and only
MALAWI
limited and inequitable. According to the Annual 29 percent of youth were engaged in agriculture
MALI
Education Census (AEC, 2015) report, at lower as of 2016. Given that the youth unemployment
MAURITIUS
secondary school level, the net enrolment rate rate stood at 46.22 percent as of 2019, according
MOZAMBIQUE
is 27.7 percent while the gross enrolment rate to ILO, the Eswatini Youth Enterprise Revolving
NAMIBIA
is 88.4 percent. At the senior secondary school Fund (YERF) was set up by the government under
THE NIGER
level, the net enrolment rate is 11.8 percent while the Ministry of Sports Culture and Youth Affairs
NIGERIA
the gross enrolment rate is 62.7 percent. to equip youth with relevant skills to address the
RWANDA
various challenges they face.
SÃO TOMÉ
Eswatini has thousands of graduates annually AND PRÍNCIPE
from tertiary institutions in various disciplines SENEGAL
including technology, commercial disciplines, SEYCHELLES
education, and agriculture among others. SIERRA LEONE
The University of Eswatini (UNESWA) is the SOMALIA
only governmental university and the only SOUTH AFRICA
one offering agricultural sciences at the post SOUTH SUDAN
graduate level. However, weak wireless services TOGO
are the greatest obstacles to the use of ICT UGANDA
facilities by the students. UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 111
Table 6: Human capital ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2018 88.42 UNESCO
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above) BURKINA FASO
Literacy rate, youth total 2018 95.47 UNESCO BURUNDI
(% of people ages 15–24) CABO VERDE
Digital skills among population 2019 3.5 WEF CAMEROON
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
CENTRAL
to a great extent) AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 12.15 ILO
(% of total employment) CHAD
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 10.10 ILO COMOROS
(% of female employment) CONGO
Unemployment, total 2020 23.40 ILO CÔTE D’IVOIRE
(% of total labour force)
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
DJIBOUTI
AGRO-INNOVATION EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Agricultural R&D spending in Eswatini The Innovation Park at RSTP comprises the ERITREA
fell significantly between 2009–2012 National Data Center, the Advanced School of ESWATINI
but increased somewhat thereafter, in Information Technology, the National Contact ETHIOPIA
inflation-adjusted terms. Eswatini invested Centre and the Information Technology
GABON
0.70 percent of its GDP accrued from agriculture Business Incubator. The Advanced School of
THE GAMBIA
in agricultural research. Three agencies were IT provides world-class ICT training, nurturing
GHANA
involved in agricultural research in Eswatini in entrepreneurship through innovation and
GUINEA
2016: the government agency DARSS, and two research, with superior ICT facilities and
GUINEA-
units at UNESWA, the country’s main university. specialized ICT courses. The Information BISSAU
UNESWA employs a comparatively high number Technology Business Incubator (ITBI) enables KENYA
of PhD-qualified researchers, whereas DARSS creators to commercialize their innovations LESOTHO
only employed one during 2009–2014. In 2016, in the fields of computer, mobile phone, LIBERIA
UNESWA employed 60 percent of the country’s Internet and electronic products or processes MADAGASCAR
agricultural researchers of whom 10 were through entrepreneurship. MALAWI
PhD-qualified researchers. MALI
In collaboration with UNDP, RSTP launched the MAURITIUS
The Government of Eswatini developed the Agri-Tech open innovation in 2020, giving local MOZAMBIQUE
Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP), innovators an opportunity to commercialise NAMIBIA
which features a special economic zone their innovations in the agriculture sector THE NIGER
to facilitate FDI as well as R&D facilities to through the provision of co-working spaces NIGERIA
enable the transfer of research results into the and amenities, capacity building and access RWANDA
marketplace. The combined annual turnover to networks, business facilitation, intellectual SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
of the 36 start-ups incubated by the RSTP is property protection services, legal services and
SENEGAL
E 15 million across five different sectors including fundraising support, including seed capital
SEYCHELLES
digital agriculture themes. However, not all from UNDP.
SIERRA LEONE
of the 36 companies were already generating
SOMALIA
revenue as only 70 percent of the products
SOUTH AFRICA
had gone through market validation while the
SOUTH SUDAN
remaining 30 percent were still at prototype
TOGO
development stage.
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
112 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 7: Agro-innovation ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 348.49 FAO
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions) BURKINA FASO
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 100.71 FAO BURUNDI
(2014–2016 = 100) CABO VERDE
Logistics Performance Index 2018 N/A WBG CAMEROON
(index ranking 1–5: low/high)
CENTRAL
Research and Agricultural research spending 2016 0.70 IFPRI AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
technology (% of AgGDP)
development CHAD
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 2.06 WEF COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/ CONGO
extensive collaboration)
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Capacity for innovation 2017 3.06 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
to a great extent) CONGO
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 N/A UNCTAD DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
ERITREA
ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
GABON
THE GAMBIA
GHANA
GUINEA
GUINEA-
BISSAU
KENYA
LESOTHO
LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
MALI
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 113
©FAO/Shutterstock/Homo Cosmicos
ETHIOPIA
Ethiopia is a low-income remains a challenge due to a dependency on rain
country with a population fed agriculture, low rate of fertilizer use, land
of almost 115 million people, degradation and lack of agricultural machinery. In
78.3 percent of whom live recent years, the country has experienced internal
in rural areas. Most people political disruptions, and locust scourge invasion.
depend on agriculture for However, the country is now considered as one of
livelihood. There are 12 million smallholder farming the fastest growing economies with its youthful and
households accounting for 95 percent of agricultural dynamic population.
production and 85 percent of total employment.
In 2020, agriculture contributed 35.5 percent to Ethiopia’s ICT sector is state-run, but the government
the country’s GDP – the total GDP of the country is is supporting its development and liberalization.
almost USD 108 billion (World Bank, 2020). The state owned Ethio Telecom provides
telecommunications services and maintains a
Agriculture is the backbone of the economy and monopoly on the market. However, the government
the largest export earner, with coffee being the is in the process of liberalizing the sector by
main export. Other main export products include offering two nationwide telecommunications
oil seeds, dried pulses, hide and skin. Major crops service licenses to interested private players.
cultivated include teff, maize, barley, wheat and The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is
sorghum (FAO, 2018). Besides crop production, supporting the Ethiopian Communications Authority
livestock production is widespread, with cattle, (ECA) with these license awards. The country’s
poultry, sheep and goats being the most common. digital economy has untapped potential that can
increase exports and create employment for youth
Despite the country’s favourable climate and and women, among other benefits.
abundant water resources, agricultural productivity
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 114 963 583 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 21.70 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 78.30 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 107 645 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 379 030 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 33.56 FAO
114
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
In Ethiopia, 48.3 percent of the total cables. For example, Ethiopia has access to
BOTSWANA
population has access to electricity, international broadband fiber connectivity
BURKINA FASO
with 92.8 percent of the urban through SEACOM and a backhaul link through
BURUNDI
population being connected to the grid Djibouti. The current nationwide fiber optic
CABO VERDE
compared to only 36.3 percent in rural areas. In backbone network essentially reaches all main
CAMEROON
2019, the government renewed the National towns and key border crossings in the north,
CENTRAL
Electrification Programme 2.0, which seeks to east and south of the country (ITU, 2018). AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
connect 65 percent of the population to the grid With funding from the World Bank, ETC seeks
CHAD
by 2025 – with most rural areas earmarked for through the Ethiopia Digital Foundation Project
COMOROS
off-grid solutions. to improve digital connectivity in the country.
CONGO
The project aims at “extending affordable
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
According to Rodriguez-Caastelan et al. broadband Internet access to all firms, citizens
DEMOCRATIC
(2021), an estimated 15 million Ethiopians and government entities by 2030 and doubling REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
are out of reach of cellular network and broadband penetration by 2021” (World
DJIBOUTI
60 million without access to Internet. About Bank 2020).
EQUATORIAL
18.6 percent of Ethiopia’s population has GUINEA
access to the Internet. This is partly due to A GSMA consumer survey undertaken in 2015 ERITREA
fact that 78.8 percent of the population live in and focusing on Internet inclusivity revealed that ESWATINI
rural areas (with no Internet access), the lack the gender gap in Internet usage in Ethiopia was ETHIOPIA
of infrastructure and the monopoly of Ethio high (60 percent) with women having less access GABON
Telecom in the telecommunications sector. to Internet than men. Low income, scattered THE GAMBIA
State monopoly of the sector has traditionally settlements and low population densities have GHANA
generated revenue from cities to develop rural made it expensive to extend fibre and satellite GUINEA
infrastructure (Bekele, 2020). In 2017, the fixed services to rural areas due to the cost involved GUINEA-
BISSAU
broadband subscriptions (per 100 people) limiting Internet access by households in rural
KENYA
were at 0.06 while mobile cellular subscriptions areas (Gamesa, 2015). Through the Digital
LESOTHO
(per 100) were 37. Foundations Project, the government is expected
LIBERIA
to stimulate investment in rural Internet and
The Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation broadband policies in support of prospective MADAGASCAR
(ETC) has installed a number of fiber optic private sector investments (see Table 2). MALAWI
MALI
Table 2: Infrastructure MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
NAMIBIA
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 36.28 WBG
THE NIGER
(% of rural population)
NIGERIA
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 69.94 GSMA
RWANDA
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 35.56 GSMA
(% of population) SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 5.69 WBG
(per 1 million people) SENEGAL
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 3.56 WEF SEYCHELLES
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/ SIERRA LEONE
to a great extent)
SOMALIA
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2017 37.22 ITU
SOUTH AFRICA
(per 100 inhabitants)
SOUTH SUDAN
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2017 13.90 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) TOGO
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2017 0.06 ITU UGANDA
(per 100 people) UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 115
DIGITAL PENETRATION ANGOLA
BENIN
In 2020, 21.4 million Ethiopians for smallholder farmers. Similarly, the Shallow
BOTSWANA
constituting 19 percent of the Ground Water Mapping project collates data
BURKINA FASO
population were using the Internet. The and maps out underground water to support
BURUNDI
year-on-year growth in the number of Internet irrigation decision-making. The Agriculture
CABO VERDE
users is about 2.6 percent (We are Social and Commercialisation Clusters programme creates
CAMEROON
Hootsuite, 2020). Mobile cellular subscription an e-marketing platform for consumers to
CENTRAL
per 100 people was 37.2 in 2017. Also, buy directly from farmers in communities. The AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
35.5 percent of the population owned mobile Agriculture Transformation Agency’s National
CHAD
devices in 2019. Liberalization of the Market Information System gathers crop data
COMOROS
telecommunication sector is expected to for dissemination to farmers and other value
CONGO
improve digital penetration. Ethio Telecom has chain actors.
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
succeeded in reducing tariffs by about
DEMOCRATIC
50 percent culminating in an increase in voice A significant number of private start-ups are REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
and data traffic. The average price of 1 GB of rendering information services in rural areas.
DJIBOUTI
mobile data is USD 2.44 (see Table 3). Digital Green also launched FarmStack, an
EQUATORIAL
agricultural advisory service platform that GUINEA
A number of initiatives have been undertaken captures data on weather, soil types, market ERITREA
by the government to expand digital services information and agriculture practice content. ESWATINI
to rural farming communities. For example, This data is then made available to farmers ETHIOPIA
the Ministry of Agriculture in partnership through multiple channels. Yerras Gebeya runs GABON
with Digital Green has built the capacities of an e-marketing platform for livestock trading THE GAMBIA
subject-matter specialists to produce local with e-payment systems. Debo Engineering GHANA
videos, which are used by extension officers focuses on plant disease management using GUINEA
in farming communities. A study by Olaniyi image detection algorithms via mobile phones. GUINEA-
BISSAU
(2018) shows that the Ethiopian Commodity Awesome Africa provides the platform for
KENYA
Exchange Commission provides commodity training of farmers on permaculture using local
LESOTHO
price information to farmers in real time using languages. M-Birr has made mobile money
LIBERIA
electronic boards in 31 centres across the services available to over 1.2 million Ethiopians
country. The Ethiopian Soil Information System enabling subscribers to shop for groceries and MADAGASCAR
project (EthioSIS) focuses on digital mapping pay for other basic utility services. MALAWI
soil resources and the creation of a database MALI
MAURITIUS
Table 3: Digital penetration MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
THE NIGER
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 2.44 Cable
penetration (USD) NIGERIA
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2015 9.52 ITU RWANDA
as a % of adjusted per capita income SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2015 25.01 ITU
adjusted per capita income SENEGAL
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 5.36 GSMA SEYCHELLES
Number of apps in national language 2019 47.77 GSMA SIERRA LEONE
(quantity) SOMALIA
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 19.41 GSMA SOUTH AFRICA
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 0.00 GSMA SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
116 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
POLICY AND REGULATION ANGOLA
BENIN
The Ethiopian Communication Furthermore, the government launched
BOTSWANA
Authority is the regulator for the “Digital Ethiopia 2025”, a digital strategy
BURKINA FASO
telecommunications sector. The that aims at ensuring the country’s readiness
BURUNDI
government is prioritising the improvement of for the development of a digital technology-
CABO VERDE
Internet and broadband services. In 2016, a based economy. The strategy identifies four
CAMEROON
Broadband Plan was drafted to streamline state pathways in transforming its economy through
CENTRAL
investment in broadband for the period 2016– digitalization, namely: (i) unleashing value from AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
2021. The strategy aims at extending mobile agriculture (ii) achieving global value chains
CHAD
broadband coverage to all rural areas and to in manufacturing (iii) building IT enabled
COMOROS
support agriculture service delivery. It also aims services (iv) leveraging ‘digital’ as the driver of
CONGO
at setting up 16 000 rural communication competitiveness in the tourism sector.
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
centres across all districts.
DEMOCRATIC
With reference to the first pathway to unleash REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
The Growth and Transformation Plan II (2016– value from agriculture, the government aims at
DJIBOUTI
2020) is expected to transform Ethiopia into mapping out existing digital technologies in
EQUATORIAL
a low middle-income country by 2025. For agriculture and opportunities to accelerate a GUINEA
agriculture growth, the plan will push through digitally enabled agriculture transformation. The ERITREA
five key directions, namely: (i) development government will also leverage blockchain and ESWATINI
of smallholder crop and enhancement of other IT solutions in agriculture, where feasible. ETHIOPIA
pastoral agriculture; (ii) provision of all rounded GABON
support to educated youth to enable them to Focusing on agriculture, Ethiopia’s ten-year THE GAMBIA
engage in agriculture; (iii) provision of support Agriculture Sector Policy and Investment GHANA
to domestic and foreign investment in sub- Framework (2010–2020) among other things, GUINEA
sectors such as crop, flower, vegetables, fruits aimed at achieving sustainable agriculture GUINEA-
BISSAU
and livestock; (iv) implementation of holistic production as well as accelerating agricultural
KENYA
measures to address challenges in the supply commercialisation and agro-industrial
LESOTHO
of agricultural inputs; and (v) implementation of development. The agriculture extension strategy
LIBERIA
a scaling up strategy where suitable in various enacted in 2017 highlights digital agriculture as
agroecological zones (see Table 4). one of the pathways to ICT-based technology MADAGASCAR
adoption in the sector. ICT-kiosks will be set MALAWI
The National ICT policy was developed in up to offer technology-related advice and MALI
2017 to promote and facilitate extensive use market information. As part of the strategy, MAURITIUS
of ICT in key sectors including agriculture. the government will establish data and MOZAMBIQUE
One of its key strategies is to design and performance management systems as well NAMIBIA
implement computerized information systems knowledge resource centres at the Woreda THE NIGER
and applications for the agriculture sector; administrative division levels. ICT enabled NIGERIA
an essential driver of anticipated growth in devices such as mobile phones, radio and RWANDA
digital agriculture. television will be used to promote education SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
and information exchange.
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 117
Table 4: Policy and regulation ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 3.65 WEF
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ BURKINA FASO
framework there is a clear plan) BURUNDI
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 3.91 WEF CABO VERDE
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
CAMEROON
extremely successful)
CENTRAL
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 3.04 WEF AFRICAN
digital business models (index ranking REPUBLIC
1–7: not fast at all/very fast)
CHAD
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 3.06 WEF
COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
extremely well developed) CONGO
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 29 EC/ITU CÔTE D’IVOIRE
framework DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation DJIBOUTI
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score EQUATORIAL
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4). GUINEA
ERITREA
ESWATINI
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ETHIOPIA
GABON
In 2020 the World Bank approved (i) areas for joint investment with the
THE GAMBIA
USD 500 million in grant and credit to government; (ii) areas for domestic investors;
GHANA
support Ethiopia’s Homegrown Reform and (iii) areas for joint investment with domestic
GUINEA
Agenda, which also seeks to spur economic investors. Investment in agriculture is also open
GUINEA-
growth by expanding the role of the private to foreign investors (see Table 5). BISSAU
sector. To that end, the government is allowing KENYA
private participation in the management of its Mobile money services are emerging with LESOTHO
port and logistic sectors. The World Bank’s 2020 new regulations allowing new players to LIBERIA
doing business report states that it takes enter the market. In 2020, the National Bank MADAGASCAR
32 days to start a business in the country. of Ethiopia supported Ethio Telecom to allow MALAWI
nationals and Ethiopians abroad to engage in MALI
In terms of Ethiopia’s the legal environment, transactions. This is expected to increase access MAURITIUS
Investment regulation No. 474/2020 creates to banking services. MOZAMBIQUE
th ree ca te go r i e s of i nve st m e nt are as: NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
Table 5: Business environment NIGERIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source RWANDA
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 2 516 UNCTAD SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
environment culture
SENEGAL
Growth of innovative companies 2019 3.43 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ SEYCHELLES
to a great extent)
SIERRA LEONE
Venture capital availability 2017 3.16 WEF
SOMALIA
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/
extremely easy) SOUTH AFRICA
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 32 WBG SOUTH SUDAN
Ease of access to loans 2017 3.47 WEF TOGO
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ UGANDA
extremely easy)
UNITED
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 3.46 WEF REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
118 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
HUMAN CAPITAL ANGOLA
BENIN
Adult literacy rate in Ethiopia is According to Anberbir (2015) and UNESCO
BOTSWANA
51.8 percent. Literacy among the youth (2021), despite the increase in the number of
BURKINA FASO
is higher at 72.8 percent (UNESCO, 2017). universities in Ethiopia (the country has 68 public
BURUNDI
According to UNESCO, primary school enrolment universities), the use of ICT for education remains
CABO VERDE
was 101 percent in 2015. Secondary school low. However, efforts have been made by some
CAMEROON
enrolment was 35 percent in 2015. Enrolment at educational institutions to provide on-campus
CENTRAL
the secondary level was slightly higher among digital training. For example, in 2019, Nokia AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
males (35.6 percent) than females (34.3 percent). signed a partnership agreement with the Addis
CHAD
Teaching faculties across the country are gaining Ababa Science Technology University and the
COMOROS
traction as centres for the advancement of digital Addis Ababa Institute of Technology to provide
CONGO
literacy skills. For example, the Amhara e-classes high-level technical skills to students.
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
project supplied 551 computers in rural
DEMOCRATIC
communities with a projected reach to Youth unemployment in Ethiopia is low at REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
6 000 students. The project has also provided 3.2 percent as of 2020. However, over 2 million
DJIBOUTI
training in e-learning through Rasperry Pi youth aged 15–24 enter the labour market
EQUATORIAL
connected devices and assistive technologies to annually. A study by the Netherland Enterprise GUINEA
improve the teaching environment in schools. Agency in 2020 notes that companies struggle ERITREA
to find employees with the right skill sets for ESWATINI
The Ministry of Science and Higher Education jobs available. ETHIOPIA
with support from the World Bank has drafted a GABON
National Digital Skills Country Action Plan, which Support programmes have been initiated to THE GAMBIA
for the next 10 years seeks to equip students in improve digital skills and employment of labour GHANA
higher educational institutions with the relevant in the country. For example, Microsoft4Afrika GUINEA
digital skills to improve their employability. Digital has collaborated with Gebeya Inc., a Pan- GUINEA-
BISSAU
skills courses will be introduced at the intermediate African EdTech company, to launch a virtual
KENYA
and advanced levels in all technical and vocational skills lab to build digital skills capacities and
LESOTHO
education and training (TVET) programmes. to increase the employability of youth. This is
LIBERIA
Computer engineering, computer science, expected to provide apprenticeship-based
information systems and related programmes will training to 200 African software engineers over MADAGASCAR
be supported in about 33 public universities across a period of six months. The government also MALAWI
the country. The action plan will also provide partnered with the Netherlands through the on- MALI
supportive ICT infrastructure, smart classrooms going CASCAPE project to build youth capacity MAURITIUS
and virtual laboratories. Microsoft through the to scale up evidence-based best practices for MOZAMBIQUE
Education Transformation Agreement has also agricultural production in Ethiopia (see Table 6). NAMIBIA
collaborated with the Ministry of Education to THE NIGER
improve ICT related competencies in Schools. NIGERIA
RWANDA
Table 6: Human capital SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source SENEGAL
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2017 51.77 UNESCO SEYCHELLES
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above)
SIERRA LEONE
Literacy rate, youth total 2017 72.76 UNESCO
SOMALIA
(% of people ages 15–24)
SOUTH AFRICA
Digital skills among population 2019 3.75 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ SOUTH SUDAN
to a great extent) TOGO
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 66.63 ILO UGANDA
(% of total employment)
UNITED
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 58.71 ILO REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
(% of female employment)
ZAMBIA
Unemployment, total 2020 2.79 ILO
(% of total labour force) ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 119
AGRO-INNOVATION ANGOLA
BENIN
Ethiopia’s agriculture sector has key the opportunity to exchange knowledge and
BOTSWANA
research institutions contributing to resources as well as promoting the use of digital
BURKINA FASO
research and innovation to improve the solutions for mitigating challenges.
BURUNDI
sector’s productivity. The Ethiopian Institute of
CABO VERDE
Agricultural Research (EIAR) remains a lead As part of the Digital Ethiopia 2025 plan, the
CAMEROON
public sector institution mandated to spearhead government will also support and incentivise
CENTRAL
innovation and research in agriculture. In 2015, agritech entrepreneurship. Specifically, the AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
EIAR collaborated with the International Maize government will engage private stakeholders,
CHAD
and Wheat Improvement Center and the Central start-up founders and technical experts to
COMOROS
Statistical Authority to test the effective use of offer mentorship and tailored support to fill
CONGO
DNA fingerprints for tracking crop varieties. high-end technology needs within industry and
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
agribusiness (see Table 7).
DEMOCRATIC
T h e re i s a b u rg e o n i n g p u b l i c- p r i va te REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
collaboration on a number of initiatives that The budding tech space has also seen private
DJIBOUTI
offer valuable contributions to agriculture in players organising accelerator programmes for
EQUATORIAL
terms of financial capital as well as integrating young start-ups such as xHub Addis, iCog Labs, GUINEA
technological innovations to enhance the output iceaddis or the blueMoon lab, which organises ERITREA
and productivity of the agricultural sector and competitions twice a year to identify new start- ESWATINI
access to markets. An example of such an ups that ultimately benefit from training and ETHIOPIA
organization is the Agricultural Transformation coaching programmes over the span of four GABON
Agency (ATA) in Ethiopia, which fosters public- months. Growth Africa lab organises training THE GAMBIA
private cooperation for key value chains. OCP workshops in finance and business development GHANA
Africa and the Morocco-based Mohammed VI for start-ups with turnovers over USD 50 000 GUINEA
Polytechnic University (UM6P) also joined in over a span of six months. Through such spaces GUINEA-
BISSAU
a strategic partnership to support agri-techs new start-ups such as Yerras Gebeya, Yene-pay,
KENYA
in Ethiopia to scale up. Programs such as the Awesome Africa, and Mesafint Alebel currently
LESOTHO
FinTech Addis Exhibition & Forum together provide relevant services ranging from disease
LIBERIA
with Agri-tech Expo and the Agri-tech Movers management, mobile payments, training via
Forum are helping bring exposure to agri-techs mobile technology and livestock trading. MADAGASCAR
in Ethiopia, giving agribusiness entrepreneurs MALAWI
MALI
Table 7: Agro-innovation MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
NAMIBIA
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 26 683.31 FAO
THE NIGER
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions)
NIGERIA
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 108.42 FAO
(2014–2016 = 100) RWANDA
Logistics Performance Index 2016 2.38 WBG SÃO TOMÉ
(index ranking 1–5: low/high) AND PRÍNCIPE
Research and Agricultural research spending 2016 0.29 IFPRI SENEGAL
technology (% of AgGDP) SEYCHELLES
development
SIERRA LEONE
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 3.64 WEF
SOMALIA
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/
extensive collaboration) SOUTH AFRICA
Capacity for innovation 2017 3.50 WEF SOUTH SUDAN
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
TOGO
to a great extent)
UGANDA
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2018 2.84 UNCTAD
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
120 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
©FAO/Shutterstock/Oleg Puchkov
GABON
Gabon is an upper-middle- agricultural sector declined by 5 percent from 2010.
income country with an estimated Persons employed in the sector stood at around
GDP of USD 15.5 billion in 2020, 30 percent of the population in 2019.
mainly accrued from its industrial
sector, which contributed The country’s economy was projected to bear
48 percent to GDP. The resource- the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it has
rich country is highly urbanized with an estimated destabilized and hampered development in
population of 2.2 million, of which only 9.9 percent all sectors including ICT development. But the
live in rural areas (World Bank, 2020). government’s commitment to scale up and improve
its digital infrastructure could revitalize the various
The country’s economy has a predominantly sectors of the economy, and particularly stimulate
youthful population of 1.7 million people. Unlike renewed interest in the agriculture sector by
other countries in the sub-region that are heavily attracting men and youth, who are typically less
dependent on the agriculture sector, the World inclined to work in this sector.
Bank indicates that the employment in the country’s
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 2 225 728 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 90.09 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 9.91 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 15 593 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 22 126 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 8.59 FAO
121
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
Gabon boasts an impressive Both Airtel Gabon and Gabon Telecom Mobile
BOTSWANA
electrification rate of 90.7 percent (Libertis) have launched LTE services, but the
BURKINA FASO
(98.3 percent in urban areas and coverage remains limited. Although the country
BURUNDI
24.2 percent in rural areas) as of 2017. It has an has sufficient international bandwidth on
CABO VERDE
installed capacity of 443 MW, of which the SAT-3/WASC/SAFE submarine cable, this
CAMEROON
40 percent was obtained from renewable energy facility has been underutilized. However, the
CENTRAL
in January 2016. This increased to 720 MW in emergence of the ACE submarine cable, together AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
2020. The country is set to consolidate its gains with progressing work on the CAB cable, has
CHAD
in the energy sector with the planning and increased backhaul capacity supporting mobile
COMOROS
construction of the Ngoulmendjim dam (115 MW), data traffic.
CONGO
Empress Eugenie Falls dam (84 MW), and
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
FE2 Falls dam (36 MW) hydro projects. The e-Gabon project (2016–2022) financed
DEMOCRATIC
by the World Bank aims at modernizing REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
The number of mobile network operators the equipment and infrastructure of health
DJIBOUTI
reduced from four to three after Maroc Telecom, establishments and the establishment of
EQUATORIAL
which held a 51 percent share in Gabon Telecom incubators specializing in ICT. The Digital GUINEA
merged with Moov Gabon. Mobile data usage Villages project, launched in 2015 by Samsung ERITREA
has spread rapidly with 62 percent of the is aimed at providing educational, health ESWATINI
population subscribed to mobile services in and social platforms in remote rural areas ETHIOPIA
2020 (We are Social and Hootsuite, 2020). (see Table 2). GABON
THE GAMBIA
Table 2: Infrastructure GHANA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source GUINEA
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 24.15 WBG GUINEA-
BISSAU
(% of rural population)
KENYA
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 35 GSMA
LESOTHO
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 69.30 GSMA
(% of population) LIBERIA
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 44.03 WBG MADAGASCAR
(per 1 million people) MALAWI
Availability of the latest technologies 2016 3.98 WEF MALI
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
MAURITIUS
to a great extent)
MOZAMBIQUE
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2020 138.78 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) NAMIBIA
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 94.30 ITU THE NIGER
(per 100 inhabitants)
NIGERIA
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 2.00 ITU
RWANDA
(per 100 people)
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
DIGITAL PENETRATION SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
The rollout of 3G/4G services has The government is poised to turn the country
SOMALIA
caused a rise in Internet usage with a into an ICT hub. To that end, it has signed an
SOUTH AFRICA
penetration rate of 200 percent. About agreement with AfDB in 2018 for a feasibility
SOUTH SUDAN
62 percent of the population have access to the study for the country’s component of the Central
TOGO
Internet, with active mobile broadband African Backbone (CAB) project, which will
UGANDA
subscriptions increasing from 1.65 million in 2016 provide the 901.8 km fiber optic connectivity
UNITED
to 2 million in 2019. There were 750 000 social required to cover 14 missing links on the REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
media users in January 2020, an increase of Gabonese national backbone. To minimize
ZAMBIA
7.2 percent between April 2019 and January 2020. the country’s dependency on Western digital
ZIMBABWE
122 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
infrastructure, the government has submitted a Nevertheless, there is no agriculture-specific ANGOLA
bid to the African Union to become a regional digital services apart from mobile money BENIN
Internet exchange point (IXP) for Central Africa services that are accessible to all. The services BOTSWANA
(see Table 3). offered are basically in the field of technical BURKINA FASO
advice, management advice or marketing. BURUNDI
CABO VERDE
Table 3: Digital penetration CAMEROON
CENTRAL
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 4.89 Cable
penetration (USD) CHAD
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2017 1.72 ITU COMOROS
as a % of adjusted per capita income CONGO
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2017 7.17 ITU CÔTE D’IVOIRE
adjusted per capita income
DEMOCRATIC
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 33.73 GSMA REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Number of apps in national language 2019 51.38 GSMA
DJIBOUTI
(quantity)
EQUATORIAL
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 69.54 GSMA GUINEA
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 92.34 GSMA ERITREA
ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
POLICY AND REGULATION GABON
THE GAMBIA
The development of the country’s ICT Gabon has put in place an institutional
GHANA
sector is woven into the Emerging framework for the development of ICT with
GUINEA
Gabon Strategic Plan. This plan has the creation of the National Agency for Digital
GUINEA-
served as a guide to much of the country’s Infrastructures and Frequencies (ANINF) BISSAU
economic policy priorities in recent years. As in 2011, the implementation of the Gabon KENYA
part of that plan, the government has rolled out Digital Plan, then the creation in 2012 of the LESOTHO
the Digital Gabon strategy, which seeks to communications and post-regulation authority LIBERIA
speed up ICT activity in the country through (ACERP) responsible for establishing a legal and MADAGASCAR
increased investment, the construction of a regulatory framework for digital development. MALAWI
high-speed national network, the breeding of The year 2012 also saw the creation in Gabon MALI
local content and entrepreneurs, and the of the Company of Heritage and Digital MAURITIUS
digitization of television broadcasts, and Infrastructures (SPIN) with the mission of MOZAMBIQUE
e-government services. Projects outlined under operating, maintaining and marketing the digital NAMIBIA
the Digital Gabon plan include the development infrastructures made available to it by the state, THE NIGER
of the Central African Backbone (CAB) network in order to reduce the digital divide in Gabon. NIGERIA
and national fibre optic network, the launch of Several regulatory texts have been adopted or RWANDA
an incubator for domestic start-ups and the are in the process of being adopted, including SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
establishment of Digital Villages in rural areas. laws on cybercrime, cybersecurity, electronic
SENEGAL
transactions, data protection, electronic
SEYCHELLES
communication, and the establishment of
SIERRA LEONE
cryptology and digital economy in Gabon.
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 123
Table 4: Policy and regulation ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 3.55 WEF
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ BURKINA FASO
framework there is a clear plan) BURUNDI
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 3.67 WEF CABO VERDE
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
CAMEROON
extremely successful)
CENTRAL
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 N/A WEF AFRICAN
digital business models (index ranking REPUBLIC
1–7: not fast at all/very fast)
CHAD
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 2.70 WEF
COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
extremely well developed) CONGO
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 63 EC/ITU CÔTE D’IVOIRE
framework DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation DJIBOUTI
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score EQUATORIAL
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4). GUINEA
ERITREA
ESWATINI
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ETHIOPIA
GABON
The government has devised a strategy adoption and publication of Law No. 002/2013
THE GAMBIA
to promote other non-oil sectors by are expected to diversify the economy and
GHANA
granting incentives to investors. Other promote agribusiness to reverse the dwindling
GUINEA
measures to enhance the business environment economic growth resulting from the decline
GUINEA-
include a one-stop-shop for investors; a public- in oil reserves. The government also launched BISSAU
private partnership (PPP) framework; a domestic the public-private agricultural partnership KENYA
arbitration court; and codes for hydrocarbons programme (GRAINE) to promote the cultivation LESOTHO
and mining. Other legal frameworks such as the of oil palm and other food crops. It is worth LIBERIA
investment charter, framework of capital equity noting that the government has made special MADAGASCAR
operations, have been adopted in order to provisions for certain agriculture companies MALAWI
attract new investment into the country. eligible to benefit from credit facilities, MALI
state grants and free import of certain MAURITIUS
The tax and customs incentives backed by agricultural products. MOZAMBIQUE
the Agricultural Code extended through the NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
Table 5: Business environment NIGERIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Source Source RWANDA
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 UNCTAD UNCTAD SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
environment culture
SENEGAL
Growth of innovative companies 2019 WEF WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ SEYCHELLES
to a great extent)
SIERRA LEONE
Venture capital availability 2016 WEF WEF
SOMALIA
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/
extremely easy) SOUTH AFRICA
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 WBG WBG SOUTH SUDAN
Ease of access to loans 2016 WEF WEF TOGO
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ UGANDA
extremely easy)
UNITED
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 WEF WEF REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
124 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
HUMAN CAPITAL ANGOLA
BENIN
Gabon has a high youth literacy rate of as equipping secondary school teachers with
BOTSWANA
89.8 percent and adult literacy of new digital skills. About 5 000 young people
BURKINA FASO
84.7 percent as of 2018. Even though were slated to receive ICT training in the first
BURUNDI
there is no policy to integrate ICT into the phase while supporting a smaller group to
CABO VERDE
education curriculum, the National Ministry of develop mobile applications, set up cooperative
CAMEROON
Education brought forth an outline project in maintenance centres, etc.
CENTRAL
2006 for school computer equipment aimed at AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
improving the digital skills of students. Over the Olam, a global agribusiness, offered to send
CHAD
years, the country has made remarkable aspiring Gabonese farmers on training courses.
COMOROS
investments in the ICT sector, and as a result, About 2 500 people were to observe cocoa
CONGO
Gabon rose 10 places in the 2017 world ICT farming in Côte d’Ivoire, train as bulldozer
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
classification. It is now the sixth most-connected operators in Morocco or learn modern farming
DEMOCRATIC
country in Africa. techniques at a palm oil plantation in Asia. REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
This was to help develop 100 000 ha of oil
DJIBOUTI
The government has been working toward palm plantations, a partnership between Olam
EQUATORIAL
developing an e-education platform since 2010 and Gabon. GUINEA
as part of the Digital Gabon project, which is ERITREA
geared toward equipping schools with the In partnership with the Samsung Group, the ESWATINI
needed infrastructure to connect them with each government has launched the Digital Village ETHIOPIA
other. This has yielded results with an estimated project to build 2 000 connected villages by GABON
20 middle and high schools across Libreville and 2025. The objective of the project is to reduce THE GAMBIA
its suburb benefiting from the initiative. the digital divide between urban and rural GHANA
areas, but above all to promote education, GUINEA
A partnership between Airtel Gabon and health and the environment. The villages GUINEA-
BISSAU
UNESCO launched the ICT youth project Train will have digital schools to promote primary
KENYA
My Generation to give young people scientific education in their communities.
LESOTHO
and entrepreneurial training using ICT, as well
LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
Table 6: Human capital
MALAWI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
MALI
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2018 84.67 UNESCO
MAURITIUS
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above)
MOZAMBIQUE
Literacy rate, youth total 2018 89.78 UNESCO
(% of people ages 15–24) NAMIBIA
Digital skills among population 2019 3.19 WEF THE NIGER
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
NIGERIA
to a great extent)
RWANDA
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 29.96 ILO
(% of total employment) SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 45.76 ILO
SENEGAL
(% of female employment)
SEYCHELLES
Unemployment, total 2020 20.47 ILO
(% of total labour force) SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 125
AGRO-INNOVATION ANGOLA
BENIN
The National Scientific and through support to growth-bearing sub-sectors
BOTSWANA
Te c h n o l o g i ca l Re s e a rc h Ce nt re and youth entrepreneurship. Some of the
BURKINA FASO
(CENAREST) is the principal research p ro j e c t ’s c o m p l e m e n t a r y c o m p o n e n t s
BURUNDI
agency in Gabon mandated to research crops, include developing value chains of promising
CABO VERDE
livestock, forestry, fisheries, economics and to sub-sectors, promoting youth entrepreneurship
CAMEROON
undertake social development studies. Apart in the agricultural sector and agribusiness,
CENTRAL
from government setups, the private sector is etc. The National Agency for the Promotion of AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
also actively supporting innovation and research Investments in Gabon (ANPI-Gabon), in line with
CHAD
in agriculture. For example, through the its support for start-up growth through funding,
COMOROS
Agricultural and Rural Development Project – mentorship, etc. has signed an agreement of
CONGO
Phase II (2018–2023), IFAD seeks to create multi- CFAF 500 million with the African Financial
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
actor innovation platforms in 16 production Company (Cofinal), intended for small and
DEMOCRATIC
areas in Gabon. This is intended to enhance medium-sized enterprises in Gabon. This is REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
consultation among actors and create local aimed at providing support to local businesses
DJIBOUTI
collective dynamics that will facilitate market during their first three years of operation.
EQUATORIAL
access and co-finance action plans by GUINEA
innovating platforms to test and disseminate In 2018, Société d’Incubation Numérique du ERITREA
innovative techniques to improve rural Gabon (SING) was launched in partnership ESWATINI
agriculture productivity. with the government and the World Bank. The ETHIOPIA
company offers companies support services for GABON
In partnership with the AfDB, the government digital transformation (advice and diagnostics, THE GAMBIA
embarked on a project to support agricultural IT solutions, etc.) and operates as a business GHANA
transformation and youth entrepreneurship incubator, through its Cohort Innovation 4.0 GUINEA
promotion. This fits into the Green Gabon acceleration programme, offering support GUINEA-
BISSAU
Initiative aimed at contributing to reducing funding and execution, access to mentorship
KENYA
Gabon’s food dependency by 2025 and and investor training, etc.
LESOTHO
improving the population’s living conditions
LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
Table 7: Agro-innovation
MALAWI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
MALI
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 944.10 FAO
MAURITIUS
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions)
MOZAMBIQUE
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 107.06 FAO
(2014–2016 = 100) NAMIBIA
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.16 WBG THE NIGER
(index ranking 1–5: low/high)
NIGERIA
Research and Agricultural research spending 2011 0.09 IFPRI
RWANDA
technology (% of AgGDP)
development SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2016 2.59 WEF
SENEGAL
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/
extensive collaboration) SEYCHELLES
Capacity for innovation 2016 2.58 WEF SIERRA LEONE
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ SOMALIA
to a great extent)
SOUTH AFRICA
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 N/A UNCTAD
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
126 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
©FAO/Shutterstock/Curioso.Photography
THE GAMBIA
The Gambia is a low- The ICT sector has been a genuine contributor
income country with a GDP to national revenue as well as serving other
of USD 1.9 billion. About socio-economic purposes like the creation of
62.6 percent of its population employment in both the formal and informal sectors
of 2 million people live in urban of the Gambia.
areas and 37.4 percent in rural
areas. Approximately 62 percent of the population The government has integrated ICT as part of its
are poor and 48 percent live below the poverty line priority sector within the new Development Plan
of USD 1.9 per day (see Table 1). to ensure positive spill over effects across the
digital economy, including digital agriculture. It has
Agriculture is the principal source of livelihood in entered into a partnership with other industrialized
the Gambia for the rural population. It provides countries to introduce modern machinery and
employment for approximately 27 percent of the automated devices into farming (Ministry of
population but contributes only 21.30 percent of Agriculture, The Gambia, 2020).
the GDP. Poverty is more a rural phenomenon as
74 percent of Gambians below the national poverty
line live in rural areas.
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 2 416 664 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 62.58 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 37.42 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 1 902 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 6 050 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 59.78 FAO
127
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
As of 2019, 27.6 percent of rural areas Two medium wave channels are utilised under
BOTSWANA
had access to electricity. The country the state-owned Gambia Radio and Television
BURKINA FASO
has Internet connectivity like 4G Services (GRTS) to broadcast various local radio
BURUNDI
services available in parts of the country at programs. The National Television channel is
CABO VERDE
31 percent coverage as of 2019, although operated by GRTS to provide country-wide
CAMEROON
coverage of 2G is 98 percent across the country. coverage through three television transmitter
CENTRAL
About 57.4 percent of the population owns stations across the country, with 80 percent AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
mobile devices. of programs produced locally, covering health,
CHAD
education, agriculture, sport, religion, etc.
COMOROS
The presence of the four mobile operators
CONGO
(Africell, Comium and Gamcel, and Qcell), and There are eight Internet service provider (ISP)
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
their investment in infrastructure that support 3G licenses issued by the MoICI, but only six are
DEMOCRATIC
and 4G services, is felt in rural areas that have operational. Internet cafes and telecentres are REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
witnessed drastically increased mobile density booming. They promote limited but affordable
DJIBOUTI
to 24.5 percent. The Gambia has only one fixed connectivity to rural areas, hence the need for
EQUATORIAL
line operator, Gamtel with 59 000 subscribers, multi-purpose ICT centres (see Table 2). GUINEA
12 000 of which are wireless end-users. ERITREA
ESWATINI
Table 2: Infrastructure ETHIOPIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source GABON
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 27.59 WBG THE GAMBIA
(% of rural population) GHANA
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 30.96 GSMA GUINEA
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 57.44 GSMA GUINEA-
(% of population) BISSAU
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 28.97 WBG KENYA
(per 1 million people) LESOTHO
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 4.45 WEF LIBERIA
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
MADAGASCAR
to a great extent)
MALAWI
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2020 110.81 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) MALI
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2018 36.76 ITU MAURITIUS
(per 100 inhabitants)
MOZAMBIQUE
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2018 0.19 ITU
NAMIBIA
(per 100 people)
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
RWANDA
DIGITAL PENETRATION SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
The high cost of Internet subscription Bank, 2020). In addition, data coverage of rural
SENEGAL
remains one of the primary hindrances areas is well-developed, but not affordable to
SEYCHELLES
to broader access, with the median the rural population. The access to mobile data
SIERRA LEONE
price being USD 5.10 as of 2020. The introduction is limited to messaging. Additionally, the older
SOMALIA
of 3G wireless Internet connections via mobile generation’s ICT literacy level is extremely low
SOUTH AFRICA
devices has rendered the Internet more and not sufficient to use mobile apps or online
SOUTH SUDAN
accessible, but only a small subset of the services (see Table 3).
TOGO
population can afford the data packages,
UGANDA
mainly concentrated in the Greater Banjul Area. Even though Gambians actively use social media
UNITED
Internet use in the country has slowly grown over platforms (Facebook 89.09 percent, Twitter REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
the past two decades with 19.8 percent adoption 4.59 percent, etc.) (Statcounter, 2020), and
ZAMBIA
in 2019, compared to 6.2 percent in 2007 (World 15.5 percent of the country’s population was
ZIMBABWE
128 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
actively engaged with social media platforms, such as Internet cafes, ICT centres and ICT ANGOLA
only three mobile apps were available in the training activities available in the regions. BENIN
country’s national language (GSMA, 2019). The main issue is related to the absence and BOTSWANA
instability of electricity, which makes the BURKINA FASO
Gambian youth are adept at mobile phone operating of ICT centres almost impossible. One BURUNDI
use. Most youth use social media platforms of the biggest regions, the Central River Region, CABO VERDE
like Facebook (220 000 users or equivalent to does not have a single ICT centre. CAMEROON
50 percent of the total number of Internet users CENTRAL
AFRICAN
in the country). Most of them are also adept at Gambia’s digital ecosystem is transforming REPUBLIC
Internet access and computer use (e.g. e-mail), its agriculture sector. Existing agritech start- CHAD
with a general interest in other ICT areas such ups include Tesitoo, Money farm, Farmfresh, COMOROS
as networking or software development. Jollof-Trade and Technofarms, which provide CONGO
opportunities for farmers to market their CÔTE D’IVOIRE
The ICT landscape in rural areas is slightly produce directly to consumers. GamFruits collect DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
different from the Greater Banjul Area. This is and digitize important agricultural data on CONGO
also largely due to very limited infrastructure climate-smart agriculture. DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Table 3: Digital penetration
ERITREA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source ESWATINI
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 5.10 Cable ETHIOPIA
penetration (USD)
GABON
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2015 8.37 ITU
THE GAMBIA
as a % of adjusted per capita income
GHANA
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2018 N/A ITU
adjusted per capita income GUINEA
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 15.49 GSMA GUINEA-
BISSAU
Number of apps in national language 2019 3.00 GSMA
(quantity) KENYA
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 53.49 GSMA LESOTHO
LIBERIA
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 53.49 GSMA
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
MALI
POLICY AND REGULATION MAURITIUS
The Gambia is mainstreaming ICT in all This is based on a review of the ICT4D Policy, MOZAMBIQUE
public and private activities to enhance which is a continuation of the four-year action NAMIBIA
its socio-economic development goals. plan (2014–2017) ICT4D II, which in turn is an THE NIGER
In view of this, the Ministry of Information and extension of part I that was implemented from NIGERIA
Communication and Infrastructure (MoICI) has 2009–2012. Other related policies have also RWANDA
taken significant strides in creating an been developed, such as the 2013 Universal SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
environment conducive for sector players to Access Policy and its regulations enactment of
SENEGAL
operate in. Infrastructure policy plans and the ICT Act of 2009, which has provisions in line
SEYCHELLES
strategies have been developed. It encompasses with acts on electronic transaction and personal
SIERRA LEONE
plans of action such as the Gambia’s data protection.
SOMALIA
e-government Strategy from 2017 (e-education,
SOUTH AFRICA
e-health, e-agriculture, e-trade, e-tourism). A new National Development Plan (NDP) 2018–
SOUTH SUDAN
2021 was launched in 2018 with a clear focus
TOGO
Furthermore, the Gambia has adopted an ICT for on youth development and ICT, improving the
UGANDA
Development (ICT4D) Policy Statement (2018– regulatory services and policies, creating
UNITED
2028) that will help donors and the EU to launch a national ICT agency and a national data REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
a comprehensive digitalization programme and centre to strengthen e-government, establish a
ZAMBIA
the Gambia’s Broadband Policy 2020–2024. national technology park to spur research and
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 129
development, and increase roll out of regional actors. Also aligned with NDP, the National ANGOLA
ICT centres to enhance connectivity to schools Export Strategy considers the establishment of BENIN
and rural communities. Additionally, the Gambia a national innovation park with digitalization BOTSWANA
accounted for the Youth and Trade Roadmap of the agriculture sector. As of publishing, the BURKINA FASO
for the ICT sector that is part of The Gambia government was preparing a new Gambia BURUNDI
Youth Empowerment Project (YEP), a four-year National Agricultural Investment Plan - Food CABO VERDE
initiative to build skills, enable value addition and Nutrition Security (GNAIP-FS, 2017–2026). CAMEROON
and foster market connections (see Table 4). CENTRAL
AFRICAN
Other relevant policies include: the Agriculture REPUBLIC
The Gambia National Agricultural Investment and Natural Resources policy (ANR 2017–2026), CHAD
Plan - Food and Nutrition Security (GNAIP-FS, The Gambia Environment Action Plan, the COMOROS
2017–2026) also calls for digital innovation in National Climate Change Policy, the National CONGO
the agricultural sector. Furthermore, The NDP Adaptation Plan, The Gambia Sustainable CÔTE D’IVOIRE
envisions a transition to a green economy, Land Management Investment Framework, the DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
driven by SME private sector investment, the National Nutrition Policy, the National Youth CONGO
use of climate-smart agriculture technologies, Policy and the Gender Policy. DJIBOUTI
and the inclusion of youth and women as key EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
ERITREA
Table 4: Policy and regulation
ESWATINI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source ETHIOPIA
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 4.48 WEF GABON
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/
framework there is a clear plan) THE GAMBIA
GHANA
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 4.39 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/ GUINEA
extremely successful)
GUINEA-
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 3.26 WEF BISSAU
digital business models (index ranking KENYA
1–7: not fast at all/very fast)
LESOTHO
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 3.59 WEF
LIBERIA
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
extremely well developed) MADAGASCAR
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 73.7 EC/ITU MALAWI
framework
MALI
MAURITIUS
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation MOZAMBIQUE
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score
NAMIBIA
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4).
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
RWANDA
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
In 2001, the government promulgated SMEs create income for over 50 percent of
SENEGAL
The Gambia Investment Promotion Act the population, employ 40 percent of youth,
and The Gambia Free Zones Act to contribute 20 percent to GDP and represent SEYCHELLES
regulate local and foreign investment. Although 99 percent of the private sector. In agriculture, SIERRA LEONE
the ICT infrastructure is not wholly open for SMEs provide inputs, processing, marketing and SOMALIA
investors, proposals from potential investors other services and most are youth and women- SOUTH AFRICA
geared toward improving the infrastructure for led. It is important to highlight that youth SOUTH SUDAN
extending access – particularly broadband (people younger than 35 years old) represent TOGO
technologies – are highly welcome. The bulk of approximately 88 percent of the workforce in UGANDA
FDI has been in the power generation, financial SMEs, while youth-led enterprises represent UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
and IT sectors. the majority of firms (56 percent). In rural areas, TANZANIA
very few businesses have computers and even ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
130 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
fewer have an Internet connection. The demand The Gambia established a strong public- ANGOLA
for ICT services and ICT skills is very low, if not private partnership to enhance infrastructure BENIN
nonexistent. At first glance, and in the short and service delivery aimed at the digitalization BOTSWANA
term, the ground does not seem to be very fertile drive. For instance, the government supported BURKINA FASO
for the development of the ICT market in rural innovators and private investors to develop the BURUNDI
areas unless it is limited to specific services such YEP Tech Startup support programme, aimed at CABO VERDE
as printing, photocopying, document editing providing an enabling environment for digital CAMEROON
and formatting. businesses to thrive in line with the National CENTRAL
AFRICAN
Development Plan (see Table 5). REPUBLIC
CHAD
Table 5: Business environment COMOROS
CONGO
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 32 UNCTAD
environment culture DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
Growth of innovative companies 2019 4.50 WEF CONGO
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ DJIBOUTI
to a great extent)
EQUATORIAL
Venture capital availability 2017 2.36 WEF GUINEA
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ ERITREA
extremely easy)
ESWATINI
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 8 WBG
ETHIOPIA
Ease of access to loans 2017 3.38 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ GABON
extremely easy) THE GAMBIA
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 3.91 WEF GHANA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
GUINEA
to a great extent)
GUINEA-
BISSAU
KENYA
HUMAN CAPITAL LESOTHO
LIBERIA
Large-scale emigration over the past Skills gap is a major factor affecting SMEs’
MADAGASCAR
decade has drained the country of its capacity to change and provide improved
MALAWI
most educated and productive workers, services. ICT training is mostly concentrated on
MALI
especially in rural areas. As a result, there is a basic IT skills. Various training providers offer
MAURITIUS
shortage of agricultural labour due to the different levels, from basic training on how to use
MOZAMBIQUE
exodus of young people from rural areas. That a computer and basic office software to some
NAMIBIA
said, the country’s digital literacy seems to be advanced training on specific topics. However,
THE NIGER
above average (WEF, 2019). the quality of the training is very heterogeneous
NIGERIA
between TVET and even between courses. Five
RWANDA
The ICT related skills acquired among the young TVET institutions offer training specializing in
SÃO TOMÉ
population (aged 15 years and above), including the ICT sector. Among those institutions, the AND PRÍNCIPE
computing and phone repair, amount to less Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) SENEGAL
than 2 percent of all skills, with respectively and the Quantum Net Institute of Technology SEYCHELLES
1 887 claiming to have received these trainings (QIT) focus on ICT. Public ICT training centres SIERRA LEONE
through a TVET institution in 2012. are managed by the University of The Gambia SOMALIA
(UTG). Some of the TVET are also providing ICT SOUTH AFRICA
training for rural communities such as the Balal SOUTH SUDAN
Rural Empowerment Sustainable Development TOGO
Initiative and the Rural Community Information UGANDA
Centre (see Table 6). UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 131
Table 6: Human capital ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2015 50.78 UNESCO
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above) BURKINA FASO
Literacy rate, youth total 2015 67.16 UNESCO BURUNDI
(% of people ages 15–24) CABO VERDE
Digital skills among population 2019 4.03 WEF CAMEROON
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
CENTRAL
to a great extent) AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 27.03 ILO
(% of total employment) CHAD
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 33.07 ILO COMOROS
(% of female employment) CONGO
Unemployment, total 2020 9.64 ILO CÔTE D’IVOIRE
(% of total labour force)
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
The Government of the Gambia and UNESCO “the All-Girls Tech Camp” in 2015 to train young
DJIBOUTI
Dakar started the implementation of the Youth girls in urban and rural areas of the Gambia in
EQUATORIAL
Empowerment project through TVET programme ICT skills. The acquisition of these skills presents GUINEA
(2018–2022) aiming at creating an enabling an opportunity for digital transition that could ERITREA
environment that empowers youth, particularly help curb youth unemployment in the country, ESWATINI
girls, with the needed skills for the job market which stood at 12.44 percent in 2019 (World ETHIOPIA
as well as providing alternatives through TVET. Bank, 2019). GABON
THE GAMBIA
Moreover, to build the capacities of youth to fill The University of The Gambia established the GHANA
the skills gap and ensure digital transformation, Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI) GUINEA
the Give1 Project Gambia has trained young that offers two-year craft and technician GUINEA-
BISSAU
girls aged between 13 and 20 in IT, particularly training programs. The courses offered include
KENYA
web design, computer graphics, coding and information technology, mechanical, electrical
LESOTHO
database design. Also, the project launched and construction engineering.
LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
AGRO-INNOVATION MALI
The 2020 budget emphasised the discussing ICT policies, for example, and one MAURITIUS
government’s commitment to transform that can provide a series of integrated services MOZAMBIQUE
the agriculture and natural resource for both the community at large and individual NAMIBIA
sector into a modern market-oriented innovators. Equally, incubator platforms set up THE NIGER
commercial sector with integrated value chains. by both the private and public platforms exist to NIGERIA
support the growth of start-ups. Examples are RWANDA
Most firms in the sector do not engage in R&D Start-up Incubator Gambia, UNDP Gambia and SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
activities given their limited human and financial Accelerator Lab.
SENEGAL
resources. There is very limited collaboration
SEYCHELLES
between Gambian companies to innovate or to Startup Incubator Gambia supports the
SIERRA LEONE
develop collaboration with foreign tech hubs, development of young Gambian entrepreneurs
SOMALIA
suppliers or networks that promote innovation. through an array of business support services
SOUTH AFRICA
Taxation is very high on ICT companies, and resources. Empretec Gambia trains
SOUTH SUDAN
sometimes up to 23 percent, which is one of the and prepares entrepreneurs to establish
TOGO
stated reasons that companies can rarely afford successful enterprises or to grow and expand
UGANDA
to invest in R&D or personnel training. their businesses. Special emphasis is given
UNITED
to computer literacy and IT. There is only one REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
There is no highly visible technology hub embryonic tech hub, Jokkolabs, hosted by the
ZAMBIA
that helps structure the community or is a YMCA. Jokkolabs works at a very low scale with
ZIMBABWE
natural counterpart for the government when very limited capacities (see Table 7).
132 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 7: Agro-innovation ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 278.55 FAO
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions) BURKINA FASO
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 92.07 FAO BURUNDI
(2014–2016 = 100) CABO VERDE
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.40 WBG CAMEROON
(index ranking 1–5: low/high)
CENTRAL
Research and Agricultural research spending 2016 0.88 IFPRI AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
technology (% of AgGDP)
development CHAD
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 2.27 WEF COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/ CONGO
extensive collaboration)
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Capacity for innovation 2017 4.21 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
to a great extent) CONGO
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 0.76 UNCTAD DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
ERITREA
ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
GABON
THE GAMBIA
GHANA
GUINEA
GUINEA-
BISSAU
KENYA
LESOTHO
LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
MALI
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 133
©FAO/Shutterstock/Felix Lipov
GHANA
Ghana is a lower-middle- and it employs 29.8 percent of the population
income country with an with 70 percent as smallholder farmers. Ghana’s
e s t i m a t e d p o p u l a t i o n of agriculture sector produces key crops such as
31 million people of whom cocoa, coffee, citrus and rubber for exports. Major
57.3 percent live in urban areas. staples include cassava, plantain, rice, maize,
The country’s GDP is estimated sorghum and millet.
at USD 72.3 billion. Ghana has about 147 827 km2
of agricultural land, making up 65 percent of the Ghana has been tipped as one of the trailblazers
total land area. The service sector contributes most of digitalization and innovation. It serves as a
to the economy comprising 44.1 percent of GDP in hub for global tech giants such as Google, which
2019. About 13.3 percent of people live on USD 1.9 established an Artificial Intelligence centre in the
or less a day although the economy has grown over country. Twitter has also recently located its African
the years (see Table 1). headquarters in Ghana. The ICT sector, through
telecommunication services, contributed 3.6 percent
The agriculture sector has been highly prioritized to GDP. The country’s liberalized competitive
by the government with numerous flagship telecommunication industry has also experienced
programmes. The sector contributes 17.3 percent growth following major sector reforms that opened
of the GDP and 30 percent of export earnings, the door to international companies since 2008.
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 31 072 945 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 57.35 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 42.65 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 72 354 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 147 827 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 64.97 FAO
134
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
T h e co u n t r y b o a s t s a d va n ce d and Vodafone in 2019. Vodafone also secured a
BOTSWANA
infrastructure with its power sector block of 800 MHz spectrum for USD 30 million.
BURKINA FASO
serving neighbouring countries such as All MNOs have deployed fiber optic cables as a
BURUNDI
Togo, Burkina Faso and Benin. There is also high backbone to microwave transmission or metro
CABO VERDE
access to electricity with the country serving fiber network to support voice and data traffic
CAMEROON
about 93.8 percent and 70 percent of its urban to end-users. Broadband and Internet services
CENTRAL
and rural populations respectively. are enhanced with Ghana’s connection to AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Europe via the 14 500 km West African Cable
CHAD
GSMA (2019) affirms that 2G, 3G and 4G System, courtesy of MTN with over 500 gigabits
COMOROS
coverage was 96.8 percent, 89 percent and per second connectivity speed. In 2010, Glo
CONGO
68 percent respectively. Through partnerships Ghana also connected the country to a high
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
with companies such as Parallel Wireless, Ghana capacity 9 800 km of undersea fiber optic
DEMOCRATIC
aims at strategically improving rural network cable as part of its data infrastructure. Google REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
connectivity using low-cost virtualized radio also extended its fiber optic network with long-
DJIBOUTI
access systems. Four MNOs – MTN, Vodafone, distance fiber cables to connect to urban-fibre
EQUATORIAL
Airterl-Tigo and Glo – currently provide mobile networks to bridge service delivery in the urban GUINEA
network services. As of publishing this report, the and hinterlands. ERITREA
government was planning to acquire full stake of ESWATINI
Airtel-Tigo. MTN holds the biggest market share Internet penetration stood at 50 percent in ETHIOPIA
(55 percent) followed by Vodafone (22 percent), 2021 with services mostly available in dense GABON
Airtel-Tigo (21 percent) as of 2020 (see Table 2). urban cities and less widespread in rural areas. THE GAMBIA
However, Internet access has remained topical GHANA
The country’s broadband service has expanded in recent policy and discourse given government GUINEA
with the launch of LTE services by MTN in 2016 focus on the farm sector in rural economies. GUINEA-
BISSAU
KENYA
Table 2: Infrastructure
LESOTHO
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
LIBERIA
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 70.01 WBG
MADAGASCAR
(% of rural population)
MALAWI
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 68.0 GSMA
MALI
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 61.08 GSMA
(% of population) MAURITIUS
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 59.41 WBG MOZAMBIQUE
(per 1 million people) NAMIBIA
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 4.13 WEF THE NIGER
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
to a great extent) NIGERIA
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2019 130.22 ITU RWANDA
(per 100 inhabitants) SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 99.90 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) SENEGAL
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 0.25 ITU SEYCHELLES
(per 100 people) SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
DIGITAL PENETRATION SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
Ghana’s digital ecosystem has project under the auspices of the World Bank
UGANDA
experienced healthy growth following seeks to harness information technologies such
UNITED
government investments and plans to as Wide Area Networks to improve operations in REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
position it as a regional hub for digital services. public institutions, including the agriculture sector.
ZAMBIA
For example, the government’s E-transform
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 135
The agriculture sector leads in the last mile of with MTN, Tigo and e-zwich to use digital ANGOLA
digitization in the country with both private channels to profile farmers for digital payment BENIN
and government participation. There are for cocoa purchases. In 2014, the Ghana Rubber BOTSWANA
over 25 agritech start-ups providing a range Estates Limited (GREL) partnered with Tigo BURKINA FASO
of services in different value chains. In 2017, Money and MTN money to make e-payments BURUNDI
the government piloted the E-Agriculture to outgrowers. CABO VERDE
programme, which is an ICT initiative within the CAMEROON
West African Agriculture Productivity Programme Focusing on private initiatives, Farmerline’s CENTRAL
AFRICAN
to use Internet and ICT solutions to provide digital solutions shifted farmer profiling using REPUBLIC
prompt and efficient agriculture extension digital data collection tools that improved the CHAD
services across value chains. Components of delivery of in-person training and compliance COMOROS
the programme that focused on information to global certifications. Esoko’s Insyt tool also CONGO
provision using ICT include: the E-Agriculture uses mobile and web-based digital solutions CÔTE D’IVOIRE
portal, which serves as the knowledge and with integrated smart identity solutions for DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
operational process management platform; farmer profiling. CONGO
E-Subsidy managing the affordability of fertilizers DJIBOUTI
and their accessibility to farmers; an Interactive Agrocenta offers a platform for trade between EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Voice Response (IVR) system and Call Centre smallholder farmers and consumers with over
ERITREA
that provide advisory services through toll free 48 000 farmers registered on their platform. In
ESWATINI
lines to farmers in English and local languages; 2018, in partnership with GSMA mobile, MTN
ETHIOPIA
and E-Extension through which officers were Mobile money piloted mAgri, a mobile-based
GABON
equipped with advanced technologies for data tool for digitalization of the entire procurement
THE GAMBIA
sharing, gathering and reporting to enhance process in agriculture. Trotro Tractor also brings
GHANA
precision in service delivery (see Table 3). mechanization services within reach of farmers
GUINEA
by connecting them with tractor operators
GUINEA-
MNOs have also partnered with private entities within the country. GSMA in 2019 reported that BISSAU
to leverage digital solutions in agriculture in about 67 mobile apps were developed in the KENYA
urban and rural areas. In 2016, Cargill partnered country’s national language. LESOTHO
LIBERIA
Table 3: Digital penetration MADAGASCAR
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source MALAWI
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 0.94 Cable MALI
penetration (USD) MAURITIUS
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2016 2.03 ITU MOZAMBIQUE
as a % of adjusted per capita income
NAMIBIA
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2016 12.81 ITU
THE NIGER
adjusted per capita income
NIGERIA
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 19.42 GSMA
RWANDA
Number of apps in national language 2019 67.00 GSMA
(quantity) SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 33.06 GSMA
SENEGAL
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 100 GSMA
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
136 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
POLICY AND REGULATION ANGOLA
BENIN
The Ministry of Communication and policy and universal access policy to make
BOTSWANA
Digitalization, established under broadband policy universal by 2015; facilitate
BURKINA FASO
section II of the Civil Service Law, 1993 affordable access to broadband infrastructure
BURUNDI
(PNDCL, 327) as amended by the Civil Service Act, for all by 2015; ensure last mile connectivity to
CABO VERDE
2001, has the core mandate of initiating policies communities and homes by 2020; and promote
CAMEROON
to enhance information and communication uptake of broadband via suitable content and
CENTRAL
infrastructure and service delivery in Ghana. applications and plan towards converged AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
infrastructure and service delivery. To that end, a
CHAD
Regarding digitalization and ICT services, board was set up to establish synergies between
COMOROS
Ghana’s ICT for Accelerated Development the policy and key sectors such as agriculture.
CONGO
(ICT4AD) Policy, the National Broadband Policy
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
and Implementation Strategy, Ghana’s National The country has also successfully launched a
DEMOCRATIC
Cybersecurity Policy & Strategy and Digital national cybersecurity policy in 2014 with food REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Financial Services Policy are some of the recent and agriculture highlighted as one of the critical
DJIBOUTI
policies enacted to streamline developments national information infrastructure areas vital to
EQUATORIAL
in the ICT and telecommunication sector the nation, which, if incapacitated, could have GUINEA
(see Table 4). devastating outcomes on the economy. ERITREA
ESWATINI
Launched in 2003, the ICT for Accelerated The Ministry of Food and Agriculture is ETHIOPIA
Development Policy specifically aims at developing the digital agriculture policy, GABON
developing Ghana’s information society and strategic plan and action plan to guide the THE GAMBIA
economy. It pursues a multi-sectorial ICT led implementation of e-agriculture in the country. GHANA
socio-economic development goal to develop The ministry is making a conscious effort GUINEA
Ghana’s ICT sector using ICTs as broad-based to coordinate and harmonize all the ICT- GUINEA-
BISSAU
enablers of the country’s development goals. initiatives (both in private and public) within the
KENYA
In the context of agriculture productivity, one agriculture sector to ensure synergy and to avoid
LESOTHO
of the 14 pillars of the ICT4AD policy focuses duplication. The core function of the Ministry is
LIBERIA
on modernization of agriculture and the to render agricultural extension services and
MADAGASCAR
development of an agro-business industry. other advisory services to actors along the
agricultural value chain. To this end, a 10-year MALAWI
Ghana’s 2012 broadband strategy also sought Digital Agricultural Advisory Service Strategic MALI
to: establish a relationship between broadband Plan is being developed to lead implementation. MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
Table 4: Policy and regulation NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
NIGERIA
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 3.64 WEF
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ RWANDA
framework there is a clear plan) SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 3.72 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/ SENEGAL
extremely successful) SEYCHELLES
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 3.95 WEF SIERRA LEONE
digital business models (index ranking
SOMALIA
1–7: not fast at all/very fast)
SOUTH AFRICA
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 3.35 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/ SOUTH SUDAN
extremely well developed)
TOGO
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 88 EC/ITU
UGANDA
framework
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation TANZANIA
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation
ZAMBIA
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4). ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 137
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ANGOLA
BENIN
In 2021, Ghana’s relevance in Africa’s Several initiatives have been undertaken by the
BOTSWANA
business sector was boosted with the government to improve its business environment.
BURKINA FASO
country hosting the secretariat of the In 2017, the “National Identification Project”
BURUNDI
Africa Continental Free Trade Area. To support and the “National Digital Property Addressing
CABO VERDE
businesses, the current government set up the Systems” were launched to enhance business
CAMEROON
Ministry of Business Development. During its first operations through improved national address
CENTRAL
term, it sought to promote the development of systems. The Interoperable Electronic Platform AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
medium and small enterprises, increase (IEP) aims at reducing the risk of doing business
CHAD
entrepreneurial capacities of the youth and by facilitating electronic payment via mobile
COMOROS
enhance the country’s image as an investment money and also enhancing the credit base of
CONGO
destination through effective branding. enterprises to improve their ability to obtain
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
financial support from mainstream banks.
DEMOCRATIC
Focusing on legal frameworks in the business REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
sector, the Ghana Investment Promotion Center Another key project to improve its business
DJIBOUTI
under Ghana Investment Promotion Centre environment is the Paperless Port Project
EQUATORIAL
(GIPC) Act, 2013 (Act 865) necessitate that all implemented to create a paperless port GUINEA
foreign companies be registered with GIPC. operations system to facilitate the clearance ERITREA
Foreign companies require equity capital of goods and reduce man hours by leveraging ESWATINI
of USD 500 000 in cash or capital goods to technology and advanced infrastructure. ETHIOPIA
operate if they are wholly foreign owned or GABON
USD 200 000 in the case of a joint venture with THE GAMBIA
a Ghanaian national (see Table 5). GHANA
GUINEA
Table 5: Business environment GUINEA-
BISSAU
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
KENYA
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 2319 UNCTAD
LESOTHO
environment culture
LIBERIA
Growth of innovative companies 2019 4.18 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ MADAGASCAR
to a great extent) MALAWI
Venture capital availability 2017 2.57 WEF MALI
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/
extremely easy) MAURITIUS
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 13 WBG MOZAMBIQUE
Ease of access to loans 2016 3.13 WEF NAMIBIA
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ THE NIGER
extremely easy)
NIGERIA
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 3.94 WEF
RWANDA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
HUMAN CAPITAL SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
Adult literacy rate is 79 percent 25 private universities. Also, the country has six
SOUTH AFRICA
(89.9 percent for males and 83 percent colleges solely focused on agricultural education.
SOUTH SUDAN
for females). Similarly, youth literacy is
high with 92.5 percent of the youth able to read The National ICT4AD policy prioritized ICT skills TOGO
and write. The country’s free education policy is and education with proposed strategies that UGANDA
expected to increase access to education and include modernizing the country’s educational UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
boost the rate of literacy among the youth. Ghana ICT infrastructure, promoting training in ICT skills TANZANIA
is home to nine public universities and about in schools, and identifying and developing a ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
138 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
pool of ICT professionals to meet the manpower with the America Tower Corporation – as part ANGOLA
needs of the country (see Table 6). of the digital village ICT learning project – BENIN
sought to establish ICT learning centres across BOTSWANA
The Ministry of Education has also begun a the country, beginning with Savelugu in the BURKINA FASO
process to reform the education sector between Northern Region. The Ghana code club has BURUNDI
2018 and 2030. The reform seeks to integrate since 2015 partnered with the government to CABO VERDE
ICTs in education with the overall purpose of promote ICT skills and has currently served over CAMEROON
developing the desire and competencies in 8 000 youth aged between 6 and 18 years. It CENTRAL
AFRICAN
children to use ICTs, equip pre-tertiary learners has also trained 30 teachers. REPUBLIC
with ICT skills, infuse ICT into education and CHAD
promote technology-based teacher training It is estimated that by 2030, over 9 million jobs COMOROS
and education at the tertiary level. Ultimately, will require digital skills in the country, translating CONGO
the country aims at creating an open university into about 20 million training programmes CÔTE D’IVOIRE
framework as an avenue for workers to enrol in estimated at USD 4 billion in revenue. To address DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
tertiary programmes. unemployment challenges, in 2020 the Deutsche CONGO
Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit DJIBOUTI
Several private organizations have also (GIZ) introduced the “ICT skills training for EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
prioritized ICT education and undertaken students and job seekers” programme and the
ERITREA
different interventions to support the less “Digital skills for entrepreneurial women” to
ESWATINI
privileged. In 2019, Africa ICT Right in partnership empower girls and women across the country.
ETHIOPIA
GABON
Table 6: Human capital
THE GAMBIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source GHANA
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2018 79.04 UNESCO GUINEA
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above)
GUINEA-
Literacy rate, youth total 2018 92.49 UNESCO BISSAU
(% of people ages 15–24)
KENYA
Digital skills among population 2019 4.21 WEF
LESOTHO
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) LIBERIA
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 29.75 ILO MADAGASCAR
(% of total employment) MALAWI
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 22.10 ILO MALI
(% of female employment)
MAURITIUS
Unemployment, total 2020 4.53 ILO
MOZAMBIQUE
(% of total labour force)
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
AGRO-INNOVATION RWANDA
Re ce nt rev i ews of g ove r n m e nt In a bid to further innovation, the government SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
budgetary allocation to the agriculture set up the Accra Digital Centre under the
SENEGAL
sector suggests that the government of leadership of the Ministry of Communications
SEYCHELLES
Ghana is close to meeting the goal of 10 percent and Digitalisation to create working spaces
SIERRA LEONE
budgetary support for agriculture, as committed for young enterprises that need a support
SOMALIA
to in its joining of the Comprehensive Africa infrastructure. The National Board for Small
SOUTH AFRICA
Agricultural Development Programme. Around Scale Industries in partnership with the Kwame
SOUTH SUDAN
5.8–7.5 percent of the government’s budget was Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
TOGO
allocated to agriculture between 2012–2015 also set up the Kumasi Business Incubator. It
UGANDA
(IFPRI, 2019). However, an observed continuous assists final year students who have business
UNITED
decline in allocations for agriculture research ideas through guided expert support. REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
and knowledge transfer has emerged as a major
ZAMBIA
concern (IFPRI, 2019).
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 139
Several innovation hubs by international of Denmark, Netherlands and the World Bank ANGOLA
organizations and the private sector currently has supported over 101 businesses and aided BENIN
create an enabling environment for start-ups these to secure early stage and growth stage BOTSWANA
to scale their operations. For example, MEST funds to the tune of USD 1.84 million. Other hubs BURKINA FASO
provides critical skills in software development include AgriHub Ghana Knowledge Space and BURUNDI
and communication skills to entrepreneurs Reach for Change Ghana (see Table 7). CABO VERDE
from its hub in Accra. The initiative leverages CAMEROON
hands-on-projects, guest lectures and its global Several start-ups have sprung up in the agriculture CENTRAL
AFRICAN
support staff with start-ups benefitting from sector including Esoko, Cow Tribe, Syecomp REPUBLIC
its 18-months package. The Ghana Climate Ghana Limited, Farmerline, Trotro Tractors, Sesi CHAD
Innovation Centre, founded in 2016, is leading Technologies, Agrocenta, AgroInnova, Farm Cure COMOROS
the drive for a green economy with a focus on key and AniTrack. The services they provide range CONGO
areas including climate-smart agriculture. The from data management, e-commerce, advisory, CÔTE D’IVOIRE
centre funded by a grant from the government financial and marketing linkages. DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Table 7: Agro-innovation DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source GUINEA
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 11 927.28 FAO ERITREA
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions)
ESWATINI
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 118.06 FAO
ETHIOPIA
(2014–2016 = 100)
GABON
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.57 WBG
(index ranking 1–5: low/high) THE GAMBIA
Research and Agricultural research spending 2017 N/A IFPRI GHANA
technology (% of AgGDP)
GUINEA
development
GUINEA-
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 0.91 WEF BISSAU
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/
KENYA
extensive collaboration)
LESOTHO
Capacity for innovation 2017 4.18 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ LIBERIA
to a great extent) MADAGASCAR
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 2.47 UNCTAD MALAWI
MALI
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
140 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
©FAO/Shutterstock/Igor Grochev
GUINEA
Guinea is a low-income country Regarding the state budget, rural development
with a population of 13.1 million, (agriculture, fishing, livestock), received funding
of whom an estimated of 12.4 percent in 2021. The agriculture sector
63.1 percent live in rural zones. plays a key role in poverty reduction and rural
Guinea’s population also skews development, and provides income for 57 percent
young, as 61 percent of its of rural households. Furthermore, 9.2 percent of the
citizens are under 35 years of age, and 40 percent population lives below the income poverty line of
are under 15 years of age (USAID, 2016). USD 1.9 or less a day (WBG, 2019).
In 2020, the GDP of the country was estimated at Since 2020, Guinea has made strategic investments
USD 15.6 billion by the World Bank. In the same year, in information and communication technologies.
the IMF estimated GDP per capita at USD 926.3. In The country is currently working to lift the brakes
2020, the contribution of the agricultural sector to off its digital transformation.
GDP was 18 percent while the sector employs nearly
60.7 percent of the working population. The rate of
women working in agriculture is 6.8 percent (WBG,
2019) (see Table 1).
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 13 132 792 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 36.88 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 63.12 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 15 681 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 145 000 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 59.01 FAO
141
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
Through the Small Hybrid Electricity There is no fixed line operator in Guinea. Voice
BOTSWANA
project in Guinea (PEHGUI), the Rural communications are through mobile networks.
BURKINA FASO
Electrification Project (PER), the Fixed-broadband is available through fixed
BURUNDI
Electricity Sector Recovery Project (PRSE) and broadband wireless networks and optical fiber
CABO VERDE
three interconnection projects approved by the provided by mobile operators to businesses in
CAMEROON
World Bank between 2015 and 2019, Guinea has urban areas.
CENTRAL
a growing rate of access to electricity in urban AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
areas, reaching 87.7 percent in 2019. However, In 2017, the market also included four Internet
CHAD
the rural access remains low, at 16,4 percent of service providers, namely: ETI, MouNa Group
COMOROS
the rural popoulation. Technology, Skyvision Guinée and VDC Télécom.
CONGO
The ACE fiber optic submarine cable entered
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
From 2011 to 2018, the rate of telephone into service in of 2013.
DEMOCRATIC
network coverage increased from 40 percent to REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
79 percent in the country, with a large presence The number of mobile connections in Guinea in
DJIBOUTI
of different mobile operators. Guinea has January 2020 was equivalent to 79 percent of
EQUATORIAL
91 percent 2G coverage, 75 percent 3G coverage, the total population compared to 12.91 million GUINEA
and 8.6 4G coverage (GSMA, 2019). The mobile subscriptions in 2019, which had increased by ERITREA
operator Orange Guinea switched to 4G in 2019 7 percent from 2018 (12.01 million subscriptions). ESWATINI
and launched mobile technology in Conakry, Mobile penetration is estimated at 105.1 percent ETHIOPIA
covering all the municipalities of the capital: compared to 101 percent in 2018. GABON
Kaloum, Dixinn, Ratoma, Matoto and Matam. THE GAMBIA
Guinea took another step toward its digital GHANA
Guinea has four mobile operators: MTN sovereignty through the construction of its first GUINEA
Guinea operating under the brand Areeba; ever national data centre in 2020. Guilab, a GUINEA-
BISSAU
Orange, a subsidiary of Senegal’s Sonatel; telecommunications infrastructure operator, has
KENYA
Intercel, launched in 1993 as Télécel, which is signed a partnership agreement with Facebook
LESOTHO
now a subsidiary of the incumbent operator in for installation of a content distribution network
LIBERIA
Sudan Sudatel; and Cellcom, a United States (CDN) on its premises (see Table 2).
MADAGASCAR
telecommunication firm. Orange and MTN
dominate the market and have both launched MALAWI
3G mobile broadband along with Cellcom. MALI
MAURITIUS
Table 2: Infrastructure MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
THE NIGER
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 16.39 WBG
(% of rural population) NIGERIA
RWANDA
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 8.64 GSMA
SÃO TOMÉ
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 53.31 GSMA AND PRÍNCIPE
(% of population)
SENEGAL
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 6.78 WBG
(per 1 million people) SEYCHELLES
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 4.62 WEF SIERRA LEONE
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/ SOMALIA
to a great extent)
SOUTH AFRICA
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2019 100.80 ITU
SOUTH SUDAN
(per 100 inhabitants)
TOGO
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 23.17 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) UGANDA
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2019 0.01 ITU UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
(per 100 people) TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
142 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
DIGITAL PENETRATION ANGOLA
BENIN
According to Cable (2020), the average and also offers rental services for agricultural
BOTSWANA
price of 1 GB of mobile data in Guinea equipment. M-Makiti provides day-to-day
BURKINA FASO
is USD 2.08. ITU also reports that the information to farmers and consumers on the
BURUNDI
price of local mobile cellular calls per minute price of consumer agricultural products or
CABO VERDE
was USD 0.07 in 2017 (see Table 3). seeds in Guinea using the USSD service of the
CAMEROON
operator Orange. DrumNet is an ICT-enabled
CENTRAL
In 2016, about four out of five Guineans platform that delivers services to agro-buyers, AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
(79.1 percent) owned a mobile phone, of which banks, farm input retailers and farmers. Allô224
CHAD
8.3 percent were smartphones. Nearly 8 percent is another service that lists restaurants in the
COMOROS
of girls aged 15–24 years have accessed a city of Conakry and users can book, view and
CONGO
computer once, but only 4 percent have order their favourite meals online. The new
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
accessed a computer at least once a week. supplier and partnership marketplace digital
DEMOCRATIC
platform Bourse de Sous-Traitance et de REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
The number of mobile Internet subscriptions Partenariats (BSTP) is helping SMEs across
DJIBOUTI
was 2.55 million in Guinea as of January 2020, or Guinea improve their competitiveness and sell
EQUATORIAL
roughly 20 percent of the population. In Guinea, their goods and services. Launched in December GUINEA
Internet use in the past 12 months prior to 2018, BSTP connects large companies across all ERITREA
publication shows that 32 percent of men aged sectors of the economy with local suppliers in ESWATINI
15–49 years have used the Internet compared areas including catering, hospitality, logistics, ETHIOPIA
to only 15 percent of women. In 2018, the construction, and agribusiness. GABON
proportion of the population that had accessed THE GAMBIA
a mobile broadband network but did not use Introduced by the government, the e-voucher GHANA
mobile Internet services was 18 percent, but the system is a digital platform-based solution for GUINEA
proportion of the population not covered by a the distribution of farm inputs that instantly GUINEA-
BISSAU
mobile broadband network was 64 percent. sends out electronic coupons (or vouchers) by
KENYA
Internet bandwidth usage increased from SMS to the mobile terminals of a database
LESOTHO
468 bit /s in 2013 to 12 066 bit /s in 2017. of farmers (beneficiaries) notifying them of
LIBERIA
subsidies granted to them and where these can
In March 2021, social networks penetration be collected. MADAGASCAR
was mostly to Facebook (72 percent), Twitter MALAWI
(8.8 percent), Pinterest (9.6 percent), YouTube The proportion of the adult population with a MALI
(5.3 percent), Instagram (2.9 percent) and Reddit bank account increased from 7 percent in 2014 MAURITIUS
(0.5 percent). Private companies are increasingly to 23.5 percent in 2017. Digital financial services MOZAMBIQUE
turning to Facebook to target Guineans with are used by 2 million subscribers, a number NAMIBIA
disposable incomes, and government ministries significantly below Guinea’s market potential. THE NIGER
have begun using Facebook as a platform to Three e-money issuers (Orange, MTN, and NIGERIA
communicate with the general population. PAYCARD) have been licensed to operate, but RWANDA
the supply of services stagnates at the level of SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
There are few services in Guinea serving digital transfers and payments, not reaching second
SENEGAL
agriculture. Kóbiri is a mobile service that allows generation services targeting credit and savings
SEYCHELLES
Guineans to pay for services by mobile phone through a more integrated financial sector.
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 143
Table 3: Digital penetration ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Source Source
BOTSWANA
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 Cable Cable
penetration (USD) BURKINA FASO
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2018 ITU ITU BURUNDI
as a % of adjusted per capita income CABO VERDE
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2018 ITU ITU CAMEROON
adjusted per capita income
CENTRAL
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 GSMA GSMA AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Number of apps in national language 2019 GSMA GSMA
CHAD
(quantity)
COMOROS
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 GSMA GSMA
CONGO
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 GSMA GSMA
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
POLICY AND REGULATION DJIBOUTI
The 2016–2020 National Development The Guinean law on e-commerce was passed in EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Plan (Plan National de Développement June 2016. The Cybersecurity and Data
ERITREA
Economique et Social, PNDES), Protection Law (N. L/2016/037/AN) approved by
ESWATINI
grounded in the country’s long-term vision the parliament in July 2016 governs the sharing
ETHIOPIA
(Vision Guinea 2040) with the stated goal of of consumer data and analytics. The law
GABON
promoting strong, high-quality growth that will introduced rights on protection and privacy of
THE GAMBIA
improve the well-being of Guineans, brings an information, and triggered transparency with
GHANA
economic structural transformation and places the potential to democratize information
GUINEA
the country on a sustainable development path. sharing and consumers’ rights. The law aimed
GUINEA-
The PNDES also focuses on “enhancing the at transforming consumers from “subjects” BISSAU
digital economy as indispensable factors of into “clients”. KENYA
development and a cross-cutting sector with LESOTHO
direct multiplier effects on all other sectors of Guinea’s vision for agricultural development LIBERIA
economic activity.” The Ministry of Posts, sees the country as an “emerging agricultural MADAGASCAR
Telecommunications and Digital Economy power in 2025, with an economically and socially MALAWI
defines the sector policy. A National Strategy for viable mode of production”. Since 2007, the MALI
the Development of ICTs and the Digital Government has adopted a National Agricultural MAURITIUS
Economy was adopted for the period 2016– Development Policy (PNDA) on the basis of the MOZAMBIQUE
2020, promoting intelligent legislation and National Agricultural Investment and Food NAMIBIA
regulation through the drafting of a law on Security Plan (PNIASA), modern, sustainable, THE NIGER
electronic transactions, protection of personal productive, and competitive agriculture in NIGERIA
data, cybersecurity and cryptology, digital regional and international markets. RWANDA
convergence and drafting of law enforcement SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
texts. The Authority for Regulation of Posts and In terms of ICT, improving access to growth
SENEGAL
Telecommunications is the sector regulator, markets for agricultural products entails
SEYCHELLES
guided by the 2015 Law on Telecommunications strengthening the operational capacities of
SIERRA LEONE
and Information Technologies. In addition, SIPAG and the relaunch of the livestock SIM
government initiatives, such as the planned and its extension, which are digital tools at the SOMALIA
National Backbone Network in Guinea, have service of agriculture but carried by the state SOUTH AFRICA
been supportive in encouraging increased (see Table 4). SOUTH SUDAN
investment in the sector. The Autorité de TOGO
Régulation des Postes et des Télécommunications UGANDA
(ARPT) is in charge of regulating e-commerce UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
activities under the authority of the Ministry of TANZANIA
Posts, Telecommunications and Digital Economy. ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
144 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 4: Policy and regulation ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 2.95 WEF
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ BURKINA FASO
framework there is a clear plan) BURUNDI
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 3.43 WEF CABO VERDE
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
CAMEROON
extremely successful)
CENTRAL
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 2.97 WEF AFRICAN
digital business models (index ranking REPUBLIC
1–7: not fast at all/very fast)
CHAD
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 2.18 WEF
COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
extremely well developed) CONGO
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 68.3 EC/ITU CÔTE D’IVOIRE
framework DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation DJIBOUTI
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score EQUATORIAL
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4). GUINEA
ERITREA
ESWATINI
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ETHIOPIA
GABON
In the 2016–2020 national strategy USD 11.3 million) to support the financing
THE GAMBIA
document at the level of strategic and promotion of SMEs and PMIs in Guinea.
GHANA
objective 1.4.4, the government Additionally, USD 11 million financing agreements
GUINEA
intended to promote the creation and support are intended for the Support Project for the
GUINEA-
of companies in the digital sector. From 2015, Transformation of Guinean Agriculture and Youth BISSAU
Guinea enabled its investment environment Agricultural Entrepreneurship (PATAG EAJ). KENYA
through the Investment Code Law. This code LESOTHO
sets out the legal and institutional framework Over 90 percent of the Guinean private sector LIBERIA
for private, domestic and foreign investment in consists of informal micro, small, and medium MADAGASCAR
the country, and is supervised by the Agency for enterprises (MSMEs) in agriculture, trade, or MALAWI
the Promotion of Private Investment (APIP). The services, with low salaries (less than USD 50 per MALI
ease of starting a business has increased thanks month) and low literacy rates (25 percent). It is MAURITIUS
to the one-stop-shop set up by APIP to facilitate estimated that 80 percent of the workforce is MOZAMBIQUE
registration of businesses. In addition, a employed in this sector and that only 2.2 percent NAMIBIA
regulatory and legislative framework for the of enterprises have a bank account. Conakry THE NIGER
promotion of industrial production was is clearly the country’s economic hub, with an NIGERIA
developed. Furthermore, the National Charter of estimated 70 percent of SMEs located in its RWANDA
MSMEs, the National Quality Policy, and the greater metropolitan area. SÃO TOMÉ
National Strategy for the Promotion of AND PRÍNCIPE
Intellectual Property were also adopted. The Nearly 90 percent of Guinean SMEs are SENEGAL
private sector development strategy of the estimated to be informal or semi-formal. SEYCHELLES
Guinean government (Stratégie de According to a recent study, 57 percent of small SIERRA LEONE
développement du secteur privé – SDSP) has businesses are informal, and 29 percent are self- SOMALIA
assigned a crucial role to women and youth in employed entrepreneurs, most of whom are not SOUTH AFRICA
the country’s development agenda. registered as businesses either. SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
Furthermore, the Investment and Development However, in 2014, only 57 percent of people over UGANDA
Bank of the Economic Community of West African 25 years of age borrowed money from a formal UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
States (BIDC) has granted Vista Bank Guinea institution, and 43 percent of people aged TANZANIA
a credit line of ERU 10 million (approximately between 15–24 years borrowed money from a ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 145
formal institution. The credit-to-private-to-GDP Quite surprisingly, the percentage of business ANGOLA
ratio in Guinea is 9.8 percent due to the absence managers above 65 is extremely high in Guinea, BENIN
of specialized banks, a fully operational at 64 percent. Conversely, the percentage of BOTSWANA
guarantee fund and a stock exchange. young entrepreneurs was very low: only 11 percent BURKINA FASO
were younger than 35 and only 14 percent were BURUNDI
run by women (see Table 5). CABO VERDE
CAMEROON
Table 5: Business environment CENTRAL
AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
CHAD
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 45 UNCTAD
environment culture COMOROS
Growth of innovative companies 2019 4.29 WEF CONGO
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ CÔTE D’IVOIRE
to a great extent)
DEMOCRATIC
Venture capital availability 2017 3.03 WEF REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/
extremely easy) DJIBOUTI
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 15 WBG EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Ease of access to loans 2017 5.43 WEF
ERITREA
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/
extremely easy) ESWATINI
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 4.26 WEF ETHIOPIA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
GABON
to a great extent)
THE GAMBIA
GHANA
GUINEA
HUMAN CAPITAL GUINEA-
BISSAU
The literacy rate as of 2018 was However, the institutions need further public
KENYA
39.6 percent and 53.9 percent for and private investment in staffing, curriculum
LESOTHO
youth based on UNESCO estimate. The materials and students to produce more and
LIBERIA
agriculture sector employed 60.7 percent of the higher-quality graduates.
MADAGASCAR
population in 2019, with a marked continuous
MALAWI
reduction in percentage since 2015 according In terms of initiatives to develop the digital skills
MALI
to ILO. of youth, several actions have been undertaken
MAURITIUS
by universities and private education
MOZAMBIQUE
Guinea’s only agricultural university is the organizations to strengthen the capacities of
NAMIBIA
Institute Superieur Agronomique Valery training and research institutions in the field
THE NIGER
Giscard D’Estaing de Faranah (ISAV/F) and its of ICT. ARPT has also undertaken initiatives to
NIGERIA
veterinary university is the Institute Superieur strengthen digital skill. The ministry in charge of
RWANDA
de Medicine Veterinarie (ISSMV), located in telecommunications/ ICT, through the WARCIP
SÃO TOMÉ
Dalaba. In addition, there are five national project, has also carried out skills-building AND PRÍNCIPE
Agricultural Education and Training (AET) actions for executives of the telecommunications SENEGAL
centres. Four national schools for agriculture sector, in Guinea and abroad. SEYCHELLES
and livestock (ENAE in French) are located in SIERRA LEONE
Boffa, Kankan, Macenta and Tolo, and one Most growth-oriented SMEs prefer to train their SOMALIA
national forestry school (ENATEF in French) is employees on-the job, while 16 percent of the SOUTH AFRICA
located in Mamou. These five national schools enterprises indicated that they offered specific SOUTH SUDAN
train roughly 500 students per year, who receive staff training (WB Enterprise Survey, 2016) TOGO
diplomas at the completion of their training. (see Table 6). UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
146 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 6: Human capital ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2018 39.62 UNESCO
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above) BURKINA FASO
Literacy rate, youth total 2018 53.94 UNESCO BURUNDI
(% of people ages 15–24) CABO VERDE
Digital skills among population 2019 3.35 WEF CAMEROON
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
CENTRAL
to a great extent) AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 60.65 ILO
(% of total employment) CHAD
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 61.80 ILO COMOROS
(% of female employment) CONGO
Unemployment, total 2020 4.35 ILO CÔTE D’IVOIRE
(% of total labour force)
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
DJIBOUTI
AGRO-INNOVATION EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
The Research Institute Agronomique De Saboutech is a non-profit organization focused ERITREA
Guinee (IRAG) in Conakry is the main on identifying and supporting SMEs and start- ESWATINI
R&D agency for agriculture and has ups in IT, renewable energies or the environment ETHIOPIA
the most research staff and agricultural R&D in crucial stages of their development by
GABON
funding nationally (ASTI, 2014). Broad topics creating a privileged space and a stimulating
THE GAMBIA
that IRAG conducts R&D on include crops, environment dedicated to spurring the growth
GHANA
livestock, natural resources, post-harvest of these SMEs. They are also a venue for various
GUINEA
handling and agricultural engineering. IRAG events around entrepreneurship and innovation
GUINEA-
also develops new agricultural technologies, in Guinea. BISSAU
creates and tests new plant varieties for KENYA
adaptability within Guinea’s four regions, and The OseTonEmploi Incubator is a support LESOTHO
provides technical assistance to farmer groups structure for entrepreneurs in the creation and LIBERIA
and individuals. development of innovative or high added value MADAGASCAR
businesses (see Table 7). MALAWI
Specific EAS provision by IRAG includes MALI
advice on fertilizer dosage, information on In addition, the Guinean Institute for MAURITIUS
phytosanitary techniques and adaptations, Standardization and Metrology (IGNM) – a MOZAMBIQUE
and provision of technical assistance through public scientific and technical establishment NAMIBIA
training of the extension staff at the National with legal personality and financial and THE NIGER
Agency Promoting Rural and Agricultural managerial autonomy – is made up of four NIGERIA
Consulting (ANPROCA, for its abbreviation in divisions, including the Standardization Division RWANDA
French). Further broad research with agricultural that includes the agri-food, civil engineering and SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
links and synergies is done at the Gamal Abdel construction, electromechanics, environment
SENEGAL
Nasser University of Conakry (UGANC)/Center and chemistry-textile sections.
SEYCHELLES
for Study and Environmental Research and
SIERRA LEONE
the National Research Center on Fisheries and
SOMALIA
Marine Resources (CNSHB). In general, these
SOUTH AFRICA
agricultural research and training institutes
SOUTH SUDAN
do not communicate and coordinate well with
TOGO
farmer groups and farmers, nor sufficiently with
UGANDA
the EAS system.
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 147
Table 7: Agro-innovation ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 2 148.24 FAO
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions) BURKINA FASO
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 125.17 FAO BURUNDI
(2014–2016 = 100) CABO VERDE
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.20 WBG CAMEROON
(index ranking 1–5: low/high)
CENTRAL
Research and Agricultural research spending 2016 0.17 IFPRI AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
technology (% of AgGDP)
development CHAD
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 5.03 WEF COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/ CONGO
extensive collaboration)
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Capacity for innovation 2017 5.44 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
to a great extent) CONGO
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2016 1.63 UNCTAD DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
ERITREA
ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
GABON
THE GAMBIA
GHANA
GUINEA
GUINEA-
BISSAU
KENYA
LESOTHO
LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
MALI
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
148 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
©FAO/Shutterstock/Anton_Ivanov
GUINEA-BISSAU
G u i n e a -B i s s a u i s a l ow- potential, precluding diversification and limiting it
income country with a GDP of to a single commodity. Agriculture in Guinea-Bissau
USD 1.4 billion as of 2020. The largely depends on family farming, with about
economic growth is slow and 120 000 small-scale farmers. The main food crop is
volatile, affected by political rice for domestic consumption, while the main cash
instability, which perpetuates crop is cashew nut, which accounts for 95 percent
the country’s poverty and vulnerability. Of of exports (IFAD) and employs about 75 percent of
the country’s population of 1.9 million people, rural households (World Bank). High dependence on
55.8 percent live in rural areas and 44.2 percent cashew exports makes Guinea-Bissau vulnerable to
of the urban population live in slum areas. Also, external shocks, especially global price fluctuation.
35.3 percent of the total population lives below Agriculture in Guinea-Bissau faces numerous
the international poverty line of USD 1.9 or less a challenges such as low productivity, difficulties in
day (PPP), a decrease from 59.7 percent in 2010 accessing markets and financial resources, price
(see Table 1). fluctuations, etc. Even though the country produces
rice domestically, demands are ultimately met by
The agriculture sector is a key driver of the economy, importing expensive rice.
having contributed 30.9 percent of the country’s
GDP in 2020. The International Labour Organization Food security and nutrition situation are problematic
(ILO) estimates that agriculture employs around for Guinea-Bissau because its limitation on a single-
60.5 percent of the total population with women food, rice-based diet. As a result, 28.3 percent of
accounting for 64.1 percent of that. Guinea-Bissau the total population is undernourished (AFDB,
is rich in resources, but limited capacity and 2020) and one-third of children aged under five
weak governance extends agriculture beyond its suffer stunting (IFAD, 2020).
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 1 967 998 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 44.20 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 55.80 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 1 432 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 8 151 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 28.99 FAO
149
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
Guinea-Bissau is slowly improving its help the country improve its energy access,
BOTSWANA
basic infrastructure, but overall rate of particularly through stand-alone solar systems,
BURKINA FASO
access to electricity remains low at and will further facilitate social development by
BURUNDI
31 percent as of 2019. The gap between urban providing education and public health facilities
CABO VERDE
and rural areas is evident, with 54.3 percent of with better electricity supply.
CAMEROON
the coverage mostly concentrated in the capital
CENTRAL
city Bissau, and 12.9 percent in rural areas. Currently there are two mobile operators in AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Electricity only accounts for 0.5 percent of the Guinea-Bissau, Orange and MTN, with the former
CHAD
country’s national energy consumption. There maintaining market dominance since 2013. In
COMOROS
are huge opportunities to process Guinea- terms of network coverage, 3G was launched in
CONGO
Bissau’s ample renewable resources like solar, 2015 by the two operators (ITU, 2017), rapidly
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
wind and hydroelectricity, but these have not yet reaching 90 percent coverage in 2019. 2G has a
DEMOCRATIC
been exploited to their full potential due to a wide coverage as well at 98.8 percent. Meanwhile, REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
lack of technical capacity and financial support. 4G/LTE was first launched in Guinea-Bissau by
DJIBOUTI
Orange in 2015 and has reached 62 percent in
EQUATORIAL
In its National Action Plan in the Renewable 2019 (GSMA, 2019). GUINEA
Energy Sector (PANER) (2015–2030), the ERITREA
electricity sector was considered a priority with Before joining ACE, Guinea-Bissau was the only ESWATINI
a goal of achieving 75 percent of electricity country in West Africa that was not connected to ETHIOPIA
demand fulfilled by renewable energies and a submarine cable. In 2017, Guinea-Bissau signed GABON
72 percent of the total population with access a MoU with the World Bank for a USD 47 million THE GAMBIA
to electricity through the national grid by 2030. ACE project, aiming at connecting the country GHANA
Guinea-Bissau is also one of the target countries to submarine cable, however, its unstable GUINEA
of the Regional Off-Grid Electrification Project political situation has slowed down the project GUINEA-
BISSAU
(ROGEP) supported by Lighting Africa. This will (see Table 2).
KENYA
LESOTHO
Table 2: Infrastructure
LIBERIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
MADAGASCAR
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 12.91 WBG
MALAWI
(% of rural population)
MALI
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 62 GSMA
MAURITIUS
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 47.30 GSMA
(% of population) MOZAMBIQUE
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 3.05 WBG NAMIBIA
(per 1 million people) THE NIGER
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 N/A WEF NIGERIA
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
to a great extent) RWANDA
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2020 97.25 ITU SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
(per 100 inhabitants)
SENEGAL
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 46.71 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) SEYCHELLES
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 0.12 ITU SIERRA LEONE
(per 100 people) SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
150 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
DIGITAL PENETRATION ANGOLA
BENIN
Internet penetration in Guinea-Bissau 2016, with a total subscriber base of 220 000
BOTSWANA
is very low at only 3.9 percent. Fixed- in 2016 according to AfDB.
BURKINA FASO
broadband subscriptions at
BURUNDI
0.064 percent are almost non-existent. Mobile Meanwhile, mobile data price has decreased
CABO VERDE
cellular coverage is much better at 82.8 per sharply, from USD 11.71 in 2019 to USD 4.12
CAMEROON
100 people. However, it is important to note in 2020 (see Table 3), however, data-only
CENTRAL
that the country had a high mobile penetration mobile broadband plans still represented AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
even before the introduction of 3G and 4G more than 18 percent of the monthly average
CHAD
services by Orange and MTN, and in 2019 this income between 2019 and 2020 (ITU, 2020).
COMOROS
rate was estimated at 81 percent. Mobile Social media penetration remained low at
CONGO
payment services in the country were also 12.94 percent in 2019, but slowly increased to
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
launched by MTN and Orange in 2010 and 280 000 users in January 2021 (see Table 3).
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Table 3: Digital penetration
DJIBOUTI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 4..12 Cable
penetration (USD) ERITREA
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2018 N/A ITU ESWATINI
as a % of adjusted per capita income
ETHIOPIA
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2018 N/A ITU
GABON
adjusted per capita income
THE GAMBIA
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 12.94 GSMA
GHANA
Number of apps in national language 2019 12.63 GSMA
(quantity) GUINEA
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 16.98 GSMA GUINEA-
BISSAU
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 47.20 GSMA
KENYA
LESOTHO
LIBERIA
POLICY AND REGULATION MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
Guinea-Bissau 2025, The Strategic and Agriculture Investment Plan was adopted in
MALI
Operational Plan 2015–2020 “Terra 2017 to further focus special attention on
MAURITIUS
Ranka” outlines the strategic direction agriculture. However, the country went through
MOZAMBIQUE
of the country’s national development toward a political crisis since mid-2015 which hampered
NAMIBIA
2025. It identifies four growth engines for a the implementation of Terra Ranka and the other
THE NIGER
diversified economy: agriculture and agro- national plans (AFDB, 2020). To recover from the
NIGERIA
industry, fishing, tourism and mining. Agriculture instability, an emergency programme was
RWANDA
and agro-industry will continue relying on the launched in 2019 by the government to drive
SÃO TOMÉ
development of rice and cashew sector, with the economic growth and fight poverty based on AND PRÍNCIPE
aim of producing more value-added and directions of Terra Ranka (AFDB, 2020). SENEGAL
processed products, as well as the enhancement SEYCHELLES
of fishery resources. Meanwhile, Terra Ranka Furthermore, there has been a decrease in public SIERRA LEONE
also recognize the importance of the digital spending on agriculture and rural development. SOMALIA
sector as one of the critical support sectors for Total public expenditure is largely affected by SOUTH AFRICA
competitiveness and a lever of growth for the external funding (95 percent), which raises SOUTH SUDAN
entire economy. The Ministry of Transport, concerns of the extent that donor priorities can TOGO
Communications and ICT is responsible for the be aligned to domestic strategic orientations UGANDA
implementation of the digital economy goals (see Table 4). UNITED
(ITU, 2018). Digital sector and agriculture value REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
chain development have been included as two
ZAMBIA
of the four national programs. A National
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 151
Table 4: Policy and regulation ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 N/A WEF
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ BURKINA FASO
framework there is a clear plan) BURUNDI
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 N/A WEF CABO VERDE
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
CAMEROON
extremely successful)
CENTRAL
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 N/A WEF AFRICAN
digital business models (index ranking REPUBLIC
1–7: not fast at all/very fast)
CHAD
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 N/A WEF
COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
extremely well developed) CONGO
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 46 EC/ITU CÔTE D’IVOIRE
framework DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation DJIBOUTI
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score EQUATORIAL
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4). GUINEA
ERITREA
ESWATINI
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ETHIOPIA
GABON
A c c o rd i n g t o D o i n g B u s i n e s s , foreign investments. However, limitations in
THE GAMBIA
Guinea-Bissau scored 75.5/100. It takes infrastructure and regulatory framework might
GHANA
8.5 days to start a business, with one discourage investors for the upfront investment
GUINEA
more day for women because married women required for agriculture.
GUINEA-
have to obtain permission to conduct business BISSAU
from their husbands in accordance to the civil Many development projects in the country KENYA
code. The whole procedure is relatively costly, as rely on donor grants as well as support from LESOTHO
it accounts for 88.8 percent of income per capita. international organizations. For example, IFAD LIBERIA
allocated USD 16 million to launch an agriculture MADAGASCAR
The country has witnessed a fluctuation of project in Guinea-Bissau to help increase income MALAWI
FDI inflows affected by the internal political for family farming households, promote youth MALI
situation. In 2019, according to UNCTAD, FDI employment and boost entrepreneurship, and MAURITIUS
inflows reached USD 31 million, a slowly recovery facilitate investment in mobility and logistics to MOZAMBIQUE
from 2015. Offshore oil exploration and the improve access to markets (IFAD) (see Table 5). NAMIBIA
tourism sector are increasingly attracting THE NIGER
NIGERIA
Table 5: Business environment RWANDA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 31 UNCTAD
SENEGAL
environment culture
SEYCHELLES
Growth of innovative companies 2019 N/A WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ SIERRA LEONE
to a great extent)
SOMALIA
Venture capital availability 2017 N/A WEF
SOUTH AFRICA
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/
extremely easy) SOUTH SUDAN
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 8.5 WBG TOGO
Ease of access to loans 2017 N/A WEF UGANDA
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ UNITED
extremely easy) REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 N/A WEF
ZAMBIA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) ZIMBABWE
152 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
HUMAN CAPITAL ANGOLA
BENIN
The literacy rate of the country stood at The youth unemployment rate is estimated at
BOTSWANA
45.6 percent in 2014, with a huge 4.59 percent in 2019 based on ILO estimates.
BURKINA FASO
disparity between males and females, The rate for the working population accessing
BURUNDI
accounting for 62.2 percent and 30.8 percent vocational training also remains quite low,
CABO VERDE
respectively. Illiterate women have limited representing less than 5 percent (IFAD).
CAMEROON
chances of accessing training and education with
CENTRAL
barriers like early marriages, lack of identity Given that women account for 64.1 percent AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
papers, etc. The country has exerted effort to employment in agriculture, improving women’s
CHAD
reach gender parity for basic primary education education and training, as well as enhancing
COMOROS
with primary school enrolment rate at 73 percent their access to digital and business skills
CONGO
for males and 69.5 percent for females. However, are of paramount importance for women in
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
the out-of-school percentage shows that in 2014, Guinea-Bissau. In 2020, the Orange Foundation
DEMOCRATIC
29 percent of primary school-age children were in partnership with the non-profit organizations REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
out of school, and 26 percent for secondary ESSOR and ANADEC, set up a Digital House
DJIBOUTI
school-age children, indicating a clear disparity in Guinea-Bissau to support 1 500 extremely
EQUATORIAL
between urban vs rural, and male vs. female. Only vulnerable women to acquire digital skills GUINEA
14 percent of children enrolled in in the first year training for better access to the job market ERITREA
of primary school complete the final year (see Table 6). ESWATINI
(UNESCO, 2015) ETHIOPIA
GABON
Table 6: Human capital THE GAMBIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source GHANA
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2014 45.58 UNESCO GUINEA
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above) GUINEA-
BISSAU
Literacy rate, youth total 2014 60.40 UNESCO
(% of people ages 15–24) KENYA
Digital skills among population 2019 N/A WEF LESOTHO
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ LIBERIA
to a great extent)
MADAGASCAR
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 60.48 ILO
MALAWI
(% of total employment)
MALI
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 64.14 ILO
(% of female employment) MAURITIUS
Unemployment, total 2020 3.16 ILO MOZAMBIQUE
(% of total labour force)
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
AGRO-INNOVATION RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
The expenditure of agricultural R&D in of information and technology and the provision AND PRÍNCIPE
Guinea-Bissau only accounted for of training. Another critical constraint is the lack of SENEGAL
0.02 percent of agricultural GDP. The higher education institutes, NGOs or private sector SEYCHELLES
country has a critical shortage of qualified entities conducting agricultural R&D in the country. SIERRA LEONE
agricultural scientists and relatively aging SOMALIA
researchers (aged above 40 years). There are The government has taken measures to improve SOUTH AFRICA
significant under-investments in the agricultural this situation. For example, the government SOUTH SUDAN
R&D in Guinea-Bissau. requested support from the Conference of TOGO
Heads of African and French Agricultural UGANDA
The National Agricultural Research Institute (INPA) Research (CORAF) to rebuild its national UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
is the only agricultural research agency in Guinea- agricultural research system. Also, research is TANZANIA
Bissau, mainly focusing on crop and livestock considered a central part of Guinea-Bissau’s ZAMBIA
research. It is also in charge of the dissemination National Agriculture Investment Plan. ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 153
Meanwhile, it cannot be neglected that in 2017, a social enterprise aims at supporting young ANGOLA
youth aged below 24 years of age accounted for people in research and job creation by fostering BENIN
60.9 percent of the population, and should be entrepreneurial ecosystem development. This is BOTSWANA
4.59 percent in 2019. The youth of Guinea-Bissau achieved through various activities like forums, BURKINA FASO
move to urban cities at a large scale. Currently, tech camps, open labs, bootcamps, and the BURUNDI
there are a few innovative start-ups for youth hackathon Geração de talentos!” (see Table 7). CABO VERDE
capacity development. For instance, InnovaLab, CAMEROON
CENTRAL
AFRICAN
Table 7: Agro-innovation REPUBLIC
CHAD
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
COMOROS
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 516.40 FAO
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions) CONGO
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 106.74 FAO CÔTE D’IVOIRE
(2014–2016 = 100) DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.39 WBG CONGO
(index ranking 1–5: low/high)
DJIBOUTI
Research and Agricultural research spending 2011 0.02 IFPRI
EQUATORIAL
technology (% of AgGDP) GUINEA
development
ERITREA
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 N/A WEF
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/ ESWATINI
extensive collaboration) ETHIOPIA
Capacity for innovation 2017 N/A WEF GABON
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
THE GAMBIA
to a great extent)
GHANA
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 N/A UNCTAD
GUINEA
GUINEA-
BISSAU
KENYA
LESOTHO
LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
MALI
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
154 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
©FAO/Shutterstock/Mathias Sunke
KENYA
Kenya is a lower-middle-income There are approximately 4.5 million smallholder
country with a population farmers of whom 3.5 million grow crops, 600 000
of almost 54 million people, are pastoralists and 130 000 are fishers. Most
72 percent of whom live smallholder farmers depend on rain-fed agriculture
in rural areas. The country and practice mixed farming – maize and beans
has 58 million ha of land, are mostly grown. Crop and livestock yields have
46.5 percent of which is dedicated to agriculture, stagnated in the last four decades. For example,
while 3.5 million ha are forests. Kenya is characterised Kenya’s total productivity for agriculture dropped
by a diversity of landscapes and about 47 000 km of by 10 percent between 2006 and 2015 (IFAD, 2020).
its land is national parks, reserves and sanctuaries.
In essence, Kenya’s economy is dependent on Kenya is at the forefront of technological
agriculture and tourism (FAO, 2016) (see Table 1). innovations in Africa and has a buzzing digital
economy, with Nairobi often referred to as the
Agriculture, forestry and fisheries are central to “Silicon Savannah” of Africa. The government has
the economy, contributing 35.2 percent of Kenya’s created a conducive policy environment for ICTs,
GDP, which stood at USD 98.8 billion in 2020. The invested in broadband connectivity via undersea
agriculture sector employs 54.3 percent of the total cables, and recently launched the Digital Economy
population and 70 percent of the rural population. Blueprint – a framework to improve Kenya’s ability
Furthermore, agriculture contributes 65 percent of to leapfrog economic growth.
export earnings, and provides for the livelihood
(employment, income and food security needs) of
more than 80 percent of the Kenyan population.
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 53 771 300 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 28.00 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 72 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 98 843 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 276 300 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 48.55 FAO
155
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
The country has the infrastructure fiber optic cables (SEACOM, TEAMS, EASSY,
BOTSWANA
needed for launching a digital and LION2) connect via the coast of Kenya.
BURKINA FASO
economy, and it is committed to Undersea cables have driven improved Internet
BURUNDI
expanding infrastructure networks, domestic speed in the country. There are also other fiber
CABO VERDE
and regional across East Africa. More than optic cables owned by companies such as
CAMEROON
75 percent of the population have access to the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company
CENTRAL
electricity, with a 61.7 percent coverage of and Kenya Power. The National Optic Fibre AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
rural areas. Broadband Infrastructure (NOFBI) has reached
CHAD
all 47 counties in Kenya.
COMOROS
The country has 3G services that cover
CONGO
95.8 percent of the population, while 4G Internet penetration is at 90 percent, with
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
coverage reaches 64.3 percent. There are widespread mobile Internet. The adoption of
DEMOCRATIC
four GSM network providers: Safaricom with mobile technology and mobile Internet in Kenya REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
71.2 percent of market share, followed by Airtel has advanced more rapidly in recent years. The
DJIBOUTI
at 17.6 percent, Telkom Kenya at 7.4 percent, and investment in mobile broadband, increased
EQUATORIAL
the recently launched Finserve Africa/Equitel at fiber optic cable connections to households, GUINEA
3.8 percent. Safaricom activated its 5G network and the rapid spread of low-cost smartphones ERITREA
in Kenya in 2021. and tablets have contributed to the upwards ESWATINI
rise of Internet uptake. For example, Internet ETHIOPIA
The government has invested in Kenya’s subscription grew by 21 percent in 2019 GABON
broadband connectivity. Four undersea (see Table 2). THE GAMBIA
GHANA
Table 2: Infrastructure GUINEA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source GUINEA-
BISSAU
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 61.69 WBG
KENYA
(% of rural population)
LESOTHO
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 64.26 GSMA
LIBERIA
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 57.51 GSMA
(% of population) MADAGASCAR
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 239.46 WBG MALAWI
(per 1 million people) MALI
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 5.10 WEF MAURITIUS
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
MOZAMBIQUE
to a great extent)
NAMIBIA
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2020 114.20 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) THE NIGER
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 41.08 ITU NIGERIA
(per 100 inhabitants)
RWANDA
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 1.25 ITU
SÃO TOMÉ
(per 100 people) AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
DIGITAL PENETRATION SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
In 2019, close to a quarter of the Communications Authority of Kenya, broadband
SOUTH AFRICA
population in Kenya was using the usage statistics are increasing due to the
SOUTH SUDAN
Internet. Mobile subscription expansion of 4G networks. Additionally, mobile
TOGO
per 100 people was at 96.3. Mobile cellular data subscriptions stood at 99 percent versus
UGANDA
penetration was 103.77 per 100 inhabitants – 1 percent for wired Internet subscriptions.
UNITED
higher that most countries in the region. REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
Broadband subscription per 100 people was 41 Kenya launched the digital-for-agriculture
ZAMBIA
during the same period. According to the (D4Ag) project that aims at shifting online
ZIMBABWE
156 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
all farming activities as a way of locking out the AfriScout app provides pastoralists with ANGOLA
brokers, curbing loss of subsidised inputs and current information by directing pastoralists to BENIN
enhancing productivity. During the last three nearby water sources and pasture. Twiga is an BOTSWANA
years, Kenya’s digital agriculture has seen a online B2B marketplace for the supply of fruits BURKINA FASO
rise in digital solutions. The GSMA AgriTech and vegetables. Apollo Agriculture provides BURUNDI
Report noted three uses: (i) last-mile digital a platform for farmers to access credit and CABO VERDE
tools (solutions that digitize transactions, i.e. farm inputs through crop health assessment. CAMEROON
procurement payments, digital receipts, etc.); SunCulture develops and offers solar-powered CENTRAL
AFRICAN
(ii) market linkage tools (solutions that formalise irrigation systems. Tulaa provides an online REPUBLIC
agricultural value chains by connecting crop marketplace for loans and commerce platform CHAD
producers and buyers); and (iii) direct-to-farmer for rural farmers. M-Farm is a digital platform COMOROS
hubs (one-stop shops through which third-party offering market price information for various CONGO
agricultural service providers offer their services agricultural commodities. Farm Drive connects CÔTE D’IVOIRE
directly to farmers). unbanked smallholder farmers to financial DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
institutions (see Table 8). CONGO
Rural Kenya reflects accurately the country’s DJIBOUTI
rural-urban divide due to developmental Another common challenge is providing EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
challenges such access or lack thereof to agriculture content in local languages, with
ERITREA
electricity connectivity. For example, Safaricom Kiswahili being the most common local
ESWATINI
4G network covers 77 major towns. The major language. For example, the MoA-INFO is
ETHIOPIA
hindrance to the adoption by rural communities a platform that provides free agricultural
GABON
of technologies is the cost of Internet. In 2020, recommendations to farmers via SMS with both
THE GAMBIA
the average mobile data price of 1 GB was USD 1. English and Kiswahili interfaces. Many digital
GHANA
solutions targeted at farmers are increasingly
GUINEA
That said, initiatives exist in agriculture that providing language interface and content
GUINEA-
are designed to reach rural areas. For example, in Kiswahili. BISSAU
KENYA
Table 3: Digital penetration LESOTHO
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source LIBERIA
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 1.05 Cable MADAGASCAR
penetration (USD) MALAWI
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2015 3.31 ITU MALI
as a % of adjusted per capita income
MAURITIUS
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2015 16.23 ITU
MOZAMBIQUE
adjusted per capita income
NAMIBIA
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 16.33 GSMA
THE NIGER
Number of apps in national language 2019 53.39 GSMA
(quantity) NIGERIA
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 56.59 GSMA RWANDA
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 81.75 GSMA SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
POLICY AND REGULATION SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
The country’s regulatory and policy emerging technology landscapes in Kenya. The
SOUTH AFRICA
oversight for communications lie with policy defines key focus areas: (i) mobile first;
SOUTH SUDAN
the Communications Authority of Kenya (ii) market; (iii) skills and innovation; and
TOGO
(CA), established in 1999 by the Kenya (iv) public service delivery (see Table 4).
UGANDA
Information and Communications Act, 1998. The
UNITED
country’s key ICT policy is the Kenya National ICT The other policy framework is the Digital REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
Policy (2019). It defines the current and future Economy Blue Print, through which the ability
strategy of the government in evolving and of Kenya and Africa to leapfrog economic ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 157
growth can be improved. It has a sub-goal to and the private sector have heavily invested ANGOLA
grow the contribution of ICT to the economy in ICTs – especially in the provision of support BENIN
to 10 percent by 2030. The blueprint hinges infrastructure – there was still a lack of specific BOTSWANA
on five pillars: digital government; digital policy, legal and institutional frameworks to BURKINA FASO
business; infrastructure; innovation driven support the agriculture sector’s idiosyncrasies. BURUNDI
entrepreneurship; and digital skills and values. The study recommended some policies that CABO VERDE
It also highlights the cross-cutting issues that encourage private sector participation, CAMEROON
need to be considered for the success of a digital supporting digital literacy for ICT4Ag players, CENTRAL
AFRICAN
economy. In this way, the blueprint addresses among other recommendations. REPUBLIC
some of the items raised above, for example, CHAD
infrastructure. While this policy is futuristic and Meanwhile, due to the growth of mobile finance COMOROS
poised in the right direction, it only mentions transactions, the government introduced the CONGO
agriculture in passing as a sector example in Finance Bill 2020 that is essentially a new CÔTE D’IVOIRE
five instances. digital services tax (DST) that taxes income from DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
services provided through a digital marketplace CONGO
The Kenyan government is recognizing in Kenya at the rate of 1.5 percent of the gross DJIBOUTI
the potential of digital technologies in transactional value. EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
agriculture. In 2019, the government launched
ERITREA
the Agricultural Sector Transformation and Other supporting policies include the National
ESWATINI
Growth Strategy 2019–2029 (ASTGS) with an Broadband Strategy (NBS) 2018–2023 aimed
ETHIOPIA
overarching goal of maximising the potential at providing broadband services to all citizens.
GABON
of agriculture in achieving food security and For example, through this policy the government
THE GAMBIA
improving farmers and local community incomes. hopes to increase digital literacy in schools to
GHANA
ASTGS acknowledges the role of research and 85 percent, increasing access to broadband
GUINEA
innovation and commits the National Agricultural coverage of 3G to 94 percent of the population
GUINEA-
Research Institutions (NARIs) to adopt data and by 2020, achieve 50 percent digital literacy BISSAU
technology to support agriculture. The ASTGS among the workforce and expand broadband to KENYA
envisions extensive opportunities for digital the 47 counties. Meanwhile, all 47 counties now LESOTHO
applications and analytics in agriculture. have ICT roadmaps to align with local county LIBERIA
development plans (CDPs) and the National MADAGASCAR
Makini et al. (2020) examined the impact of ICT Master Plan. The ICT roadmaps guide MALAWI
policies on the digitalization of agriculture and local authorities in aligning investment to both MALI
concluded that while the Government of Kenya national and international standards. MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
Table 4: Policy and regulation NAMIBIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source THE NIGER
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 4.83 WEF NIGERIA
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ RWANDA
framework there is a clear plan)
SÃO TOMÉ
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 4.83 WEF AND PRÍNCIPE
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
SENEGAL
extremely successful)
SEYCHELLES
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 4.20 WEF
digital business models (index ranking SIERRA LEONE
1–7: not fast at all/very fast) SOMALIA
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 4.02 WEF SOUTH AFRICA
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
SOUTH SUDAN
extremely well developed)
TOGO
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 87.5 EC/ITU
framework UGANDA
UNITED
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score ZAMBIA
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4).
ZIMBABWE
158 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ANGOLA
BENIN
Kenya has a favourable investment agriculture. However, most financial institutions
BOTSWANA
climate, and the country is one of the consider agriculture costly and risky. For
BURKINA FASO
largest recipients of FDI in Africa. example, in 2013, the Association of Microfinance
BURUNDI
According to UNCTAD (2020), FDI stood at Institutions (AMI) reported that over 70 percent of
CABO VERDE
USD 1.3 billion in 2019 with the ICT sector the loan portfolio was for business related loans,
CAMEROON
attracting the lion’s share of that. The 2020 while only 8.5 percent is dedicated to agriculture.
CENTRAL
Doing Business Report of the World Bank noted Meanwhile, while agriculture offers opportunity AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
improvement in reforms related to registering for rural youth and women, they lack access to
CHAD
property, getting credit, protecting minority finance due to lack of savings and conventional
COMOROS
investors, tax payment and resolving insolvency. collateral, having weak or no credit history, and
CONGO
Examples of some laws governing opening and low or no regular income flows.
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
running a business in Kenya include: Companies
DEMOCRATIC
Act 2015, Insolvency Act 2015, Income Tax Act and The digital revolution in Kenya has offered hope REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
the Movable Property Security Rights Act 2017. In for financial inclusion – mobile money platforms
DJIBOUTI
addition to the examples above, each sector has offer much potential for rural communities.
EQUATORIAL
specific laws and regulations. According to the M-Pesa is the most common mobile money GUINEA
World Bank, the time required to start a business platform and has transformed the way ERITREA
in Kenya is 23 days (see Table 5). businesses transact across all sectors. Vodafone ESWATINI
and Safaricom, launched M-Pesa in 2007 and the ETHIOPIA
As stated above, agriculture in Kenya comprises service has spread across the region. Safaricom GABON
mostly smallholder farmers and requires financial also launched the M-Shwari (meaning “calm” in THE GAMBIA
support to maximise productivity. Meanwhile, Kiswahili), in partnership with the Commercial GHANA
the country has large agro-processing industries, Bank of Africa. As a mobile banking platform, GUINEA
with the presence of multinational companies M-Shwari provides access to both savings and GUINEA-
BISSAU
like Del Monte, Unilever, BIDCO and Nestle. Agro- short-term credit based on users’ transactions
KENYA
processing companies play an important role in and savings history. A number of similar mobile
LESOTHO
the agro-food value chain – including offering services are mushrooming, including Digifarm,
LIBERIA
markets to producers, channelling investment and M-Pesa Global. According to a 2016 study,
into infrastructure, providing technical support to such financial technology solutions lifted MADAGASCAR
farmers and facilitating the technology transfer 194 000 households (or 2 percent of Kenyan MALAWI
(UNDP, 2012). households) out of poverty and motivated more MALI
women to move into farming. The rapid rise of MAURITIUS
Kenya has a strong financial market to support Kenya’s start-up ecosystem is attracting young MOZAMBIQUE
agricultural investments; one study cited and new entrepreneurs, and the trend is likely to NAMIBIA
more than 30 institutions offering support to spill over into the agri-food tech industry. THE NIGER
NIGERIA
Table 5: Business environment RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source AND PRÍNCIPE
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 1 332 UNCTAD SENEGAL
environment culture
SEYCHELLES
Growth of innovative companies 2019 4.71 WEF
SIERRA LEONE
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) SOMALIA
Venture capital availability 2017 3.03 WEF SOUTH AFRICA
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ SOUTH SUDAN
extremely easy)
TOGO
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 23 WBG
UGANDA
Ease of access to loans (index ranking 1–7: 2017 4.01 WEF
UNITED
extremely difficult/extremely easy) REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 4.76 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ ZAMBIA
to a great extent)
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 159
HUMAN CAPITAL ANGOLA
BENIN
Kenya’s adult population of 15 years of digital skills needed in Kenya lamented the
BOTSWANA
age and older has an 81.5 percent deficiencies of skills in formal education. For
BURKINA FASO
literacy rate, with 85 percent for males example, “stakeholders agreed that public
BURUNDI
and 78.2 percent for females separately. Youth universities in Kenya do not provide the right
CABO VERDE
aged between 15–24 years of age have a literacy skills to match market needs” (Mercy Corps,
CAMEROON
rate of 87.8 percent (UNESCO, 2018). Kenya’s 2019: 9).
CENTRAL
Digital Economy Blue Print aims at integrating AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
ICTs in education to increase the country’s skill New technology hubs, online platforms (such
CHAD
base. This aligns with Kenya’s vision 2030. as Google Digital Skills and Safaricom’s Blaze
COMOROS
Currently, the state of ICTs in schools lags behind Platform), new training institutions, smaller
CONGO
with infrastructure in Kenyan schools considered universities (such as Strathmore) are addressing
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
unsustainable (see Bariu, 2020 for an elaborate the digital skills gap. Examples of these
DEMOCRATIC
discussion) (see Table 6). programmes include a Huawei partnership with REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
the Information and Communication Technology
DJIBOUTI
In September 2016, Kenya launched Digi School, (ICT) Authority of Kenya to provide training to
EQUATORIAL
the nation-wide digital literacy programme with 377 students under the Presidential Digital Talent GUINEA
a vision to prepare every pupil for the digital Program (PDTP). The training seeks to develop ERITREA
world. In 2018, the programme distributed over and expand Kenya’s ICT talent. The government, ESWATINI
one million devices to more than 19 000 public Microsoft and Stanbic Bank are also providing ETHIOPIA
primary schools across the country (Morara, et digital skills training to entrepreneurs. But GABON
al., 2020). Morara et al. enumerated some of Kenya’s challenge remains on how to focus THE GAMBIA
the challenges experienced in implementing digital skills training on agritech, rather than just GHANA
this programme. For example, 75.2 percent on new tech start-ups. However, there are some GUINEA
of teachers had difficulty using computers, efforts in digital agriculture. In 2018 for example, GUINEA-
BISSAU
signalling prolific lack of digital skills. Google announced KES 100 million grant to train
KENYA
Kenyan farmers on digital skills.
LESOTHO
Another similar example is the Education
LIBERIA
Broadband Connectivity project (EBC) which is Kenya has a youth unemployment problem. The
MADAGASCAR
part of the Universal Service Fund to improve Kenya National Bureau of Statistics estimates
education through digital learning. The EBC that unemployment among youth aged MALAWI
project adopted a national approach to Internet 20–24 years of age is at 19.2 percent (KNBS, MALI
connectivity for tertiary college institutions. To 2018). The government developed the Kenya MAURITIUS
date the project has connected 887 secondary Youth Agribusiness Strategy (2018–2022) to MOZAMBIQUE
schools across the country. The project gives address the issues of youth entrepreneurship NAMIBIA
priority to secondary schools that are already in Kenya’s agricultural sector. The strategy THE NIGER
teaching a computer studies curriculum. addresses the issues facing youth in agriculture, NIGERIA
including training, but it does not mention RWANDA
Kenya has a number of agricultural training digital skills. SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
institutions across the country, one source
SENEGAL
cited 31 institutions. The Agricultural Sector Through the Ajira Digital Initiative, the government
SEYCHELLES
Development Strategy 2010–2020 highlighted has improved digital skills among its youth in
SIERRA LEONE
education and training as an important enabler underserved communities. Meanwhile, private
SOMALIA
of agriculture. While science, technology and initiatives such as the Digital Literacy for
SOUTH AFRICA
innovation are explicitly mentioned, the strategy Employability and Entrepreneurship Project (DLEEP)
SOUTH SUDAN
did not refer to ICT training and development by TAP Africa targeted girls aged 15–19 years of
TOGO
in agriculture. Nonetheless, the National age. The programme focused on practical digital
UGANDA
Information, Communications and Technology and agri-business skills that can allow participants
UNITED
(ICT) Policy provides for the development of to start innovative farm ventures. REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
requisite skills needed for the economy in
ZAMBIA
general (MICT, 2019:8). A study evaluating
ZIMBABWE
160 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 6: Human capital ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2018 81.54 UNESCO
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above) BURKINA FASO
Literacy rate, youth total 2018 87.83 UNESCO BURUNDI
(% of people ages 15–24) CABO VERDE
Digital skills among population 2019 4.55 WEF CAMEROON
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
CENTRAL
to a great extent) AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 54.34 ILO
(% of total employment) CHAD
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 59.34 ILO COMOROS
(% of female employment) CONGO
Unemployment, total 2020 2.98 ILO CÔTE D’IVOIRE
(% of total labour force)
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
DJIBOUTI
AGRO-INNOVATION EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Kenya’s digital ecosystem has seen a access. Kenya joins other African countries such ERITREA
proliferation of digital solutions as Tunisia, Senegal, and Mali that have similar ESWATINI
designed to improve agriculture across laws (see Table 7). ETHIOPIA
value chains. In terms of agricultural research,
GABON
the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research According to CGIAR and partners (CGIAR,
THE GAMBIA
Organization (KALRO) was created under the 2019), there are “about 113 institutions offering
GHANA
Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Act digital solutions for agriculture” in Kenya. A
GUINEA
of 2013 to coordinate agricultural research. In similar study found a lack of awareness of
GUINEA-
its strategic plan 2017–2021, KALRO sought to these digital services by small holder farmers. BISSAU
advance technologies and innovations for Furthermore, the farmers’ specific needs were KENYA
agricultural products value chains along four unknown by the developers (Akuku, Haaksma LESOTHO
objectives (under KRA1). For example, during the and Derksen, 2019:22–23; compare with Xie, Luo LIBERIA
East African Farmers Digital Conference held in and Xhong, 2021). MADAGASCAR
2018, KARLO launched 14 agribusiness apps to MALAWI
support farmers. There are numerous start-ups that seek to MALI
contribute innovatively to the agritech industry, MAURITIUS
However, to date, a number of digital to the extent that the country’s then President MOZAMBIQUE
solutions and innovations in agriculture have referred to Kenya in his 2015 State of the Nation NAMIBIA
sprouted across the ecosystem from the address as “a start-up nation”. Fintech is the THE NIGER
capital city. Nairobi is regarded as the cradle most represented industry in Kenya’s digital NIGERIA
of technological innovations in Kenya with a landscape, followed by energy, environment RWANDA
growing number of tech-hubs, start-ups and and e-commerce. Examples from the agriculture SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
innovation programmes. Kenya’s ICT sector is sector include Twiga Foods. Founded in 2013,
SENEGAL
increasing at a phenomenal rate. For instance, this mobile-based food delivery firm links
SEYCHELLES
the value of the ICT sector expanded by farmers and vendors to fair and trusted markets.
SIERRA LEONE
12.9 percent from USD 345.6 million in 2017 to WeFarm is a farmer-to-farmer digital network
SOMALIA
USD 390.2 million in 2018. The growth of start- that allows farmers to solve problems, share
SOUTH AFRICA
ups and similar ventures is led by the private ideas, and spread innovation through a free
SOUTH SUDAN
sector with minimal government support. SMS platform.
TOGO
However, at the end of 2020, the Kenyan
UGANDA
Senate introduced the Start-up Bill 2020 to Kenya has many hubs and/or innovation
UNITED
protect the interest of Kenyan entrepreneurs labs operated by both local enterprises, REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
and investors. The bill promises tax breaks, multinational companies and international
ZAMBIA
intellectual property protection and funding organizations. Examples include the UNDP
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 161
Accelerator Labs, which focuses on Kenya’s large multinationals to spur technology growth ANGOLA
unemployment through four approaches: sense in the country. In its first phase, Konza aims at BENIN
making, solution mapping, collective intelligence creating over 20 000 jobs. BOTSWANA
and designing and testing. Panda Labs by BURKINA FASO
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) focuses on Kenya’s private sector also has innovation BURUNDI
innovation in environment. The Maarifa Kona labs, including IBM Research-Africa, which CABO VERDE
Innovation Labs is managed by a consortium of seeks to drive innovation in key areas such as CAMEROON
NGOs under the Smart Network and is hosted water, agriculture, transportation, healthcare, CENTRAL
AFRICAN
by Save the Children UK. It seeks to transform financial inclusion, education, energy, security REPUBLIC
humanitarian action through innovation, fast and e-government. The US-based advisory CHAD
funding, early action and localisation. Another service firm Cross Boundary, in partnership with COMOROS
notable innovation lab is the Feed the Future the Rockefeller Foundation, runs the Mini-Grid CONGO
Animal Health Innovation Lab run by USAID. Innovation Lab in Nairobi. MasterCard runs the CÔTE D’IVOIRE
The lab seeks to identify interventions to reduce MasterCard Lab for Financial Inclusion. It seeks DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
livestock diseases, particularly deadly cattle financial agricultural solutions for smallholder CONGO
diseases. A sister lab from Feed the Future is farmers. While there are also national DJIBOUTI
the Horticulture Innovation Lab in Kenya, which innovation programs and initiatives, they are EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
focuses on African indigenous vegetables, pest- mostly based in the capital city Nairobi, or have
ERITREA
exclusion nets, seed systems and related topics. sprouted to other major cities. Counterintuitively,
ESWATINI
these urban-centric initiatives seek to solve
ETHIOPIA
The government is in the process of building developmental problems that in most cases
GABON
Konza Technopolis, a large technology hub are experienced more profoundly by people in
THE GAMBIA
outside Nairobi that seeks to attract numerous rural areas.
GHANA
GUINEA
Table 7: Agro-innovation
GUINEA-
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source BISSAU
KENYA
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 22 552.15 FAO
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions) LESOTHO
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 110.99 FAO LIBERIA
(2014–2016 = 100)
MADAGASCAR
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.81 WBG
MALAWI
(index ranking 1–5: low/high)
MALI
Research and Agricultural research spending 2016 0.48 IFPRI
technology (% of AgGDP) MAURITIUS
development MOZAMBIQUE
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 4.30 WEF NAMIBIA
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/
extensive collaboration) THE NIGER
Capacity for innovation 2017 4.67 WEF NIGERIA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ RWANDA
to a great extent)
SÃO TOMÉ
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 3.81 UNCTAD AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
162 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
©FAO/Shutterstock/mbrand85
LESOTHO
Lesotho is a lower-middle- Maize, wheat, pulses, sorghum and barley are
income country with a the primary agricultural crops in Lesotho, while
population of almost 2.2 million the main livestock reared are sheep, goats and
people. It is estimated that cattle. Lesotho imports 70 percent of its annual
71 percent of the country’s food consumption, increasing the import bill. Due
population lives in rural areas to a number of factors – including severe land
and 44 percent of the population is engaged in degradation, unfavourable weather conditions and
agriculture. The country has a mountainous terrain reliance on rain fed crops – agricultural productivity
and only 10 percent of the land can be cultivated. has been declining.
The agricultural sector accounts for about
6.4 percent of the GDP, and the country’s agricultural The country suffered political instability recently
produce cannot meet its population’s demands. The and its reliance on the South African economy
national poverty rate was 56.6 percent in 2002 and affects its own economy. However, the government
49.7 percent in 2017, and while poverty rates are has made significant efforts to invest in the digital
falling in urban areas (reduced by 13 percent), they economy, despite the complex political situation.
are rising in rural areas, leading to wider urban- Lesotho’s proximity to South Africa has boosted
rural inequality. its infrastructure.
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 2 142 252 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 29.03 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 70.97 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 1 845 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 24 333 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 80.15 FAO
163
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
Through the Lesotho Electricity networks, while 2G and 3G networks cover
BOTSWANA
Company (LEC), the country produces almost all of the country. Lesotho has achieved
BURKINA FASO
about 40 percent of its total need and 98.5 percent 2G coverage, nearly full for 3G and
BURUNDI
imports 60 percent from Mozambique and South 75 percent 4G coverage, thanks in part to the
CABO VERDE
Africa. In 2015, about 72 percent of households Universal Service Fund (USF).
CAMEROON
in urban regions were connected to the grid
CENTRAL
while the share of households in rural areas with The USF is currently testing 5G technology AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
access to electricity was just 5.5 percent. The with the Central Bank of Lesotho (CBL) as
CHAD
Government of Lesotho established the Rural a pilot. USF is a vehicle under the Lesotho
COMOROS
Electrification Unit (REU) in 2004 to extend the Communications Authority, through which all
CONGO
grid to rural areas not serviced by the national citizens have access to high quality, diverse and
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
power utility, LEC (Mpholo, et al., 2018). But the affordable communication services. USF invests
DEMOCRATIC
roll out has been very slow. As of 2019, access in in broader broadband, telephony, postal and REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
urban and rural areas stood at 75.8 percent and broadcasting services. Since 2009, the Fund has
DJIBOUTI
32.2 percent respectively. collected 1 percent of the network operators’ net
EQUATORIAL
operating income. GUINEA
There are two mobile operators in Lesotho. ERITREA
Vodacom Lesotho (VCL) launched in 1996 and Meanwhile, connectivity infrastructure has ESWATINI
is a subsidiary of the South African mobile group developed considerably, with three international ETHIOPIA
with the same name. Econet Telecom Lesotho gateways offering access through South Africa GABON
(ETL) launched in 2002 and is the country’s to the Eastern Africa Submarine Cable System THE GAMBIA
incumbent telecommunications operator. In (EASSy), SEACOM, and West Africa Cable System GHANA
2019, the two mobile operators launched 4G (WACS) submarine cables. GUINEA
GUINEA-
BISSAU
Table 2: Infrastructure
KENYA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
LESOTHO
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 32.16 WBG
LIBERIA
(% of rural population)
MADAGASCAR
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 75 GSMA
MALAWI
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 71.90 GSMA
(% of population) MALI
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 70.02 WBG MAURITIUS
(per 1 million people) MOZAMBIQUE
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 2.98 WEF NAMIBIA
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
to a great extent) THE NIGER
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2020 72.94 ITU NIGERIA
(per 100 inhabitants) RWANDA
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 64.05 ITU SÃO TOMÉ
(per 100 inhabitants) AND PRÍNCIPE
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 0.24 ITU SENEGAL
(per 100 people) SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
DIGITAL PENETRATION SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
Lesotho has 72.9 active mobile cellular percentage of population was estimated at
TOGO
subscriptions per 100 people. UNCTAD 76 percent in 2016 (ITU, 2017). In 2017, the Lesotho
UGANDA
notes that ownership of SIM cards Communications Authority estimated mobile
UNITED
exceeds the country’s population (UNCTAD, phone ownership to be 79 percent. REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
2019:13), which is likely due to multiple ownership.
ZAMBIA
In contrast, mobile phone ownership per
ZIMBABWE
164 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Digital penetration in Lesotho remains high, six percent of the country’s monthly GNI per ANGOLA
however, despite having 98 percent 3G capita (ITU,2018). BENIN
coverage, 70 percent of Lesotho residents do BOTSWANA
not use the Internet. Maseru, the capital city, The USF carried out a survey to understand BURKINA FASO
has the highest number of Internet users at a the reasons of lack of Internet usage uptake BURUNDI
45 percent penetration rate – implying more (LCA, 2019:7). Some of its findings show that CABO VERDE
people, especially in rural areas, have not used 67.5 percent of citizens had never used the CAMEROON
the Internet. The rural districts of Thaba-Tseka, Internet; 57.1 did not know what the Internet CENTRAL
AFRICAN
Mokhotlong, Qacha’s Nek and Quthing, for is; 59.4 percent did not know how to use the REPUBLIC
example, had no users at all (LCA, 2019). Due Internet; 49.3 percent did not own a device for CHAD
to poverty levels at 49.7, broadband services accessing the Internet; and 40 percent found the COMOROS
remain unaffordable for the poor. Internet Internet too expensive to use. The government CONGO
access cost is still high. A 500 MB data package concluded that the main reason for people not CÔTE D’IVOIRE
costs approximately USD 6, which represents using the Internet was the lack of digital literacy. DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Table 3: Digital penetration DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source GUINEA
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 2.13 Cable ERITREA
penetration (USD)
ESWATINI
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2017 6.29 ITU
ETHIOPIA
as a % of adjusted per capita income
GABON
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2017 6.23 ITU
adjusted per capita income THE GAMBIA
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 19.58 GSMA GHANA
Number of apps in national language 2019 23.00 GSMA GUINEA
(quantity)
GUINEA-
BISSAU
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 94.71 GSMA
KENYA
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 100 GSMA
LESOTHO
LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
POLICY AND REGULATION MALAWI
The Ministry of Communications, an e-government strategy that has facilitated MALI
Science and Technology is responsible the smooth migration from analogue to MAURITIUS
for sector oversight, while the Lesotho digital. For example, the Lesotho eGovernment MOZAMBIQUE
Communications Authority is responsible for Infrastructure Phase I enhanced the capability NAMIBIA
regulation of telecommunications, broadcasting, of the government’s data centres and portals, THE NIGER
radio frequency and postal services (ITU, 2017). which in turn improved the effectiveness of NIGERIA
Lesotho’s policy backbone is supported by four public service delivery across ministries, key RWANDA
main policies: the ICT Policy for 2005, Lesotho’s government agencies and local governments SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Communications Policy of 2008, the National (UNCTAD, 2019). The second national strategic
SENEGAL
Broadband Policy of 2014 and the National plan (NSDP Phase II) seeks to improve the
SEYCHELLES
Strategic Development Plan (NSDP) (Phase I enabling environment, strengthen public
SIERRA LEONE
2012/13 – 2016/17; and Phase II 2018/19 – institutions and create a stable investment
SOMALIA
2022/23). The ICT Policy of 2005 aimed at opportunity for private sector participation. The
SOUTH AFRICA
integrating ICTs in all sectors of the economy, second goal is to build the capacity of human
SOUTH SUDAN
including agriculture. resources by improving knowledge and skills,
TOGO
particularly for women and girls. It also includes
UGANDA
Lesotho’s ‘cocktail policy regime’ has produced promoting ICT literacy and lifelong learning of
some positive infrastructural and connectivity citizens through e-learning and awareness UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
successes alluded to in the above sections. programs, thus reducing the digital divide. TANZANIA
Furthermore, it has enabled implementation of The final goal is to promote the development ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 165
of digital solutions and content creation in all activities in Lesotho. A 2009 report by UNCTAD ANGOLA
strategic areas of the policy. had challenged the agriculture sector to (i) BENIN
identify viable and useful technologies and best BOTSWANA
These policies have supported the network practices; (ii) acquire, adapt and disseminate BURKINA FASO
growth and accessibility, achieved rural technologies and techniques for commercial, BURUNDI
connectivity, facilitated e-government projects, community, family farming; and (iii) promote CABO VERDE
and enabled national e-payment systems. technologies that add value and shelf life to CAMEROON
However, there is lack of agro-based content agricultural products. There are few initiatives CENTRAL
AFRICAN
services to exploit the opportunities realised reported where Lesotho participated in the REPUBLIC
and rural people lack the necessary digital World Bank’s Agricultural Productivity Program CHAD
skills. Meanwhile, social media platforms are for Southern Africa (APPSA), whose purpose COMOROS
being used for consumer-to-consumer (C2C) or was to increase the availability of improved CONGO
business-to-consumer (B2C) transactions. agricultural technologies in participating CÔTE D’IVOIRE
countries in the Southern African Development DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
There was no evidence that the favourable Community (SADC) region. CONGO
policy has influenced digital agriculture DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Table 4: Policy and regulation
ERITREA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source ESWATINI
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 3.31 WEF ETHIOPIA
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/
GABON
framework there is a clear plan)
THE GAMBIA
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 3.49 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/ GHANA
extremely successful)
GUINEA
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 3.87 WEF
GUINEA-
digital business models (index ranking BISSAU
1–7: not fast at all/very fast)
KENYA
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 3.53 WEF
LESOTHO
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
extremely well developed) LIBERIA
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2019 16.00 EC/ITU MADAGASCAR
framework
MALAWI
MALI
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation MAURITIUS
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score
MOZAMBIQUE
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4).
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
RWANDA
With an average of 15 days to complete policy framework investment in Lesotho SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
legal requirements to start a business, agriculture is deemed to be a good choice.
SENEGAL
Lesotho scored 59.4 in the ease of doing
SEYCHELLES
business ranking in 2020. Foreign direct Lesotho agritech investment remains untapped.
investment in Lesotho amounted to Efforts to boost that include the Lesotho SIERRA LEONE
USD 118 million in 2019, showing a slight decrease Enterprise Assistance Programme (LEAP), a SOMALIA
from the USD 129 million of 2018. The country’s matching grant scheme designed to provide SOUTH AFRICA
textile industry and hydro electric facilities are financial and technical assistance for small and SOUTH SUDAN
the top investment choices. To streamline import medium enterprises. The Vodacom Innovation TOGO
and export, the government established Park is also a technology-based business UGANDA
ASYCUDA, an automated customs data incubator for young entrepreneurs to leverage UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
management system. Due to favourable climatic technology and mobile communication to grow TANZANIA
conditions, availability of water bodies, and good their businesses. ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
166 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 5: Business environment ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 118 UNCTAD
environment culture BURKINA FASO
Growth of innovative companies 2019 3.44 WEF BURUNDI
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ CABO VERDE
to a great extent)
CAMEROON
Venture capital availability 2017 1.62 WEF
CENTRAL
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ AFRICAN
extremely easy) REPUBLIC
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 15 WBG CHAD
Ease of access to loans 2017 1.51 WEF COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ CONGO
extremely easy)
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 3.42 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
to a great extent) CONGO
DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
HUMAN CAPITAL ERITREA
UNESCO reports that about and the remainder migrate to South Africa ESWATINI
76.6 percent of the country’s total adult where there are broader opportunities. ETHIOPIA
population (15 years of age and above) GABON
is literate. Women in Lesotho have a higher The reasons for low digital skills include the THE GAMBIA
literacy rate of 84.9 percent, compared to men high cost of mobile phones and computers, low GHANA
who are 67.7 percent literate. Lesotho performs smartphone and computer penetration, lack of GUINEA
above the sub-Saharan average. The country formal ICT training at schools, and inadequate GUINEA-
BISSAU
introduced free and compulsory primary access to electricity in rural areas. While the USF
KENYA
education (FCPE), which increased the enrolment has improved connectivity and ICT equipment
LESOTHO
levels in schools. in schools, Internet accessibility remains a
LIBERIA
challenge, especially in rural areas.
MADAGASCAR
In terms of digital skills training, the National
MALAWI
University of Lesotho (NUL), the Lesotho College According to the World Bank (2019), Lesotho’s
MALI
of Education, Lerotholi Polytechnic, Limkokwing agriculture sector has the potential to create
MAURITIUS
University, Computer Business Solutions and opportunities for the roughly 34.4 percent of
MOZAMBIQUE
Botho University all offer degrees in computer youth who are unemployed. The Kingdom of
NAMIBIA
science and ICT-related fields. Nevertheless, few Lesotho in collaboration with the IFAD, Lesotho
THE NIGER
students major in ICT-related careers. has initiated phase two of the Smallholder
NIGERIA
Agriculture Development project (SADP) (2020–
RWANDA
Lesotho has poor access to basic digital skills 2026) to support youth and women in rural
SÃO TOMÉ
training, which hinders the development of its areas with increased access to climate-smart AND PRÍNCIPE
digital agriculture. The few trained graduates are technologies to improve productivity. SENEGAL
absorbed within government and main MNOs, SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 167
Table 6: Human capital ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2014 76.64 UNESCO
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above) BURKINA FASO
Literacy rate, youth total 2014 86.63 UNESCO BURUNDI
(% of people ages 15–24) CABO VERDE
Digital skills among population 2019 3.49 WEF CAMEROON
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
CENTRAL
to a great extent) AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 44.3 ILO
(% of total employment) CHAD
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 39.83 ILO COMOROS
(% of female employment) CONGO
Unemployment, total 2020 24.65 ILO CÔTE D’IVOIRE
(% of total labour force)
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
DJIBOUTI
AGRO-INNOVATION EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Very little is published on the status of has trained entrepreneurs in a wide range ERITREA
agricultural innovation in Lesotho. In of industries including agriculture, fashion, ESWATINI
2016, Lesotho invested 0.94 percent of e-commerce, and mobile app development. ETHIOPIA
its agricultural GDP in agricultural research,
GABON
which is far less than the regional average. The In 2019, the Global Entrepreneurship Network
THE GAMBIA
Department of Agricultural Research (DAR) is announced the opening of the Start Up Hurdle
GHANA
government-owned and one of two agencies in Lesotho to help local entrepreneurs hone
GUINEA
that conduct agricultural research in Lesotho. A their pitch skills and discover solutions to the
GUINEA-
recent report noted that Lesotho has insufficient challenges they face. This happened at a time BISSAU
agricultural research capacity and that “as of when entrepreneurial support is lacking, and KENYA
2016, only 14 percent of DAR’s researchers held the ecosystem is still devoid of opportunities LESOTHO
PhD degrees; its pool of researchers is young for entrepreneurs to scale their ventures. To that LIBERIA
and inexperienced; and opportunities for end, the Bacja Entrepreneurial Project intends MADAGASCAR
training, mentoring, and career growth are to assist unemployed youth (21–35 years of MALAWI
limited.” Lesotho and FAO are working together age) who hold LGCSE/COSC certificates to MALI
to improve the national agricultural research become entrepreneurs who can employ others MAURITIUS
and extension system in the country. and drive economic growth. This will be done MOZAMBIQUE
in partnership with the Basotho Enterprises NAMIBIA
Investment by the private sector and various Development Corporation (BEDCO), the THE NIGER
o rg a n i za t i o n s i n t h e a g ro - i n n ova t i o n Lesotho Revenue Authority (LRA) and Standard NIGERIA
landscape in Lesotho has been forthcoming. Lesotho Bank. RWANDA
The following international and regional SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
innovation programmes (giving either funding It is evident that Lesotho’s agro-innovation
SENEGAL
or mentorship) are open to Lesotho: The is at its infancy. However, more opportunities
SEYCHELLES
Innovation Prize for Africa, The Anzisha Prize, are on the horizon as key digital investments
SIERRA LEONE
GSMA Innovation Fund, The Injini Edtech fall in place. Since more than half of Lesotho’s
SOMALIA
Accelerator Program, The Royal Academy Prize citizens live in rural areas, and the majority
SOUTH AFRICA
for Engineering, and Google’s Launchpad Africa engage in subsistence agriculture, the key to
SOUTH SUDAN
programme. The local Vodacom Innovation agro-innovation is in unlocking the country’s
TOGO
Park is an incubator and accelerator program agriculture potential. This includes as an
UGANDA
established in 2015 to support the development immediate policy priority for Lesotho the need to
UNITED
of sustainable, high impact, job-creating start- promote innovative agribusiness initiatives that REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ups and social enterprises in Lesotho. Since prioritise increased competitiveness, improved
ZAMBIA
its launch, the Vodacom Innovation Park market access and added value.
ZIMBABWE
168 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 7: Agro-innovation ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 98.53 FAO
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions) BURKINA FASO
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 95.97 FAO BURUNDI
(2014–2016 = 100) CABO VERDE
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.28 WBG CAMEROON
(index ranking 1–5: low/high)
CENTRAL
Research and Agricultural research spending 2016 0.94 IFPRI AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
technology (% of AgGDP)
development CHAD
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 3.12 WEF COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/ CONGO
extensive collaboration)
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Capacity for innovation 2017 3.21 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
to a great extent) CONGO
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2017 2.67 UNCTAD DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
ERITREA
ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
GABON
THE GAMBIA
GHANA
GUINEA
GUINEA-
BISSAU
KENYA
LESOTHO
LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
MALI
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 169
©FAO/Shutterstock/Fabian Plock
LIBERIA
Liberia is a coastal state in West for most smallholder and small plantation farmers
Africa. It is a low-income country (estimated at 48.9 percent of the workforce). The
with a population of 5 million World Food Programme noted that Liberia is a
people. About 52.1 percent of food deficit country with 0.45 million food insecure
the population lives in urban people in November 2020, and 0.55 million food
areas. The country is emerging insecure people during the lean season of 2021.
from two major crises – the end of a civil war that The war displaced many rural families, which had
lasted from 1989 to 2003, and an Ebola virus disease a huge impact on agricultural productivity.
outbreak in 2014 and 2015. Liberia has a young
population (estimated at 2.8 million people in 2020) The government acknowledges that major
and the economy is heavily dependent on the export investment in infrastructure (energy, roads,
of minerals. Liberia’s GDP was USD 2.9 billion in 2020. information communications technology (ICT) is
Although the country is rich in natural resources necessary to unlock growth. Additionally, the post-
like gold, diamonds and fertile soils, the economic civil war government seeks to strengthen weakened
potential of these resources remains untapped institutions and improve governance. The digital
(see Table 1). economy of Liberia has positive prospects with
the arrival of undersea cables from the western
Prior to the civil war, agriculture contributed about coast of Africa, but infrastructural challenges do
40 percent of Liberia’s GDP. By 2018, agriculture, exist. New investments in the digital economy of the
forestry and fisheries (value added) contributed country are emanating from the government, the
37 percent of the GDP. Liberia was a big producer private sector, multilateral organizations, as well as
of rubber and has plantation agriculture the local digital ecosystem players. The government
producing cocoa, coffee, palm oil and sugar cane. enacted the National ICT/Telecommunications
Agriculture is still the main provider of livelihood Policy, a key catalyst of digital technologies.
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 5 057 677 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 52.09 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 47.91 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 2 950 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 19 540 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 20.29 FAO
170
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
In general, Liberia’s infrastructure was connectivity led to a drop in Internet access
BOTSWANA
severely damaged during the civil war. prices and the improvement of Internet speed.
BURKINA FASO
For example, the war left the national In 2017, active mobile broadband subscriptions
BURUNDI
roads network in a state of disrepair. According were 11.7 per 100 inhabitants. To manage the
CABO VERDE
to World bank, 27.6 percent of Liberians have broadband infrastructure, the Cable Consortium
CAMEROON
access to electricity, with 7.6 percent access in of Liberia (a public-private partnership) was
CENTRAL
rural areas and 46.4 percent in urban areas. established to operate Liberia’s cable landing AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Liberia’s electricity is costly as it is mainly diesel point and the ACE cable system.
CHAD
generated. The ‘sustainable for all’ (SEforALL
COMOROS
Action) aimed at increasing access to electricity Access to ACE was a positive development, but
CONGO
to 100 percent by 2030. Most rural areas are off there are calls to have other connections to
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
the grid and rely on biomass. other sea cables due to constant downtimes in
DEMOCRATIC
implementation (Net Hope, 2015). In response, REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
The country’s telecommunications infrastructure the government partnered with USAID and
DJIBOUTI
was equally damaged through the conflict with Google to invest in building a fiber ring
EQUATORIAL
the remaining networks mostly in Monrovia around Monrovia and its environs to increase GUINEA
(AfDB, 2013). The country has three mobile broadband penetration. In 2017, a joint venture ERITREA
network operators, Lonestar, a subsidiary of was launched between Google, Mitsui & Co ESWATINI
the South African MTN Group that entered the (Japan), Convergence Partners (South Africa), ETHIOPIA
market in 2001, Orange, which started operating and the World Bank’s International Finance GABON
in 2016, and Novafone, which started operating Corporation to create a company called THE GAMBIA
2015. According to GSMA, in 2019 4G services CSquared to complete this work. CSquared GHANA
were available in almost half of the country, with provides the wholesale infrastructure around GUINEA
48.9 percent coverage, while 51.5 percent of the metropolitan Monrovia, making it possible for GUINEA-
BISSAU
population owns a mobile device (see Table 2). the government and other entities to connect
KENYA
to the Internet using reliable fiber connections.
LESOTHO
Through the enactment of the National ICT/
LIBERIA
Telecommunications Policy, the government, the Prior to that, Invenio, an American Silicon Valley
MADAGASCAR
Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MoPT) non-profit organization was contracted by
and Liberia Telecommunications are aiming at USAID to expand affordable, sustainable, and MALAWI
expanding Liberia’s broadband infrastructure. reliable rural Internet connections throughout MALI
Liberia has access to the Africa Coast to Europe Liberia, aiming at connecting or improving MAURITIUS
Optical Fiber Submarine Cable (ACE) funded Internet access in 37 different sites across MOZAMBIQUE
by the World Bank at a cost of USD 25 million, the country, many of which are in remote and NAMIBIA
although in 2016 only 20 percent of the rural areas. THE NIGER
capacity was being used. Increased broadband NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 171
Table 2: Infrastructure ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 7.62 WBG
(% of rural population) BURKINA FASO
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 48.94 GSMA BURUNDI
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 51.46 GSMA CABO VERDE
(% of population) CAMEROON
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 6.13 WBG CENTRAL
(per 1 million people) AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 2.83 WEF
CHAD
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
to a great extent) COMOROS
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2017 56.57 ITU CONGO
(per 100 inhabitants) CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2017 11.70 ITU DEMOCRATIC
(per 100 inhabitants) REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2017 0.19 ITU
(per 100 people) DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
ERITREA
DIGITAL PENETRATION ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
In 2017, 7.9 percent of Liberia’s The average cost of mobile data per 1 GB
GABON
population was using the Internet, was USD 3.25, which is expensive for the local
THE GAMBIA
while mobile cellular subscription per population. According to the Alliance for
GHANA
100 inhabitants was 56.6 percent. In contrast, Affordable Internet (A4AI), Internet cost of
GUINEA
less than 0.1 percent of the population had the lowest 20 percent of earners constitutes
GUINEA-
access to Internet in 2012. In 2018, there were a staggering 47.6 percent of their income to BISSAU
9 000 fixed broadband subscriptions, up from access said 1 GB of data, against a 2 percent KENYA
63 in 2011. Likewise, mobile cellular subscriptions recommendation by the UN Broadband LESOTHO
grew from 1 500 in 2000 to 2.7 million in 2017 Commission (similar conclusion by ITU in 2016). LIBERIA
(although the peak was 3.6 million in 2015). According to the UN Broadband Commission on MADAGASCAR
Sustainable Development’s Target 2 for 2025, MALAWI
According to Digital Liberia 2020, the number entry-level broadband service in developing MALI
of mobile connections increased by 995 000 countries should not cost more than 2 percent MAURITIUS
or 32 percent between January 2019 and of monthly GNI per capita. MOZAMBIQUE
January 2020. Of the three mobile operators, NAMIBIA
LoneStar MTN has 60 percent market share, Data of government use of digital technologies THE NIGER
Orange has 45 percent, and Novafone has for agricultural information to farmers is NIGERIA
8 percent. Challenges in delivering Internet scarce. However, a few examples exist. The RWANDA
access to rural areas as well as giving women government collaborated with the African SÃO TOMÉ
access to technology exist. Men are more likely Development Bank to launch programmes like AND PRÍNCIPE
than woman to use the Internet in Liberia, an e-database platform, e-wallets for farmers SENEGAL
which is ranked 95 among 100 countries in to get easy access to agricultural inputs and SEYCHELLES
the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Inclusive cash to enhance productivity. The government SIERRA LEONE
Internet Index). In January 2020, there were also partnered with the non-profit organization SOMALIA
530 000 social media users in Liberia, a number Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA) to SOUTH AFRICA
that could be commensurate with Liberia’s youth implement Feed the Future Liberia Agribusiness SOUTH SUDAN
population. According to GSMA, mobile social Development Activity (LADA) (2015–2020), which TOGO
media penetration in 2019 was 19.6 percent is funded by USAID and aims at expanding UGANDA
(see Table 3). access and use of agricultural inputs, improving UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
post-harvest loss and streamlining agricultural TANZANIA
value chains. ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
172 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 3: Digital penetration ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 3.25 Cable
penetration (USD) BURKINA FASO
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2016 8.28 ITU BURUNDI
as a % of adjusted per capita income CABO VERDE
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2018 N/A ITU CAMEROON
adjusted per capita income
CENTRAL
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 10.65 GSMA AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Number of apps in national language 2019 58.00 GSMA
CHAD
(quantity)
COMOROS
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 55.60 GSMA
CONGO
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 34.43 GSMA
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
POLICY AND REGULATION DJIBOUTI
The Ministry of Post and Telecom- policy neither states how this will be achieved, EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
munications (MoPT) is responsible for nor does it have outcomes or priorities. But it
ERITREA
developing ICT policies, while the does refer to mainstreaming gender by avoiding
ESWATINI
Liberia Telecommunication Authority (LTA) is the having ICTs creating a gender divide. That said,
ETHIOPIA
regulator. The enabling legislation is The the government’s Agriculture Sector Investment
GABON
Telecommunications Act, 2007. The government Plan II: 2018–2022 has not yet been formally
THE GAMBIA
approved the Policy for the Telecommunications adopted. The policy recognises the numerous
GHANA
and Information Communications Technology challenges facing agriculture in Liberia; however,
GUINEA
(ICT) 2019–2024 to guide the sector. It aligns with it does address the digitalization of agriculture.
GUINEA-
the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) policy. The A full review of this policy was conducted by BISSAU
policy seeks to establish the Universal Access Hendriks (2018) (see Table 4). KENYA
Fund, establish service penetration in rural areas, LESOTHO
and liberalize the telecommunication sector. Liberia’s national e-government strategy LIBERIA
(2014–2018) outlined the government’s vision MADAGASCAR
The policy is also forward thinking as it mentions of increased access to e-services, improved MALAWI
the government’s commitment to e-agriculture efficiency, and transparency and coordination MALI
by improving information sharing flows between between government entities. The functions of MAURITIUS
farmers, consumers, and agriculturists. The this policy were incorporated in the new ICT policy. MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
Table 4: Policy and regulation THE NIGER
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source NIGERIA
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 3.29 WEF RWANDA
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ SÃO TOMÉ
framework there is a clear plan) AND PRÍNCIPE
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 3.81 WEF SENEGAL
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/ SEYCHELLES
extremely successful)
SIERRA LEONE
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 2.78 WEF
SOMALIA
digital business models (index ranking
1–7: not fast at all/very fast) SOUTH AFRICA
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 3.19 WEF SOUTH SUDAN
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
TOGO
extremely well developed)
UGANDA
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2019 17.00 EC/ITU
framework UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation
ZAMBIA
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score ZIMBABWE
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4).
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 173
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ANGOLA
BENIN
The post-war business environment is chains were identified, agritech or investment
BOTSWANA
challenging but appears promising – in agri-food value chain digitalization was not
BURKINA FASO
the economic impact of the Ebola virus identified. In addition, the Pro-Poor Agenda
BURUNDI
disease was compounded by falling iron ore and for Prosperity and Development 2018–2023
CABO VERDE
rubber prices. There are opportunities in (PAPD) is the second in the series of five-year
CAMEROON
investing in infrastructure, in agriculture and National Development Plans (NDP) subsumed
CENTRAL
fisheries. The World Bank’s Ease of Doing under the Liberia Vision 2030 framework. AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Business ranks Liberia at 175 among It follows the Agenda for Transformation
CHAD
190 economies as it takes 18 days to register a 2012–2017 (AfT). It factors in lessons learned
COMOROS
business. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry from the implementation of the Interim Poverty
CONGO
has created a one-stop shop for business Reduction Strategy 2007 (iPRS) and the Poverty
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
registration. The Handbook of Opening Business Reduction Strategy (2008–2011). In 2019,
DEMOCRATIC
in Liberia provides a summary of the steps and IFAD launched the Smallholder Agriculture REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
procedures to be followed. Transformation and Agribusiness Revitalization
DJIBOUTI
Project that sought to increase agricultural
EQUATORIAL
In 2019, FDI in Liberia was USD 86.7 million, or productivity and commercialization on the part GUINEA
2.8 percent of the country’s GDP. Laws governing of smallholder farmers for vegetable, rice and ERITREA
FDI in Liberia include the 2010 Investment Act, oil palm value chains in selected counties of ESWATINI
the Revenue Code, the Public Procurement and Liberia. Unfortunately, the project did not have ETHIOPIA
Concessions Act, and the National Competitive an agritech focus although it did target youth GABON
Bidding Regulations. According to the and rural farmers in the country (see Table 5). THE GAMBIA
Investment Act of 2010, some business sectors GHANA
are reserved for Liberians. Through the Liberia The adoption of agricultural mechanisation GUINEA
Agriculture Sector Investment Program (LASIP), and technologies in Liberia is still nascent. Most GUINEA-
BISSAU
the government sought to outline the investment Liberian farmers still use basic tools, such as the
KENYA
strategies for agriculture, and it identified key cutlass, axe, hoe, and knife for clearing bushes
LESOTHO
areas of importance. Although potential value and for harvesting (Gobewole, 2020).
LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
Table 5: Business environment
MALAWI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
MALI
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 138 UNCTAD
MAURITIUS
environment culture
MOZAMBIQUE
Growth of innovative companies 2018 3.88 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ NAMIBIA
to a great extent)
THE NIGER
Venture capital availability 2017 2.65 WEF
NIGERIA
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/
extremely easy) RWANDA
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 18 WBG SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Ease of access to loans 2017 3.12 WEF
SENEGAL
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/
extremely easy) SEYCHELLES
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2018 3.33 WEF SIERRA LEONE
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ SOMALIA
to a great extent)
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
174 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
HUMAN CAPITAL ANGOLA
BENIN
The total adult literacy rate in Liberia (CARI), the Forest Development Authority (FDA),
BOTSWANA
is 48.3 percent (62 percent for males the Liberia Rubber Research Institute (LRRI),
BURKINA FASO
and 34 percent for females) as of 2017. Cuttington University, and the Booker T. Songhai
BURUNDI
The Liberian population is largely young with Agro-Enterprise Center. Through the Excellence
CABO VERDE
many unemployed youth. The literacy rates for in Higher Education for Liberian Development
CAMEROON
young people (15–24 years of age) is (EHELD), USAID has worked with the government
CENTRAL
55.4 percent. School enrolment rates for Liberia to improve agricultural training institutions in AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
have dropped between 2014–2017. For example, the country, although digital infrastructure still
CHAD
total primary school enrolment was 85 percent lags behind. There is a general need to integrate
COMOROS
in 2017, down from its peak of 97 percent in ICTs within the educational system. Through the
CONGO
2014; total secondary school enrolment was Enhancing Liberia Teacher Education Project
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
37 percent in 2015, down from 38 percent in through ICT Pedagogy, UNESCO has sought
DEMOCRATIC
2014. Tertiary education enrolment was to improve the ICT capacity of teachers and REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
11.9 percent in 2012, but more current data is not ICT facilities. There are other isolated digital
DJIBOUTI
available. The Ebola virus disease-induced crisis skills capacity development initiatives, such as
EQUATORIAL
in Liberia may partially explain this as schools the National Builders and Girls in ICT Liberia GUINEA
were closed for some time during the crisis. Project initiated by ITU to train the girls and ERITREA
USAID and the Ministry of Education begun young women of Liberia in ICT, leadership and ESWATINI
working together to revitalise the education skills development for economic empowerment ETHIOPIA
system after the effects of the Ebola disease (ITU, 2017). GABON
crisis. Liberia’s tertiary education is facing a THE GAMBIA
number of challenges such as poor Youth in Liberia face many challenges. GHANA
implementation of educational policies, lack of Historically, they were coerced into joining GUINEA
financial support for institutions of higher rebel factions as boys and girls. The United GUINEA-
BISSAU
learning, and poor educational infrastructure. Nations has run programmes to reintegrate
KENYA
Due to this and other reasons, the capacity for Liberian youth. For example, FAO ran a number
LESOTHO
Liberia to supply the agriculture and agritech of projects Libertian youth in agriculture, which
sectors with needed skills is constrained and included the promotion of aquaculture and LIBERIA
has led to critical ‘brain drain’. employment for youth in Liberia. More youth- MADAGASCAR
led initiatives in agriculture is a priority, as MALAWI
Liberia’s agricultural training institutions are: its increases literacy rates and digital skills MALI
the College of Agriculture (University of Liberia), (see Table 6). MAURITIUS
the Central Agricultural Research Institute MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
Table 6: Human capital THE NIGER
NIGERIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
RWANDA
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2017 48.30 UNESCO
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above) SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Literacy rate, youth total 2017 55.40 UNESCO
SENEGAL
(% of people ages 15–24)
SEYCHELLES
Digital skills among population 2018 3.24 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ SIERRA LEONE
to a great extent) SOMALIA
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 42.62 ILO SOUTH AFRICA
(% of total employment)
SOUTH SUDAN
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 40.33 ILO
TOGO
(% of female employment)
UGANDA
Unemployment, total 2020 3.30 ILO
(% of total labour force) UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 175
AGRO-INNOVATION ANGOLA
BENIN
Between 2018–19, USD 8.3 million out Liberia has a few innovations, including
BOTSWANA
of a total budget of USD 488.8 million UNICEF’s Innovation Lab dedicated to young
BURKINA FASO
was earmarked for the agricultural people. The lab piloted the U-Report, a social
BURUNDI
sector, representing 2 percent of the total monitoring tool designed for youth to strengthen
CABO VERDE
budget. Data on research and development citizens’ engagement. USAID’s Feed the Future
CAMEROON
activities in the country is scarce. The Central Innovation Lab is another example. However,
CENTRAL
Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) is Liberia’s Liberia’s innovation space remains an untapped AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
primary agricultural research institute, but potential. A few agritech start-ups are active in
CHAD
almost half of the institute was destroyed the country, including Ezee Market Incorporated,
COMOROS
during the war. Its recovery has been slow, but Cookshop, Veenir, Beneya Corporation and the
CONGO
still CARI has developed the Strategic Plan Artgeo Foundation. Available services include
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
2015–2025, with a vision that partly seeks to farm management and trading in food items.
DEMOCRATIC
have agriculture “propelled by research, The GSMA reports of the existence of 58 mobile REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
technology transfer, innovations, knowledge” apps in the country’s national language.
DJIBOUTI
(CARI, 2014) (see Table 7).
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Table 7: Agro-innovation ERITREA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 1 214.67 FAO
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions) GABON
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 91.66 FAO THE GAMBIA
(2014–2016 = 100)
GHANA
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.23 WBG
GUINEA
(index ranking 1–5: low/high)
GUINEA-
Research and Agricultural research spending 2011 0.42 IFPRI BISSAU
technology (% of AgGDP)
KENYA
development
LESOTHO
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 3.07 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/ LIBERIA
extensive collaboration)
MADAGASCAR
Capacity for innovation 2017 3.34 WEF
MALAWI
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) MALI
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 N/A UNCTAD MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
176 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
©FAO/Shutterstock/Framalicious
MADAGASCAR
Madagascar is a low-income of the country’s land area. Rice, which is the most
country with an estimated important food crop, accounts for half of the
G D P of U S D 1 3. 7 m i l l i o n cultivated land. Vanilla is another important crop,
driven significantly by the while an estimated 60 percent of rural households
service sector (52.4 percent). are also engaged in livestock rearing.
The country’s population is
estimated at about 27.7 million, 61.5 percent of The ICT sector is already transforming productivity
whom live in rural areas. About 75 percent of the in agriculture in the absence of an ICT policy. For
population lives below the international poverty example, in the province of Antsiranana, drones
line (see Table 1). have made it possible to take stock of the different
land use types in order to develop a local taxation
The agriculture sector contributed 23.3 percent to policy. Also, the Malagasy government aims at
GDP, employed about 64 percent of the population, acquiring ten tree-planting drones for a programme
and provided livelihood for 60 percent of women to restore more than 4 million hectares of forests
in 2019. Agriculture land constitutes 70.3 percent and land by 2030.
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 27 691 019 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 38.53 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 61.47 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 13 721 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 408 950 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 70.29 FAO
177
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
The energy sector of Madagascar is Madagascar has a broadband speed average
BOTSWANA
expanding as evident in the increase in of 24.9 megabits per second, which is more than
BURKINA FASO
access to electricity, from 12.9 percent to twice the global average. This is a result of the
BURUNDI
26.9 percent of the total population in 2013 and 10 000 km-long East African Submarine Cable
CABO VERDE
2019 respectively. While the rate of access to System (EASSy).
CAMEROON
electricity in urban areas is 79.5 percent, the access
CENTRAL
rate in rural areas is relatively low. The government, A number of initiatives are underway to AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
in line with improving electricity infrastructure, has improve service delivery in the telecom sector.
CHAD
secured a USD 150 million loan from the World Madagascar and China have signed an
COMOROS
Bank to embark on the Least-Cost Electricity agreement to transform the former’s telecom
CONGO
Access Development (LEAD) project targeting sector. This will set up a new infrastructure for
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
a minimum of 1.7 million people, including the telecom sector by establishing fiber optic
DEMOCRATIC
10 000 enterprises and 750 health centres. links and data centres to revolutionize public REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
services and bring down the administration’s
DJIBOUTI
The telecommunication sector of Madagascar internal communication costs. Also, the
EQUATORIAL
is still developing as evident by the increase project will contribute to the security of GUINEA
in mobile network coverage from 50.6 percent the city of Antananarivo, and improve the ERITREA
in 2012 to 92 percent in 2015. Also, 3G and 4G investment climate. ESWATINI
population coverage reached 65 percent and ETHIOPIA
62 percent respectively in 2019 with a significant Between 2 0 1 7–2 0 1 9, Te l m a invested GABON
proportion of the population yet to be USD 250 million to expand fiber installations THE GAMBIA
connected to a mobile network. Telma launched to 11 000 km, connecting the major cities and GHANA
its 5G service in June 2020, but the Madagascar completing a network upgrade to LTE-A. This has GUINEA
Communication Technology Regulatory authority spurred the roll-out of wireless access networks GUINEA-
BISSAU
(ARTEC) ordered its suspension. LTE services as the government in mid-2020 committed itself
KENYA
were made available in 2015 courtesy of Blueline to deploy free Wi-Fi hotspots in a bid to expand
LESOTHO
mobile services. Internet access to the poorest of society.
LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
Table 2: Infrastructure
MALAWI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
MALI
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 N/A WBG
MAURITIUS
(% of rural population)
MOZAMBIQUE
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 61.89 GSMA
NAMIBIA
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 32.98 GSMA
(% of population) THE NIGER
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 10.33 WBG NIGERIA
(per 1 million people)
RWANDA
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 3.84 WEF SÃO TOMÉ
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/ AND PRÍNCIPE
to a great extent)
SENEGAL
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2018 40.57 ITU
SEYCHELLES
(per 100 inhabitants)
SIERRA LEONE
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2018 15.60 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) SOMALIA
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2018 0.10 ITU SOUTH AFRICA
(per 100 people) SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
178 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
DIGITAL PENETRATION ANGOLA
BENIN
Madagascar had 9.6 million mobile Telecom Malagasy is the sole provider of fixed
BOTSWANA
connections in January 2021 which was line services in the country. But there are four
BURKINA FASO
equivalent to 34.2 percent of the total mobile network operators: Orange, Airtel, Telma,
BURUNDI
population. The increase in Internet users was very and Gulfsat, with Airtel dominating a 40 percent
CABO VERDE
much reflected in social media usage with a of market share. Almost all network providers
CAMEROON
recorded 3 million users (an increase of 30 percent) offer mobile money services except Gulfsat,
CENTRAL
during the same period. Also, active mobile with the country recording an increase in mobile AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
broadband subscriptions increased from 2 million money compared to traditional bank accounts.
CHAD
in 2016 to 4 million in 2018. Mobile cellular The GSMA (2019) affirmed the potential to
COMOROS
telephone subscriptions for post-paid/prepaid increase electronic payments, by promoting
CONGO
rose from 7 998 253 in 2016 to 10 654 710 in 2018. mobile payment platforms.
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
DEMOCRATIC
Table 3: Digital penetration REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source DJIBOUTI
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 8.81 Cable EQUATORIAL
penetration (USD) GUINEA
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2018 N/A ITU ERITREA
as a % of adjusted per capita income
ESWATINI
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2018 N/A ITU
ETHIOPIA
adjusted per capita income
GABON
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 7.99 GSMA
THE GAMBIA
Number of apps in national language 2019 16.85 GSMA
(quantity) GHANA
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 66.70 GSMA GUINEA
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 25 GSMA GUINEA-
BISSAU
KENYA
LESOTHO
POLICY AND REGULATION LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
There are a number of policies in the ICT indicators of the Telecommunications and ICT
MALAWI
sector that could promote the growth sector, in particular those concerning individuals,
MALI
of the economy. The national ICT policy households, and establishment users, as well as
MAURITIUS
developed by the Ministry of Telecommunications, legal and natural persons working in the field of
MOZAMBIQUE
Posts, and Communication in collaboration with telecommunications and ICT in Madagascar.
NAMIBIA
UNDP, seeks to turn Madagascar into a leader
THE NIGER
in providing high-quality ICT services, which will Integrating ICT into agriculture holds promise
NIGERIA
accelerate the country’s economic, social, and not only in increasing yields but improving
RWANDA
cultural development (Isaacs, 2007). For the living standards. National and external
SÃO TOMÉ
regulation of the ICT sector, Madagascar set up projects that touch on digital agriculture AND PRÍNCIPE
in 1996 the Malagasy Office of Studies and include Madagascar’s Agriculture Rural Growth SENEGAL
Regulation of Telecommunications (OMERT), and Land Management Project. It seeks to SEYCHELLES
whose main role is to ensure regulatory functions improve rural land tenure security and access SIERRA LEONE
allowing all operators involved in the sector to to markets of targeted farming households in SOMALIA
develop their activities in compliance with the selected agricultural value chains in the project SOUTH AFRICA
regulations in force, but at their own pace. Since areas. The project also aims at providing an SOUTH SUDAN
2015, OMERT has been replaced by ARTEC in the immediate and effective response to eligible TOGO
application of Decree No. 2006-213 establishing crises or emergencies. IFAD and the government UGANDA
the Madagascar Communication Technology through the Inclusive Agricultural Value Chains
UNITED
Regulatory authority. In 2019, ARTEC signed a Development Programme seek to strengthen REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
cooperation protocol with the National Institute and secure the production base of family farms
ZAMBIA
of Statistics (INSTAT) which aims at updating the in a context of climate change. The programme
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 179
also aims at connecting them to production Economic Forum’s score on the importance of ICT ANGOLA
and marketing support services in order to in the government’s vision was 2.92 out 7 in 2016, BENIN
sustainably transform the agriculture sector and reflecting the dearth of projects that incorporate BOTSWANA
the country’s rural economy. ICT. The focus however is on the health and BURKINA FASO
education sector. A lot of efforts are needed to BURUNDI
The Digital Governance and Identification roll out digital technologies in the agriculture CABO VERDE
Management System Project (PRODIGY) aims at sector to ensure development and sector growth. CAMEROON
strengthening the Identity Management (ID-M) The policy landscape has prioritized ICTs as a CENTRAL
AFRICAN
system and government capacity to deliver tool to help transform the agriculture sector. REPUBLIC
services in selected sectors. Madagascar’s World CHAD
COMOROS
Table 4: Policy and regulation CONGO
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
DEMOCRATIC
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 2.92 WEF REPUBLIC OF
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ CONGO
framework there is a clear plan) DJIBOUTI
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 3.12 WEF EQUATORIAL
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/ GUINEA
extremely successful)
ERITREA
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 N/A WEF ESWATINI
digital business models (index ranking
1–7: not fast at all/very fast) ETHIOPIA
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 2.58 WEF GABON
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/ THE GAMBIA
extremely well developed)
GHANA
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 69.5 EC/ITU
GUINEA
framework
GUINEA-
BISSAU
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation KENYA
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score
LESOTHO
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4).
LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT MALI
Even though FDI in Madagascar shrunk breaks and avoid double taxation. Other fiscal MAURITIUS
from 4.4 percent of GDP in 2018 to 1.6 in incentives for other sectors are defined by the MOZAMBIQUE
2019, the government is unrelenting in adopted annual financial law by parliament NAMIBIA
its bid to attract more investors, particularly for for all companies including those in the THE NIGER
the agricultural sector. New business agriculture sector. NIGERIA
registrations increased from 1 572 in 2016 to RWANDA
1 881 in 2018, reflecting how the business climate The private sector is also playing a key role SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
is indeed conducive to investments. Apart from in transforming the agricultural sector. In
SENEGAL
the investment law, Madagascar has signed a partnership with IFAD, the government is
Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection undertaking the Support Programme for Rural SEYCHELLES
Agreement with countries such as Canada, Microenterprise Poles and Regional Economies. SIERRA LEONE
Mauritius, France, and Germany. This agreement The programme is aimed at setting up efficient SOMALIA
gives legally binding rights and obligations that business development services that are SOUTH AFRICA
consider private property and unwarranted responsive to the needs of small and micro rural SOUTH SUDAN
expropriation without appropriate enterprises. It also aims at building the capacity TOGO
compensation. Export-oriented companies can of these enterprises to identify their individual UGANDA
get the fiscal advantages spelled out in requirements, as well as restructuring these UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
law 89-027 when they apply for export free zone traditional clusters into modern value chains TANZANIA
status as well as new regulations that give tax that will have linkages to regional growth poles. ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
180 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 5: Business environment ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 227 UNCTAD
environment culture BURKINA FASO
Growth of innovative companies 2019 3.56 WEF BURUNDI
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ CABO VERDE
to a great extent)
CAMEROON
Venture capital availability 2017 2.34 WEF
CENTRAL
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ AFRICAN
extremely easy) REPUBLIC
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 8.00 WBG CHAD
Ease of access to loans 2017 3.03 WEF COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ CONGO
extremely easy)
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 3.04 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
to a great extent) CONGO
DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
HUMAN CAPITAL ERITREA
Adult literacy in Madagascar increased The African Virtual University (AVU) established ESWATINI
by 15.9 percent from 2005 to its current an ambitious teacher education project involving ETHIOPIA
rate of 76.7 percent in 2018, whereas 10 African countries including Madagascar GABON
youth literacy also increased by 23.6 percent in partnership with the African Development THE GAMBIA
from 2005 to 79.9 percent according to the Bank (AfDB) and the New Partnership for GHANA
World Bank. The gap between female and male Africa’s Development (NEPAD) in 2006. The GUINEA
youth literacy rates is small; the recorded values project equipped teachers in the use of ICTs GUINEA-
BISSAU
for 2018 being 80.7 percent and 81.7 percent in teaching and learning mathematics and
KENYA
respectively. Gross enrolment in secondary science, to enhance the capacity of teachers to
LESOTHO
schools decreased by 3.5 percent from 2012 to deliver ICTs as a subject in secondary education,
LIBERIA
34.6 percent in 2019. Female students in and to increase the number of mathematics
MADAGASCAR
secondary schools decreased by 2 percent to and science teachers by expanding access
MALAWI
35.2 percent, while male enrolment also dropped to training through open, distance, and
MALI
by 5 percent to 34 percent during the same e-learning techniques.
MAURITIUS
period. However, gross enrolment in tertiary
MOZAMBIQUE
schools increased by 1.3 percent from 2012 to The private sector has also undertaken several
NAMIBIA
5.4 percent in 2018. Female and male enrolment projects and initiatives that are targeted at
THE NIGER
also increased over the years to 5.2 percent and developing and enhancing the capacity of
NIGERIA
5.5 percent respectively. the country’s human resources. For example,
RWANDA
Jirogasy, a start-up in Madagascar and its
SÃO TOMÉ
The integration of ICT into the education partners, have embarked on a similar move AND PRÍNCIPE
curriculum offers hope for a more digitally to bolster digital skills by providing learners SENEGAL
literate population in the coming years. Even in schools that do not have access to reliable SEYCHELLES
though the Human Capital Index decreased power with solar-powered laptops. This is SIERRA LEONE
marginally by 0.02 percent between 2012 and intended to empower younger generations with SOMALIA
2017, the government through the World Bank digital skills to fortify their economic future. SOUTH AFRICA
is investing in human capital, which will help SOUTH SUDAN
enhance the capacity of human resources in The private sector is also fully involved in TOGO
the education and health sector. It also places the development of the agricultural sector UGANDA
special emphasis on the legal protections for by providing support in terms of agricultural UNITED
women and children. education. Fert, a French association for REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
international cooperation for agricultural ZAMBIA
development in developing and emerging ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 181
countries, in partnership with Conseil national With support from the African Development ANGOLA
de l’enseignement agricole privé (CNEAP), Fund, the government is also embarking on the BENIN
is supporting Fifata (a national Malagasy Program for Promoting Youth Entrepreneurship in BOTSWANA
professional farmers’ organization) in setting up Agriculture and Agro-industry. The project seeks BURKINA FASO
an initial training programme targeted at young to create jobs and reduce youth unemployment BURUNDI
children of farmers. The project has engendered as well as provide the required funding for CABO VERDE
five agricultural colleges that offer a three-year young agricultural entrepreneurs along the CAMEROON
boarding school course, which is now part of the agricultural value chain. Its strategy hinges on CENTRAL
AFRICAN
Fekama federation. building the capacity of young graduates of REPUBLIC
higher education in trades along agricultural CHAD
value chains and in business management. COMOROS
CONGO
Table 6: Human capital CÔTE D’IVOIRE
DEMOCRATIC
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2018 76.68 UNESCO
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above) DJIBOUTI
Literacy rate, youth total 2018 79.85 UNESCO EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
(% of people ages 15–24)
ERITREA
Digital skills among population 2019 3.1 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ ESWATINI
to a great extent)
ETHIOPIA
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 64.12 ILO
GABON
(% of total employment)
THE GAMBIA
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 59.94 ILO
(% of female employment) GHANA
Unemployment, total 2020 1.92 ILO GUINEA
(% of total labour force) GUINEA-
BISSAU
KENYA
LESOTHO
AGRO-INNOVATION LIBERIA
Research and development expenditure are leveraging digital financial innovation to MADAGASCAR
decreased from 0.11 percent of GDP in bridge this gap. For instance, Airtel and Bank of MALAWI
2010 to 0.01 percent in 2017. According Africa, through mobile banking, have partnered MALI
to ASTI (2014), agricultural research and to manage the supply of credit to smallholder MAURITIUS
development spending as a share of agricultural farmers and also offer loans for smoothing MOZAMBIQUE
GDP was 0.14 percent less than the 1 percent financial flows between seasons, equipment NAMIBIA
recommended by the African Union. This purchases, and storage costs. The MNO formed THE NIGER
situation has not hindered the government and an alliance with FANAMBY (an NGO focused NIGERIA
other private sector entities from conducting on educating farmers in the Northern part of RWANDA
research to develop agriculture. The National Madagascar) to encourage mobile banking SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Center of Applied Research for Rural by opening a Bank of Africa account that was
SENEGAL
Development (FOFIFA) is the largest research linked to an Airtel Money account. By September
SEYCHELLES
agency in Madagascar, responsible for more 2013, 405 of the 1 250 farmers directly involved
SIERRA LEONE
than half the total agricultural research in the operation had a bank account with
SOMALIA
spending, and is mandated to unifying national the number of transfers made increasing by
SOUTH AFRICA
agricultural research. 10 percent.
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
A small number of Madagascar’s population The country’s innovation capacity is estimated
UGANDA
has an account at a formal financial institution at 3.82/7 in 2018 according to the Economic
UNITED
and this situation is particularly worrying as and World Forum. This is reflective of public and REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
70 percent of the population lives in rural areas. private sector need to innovate new technology
ZAMBIA
However, mobile network operators (MNOs) for agricultural development. A case in point is
ZIMBABWE
182 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
the collaboration of the Japan International The Office Malgache des Propriétés Industrielles ANGOLA
Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (OMAPI), is the regulatory authority for intellectual BENIN
(JIRCAS) with the Agriculture Ministry and property rights. Its establishment reiterates the BOTSWANA
various research institutes in Madagascar to premium Madagascar places on inventions, and BURKINA FASO
launch the project “Breakthrough in Nutrient Use as such has established laws and regulations to BURUNDI
Efficiency for Rice by Genetic Improvement and protect the property rights of the individual. These CABO VERDE
Fertility Sensing Techniques in Africa” commonly laws and regulations are Ordinance No. 89-019 CAMEROON
known as the FY VARY project. The project of July 31, 1989, establishing arrangements for CENTRAL
AFRICAN
seeks to enhance technology development protecting Industrial Property and implementing REPUBLIC
that can improve rice productivity in a stable rules and regulations; and Decree No. 92-993 of CHAD
manner, even with low nutrients from fertilizer December 2, 1992, implementing Ordinance No. COMOROS
and soils. And as part of the FY VARY Project, 89-019 of July 31, 1989, establishing arrangements CONGO
a demonstration test site was set up in the for the protection of Industrial Property in CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Vakinankaratra region for phosphorus dipping Madagascar (as amended by Decree No. 95-057 DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
treatment (p-dipping) technology. of January 17, 1995). CONGO
DJIBOUTI
Table 7: Agro-innovation EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source ERITREA
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 3 181.10 FAO ESWATINI
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions)
ETHIOPIA
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 104.25 FAO
GABON
(2014–2016 = 100)
THE GAMBIA
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.39 WBG
(index ranking 1–5: low/high) GHANA
Research and Agricultural research spending 2014 0.14 IFPRI GUINEA
technology (% of AgGDP)
GUINEA-
development BISSAU
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 3.34 WEF KENYA
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/
LESOTHO
extensive collaboration)
LIBERIA
Capacity for innovation 2017 3.82 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ MADAGASCAR
to a great extent)
MALAWI
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 2.10 UNCTAD MALI
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 183
©FAO/Shutterstock/Alex van Schaik
MALAWI
Malawi is a low-income country fast-growing young population, Malawi has huge
with a GDP of USD 11.9 billion potential and rich labour resources to develop its
in 2020. The country has a agriculture sector. Currently, the majority of the
population of 19 million people, rural population relies on small-scale farming
of which 82.6 percent were still with low productivity that hardly meets domestic
living in rural areas and more demand. Rain-fed maize is dominant, and tobacco
than half were living below national poverty lines has been the main cash crop contributing to over
(World Bank, 2016). The poverty rate of Malawi 50 percent of total export earnings, followed by
has declined only 3 percent from 73.4 percent to tea and sugar. Meanwhile, the agriculture sector in
70.3 percent between 2004 and 2016 (World Bank, Malawi is vulnerable to climatic shocks, particularly
2020) (see Table 1). recurring droughts. Unstable food production
and supply leads to 82 percent of its population
Agriculture is the main pillar of the country. It experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity
employs 76.4 percent of the total population while 18.8 percent are undernourished (World
and contributes to 25.5 percent of GDP. With a Bank, 2018).
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 19 129 955 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 17.43 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 82.57 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 11 962 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 56 500 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 59.93 FAO
184
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
The overall electricity access rate is low own mobile devices, and 52.3 per 100 habitants
BOTSWANA
at 11.2 percent in 2019, with 45.5 percent have mobile cellular subscriptions (see Table 2).
BURKINA FASO
access in urban areas and 4.1 percent
BURUNDI
in rural areas. However, the mobile sector has The government of Malawi has a goal of
CABO VERDE
experienced rapid growth over the past decade, “providing access to modern energy services
CAMEROON
reaching 99.6 percent of mobile coverage in for all by 2030” through SEforAll Action Agenda
CENTRAL
2016 (WEF, 2016). Facilitated by telecom (2017). It has carried out a number of projects, AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
companies, both 3G and 4G coverage is steadily some of which were supported by various
CHAD
increasing. It is estimated that 3G covers development agencies. For instance, the
COMOROS
92 percent of the population and 77.5 percent Government of Malawi facilitated the access to
CONGO
for 4G (see Table 2). Nevertheless, due to high international submarine cables via neighbouring
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
taxes and prices, only 36.6 percent of Malawians countries, while the World Bank implemented
DEMOCRATIC
Electricity Access Project to improve accessibility. REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
DJIBOUTI
Table 2: Infrastructure
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
ERITREA
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 4.09 WBG
(% of rural population) ESWATINI
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 77.53 GSMA ETHIOPIA
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 36.54 GSMA GABON
(% of population)
THE GAMBIA
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 16.94 WBG
GHANA
(per 1 million people)
GUINEA
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 3.50 WEF
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/ GUINEA-
BISSAU
to a great extent)
KENYA
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2020 52.30 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) LESOTHO
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 31.85 ITU LIBERIA
(per 100 inhabitants) MADAGASCAR
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 0.06 ITU MALAWI
(per 100 people)
MALI
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
DIGITAL PENETRATION NAMIBIA
Low electricity access in Malawi leads Limited (ACL) are in the lead, but the market is THE NIGER
to low ownership of fixed devices like relatively small compared to the mobile sector. NIGERIA
computer and low usage of fixed RWANDA
broadband services. As a result, in 2018, only There is a clear gender disparity to the SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
6.3 percent households owned a computer disadvantage of women in terms of mobile SENEGAL
and 11.1 percent had Internet access. Fixed phone ownership. Women have low control
SEYCHELLES
broadband subscriptions were even lower with over phone use, and lack of income and
SIERRA LEONE
0.06 per 100 inhabitants (ITU, 2018). digital literacy also hinders the increase of
SOMALIA
female subscribers.
SOUTH AFRICA
Malawi has a high level of mobile penetration.
SOUTH SUDAN
The mobile sector is dominated by two Despite high mobile network coverage, mobile
TOGO
operators, Airtel Malawi Limited and Telekom data is costly at USD 27.41 for 1 GB (see Table 3),
UGANDA
Networks Malawi Limited (TNM) that provide resulting in low usage of Internet-based
UNITED
the majority of data services. In terms of fixed apps. Consequently, GSMA reports that only REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
telephony services, Malawi Telecommunications 4 apps are available in the country’s national
ZAMBIA
Limited (MTL) and Access Communications language and citizen engagement on social
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 185
media platforms is also very low (2.6 percent) services are emerging that allow users to send ANGOLA
(see Table 3). As such, radio remains the main and receive money with their mobile phones. BENIN
channel of receiving news and information, This ensures a modicum of digital inclusion for BOTSWANA
particularly in rural communities. unbanked and underserved populations. Khusa BURKINA FASO
M’manja and Mpamba, provided by Airtel and BURUNDI
It is important to note that with increasing TNM, are the two leading mobile payment CABO VERDE
mobile penetration, mobile-based payment products in Malawi (Madise, 2014). CAMEROON
CENTRAL
AFRICAN
Table 3: Digital penetration REPUBLIC
CHAD
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
COMOROS
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 27.41 Cable
penetration (USD) CONGO
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2016 20.02 ITU CÔTE D’IVOIRE
as a % of adjusted per capita income DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2016 108.10 ITU CONGO
adjusted per capita income
DJIBOUTI
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 2.67 GSMA
EQUATORIAL
Number of apps in national language 2019 4 GSMA GUINEA
(quantity) ERITREA
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 20.73 GSMA ESWATINI
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 54.02 GSMA ETHIOPIA
GABON
THE GAMBIA
POLICY AND REGULATION GHANA
GUINEA
The ICT Policy adopted in 2005 and Projects and initiatives have been implemented
GUINEA-
revised in 2013, has set ICT as one of and piloted. For example, the Digital Malawi BISSAU
the priority sectors with huge potential project is supported by the World Bank and KENYA
and aims at leveraging ICTs in all sectors toward has an overall objective to improve access to LESOTHO
socio-economic development. ICT infrastructure, strengthen the country’s LIBERIA
digital ecosystem, as well as create digital MADAGASCAR
With the support of UNDP, Malawi approved a platforms and service portals to modernize MALAWI
National ICT Master Plan (2014–2031) (UNDP, government operations. MALI
2014), divided into four implementation phases MAURITIUS
with four main pillars covering ICT infrastructure, In terms of policies and regulations in the MOZAMBIQUE
innovation and human capital development, ICT agriculture sector, the Ministry of Agriculture, NAMIBIA
industry development and e-business, as well Irrigation and Water Development developed THE NIGER
as e-government services and growth sectors the National Agriculture Policy of Malawi (2016– NIGERIA
development. Developed by the National 2020), which seeks to transform the sector from RWANDA
Planning Commission (NPC), Malawi’s five-year subsistence to one with a market-oriented SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Digital Economy Strategy aims at boosting access focus to increase local production and income
SENEGAL
to connectivity by 2026 and making Internet levels in the sector. A key policy objective was
SEYCHELLES
access more affordable, reliable and available. to “increase by 60 percent the number of new
SIERRA LEONE
To further encourage ICT development, the technologies under development and being
SOMALIA
Government of Malawi has waived import taxes demonstrated to farmers”. Even though there
SOUTH AFRICA
on computers and accessories. Meanwhile, the is neither a particular strategy nor a national
SOUTH SUDAN
Malawi Communications Regulatory authority plan for digital agriculture, the favourable
TOGO
(MACRA) was set up and is responsible for policy environment raises the awareness of
UGANDA
regulating the country’s communications sector digital transformation and encourages digital
UNITED
and the implementation of Universal Access innovations applied in agriculture. REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
Programs, while the National Commission for
Science and Technology (NCST) was established ZAMBIA
to lead science and technology development. ZIMBABWE
186 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 4: Policy and regulation ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 3.16 WEF
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ BURKINA FASO
framework there is a clear plan) BURUNDI
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 3.21 WEF CABO VERDE
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
CAMEROON
extremely successful)
CENTRAL
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 2.81 WEF AFRICAN
digital business models (index ranking REPUBLIC
1–7: not fast at all/very fast)
CHAD
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 2.47 WEF
COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
extremely well developed) CONGO
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 87 EC/ITU CÔTE D’IVOIRE
framework DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation DJIBOUTI
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score EQUATORIAL
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4). GUINEA
ERITREA
ESWATINI
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ETHIOPIA
GABON
Malawi has a relatively stable political start a business, with no disparity between
THE GAMBIA
environment and well-functioning legal men and women. The most time-consuming
GHANA
framework. Moreover, the country is free procedure is applying for a registration of
GUINEA
of violence and conflicts, making it easy and the workplace, which takes 28 days in total;
GUINEA-
attractive for investors to enter the country and while the costliest procedures are more linked BISSAU
start their businesses. The country in general is to company registration and licensing fees. KENYA
quite open to investments and grants, and Therefore, despite the Malawi Investment and LESOTHO
attracts FDI through policies, official assistance as Trade Centre’s (MITC) one-stop service, lack LIBERIA
well as forums. However, Malawi’s infrastructure, of efficiency is a main obstacle for investors. MADAGASCAR
especially its limited power supply, undermines Investments in agriculture seem to be promising MALAWI
investments and remains a significant impediment. and given that agriculture accounts for MALI
80 percent of Malawi’s exports, agribusiness MAURITIUS
Doing Business 2020 reported that Malawi and agro-processing are likely to be the most MOZAMBIQUE
scored 77.9 out of 100. It takes 37 days to attractive market segments. NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
Table 5: Business environment NIGERIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source RWANDA
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 98 UNCTAD SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
environment culture
SENEGAL
Growth of innovative companies 2019 3.72 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ SEYCHELLES
to a great extent)
SIERRA LEONE
Venture capital availability 2017 1.79 WEF
SOMALIA
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/
extremely easy) SOUTH AFRICA
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 37 WBG SOUTH SUDAN
Ease of access to loans 2017 2.60 WEF TOGO
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ UGANDA
extremely easy)
UNITED
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 3.26 WEF REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 187
HUMAN CAPITAL ANGOLA
BENIN
It is reported that 62.1 of Malawi’s adult development, which accounts for 42.2 percent
BOTSWANA
population of 15 years of age and older of total employment (see Table 6).
BURKINA FASO
have a literacy rate of 62.1 percent The
BURUNDI
rate was higher among youth at 72.9 percent as A number of organizations have undertaken
CABO VERDE
of 2015, with 73.4 percent for youth females and literacy programmes in rural areas to improve
CAMEROON
72.5 percent for youth males (UNESCO, 2015). literacy and numeracy capacities. For example,
CENTRAL
Ed u ca t i o n ex p e n d i t u re a cco u n te d fo r mHub, a technology hub that provides digital AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
15.8 percent of the total budget, contributing skills training using the BBC’s micro:bit (a pocket-
CHAD
4.7 percent of GDP in 2018. To further guarantee sized computer that introduces you to how
COMOROS
people’s right to accessing education, the software and hardware work together). Students
CONGO
ongoing National Adult Literacy and Education are encouraged to provide innovative solutions
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Policy (2020–2025) has a goal to reduce the covering certain social and environmental
DEMOCRATIC
number of illiterate adults by 300 000 annually. issues during coding hackathons. The SOAR REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Learning Centers, supported by CARE Malawi
DJIBOUTI
Seeing the huge potential of ICT and its cross- and Team4Tech, deploy tablets for teaching
EQUATORIAL
cutting influence in other sectors, improving and school management, and provide special GUINEA
digital skills is considered a way to mitigate training to adolescent girls to access educational ERITREA
the digital divide in the country, particularly opportunities. The DAPP Malawi Farmers’ Clubs ESWATINI
by enhancing digital capacities for agriculture offers community-based adult literacy classes. ETHIOPIA
GABON
Table 6: Human capital THE GAMBIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source GHANA
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2015 62.14 UNESCO GUINEA
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above) GUINEA-
BISSAU
Literacy rate, youth total 2015 72.94 UNESCO
(% of people ages 15–24) KENYA
Digital skills among population 2019 2.84 WEF LESOTHO
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ LIBERIA
to a great extent)
MADAGASCAR
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 76.36 ILO
MALAWI
(% of total employment)
MALI
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 82.00 ILO
(% of female employment) MAURITIUS
Unemployment, total 2020 5.99 ILO MOZAMBIQUE
(% of total labour force)
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
AGRO-INNOVATION RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
Due to a slowdown in its economic many researchers of DARS have left and moved AND PRÍNCIPE
growth, the expenditure on agriculture to the higher education sector for better benefits SENEGAL
research in Malawi has been in a slow and higher salaries. In 2015, approximately SEYCHELLES
decline, and accounts for 0.53 percent as a share 37 percent of agricultural researchers worked in SIERRA LEONE
of agricultural GDP (IFPRI, 2016. Until 2014, of all educational institutes. SOMALIA
agriculture researchers, 81 percent held master’s SOUTH AFRICA
and doctoral degrees, but only 20 percent were In terms of the application of digital solutions, SOUTH SUDAN
female (IFPRI, 2016). The Department of a numerous innovative practices have been TOGO
Agricultural Research Services (DARS) is the undertaken in Malawi. For instance, the World UGANDA
national institute that conducts agricultural Bank supports the Agricultural Productivity UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
research and generates technologies to improve Program for Southern Africa (APPSA), a TANZANIA
productivity. However, noting the decline of R&D regional programme aiming at releasing ZAMBIA
expenditure and suspension of donor funding, 367 technologies to farmers, including in ZIMBABWE
188 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Malawi. In response to recurring droughts and information via SMS and voice platforms to ANGOLA
irregular rainfall, Feed the Future Malawi AgDiv farmers with the help of National Smallholder BENIN
promotes drip irrigation kits to improve the Farmers Association of Malawi. Noble Agri Tech BOTSWANA
quality and quantity of agricultural products. is a young start-up that develops agriculture BURKINA FASO
Meanwhile, the private sector’s engagement is automation systems for horticultural farmers. BURUNDI
worthy of note. For example, Microsoft provides CABO VERDE
CAMEROON
Table 7: Agro-innovation CENTRAL
AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
CHAD
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 2 046.86 FAO
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions) COMOROS
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 129.22 FAO CONGO
(2014–2016 = 100) CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.59 WBG DEMOCRATIC
(index ranking 1–5: low/high) REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Research and Agricultural research spending 2014 0.53 IFPRI
DJIBOUTI
technology (% of AgGDP)
development EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 2.71 WEF
ERITREA
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/
extensive collaboration) ESWATINI
Capacity for innovation 2017 3.25 WEF ETHIOPIA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
GABON
to a great extent)
THE GAMBIA
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 6.34 UNCTAD
GHANA
GUINEA
GUINEA-
BISSAU
KENYA
LESOTHO
LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
MALI
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 189
©FAO/Shutterstock/Ricardo Canino
MALI
The Republic of Mali is a low- livelihood for about 62.4 percent of the country’s
income country with a GDP of population. Several initiatives are being undertaken
USD 17.39 billion in 2020. The to empower rural dwellers and to transform rural
poverty headcount ratio at economies across the country. One such initiative
national poverty lines (percent is the partnership between the Government of Mali
of the total population) was and IFAD to execute the Rural Youth Vocational
reduced from 43.8 percent in 2018 to 42.1 percent Training, Employment and Entrepreneurship
in 2019. Poverty in Mali is declining through an Support Project. Launched in 2013, the project
integrated set of initiatives that increase food aims at facilitating rural young people’s access to
security, agricultural productivity and incomes job opportunities and attractive, well-paying jobs
(see Table 1). in agriculture and related enterprises. And by so
doing, shaping them to become actors in modern
Cotton and cereals are the dominant crops in agricultural value chains that are responsive to
Mali. The agriculture sector serves as a source of market demand.
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 20 250 834 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 43.91 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 56.09 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 17 394 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 412 010 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 33.77 FAO
190
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
The country currently has about and 43.7 percent respectively. In 2016, unique
BOTSWANA
310 MW of on-grid installed generation subscriber mobile penetration stood at
BURKINA FASO
capacity to provide electricity. This is 60.4 percent, whereas mobile penetration by
BURUNDI
supplemented by importing 27 MW and about connections rose over 95 percent; the difference
CABO VERDE
70 MW of off-grid production. The increase in attributed to many customers having more than
CAMEROON
access to electricity for the total population one mobile phone (GSMA, 2017).
CENTRAL
from 34.8 percent in 2017 to 48 percent in 2019 AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
demonstrates the country’s commitment to Internet penetration in Mali is low even though
CHAD
develop its energy sector. A similar trend also Orange and Malitel launched their 4G/LTE
COMOROS
exists in the access rate for urban and rural service in 2018. Internet penetration in the
CONGO
areas, where urban access rose from 74 percent country stood at 27.9 percent in January 2021.
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
in 2010 to 91.2 percent in 2019, while rural access 3G connections for data are enjoyed only in the
DEMOCRATIC
was below 16 percent in 2019. The surge in capital of Bamako and some regional centres. REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
energy demand in recent times prompted the
DJIBOUTI
government to set up the Agency for the Mali’s landlocked location makes it dependent
EQUATORIAL
Development of Household Energy and Rural on neighbouring countries for international GUINEA
Electrification (AMADER) that gives concessions bandwidth, which has kept prices high. Several ERITREA
to villages to enable the private sector to infrastructural projects are underway to ESWATINI
produce and distribute electricity. improve telecommunication services. Orange ETHIOPIA
has launched a new fiber optic network in West GABON
The telecom sector of Mali is making great Africa that will cover Mali and seven other THE GAMBIA
strides in building infrastructure to deliver countries to offer superfast broadband and GHANA
quality services. Mobile networks for voice and other high-speed telecom services. The network GUINEA
data services dominate. They account for about couples a 10 000 km cross-border terrestrial GUINEA-
BISSAU
99.8 percent of all telecom connections. fiber optic network with 10 000 km of undersea
KENYA
cables to provide high-speed broadband
LESOTHO
Figures from GSMA (2019) showed an improved transmission and seamless connection to
LIBERIA
network coverage with 2G reaching 100 percent Orange’s international networks (see Table 2).
MADAGASCAR
while 3G and 4G coverage reaching 71.8 percent
MALAWI
MALI
Table 2: Infrastructure
MAURITIUS
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
MOZAMBIQUE
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 15.27 WBG
NAMIBIA
(% of rural population)
THE NIGER
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 43.64 GSMA
NIGERIA
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 55.01 GSMA
(% of population) RWANDA
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 10.72 WBG SÃO TOMÉ
(per 1 million people) AND PRÍNCIPE
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 4.14 WEF SENEGAL
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/ SEYCHELLES
to a great extent)
SIERRA LEONE
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2020 125.01 ITU
SOMALIA
(per 100 inhabitants)
SOUTH AFRICA
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 35.07 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) SOUTH SUDAN
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 1.20 ITU TOGO
(per 100 people) UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 191
DIGITAL PENETRATION ANGOLA
BENIN
Mali recorded 20.93 million mobile by Algeria Telecom joined as the fourth mobile
BOTSWANA
connections in January 2021 equivalent network operator in 2019. According to GSMA
BURKINA FASO
to 101.8 percent of the total population. (2017), Orange Mali has become the dominant
BURUNDI
The number of mobile connections increased by provider with a market share of 65.2 percent in
CABO VERDE
3.9 percent between January 2020 and January 2016. Mobile money is a growing service offered
CAMEROON
2021. Internet users increased by 18 percent in Mali and could be a major opportunity to
CENTRAL
between 2020 and 2021 to the figure of advance financial inclusion, especially in rural AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
5.74 million in January 2021. The increase in areas where mobile money penetration is
CHAD
Internet users had an effect on social media only 30 percent. Promoting mobile payment
COMOROS
users, which increased by 24 percent during the platforms could potentially increase the use of
CONGO
same period to 2.1 million in January 2021. electronic payments especially in rural areas
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
(see Table 3).
DEMOCRATIC
Active mobile broadband subscriptions in Mali REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
increased from 5.8 million in 2018 to 6.9 million The Sénèkela, which means “grower” in Malian,
DJIBOUTI
in 2019, rising from 30.3 to 35.1 of the population. is an initiative by Orange that provides a
EQUATORIAL
Mobile cellular telephone subscriptions by post- call centre available 24/7 that is dedicated GUINEA
paid/prepaid rose from 21 955 565 in 2018 to to farmers’ concerns. It enables them to talk ERITREA
22 925 482 in 2019. According to Cable (2020), directly to agronomy experts, in French or in ESWATINI
the average price of 1 GB of mobile data is Bambara, the local language. The service ETHIOPIA
USD 4.12 compared to USD 9.22 in 2019. ITU also provides information and advice on plantation GABON
reports that the price of local mobile cellular methods, seeds, seedling duration, fertilizers, THE GAMBIA
calls per minute has increased from USD 0.18 in animal husbandry, fishing, fish farming and GHANA
2016 to USD 0.19 in 2017 (see Figure 3). forestry. Through a USSD service, farmers are GUINEA
able to check prices – farm gate (minimum GUINEA-
BISSAU
Orange Mali and Sotelma are the two fixed line price guaranteed for the producer by the
KENYA
operators in Mali. The duopoly of Orange Mali government), retail, and wholesale – of all the
LESOTHO
and the national operator Malitel continued markets across Mali for goods such as millet,
LIBERIA
until 2017 when Alpha Telecom started mobile corn, rice or potatoes.
MADAGASCAR
services as the third operator. Mobilis, owned
MALAWI
MALI
Table 3: Digital penetration
MAURITIUS
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
MOZAMBIQUE
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 4.12 Cable
NAMIBIA
penetration (USD)
THE NIGER
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2018 N/A ITU
as a % of adjusted per capita income NIGERIA
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2018 N/A ITU RWANDA
adjusted per capita income
SÃO TOMÉ
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 8.56 GSMA AND PRÍNCIPE
Number of apps in national language 2019 14.32 GSMA SENEGAL
(quantity) SEYCHELLES
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 0.48 GSMA SIERRA LEONE
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 18.80 GSMA SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
192 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
POLICY AND REGULATION ANGOLA
BENIN
Mali has a national policy and strategic In 2019, Mali rolled out a comprehensive climate-
BOTSWANA
plan for ICT, administered through the smart agriculture investment plan in which digital
BURKINA FASO
Agence des technologies de l’information agriculture in the form of remote sensing and
BURUNDI
et de la Communication (AGETIC). One of its core monitoring offers great potential to increase the
CABO VERDE
objectives is the use of ICT in education and capacity climate-smart potential of the landscape and farms.
CAMEROON
building for the formal and non-formal sectors. And in partnership with international organizations
CENTRAL
including but not limited to the World Bank, IFAD, AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
However, while there is no available data on and UNDP, Mali is working to strengthening its
CHAD
an ICT policy for the development of agriculture agricultural productivity. For example, the current
COMOROS
in Mali, there are various policies to enhance Develop Local Extension Capacity Project is being
CONGO
agricultural productivity and development in implemented by Digital Green in coordination with
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
the country. With an objective of improving USAID, International Food Policy Research Institute
DEMOCRATIC
food security and advancing socio-economic (IFPRI), CARE, and Global Forum for Rural Advisory REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
development, the following documents among Services (GFRAS) to mobilize communities around
DJIBOUTI
others have contributed to achieving food improved advisory services.
EQUATORIAL
sustainability: the Growth and Poverty Reduction GUINEA
Strategic Framework 2012–2017 (CSCRP); the In terms of funding for the agricultural sector, the ERITREA
National Food Security Strategy (SNSA); the Government of Mali has been at the forefront of ESWATINI
Strategic Framework for Economic Recovery and playing a vital role in creating agricultural markets ETHIOPIA
Sustainable Development in Mali 2016–2018; through the support of policy development, GABON
and the Agricultural Orientation Law (LOA). research, subsidies and by owning some major THE GAMBIA
agricultural companies. Over the years, agriculture GHANA
The Agricultural Orientation Law (LOA), drawn consistently accounted for approximately GUINEA
up in 2006, is the main legislative instrument 15 percent of the government’s yearly budget GUINEA-
BISSAU
governing Mali’s agricultural sector, which and only lower than the allocation to the
KENYA
comprises representatives of the public and education sector. For instance, in 2018, of the
LESOTHO
private sectors, local authorities, agricultural government’s allocated budget of CFA 56 billion
LIBERIA
industry and civil society, working together to for the agricultural sector, 15 percent of it was
formulate and implement agricultural policies. grant subsidies for the acquisition of agricultural MADAGASCAR
The Ministry of Agriculture formulates agriculture inputs. International bodies such as the World MALAWI
and livestock development programmes and Bank, USAID, and the Canadian International MALI
strategies, in collaboration with farmers’ Development Agency (CIDA) are among the key MAURITIUS
organizations and development partners. donors to Mali’s agricultural sector (see Table 4). MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
Table 4: Policy and regulation THE NIGER
NIGERIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
RWANDA
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 3.69 WEF
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
framework there is a clear plan)
SENEGAL
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 4.06 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/ SEYCHELLES
extremely successful) SIERRA LEONE
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 3.29 WEF SOMALIA
digital business models (index ranking
SOUTH AFRICA
1–7: not fast at all/very fast)
SOUTH SUDAN
Laws relating to ICTs (index ranking 1–7: not 2016 3.17 WEF
developed at all/extremely well developed) TOGO
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 80.3 EC/ITU UGANDA
framework
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation ZAMBIA
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score
ZIMBABWE
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4).
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 193
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ANGOLA
BENIN
Foreign direct investment is considered and free access to raw materials and land. The
BOTSWANA
an essential catalyst of economic code also offers the liberty to transfer funds or
BURKINA FASO
transformation, a tool the Government to undertake capital and financial transactions,
BURUNDI
of Mali does not take for granted. To attract the such as share transfer or transfer of business.
CABO VERDE
inflow of investment, Mali has set up a series of As a result of ongoing economic reforms, the
CAMEROON
one-stop shops under the Investment Promotion government has recently reduced many export
CENTRAL
Agency of Mali (Agence pour la Promotion des taxes and duties. Further incentives for investors AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Investissements or the API) to assist with the include tax exemptions on the use of local
CHAD
procedures of doing business in the country by raw materials.
COMOROS
offering information on regulated activities. An
CONGO
increase in new businesses registrations from Faced with the lack of available finance for
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
3 020 in 2017 to 3 130 in 2018 demonstrates Mali agricultural businesses from traditional banks
DEMOCRATIC
is enjoying a stable political atmosphere and a and coupled with the limited chance of securing REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
conducive business environment for investments. initial capital support for digital transition,
DJIBOUTI
innovative entrepreneurs are giving priority
EQUATORIAL
Although the country is not very competitive to digital technology to access investment. GUINEA
in the business world, even in Africa, it has Babyloan Mali is a participatory financing ERITREA
made steady progress in the World Bank Doing initiative implemented by IFAD and its partners. ESWATINI
Business rankings. Mali scored 84.3 out of 100 in It aims at ensuring that remittance flows are ETHIOPIA
the ease of starting a business. It takes 11 days used to sustain productive agricultural activities GABON
to complete procedures to have the legal right in rural communities by providing rural youth THE GAMBIA
to operate a business in the country (World with financial support to start or develop their GHANA
Bank, 2020). own agricultural activities, as well as career GUINEA
development planning. GUINEA-
BISSAU
To further boost investor confidence, the Malian
KENYA
government in 2012 passed the Investment Code To support farmers and agribusinesses in
LESOTHO
and its enforcing decree No. 2012-475 that Mali, IFAD is implementing a project from 2018
LIBERIA
governs investments. It ensures fair treatment through 2024 to improve financial inclusion for
MADAGASCAR
of foreign and local investors, grants protection smallholders and small and medium agri-food
against nationalization and expropriation or enterprises in Mali. MALAWI
any requisition of the company, ensures stability MALI
MAURITIUS
Table 5: Business environment MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
THE NIGER
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 494 UNCTAD
environment culture NIGERIA
RWANDA
Growth of innovative companies 2019 3.56 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ SÃO TOMÉ
to a great extent) AND PRÍNCIPE
Venture capital availability 2017 2.71 WEF SENEGAL
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ SEYCHELLES
extremely easy)
SIERRA LEONE
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 11 WBG
SOMALIA
Ease of access to loans 2017 3.43 WEF
SOUTH AFRICA
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/
extremely easy) SOUTH SUDAN
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 3.53 WEF TOGO
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
UGANDA
to a great extent)
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
194 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
HUMAN CAPITAL ANGOLA
BENIN
Adult literacy in Mali increased from professional skills of 840 fundamental teachers
BOTSWANA
33 percent in 2015 to 35.5 percent 2018. and the quality of primary education in the
BURKINA FASO
Youth literacy also increased from Sikasso region. The project aims at establishing
BURUNDI
49 percent in 2015 to 50 percent in 2018, an online and offline educational resource
CABO VERDE
however dropped to 46.2 in 2020. The youth on mathematics and other sciences, while
CAMEROON
literacy rate for females rose from 39 percent to improving pedagogical supervision strategies
CENTRAL
43 percent but the rate for youth males declined and approaches of primary schools. AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
from 60.5 percent to 57.8 percent within the
CHAD
same period. The private sector plays an active part in
COMOROS
building the capacity of youth and agricultural
CONGO
Gross enrolment in secondary schools decreased entrepreneurs to help improve their businesses.
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
from 41.5 percent in 2017 to 41 percent in 2018. For instance, the Farmers’ Hub project, which is
DEMOCRATIC
Similarly, the rate for males reduced from supported by CTA and the Syngenta Foundation REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
45.8 percent to 44.9 percent while the rate for Sustainable Agriculture (SFSA), is an initiative
DJIBOUTI
for females also reduced from 37.1 percent to aimed at improving the productivity and quality
EQUATORIAL
37 percent in 2017 and 2018 respectively. of fruit and vegetable farming through the use GUINEA
of greenhouses. The project provides training ERITREA
Recognizing the importance of ICT to the sessions in greenhouse farming and business ESWATINI
growth of the economy, it has been integrated management and has given agricultural ETHIOPIA
into the education system in the first years at entrepreneurs 13 greenhouses, technical GABON
the basic level to allow Malians to cope with equipment such as seedling trays and machinery, THE GAMBIA
the challenges of the information age. The and agricultural inputs and plants. The project GHANA
government has instituted some statutory aims at building the digital skills of farmers. GUINEA
incentive measures to increase Internet cafes Youth are also trained by local incubation GUINEA-
BISSAU
and Internet usage in the country. Through the centres in management and entrepreneurship.
KENYA
SchoolNet project, USAID has equipped some About 342 farmers and 100 university students
LESOTHO
Malian high schools with computer materials in Mali have so far benefited from field days
LIBERIA
that give students an opportunity to have hosted by the project to foster knowledge-
access to computers for the first time. sharing. The project has trained youth on the MADAGASCAR
use of the mobile platform e-Hub, which allows MALAWI
Digital skills are yet to increase despite efforts data collection and transaction management. MALI
to scale up the use of ICT. In 2006, the French Agricultural entrepreneurs can input their data MAURITIUS
Development Agency and Orange Mali, through and monitor their activities using tools such as MOZAMBIQUE
the support of Aide et Action, launched the mobile phones and tablets (see Table 6). NAMIBIA
Learning by ICT project to enhance the THE NIGER
NIGERIA
Table 6: Human capital RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source AND PRÍNCIPE
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2020 46.16 UNESCO SENEGAL
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above)
SEYCHELLES
Literacy rate, youth total 2018 50.13 UNESCO
SIERRA LEONE
(% of people ages 15–24)
SOMALIA
Digital skills among population 2019 3.60 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ SOUTH AFRICA
to a great extent) SOUTH SUDAN
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 62.44 ILO TOGO
(% of total employment)
UGANDA
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 62.58 ILO
UNITED
(% of female employment) REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
Unemployment, total 2019 7.5 ILO
(% of total labour force) ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 195
AGRO-INNOVATION ANGOLA
BENIN
Three main institutions are engaged in Mobile Money’s USSD menu, allowing users to
BOTSWANA
agricultural research in Mali: the access specific information on payments. The
BURKINA FASO
Institute of Rural Economy, the Central International Crops Research Institute for the
BURUNDI
Veterinary Laboratory, and the Rural Polytechnic Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has also set-up a
CABO VERDE
Institute of Training and Applied Research in research station at Samanko with facilities such
CAMEROON
Katibougou. The Institute of Rural Economy is as cold seed stores, labs and experimental fields.
CENTRAL
the country’s leading agricultural research AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
agency, predominantly focusing on livestock In terms of intellectual property rights (IPRs),
CHAD
production, postharvest, food technology and Mali is a member of the African Intellectual
COMOROS
socioeconomic research. Research conducted is Property Organization (OAPI) created by the
CONGO
mainly financed by donors and a modest level Bangui Agreement. Its regulations on IPRs are
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
of public funding. In time, the funding system based on the relevant provisions in the Bangui
DEMOCRATIC
coupled with the over-reliance on short-term Agreement, which was revised in December REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
projects with funding from development 2015. The country also ratified the Berne
DJIBOUTI
banks and donors causes fluctuation in Convention for the Protection of Literary and
EQUATORIAL
research spending. Artistic Works, the WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT) GUINEA
and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms ERITREA
A number of innovations exist that support Treaty (WPPT). The use of mobile telephony and ESWATINI
productivity in the agriculture sector. In other digital services has enhanced farmers’ ETHIOPIA
addition to Sénèkela referred to above, other access to advisory services, business contacts, GABON
innovations include the OKO crop assurance, market information systems, although the start- THE GAMBIA
an initiative to facilitate payment for services up ecosystem of Mali is still in its infancy. GHANA
rendered to farmers. It is integrated in Orange GUINEA
GUINEA-
BISSAU
Table 7: Agro-innovation
KENYA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
LESOTHO
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 6 427.30 FAO
LIBERIA
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions)
MADAGASCAR
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 121.06 FAO
(2014–2016 = 100) MALAWI
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.59 WBG MALI
(index ranking 1–5: low/high) MAURITIUS
Research and Agricultural research spending 2016 0.44 IFPRI MOZAMBIQUE
technology (% of AgGDP)
development NAMIBIA
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 3.32 WEF THE NIGER
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/ NIGERIA
extensive collaboration)
RWANDA
Capacity for innovation 2017 3.69 WEF
SÃO TOMÉ
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ AND PRÍNCIPE
to a great extent)
SENEGAL
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2017 4.09 UNCTAD
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
196 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
©FAO/Shutterstock/Kletr
MAURITIUS
Mauritius is an island state, is exported, making Mauritius a sugar-based
classified as an upper-middle- monoculture for a long time since independence.
income country with a GDP of Mauritius has a comparative advantage in fruit
USD 10.9 billion in 2019 (World production, led by banana, pineapple, lychee
Bank). The country has a and mango, as well as fisheries, which employed
population of nearly 1.3 million, 29 172 people in 2018 (FAO).
of whom 40.8 percent liven in urban areas and
59.2 percent in rural areas (see Table 1). Mauritius has also evolved into a diversified
economy with textiles, tourism, finance and
The agriculture sector contributed 2.9 percent of information technology showing strong growth
the total GDP and employs only 6 percent of the and potential. It is aiming at transforming into a
total population. With a steady growth of the knowledge-based country by developing its ICT
service sector, the share of agriculture sector has sector through a “cyber island” strategy, which
declined year after year. Severe poverty is rare positions ICT as the third pillar of the economy. The
in Mauritius, however, as a country with a high share of ICT industry increased to 5.6 percent of GDP
dependence on food imports, food supply is largely in 2016. Around 600 ICT-related enterprises have
affected by global prices and climate change. Of set up in the country on account of a favourable
all the domestically produced products, sugar technology ecosystem.
cane is dominant, and 90 percent of its production
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 1 265 740 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 40.76 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 59.24 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 10 914 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 860 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 42.37 FAO
197
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
Mauritius has made significant of mobile ownership, about 79.3 percent of the
BOTSWANA
advances in infrastructural development country’s residents own mobile devices, resulting
BURKINA FASO
in recent years. It remains one of the few in a high mobile penetration of 147 percent in
BURUNDI
African countries to achieve 100 percent 2019, an increase of almost 10 times since 2000.
CABO VERDE
electricity distribution in rural areas (see Table 2).
CAMEROON
The country boasts excellent Internet connectivity Mauritius values the importance of developing
CENTRAL
with 99 percent 4G coverage as of 2019 and is its broadband services. A National Broadband AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
the only one in the region that has sizeable and Policy (2012–2020) was adopted, aiming at
CHAD
potential market opportunity for 5G application positioning the country as “intelligent Mauritius”
COMOROS
across the country (GSMA, 2019). In Mauritius, or the “cyber island”. Currently, LTE and fiber
CONGO
64 percent of the population had access to broadband can be accessed across the country
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Internet, and 24.2 percent per 100 inhabitants and Wi-Fi connections are generally available
DEMOCRATIC
subscribed to fixed broadband services. In terms (see Table 2). REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
DJIBOUTI
Table 2: Infrastructure
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
ERITREA
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 100.00 WBG
(% of rural population) ESWATINI
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 99.00 GSMA ETHIOPIA
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 79.28 GSMA GABON
(% of population)
THE GAMBIA
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 914.88 WBG
GHANA
(per 1 million people)
GUINEA
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 4.86 WEF
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/ GUINEA-
BISSAU
to a great extent)
KENYA
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2020 150.41 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) LESOTHO
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 87.39 ITU LIBERIA
(per 100 inhabitants) MADAGASCAR
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 25.33 ITU MALAWI
(per 100 people)
MALI
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
DIGITAL PENETRATION NAMIBIA
With a high mobile penetration and existing in the country’s national language. The THE NIGER
well-developed digital infrastructure, GSMA also reported that about 66.9 percent of NIGERIA
Mauritius has become a telecommuni- the country’s population actively engaged with RWANDA
cation pioneer in the region. The mobile market social media platforms as of 2019 (see Table 3). SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
is dominated by three main operators: Mauritius
SENEGAL
Telecom (in partnership with Orange Group), The financial and insurance sectors are
SEYCHELLES
Emtel and Mahanagar. becoming one of the key priority areas of the
SIERRA LEONE
Mauritian economy. To that end, mobile and
SOMALIA
Mobile and Internet services have over time online transactions are increasingly required
SOUTH AFRICA
become relatively affordable. The average by businesses and individuals. As of 2017,
SOUTH SUDAN
price of a Gigabyte of mobile data stands at 89.9 percent of adults owned an account at
TOGO
USD 2.48 (see Table 3). The increasing use of a financial institution or with a mobile money
UGANDA
mobile data has facilitated the growing use service provider. Growing demand gave rise to
UNITED
of mobile Internet-based apps and social various cashless services in digital form like the REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
media. Mauritius has expanded its scope in Mauritius Central Automated Switch (MauCAS),
ZAMBIA
digitalization with 61.48 percent of mobile apps my.tmoney, JuicebyMCB, etc. (see Table 3).
ZIMBABWE
198 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 3: Digital penetration ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 2.48 Cable
penetration (USD) BURKINA FASO
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2017 0.67 ITU BURUNDI
as a % of adjusted per capita income CABO VERDE
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2017 1.37 ITU CAMEROON
adjusted per capita income
CENTRAL
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 66.86 GSMA AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Number of apps in national language 2019 61.48 GSMA
CHAD
(quantity)
COMOROS
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 74.42 GSMA
CONGO
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 52.90 GSMA
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
POLICY AND REGULATION DJIBOUTI
Paving the way toward a knowledge- hub and gateway to Africa. Mauritius is making EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
based Mauritius, the country is aiming headway in ensuring safe and sustainable
ERITREA
at building an “intelligent and smart” ICT development by enacting cybersecurity
ESWATINI
economy through its Mauritius Vision 2030. To legislation such as the Data Protection Act, and
ETHIOPIA
better achieve the vision and build an innovation- the Electronic Transaction Act and the Center
GABON
driven society, the Digital Mauritius 2030 of Excellence on Cybersecurity and Cybercime.
THE GAMBIA
Strategic Plan concentrates on five pillars, Additionally, specific strategies targeting
GHANA
namely: digital government, ICT infrastructure, different domains have been launched. For
GUINEA
innovation, talent, and cybersecurity to drive example, the Artificial Intelligence Strategy
GUINEA-
digital transformation to build an innovative 2018, the Digital Government Transformation BISSAU
public sector and establish a favourable Strategy 2018–2020, and the Open-Source KENYA
enabling environment for business. Software Strategy. LESOTHO
LIBERIA
Meanwhile, Mauritius has adopted a series The importance of ICT in food and agriculture MADAGASCAR
of policies to improve its digital ecosystem. is being recognized despite the lack of a MALAWI
Two national ICT strategic plans had been national digital agriculture strategy. In its MALI
adopted to provide guidance for its ICT sector Strategic Plan 2016–2020 for non-sugar crops, MAURITIUS
development, particularly aiming at: creating the adoption of technology is highlighted as a MOZAMBIQUE
smart cities and technology parks; building critical way to improve productivity and overall NAMIBIA
ultra-high speed and safe telecommunication competitiveness. The Ministry of Agro Industry THE NIGER
infrastructure; building a globally competitive and Food Security supports the work of the Food NIGERIA
workforce for technology and communication; Technology Laboratory to ensure food safety RWANDA
developing a National Innovation Programme; and quality (see Table 4). SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
and transforming the country into a regional
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 199
Table 4: Policy and regulation ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 4.44 WEF
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ BURKINA FASO
framework there is a clear plan) BURUNDI
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 4.66 WEF CABO VERDE
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
CAMEROON
extremely successful)
CENTRAL
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 3.73 WEF AFRICAN
digital business models (index ranking REPUBLIC
1–7: not fast at all/very fast)
CHAD
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 4.28 WEF
COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
extremely well developed) CONGO
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 80.8 EC/ITU CÔTE D’IVOIRE
framework DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation DJIBOUTI
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score EQUATORIAL
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4). GUINEA
ERITREA
ESWATINI
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ETHIOPIA
GABON
According to the Bank of Mauritius, The government values the role of local SMEs
THE GAMBIA
gross direct investment flows in 2019 and start-ups and supports them through
GHANA
was estimated at MUR 21 337 million assistance schemes and entrepreneurship
GUINEA
(USD 427 million according to UNCTAD). Of that programs led by SME Mauritius Ltd. Apart from
GUINEA-
total, information and communication attracted doing business, the Government of Mauritius BISSAU
0.6 percent while agriculture, forestry and also encourages profitable enterprises to take KENYA
fishing received only 0.01 percent. Mauritius has social responsibilities to address poverty issues. LESOTHO
a favourable business climate for investment Despite a low poverty rate of 10.3 percent based LIBERIA
and is considered one of the best locations for on national poverty lines, funding from the MADAGASCAR
business thanks to its stable political Corporate Responsibility Program has helped a MALAWI
environment, comprehensive legal framework as large number of households move out of poverty MALI
well as its open economy. According to Doing (ITU, 2012). MAURITIUS
Business 2020, Mauritius scored 94.5 out of MOZAMBIQUE
100 in terms of starting a business. Overall, it Mauritius has adopted a variety of projects NAMIBIA
takes 4.5 days and four steps to complete all and initiatives to facilitate the participation THE NIGER
procedures to register a business, thanks to of women and youth entrepreneurs in digital NIGERIA
registration applications being online and the transformation. For instance, Mauritius launched RWANDA
use of electronic certificates. There is no the 50 Million African Women Speak Platform to SÃO TOMÉ
disparity in the ease of doing business between encourage women entrepreneurs to learn and AND PRÍNCIPE
men and women. Furthermore, financial and exchange ideas and knowledge using online SENEGAL
insurance activities ranked in second place in tools. Business Without Borders is a digital SEYCHELLES
terms of investment inflow. mentoring programme that strengthens the SIERRA LEONE
business capacity of women entrepreneurs. SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
200 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 5: Business environment ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 472 UNCTAD
environment culture BURKINA FASO
Growth of innovative companies 2019 3.80 WEF BURUNDI
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ CABO VERDE
to a great extent)
CAMEROON
Venture capital availability 2017 3.13 WEF
CENTRAL
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ AFRICAN
extremely easy) REPUBLIC
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 4.5 WBG CHAD
Ease of access to loans 2017 4.21 WEF COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ CONGO
extremely easy)
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 3.96 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
to a great extent) CONGO
DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
HUMAN CAPITAL ERITREA
In Mauritius, 91.3 percent of adults For the general population, the National ESWATINI
above the age of 15 years are literate Computer Board (NCB) has carried out a series ETHIOPIA
while youth aged 15 to 24 years of age of projects to e-power people and improve GABON
have a literacy rate of 99 percent. The 11-year digital literacy. Examples of this include the THE GAMBIA
compulsory education of Mauritius has Digital Youth Engagement Programme (DYEP), GHANA
equitable gross enrolment for males and which aims at introducing coding to primary GUINEA
females alike. On the other hand, females and secondary school students; and the Citizen GUINEA-
BISSAU
occupy a higher percentage in tertiary education Engagement Programme (CEP) focusing on
KENYA
enrolment, marking progress in gender equality ICT skill training in communities, particularly
LESOTHO
and the empowerment of women. for senior citizens. The NCB also provides
LIBERIA
services to digital start-ups to enhance
MADAGASCAR
Reflecting the country’s solid education the capacities of ICT entrepreneurs. The
MALAWI
foundation and the government’s awareness government has also launched the National
MALI
of the importance of building digital capacities, Skills Development Program (NSDP) to train
MAURITIUS
antiquated educational facilities have over time 4 000 unemployed people aged 16 years or
MOZAMBIQUE
been replaced by digital tools, such as the use of older on ICT skills (HRDC).
NAMIBIA
e-books, computers and projectors. Basic ICT skill
THE NIGER
training is becoming part of the school curriculum.
NIGERIA
RWANDA
Table 6: Human capital
SÃO TOMÉ
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source AND PRÍNCIPE
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2018 91.33 UNESCO SENEGAL
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above) SEYCHELLES
Literacy rate, youth total 2018 99.04 UNESCO SIERRA LEONE
(% of people ages 15–24)
SOMALIA
Digital skills among population 2019 4.34 WEF
SOUTH AFRICA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) SOUTH SUDAN
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 5.97 ILO TOGO
(% of total employment) UGANDA
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 3.93 ILO UNITED
(% of female employment) REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
Unemployment, total 2020 7.11 ILO
(% of total labour force) ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 201
AGRO-INNOVATION ANGOLA
BENIN
Mauritius values the importance of higher education remains low. In this context,
BOTSWANA
agriculture R&D. This is reflected in the the University of Mauritius has launched a series
BURKINA FASO
country’s Strategic Plan 2016–2020 of research-focused projects in partnership with
BURUNDI
which emphasized research and the adoption innovative companies to further enhance R&D
CABO VERDE
of new technologies, aiming at increasing capacity. Agritech Park is a prominent digital
CAMEROON
agriculture land productivity and ensuring food agriculture incubator.
CENTRAL
security. As a result, Mauritius has invested in its AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
agriculture R&D with an expenditure accounted Mauritius scored 4.27 of 7 interms of capacity for
CHAD
for 4.8 percent of agricultural GDP. Of all innovation that presented an increasing role of
COMOROS
researchers, 74 percent hold master’s and the private sector in innovation. Even though the
CONGO
doctoral degrees. The gender gap is also contribution of agriculture is declining, digital
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
gradually declining. In 2016, 58 percent of agriculture practices are on the rise. Both the
DEMOCRATIC
researchers were male, and 42 percent were public and private sectors play an important REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
female, compared to 66 percent male and role in promoting digital solutions. For example,
DJIBOUTI
34 percent female in the past. the government launched a Centralised
EQUATORIAL
Digital Land Bank using the Electronic Data GUINEA
In terms of R&D institutions, the Food and Management System to match supply and ERITREA
Agricultural Research and Extension Institute demand for agricultural land. AgriTech Mauritius ESWATINI
(FAREI) plays a leading role in non-sugar promoted new technologies in agriculture. The ETHIOPIA
agricultural research. The Mauritius Sugarcane mobile application Mokaro was developed to GABON
Industry Research Institute (MSIRI) is responsible provide guidance on field activities and climatic THE GAMBIA
for sugarcane-related research. Absorbing only information to farmers. And drone technology GHANA
4.9 percent of total researchers, the capacity of has been applied to monitor cane fields. GUINEA
GUINEA-
BISSAU
Table 7: Agro-innovation
KENYA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
LESOTHO
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 390.97 FAO
LIBERIA
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions)
MADAGASCAR
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 94.11 FAO
(2014–2016 = 100) MALAWI
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.73 WBG MALI
(index ranking 1–5: low/high) MAURITIUS
Research and Agricultural research spending 2016 4.82 IFPRI MOZAMBIQUE
technology (% of AgGDP)
development NAMIBIA
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 3.20 WEF THE NIGER
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/ NIGERIA
extensive collaboration)
RWANDA
Capacity for innovation 2017 4.27 WEF
SÃO TOMÉ
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ AND PRÍNCIPE
to a great extent)
SENEGAL
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 5.79 UNCTAD
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
202 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
©FAO/Shutterstock/nicolasdecorte
MOZAMBIQUE
Mozambique is a low-income In terms of the agricultural sector, more than
country, with a gross national 70 percent of poor households live in rural areas and
income per capita of USD 460 smallholders still dominate agricultural production,
that has been rapidly growing accounting for 94 percent (IFAD, 2018). Although
over the last two decades. their productivity is low, agriculture is the main
The poverty rate has declined source of food and income for smallholder farmers.
slowly on average by 1 percent per year, from From 2010 to 2013, the agricultural sector accounted
60.3 percent in 2003 to 48.4 percent in 2015, but for around 30 percent of GDP and 25 percent of
rural areas continue to lag behind. Mozambique’s total exports (food and agricultural raw materials).
rural population was reported at 62.93 percent in Agriculture is the main source of income for more
2020 (World Bank, 2020). than 70 percent of the population and employs
70.2 percent of the workforce (see Table 1).
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 31 255 435 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 37.07 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 62.93 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 14 021 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 414 138 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 52.66 FAO
203
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
According to the World Bank, only the fixed line infrastructure there are 0.2 per 100
BOTSWANA
4.9 percent of the rural population had inhabitants for fixed Internet subscriptions,
BURKINA FASO
access to electricity in 2019, which may which cannot meet the growing household
BURUNDI
explain the country’s low 4G coverage that stood demand for broadband connectivity.
CABO VERDE
at 12.4 percent (see Table 2). Increasing investment
CAMEROON
to modernize its network and introduce high- With the support of donor funding, the
CENTRAL
quality mobile services allowed the leading Government of Mozambique is currently AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
telecom operator in the country, Mozambique investing in several ICT projects to improve the
CHAD
Telecom, to launch 4G services in 2019. infrastructure construction. These include the
COMOROS
eGovernment Communication Infrastructure
CONGO
T h e m o b i l e ce l l u l a r s u b s c r i p t i o n p e r Project, Mozambican Mobile Unit, Provincial
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
100 inhabitants has dropped considerably Digital Resource Centers, among other
DEMOCRATIC
from 70.31 in 2014 to 48.65 in 2019. Unlike initiatives to build basic infrastructure support REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
active mobile broadband subscriptions per for the improvement of institutional and human
DJIBOUTI
100 inhabitants, which increased from 2.1 in 2013 capacity as well as rural access to information
EQUATORIAL
to 17.7 in 2019 as shown in Table 2. Regarding (IST-Africa) (see Table 2). GUINEA
ERITREA
Table 2: Infrastructure ESWATINI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source ETHIOPIA
GABON
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 4.94 WBG
(% of rural population) THE GAMBIA
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 12.44 GSMA GHANA
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 49.42 GSMA GUINEA
(% of population)
GUINEA-
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 29.37 WBG BISSAU
(per 1 million people) KENYA
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 3.71 WEF LESOTHO
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
LIBERIA
to a great extent)
MADAGASCAR
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2019 48.65 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) MALAWI
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 17.67 ITU MALI
(per 100 inhabitants)
MAURITIUS
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2019 0.23 ITU MOZAMBIQUE
(per 100 people)
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
DIGITAL PENETRATION RWANDA
Mozambique has a relatively low By investing in high-speed mobile broadband, SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
40 percent mobile phone penetration Mozambique Telecom can compete in this market
SENEGAL
and 10 percent Internet penetration segment with Vodacom and Movitel, which have
SEYCHELLES
rates (IDRC, 2018). In cooperation with two been present there respectively since 2018 and
SIERRA LEONE
leading mobile operators, the government’s 2021 respectively, but still only cover the capital
SOMALIA
telecommunications division has delivered city Maputo and a few surrounding localities.
SOUTH AFRICA
several dozen sites to each operator. The new
SOUTH SUDAN
sites on which the relay antennas will be Table 3 demonstrates the average mobile price
TOGO
installed will allow operators to extend their of a 1 GB at USD 3.3 in 2020, down sharply from
UGANDA
coverage and improve the quality of their USD 12.82 in 2019. This reflects the government’s
UNITED
network across the country. effort to facilitate access of the population to REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
the Internet. However, there is a low mobile
ZAMBIA
penetration of social networks despite efforts
ZIMBABWE
204 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
made by the government. According to the the gender gap in Internet use is still large at ANGOLA
GSMA, this rate has increased over the past five 50 percent, indicating that women are missing BENIN
years, from 3.1 in 2015 to 7.98 in 2019. Meanwhile out on the benefits of ICTs (see Table 3). BOTSWANA
BURKINA FASO
Table 3: Digital penetration BURUNDI
CABO VERDE
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
CAMEROON
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 3.33 Cable
penetration (USD) CENTRAL
AFRICAN
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2018 N/A ITU REPUBLIC
as a % of adjusted per capita income CHAD
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2018 N/A ITU COMOROS
adjusted per capita income
CONGO
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 7.98 GSMA
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Number of apps in national language 2019 35.62 GSMA
DEMOCRATIC
(quantity) REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 38.58 GSMA
DJIBOUTI
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 43.62 GSMA
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
ERITREA
POLICY AND REGULATION ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
Mozambique’s government was one of Rural Development Strategy were approved
GABON
the first in Africa to promote ICTs and and adopted.
THE GAMBIA
to integrate them into a national
GHANA
policy. The country’s ICT Policy Commission was Mozambique’s National Institute of
GUINEA
set up in 1998 and the first National ICT Policy Communications (INACOM) launched its rural
GUINEA-
was adopted in 2000. Special focus was given Internet connectivity project, also known as BISSAU
to the empowerment of women and youth “digital squares,” on September 3 2020 with KENYA
through basic computer skills training. a goal to provide free Internet access to rural LESOTHO
Agriculture is not one of the six priorities but communities. To date, 27 districts have already LIBERIA
was nevertheless given special attention. been selected and 73 “digital squares” will MADAGASCAR
Following this, a series of policies such as the be deployed across the country until 2025 MALAWI
National Poverty Reduction Action Plan and the (see Table 4). MALI
MAURITIUS
Table 4: Policy and regulation MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
THE NIGER
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 3.57 WEF
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ NIGERIA
framework there is a clear plan)
RWANDA
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 3.38 WEF
SÃO TOMÉ
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/ AND PRÍNCIPE
extremely successful)
SENEGAL
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 2.49 WEF
SEYCHELLES
digital business models (index ranking
1–7: not fast at all/very fast) SIERRA LEONE
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 2.96 WEF SOMALIA
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/ SOUTH AFRICA
extremely well developed)
SOUTH SUDAN
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 57.7 EC/ITU
framework TOGO
UGANDA
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation UNITED
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation REPUBLIC OF
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score TANZANIA
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4).
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 205
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ANGOLA
BENIN
Mozambique enjoys a comparative economies. According to the World Bank, the
BOTSWANA
advantage and vast potential due to its time required to start a business has decreased
BURKINA FASO
geographic location and its natural over the past five years from 21 days in 2015 to
BURUNDI
resources. In 2013, the country was the second 17 days in 2019. The World Bank notes that this
CABO VERDE
highest recipient of foreign investment in Africa. The decrease has more or less spurred the creation
CAMEROON
country’s legislation helps protect investor property of innovative companies in Mozambique.
CENTRAL
with no discrimination in the treatment of investors AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
or restriction on loans. On the contrary, local As reported by the World Bank 2017 Doing
CHAD
SMEs find it difficult to access financial support Business Report, Mozambique ranked number 137,
COMOROS
because they are considered risky investments. dropping 9 places compared to 2015. Hindered
CONGO
by the debt crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic,
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
The private sector remains informal in the business climate has become arduous for
DEMOCRATIC
Mozambique. Starting a business takes longer entrepreneurs who are struggling to keep their REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
and costs more than the average of other SADC businesses alive (see Table 5).
DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
Table 5: Business environment GUINEA
ERITREA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
ESWATINI
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 2 212 UNCTAD
environment culture ETHIOPIA
Growth of innovative companies 2019 3.49 WEF GABON
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
THE GAMBIA
to a great extent)
GHANA
Venture capital availability 2017 2.18 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ GUINEA
extremely easy) GUINEA-
BISSAU
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 17 WBG
KENYA
Ease of access to loans 2017 2.92 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ LESOTHO
extremely easy)
LIBERIA
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 3.35 WEF MADAGASCAR
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) MALAWI
MALI
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
HUMAN CAPITAL NAMIBIA
Mozambique’s adult literacy of people digital skills. To improve digital literacy and assist THE NIGER
aged 15 years and older was reported at girls in accessing education opportunities, various NIGERIA
61 percent in 2017, skewed in favour of initiatives have been implemented. This includes RWANDA
males at 72.6 percent for males compared to SchoolNet Mozambique and the NEPAD eSchools SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
50.3 percent for females. Low literacy rate has a Initiative supported by the Ministry of Education,
SENEGAL
significant impact in rural areas, preventing rural as well as UNESCO’s Family Learning Program and
SEYCHELLES
populations from accessing decent jobs. According Africa Code Week.
SIERRA LEONE
to Mozambique’s Education Policy Data Center, of
SOMALIA
all the students enrolled in primary and secondary In terms of the labour market, This statement has
SOUTH AFRICA
education, 83 percent are enrolled in primary to be more accurate: the total unemployment
SOUTH SUDAN
education, but with a low complete rate of just rate slowly increased and remained between
14 percent. The complete rate is even lower at 3–4 percent since 2009, based on ILO estimate. TOGO
secondary and post-secondary with 2 percent and However, the World Bank, also estimates that UGANDA
1 percent separately (EPDC, 2011). Low literacy and the rate of employment in agriculture decreased UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
lack of secondary and higher education prevent slowly from 81.9 percent in 2000 to 70.2 percent TANZANIA
youth from understanding, let alone mastering in 2019 (see Table 6). ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
206 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 6: Human capital ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2017 60.66 UNESCO
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above) BURKINA FASO
Literacy rate, youth total 2017 70.91 UNESCO BURUNDI
(% of people ages 15–24) CABO VERDE
Digital skills among population 2019 2.74 WEF CAMEROON
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
CENTRAL
to a great extent) AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 70.22 ILO
(% of total employment) CHAD
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 79.78 ILO COMOROS
(% of female employment) CONGO
Unemployment, total 2020 3.39 ILO CÔTE D’IVOIRE
(% of total labour force)
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
DJIBOUTI
AGRO-INNOVATION EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Over the past two decades, the seeks to increase domestic supply and reduce the ERITREA
government has implemented trade country’s dependence on imports. ESWATINI
reforms such as the removal of exchange ETHIOPIA
controls and restrictions on imports and exports. Emerging technologies are being applied in the GABON
This was in accordance with the Washington country but at a limited scale, such as precision
THE GAMBIA
Consensus based on the principles of market agriculture projects where low-cost drones are
GHANA
liberalization, fiscal discipline and privatization. used to advise farmers on production decisions.
GUINEA
As part of these reforms, the prices of agricultural
GUINEA-
products and services have been liberalized. The government provides the main funding BISSAU
Most policies in Mozambique aim at improving sources of agriculture research and development KENYA
the agricultural sector as a whole rather than at 60 percent, with the remaining 40 percent LESOTHO
focusing on specific crops. Mozambique’s being sourced from donors. High dependence LIBERIA
Agrarian Intensification and Diversification on donor funding leads to unstable R&D input MADAGASCAR
Program addresses the structural cereal deficit and contributions to the sector. The gender gap MALAWI
by distributing agricultural inputs, disseminating in R&D is also obvious with males accounting for MALI
technology and developing credit to farmers in 69 percent and females 31 percent (IFPRI, 2011) MAURITIUS
areas with high agro-ecological potential. It (see Table 7). MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
Table 7: Agro-innovation THE NIGER
NIGERIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
RWANDA
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 4 143.94 FAO
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions) SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 124.77 FAO
SENEGAL
(2014–2016 = 100)
SEYCHELLES
Logistics Performance Index 2016 2.68 WBG
(index ranking 1–5: low/high) SIERRA LEONE
Research and Agricultural research spending 2014 0.36 IFPRI SOMALIA
technology (% of AgGDP)
SOUTH AFRICA
development
SOUTH SUDAN
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 3.23 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/ TOGO
extensive collaboration) UGANDA
Capacity for innovation 2017 3.58 WEF UNITED
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
to a great extent)
ZAMBIA
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2018 2.74 UNCTAD
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 207
©FAO/Shutterstock/Artush
NAMIBIA
Namibia is an upper-middle- Even though the percentage of agriculture’s
income country with a GDP contribution to GDP has declined over the past
of USD 10.7 billion in 2020 five years, the sector remains crucial as it employs
(see Table 1). Despite a stable 22 percent of the total population and supports
growth rate of over 5 percent 70 percent of people’s livelihoods directly or
between 2010 and 2015, the indirectly as of 2019. Agriculture in Namibia is largely
COVID-19 pandemic exerted extra pressure on its affected by erratic weather conditions. Drought is
recovery leading to a negative growth of –8 percent becoming a serious constraint for its agricultural
in 2020. The country has a total population of about output particularly between 2013 and 2016, leading
2.5 million, 36 percent of whom are youth (Namibia to the lowest contribution of agriculture. Apart from
Statistics Agency, 2018). About 52.6 percent of crop farming, livestock contributes to almost two-
the total population lives in urban areas while thirds of agricultural production and two-thirds
47.4 percent live in rural areas (see Table 1). The of agricultural exports by value, thus making it an
country’s poverty rate was 17.4 percent in 2016, important source of foreign exchange.
down from 28.7 percent recorded in 2009–2010.
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2021 2 550 226 NSA*
Urban population (%) 2021 52.6 NSA
Rural population (%) 2021 47.4 NSA
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 10 700 WBG
Agricultural land (km )2
2018 388 100 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 47.14 FAO
*Data come from Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA)
208
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
The overall rate of electricity access in In 2020, 40.5 percent of the population had
BOTSWANA
Namibia was 55.2 percent in 2019, a access to 4G services (see Table 2). Leading
BURKINA FASO
steady increase from 36.5 percent in operators like Telecom Namibia and Mobile
BURUNDI
2000. A similar trend is seen in rural access to Telecommunications (MTC) have invested in
CABO VERDE
electricity, which increased from 18.9 percent to improving network infrastructure to extend 3G
CAMEROON
35 percent over the past two decades. However, and 4G services to both rural and urban areas
CENTRAL
the internal electricity supply is still far less than with 22 mobile sites and the erection of 10 new AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
the rising domestic demand, leading to a high bases across country. The Communications
CHAD
dependence on purchased power from other Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) is
COMOROS
countries, mostly from South Africa. To achieve developing a 5G strategy while an environmental
CONGO
energy self-sufficiency, Namibia has committed assessment is being conducted by the Ministry
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
to enhancing its own power generation capacity of Environment, Forestry and Tourism for the
DEMOCRATIC
through projects led by NamPower. The country introduction of 5G technology. REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
is also exploring its potential in renewable
DJIBOUTI
sources like solar and wind.
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Table 2: Infrastructure ERITREA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 34.97 WBG
(% of rural population) GABON
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2020 40.5 CRAN* THE GAMBIA
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 68.51 GSMA GHANA
(% of population)
GUINEA
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 214.10 WBG
GUINEA-
(per 1 million people) BISSAU
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 4.89 WEF KENYA
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
LESOTHO
to a great extent)
LIBERIA
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2020 102.11 CRAN
(per 100 inhabitants) MADAGASCAR
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2020 72 CRAN MALAWI
(per 100 inhabitants)
MALI
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 2.80 ITU MAURITIUS
(per 100 people)
MOZAMBIQUE
*Data is sourced from the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
DIGITAL PENETRATION RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
Namibia has a high level of mobile However, a gender gap exists with 47 percent AND PRÍNCIPE
cellular subscriptions with 102.11 per of females having access to the Internet. SENEGAL
100 people. The number of mobile SEYCHELLES
connections was equivalent to approximately Mobile and mobile Internet services are SIERRA LEONE
113 percent of the total population as of January relatively expensive in Namibia. The cost of SOMALIA
2021. In rural Namibia, information is acquired mobile data was USD 4.78 per 1 GB (see Table 3), SOUTH AFRICA
mostly through radio and television, while in accounting for 8 percent of the average monthly SOUTH SUDAN
urban areas social media is one of the most income. The cost local cellular calls per minute TOGO
popular channels and largely accepted by was USD 0.04 and USD 9.67 for pre-paid mobile UGANDA
youth. About 68.5 percent of the population broadband services (see Table 3). UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
owns mobile phones whilst users who are TANZANIA
actively engaged with social media platforms With 88 percent of market share, MTC is the ZAMBIA
reached 28 percent in 2019 according to GSMA. largest mobile operator and is developing a ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 209
mobile money service. Namibia has witnessed banking and have bank accounts, with an ANGOLA
a sharp increase in the use of mobile money, average annual rate of 160.8 percent between BENIN
reaching 1 055 per 1 000 adults who use mobile 2010 and 2019. BOTSWANA
BURKINA FASO
Table 3: Digital penetration BURUNDI
CABO VERDE
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
CAMEROON
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 4.78 Cable
penetration (USD) CENTRAL
AFRICAN
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2015 2.54 ITU REPUBLIC
as a % of adjusted per capita income CHAD
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2015 8.60 ITU COMOROS
adjusted per capita income
CONGO
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 27.97 GSMA
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Number of apps in national language 2019 13.00 GSMA
DEMOCRATIC
(quantity) REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 85.55 GSMA
DJIBOUTI
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 100 GSMA
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
ERITREA
POLICY AND REGULATION ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
The Namibia Vision 2030 was launched In terms of digital agriculture, the Namibia
GABON
in 2004, which sets up the foundation Agricultural Policy 2015 set up an overall
THE GAMBIA
for the country’s policy framework and goal for the sector, which a solid step for the
GHANA
long-term development and links to the process future development of the country’s digital
GUINEA
of implementing five-year National Development agriculture. Sustainable agriculture is the core
GUINEA-
Plans (NDP2-NDP7). Sustainable agriculture and of this policy, and special focus is placed on BISSAU
technology are two of the key driving forces for agricultural R&D, adaptation of appropriate KENYA
achieving the objectives. technology, as well as the provision of LESOTHO
agriculture management information systems. LIBERIA
To further develop its ICT sector, Namibia The policy also suggested the establishment, MADAGASCAR
adopted the Information Technology Policy equipping and operationalization of Agriculture MALAWI
2008 to stimulate its economic progress, Technology Centers to develop and ensure MALI
particularly the development of ICT skills of access to technology. With funding from the MAURITIUS
the younger demographics. The government Government of Germany and support from MOZAMBIQUE
recognises the importance of deploying ICT in the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale NAMIBIA
multiple domains, such as education in terms Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Namibia aims at THE NIGER
of developing quality human capital and IT increasing its agricultural competitiveness and NIGERIA
literacy and skills, and e-government with better improving its climate resilience. RWANDA
information provision and service delivery to its SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
constituents. Namibia scored 3.91 of 7 in the Though digital agriculture policies are still
SENEGAL
importance of ICTs to the government’s vision absent, some initiatives are undertaken to spur
SEYCHELLES
(see Table 4). the digital transformation process. Microsoft
SIERRA LEONE
and AGRA are working together in 11 countries
SOMALIA
including Namibia to apply technology solutions
SOUTH AFRICA
like Big Data and Artificial Intelligence in the
SOUTH SUDAN
agricultural sector.
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
210 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 4: Policy and regulation ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 3.91 WEF
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ BURKINA FASO
framework there is a clear plan) BURUNDI
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 3.72 WEF CABO VERDE
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
CAMEROON
extremely successful)
CENTRAL
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 3.51 WEF AFRICAN
digital business models (index ranking REPUBLIC
1–7: not fast at all/very fast)
CHAD
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 3.60 WEF
COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
extremely well developed) CONGO
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 70.7 EC/ITU CÔTE D’IVOIRE
framework DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation DJIBOUTI
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score EQUATORIAL
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4). GUINEA
ERITREA
ESWATINI
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ETHIOPIA
GABON
According to Doing Business 2020, Namibia has a well-developed financial system
THE GAMBIA
Namibia scored 72.2 out of 100. It takes making it the second largest in Southern Africa.
GHANA
54 days (the sub-Saharan African About 60 percent of Namibians own a bank
GUINEA
average is 21.5 days) to start a business, with no account. The country scored 3.9 of 7 in terms of
GUINEA-
evident disparity between men and women. The accessibility to loans. Compared to individuals, BISSAU
most time-consuming procedures are linked to enterprises face more difficulties in accessing KENYA
company registration through an online finance, particularly working capital financing. LESOTHO
platform, obtaining the certificate, as well as There are also insufficient financial products for LIBERIA
employees’ registration. MSMEs (World Bank, 2016). For the agriculture MADAGASCAR
sector, project financing can be accessed from MALAWI
Namibia is making efforts to provide a stable state-owned banks such as the Development MALI
business environment and good infrastructure Bank of Namibia and Agribank. However, MAURITIUS
to attract foreign investment and stimulate farmers and SMEs still face financing constraints, MOZAMBIQUE
domestic employment. In this context, two Acts including collateral issues, heavy paperwork NAMIBIA
(Foreign Investment Act of 1990 and Namibia and the risk of seasonality leading to unfulfilled THE NIGER
Investment Promotion Act of 2016) constitute demand for agriculture-related activities. NIGERIA
the legislative framework. The Namibia RWANDA
Investment and Promotion Board (NIPB) was set SÃO TOMÉ
up to provide services covering all operational AND PRÍNCIPE
stages. As a result, the overall business climate SENEGAL
in Namibia is quite positive and is continuously SEYCHELLES
being improved. The mining sector remains a key SIERRA LEONE
sector that attracts most investments. SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 211
Table 5: Business environment ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 -17 UNCTAD
environment culture BURKINA FASO
Growth of innovative companies 2019 3.87 WEF BURUNDI
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ CABO VERDE
to a great extent)
CAMEROON
Venture capital availability 2017 2.83 WEF
CENTRAL
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ AFRICAN
extremely easy) REPUBLIC
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 54 WBG CHAD
Ease of access to loans 2017 3.90 WEF COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ CONGO
extremely easy)
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 4.18 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
to a great extent) CONGO
DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
HUMAN CAPITAL ERITREA
In Namibia, 88.3 percent of people Given the importance of ICT in education, some ESWATINI
aged above 15 years of age are literate initiatives have been launched to improve the ETHIOPIA
(88.8 percent for males and digital skills of women and youth. For example, GABON
87.8 percent for females). Education has been the “Do Like Edu” e-learning platform provides THE GAMBIA
one of the country’s top priorities since students in rural areas with access to open GHANA
independence. Launched in 1992, the National educational resources. The Internet Society GUINEA
Literacy Programme in Namibia (NLPN) has Namibia Chapter identified ways to empower GUINEA-
BISSAU
helped most learners obtain basic literacy women through digital inclusion to close
KENYA
competencies and improve the overall literacy the gender gap. GIZ, in partnership with the
LESOTHO
rate of the country. As a result, people are more Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and SME
LIBERIA
prone to participate in entrepreneurial activities Development, the Ministry of Higher Education,
MADAGASCAR
and run business independently. Even though Technology and Innovation, and the City of
MALAWI
the national school enrolment rate is relatively Windhoek set up a start-up incubation and
MALI
favourable at 124.3 percent for primary and innovation centre with mobile outreach units as
MAURITIUS
65.8 percent for secondary, in rural areas, only part of the Start-Up Namibia programme (2019–
MOZAMBIQUE
1 out of 100 will graduate from grade 12. 2022), aiming at creating new job opportunities
NAMIBIA
in the start-up space.
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
Table 6: Human capital
RWANDA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
SÃO TOMÉ
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2018 88.3 NSA AND PRÍNCIPE
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above) SENEGAL
Literacy rate, youth total 2018 92.8 NSA SEYCHELLES
(% of people ages 15–24)
SIERRA LEONE
Digital skills among population 2019 3.63 WEF
SOMALIA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) SOUTH AFRICA
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 21.85 ILO SOUTH SUDAN
(% of total employment) TOGO
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 20.10 ILO UGANDA
(% of female employment)
UNITED
Unemployment, total 2020 20.35 ILO REPUBLIC OF
(% of total labour force) TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
212 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
AGRO-INNOVATION ANGOLA
BENIN
The main agency conducting R&D, mainly due to uncompetitive salaries and
BOTSWANA
agricultural research in Namibia is the limited opportunities for career growth in
BURKINA FASO
Directorate of Agriculture Research research agencies.
BURUNDI
and Training (DART) which is funded mainly by
CABO VERDE
the government. The agriculture research In Namibia, digital solutions are emerging
CAMEROON
expenditure accounted for 3.1 percent of and are starting to be applied to agriculture.
CENTRAL
agricultural GDP in 2014, with a slow but steady This includes, for example, a fully-automated AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
growth of number of researchers. Of all the drip irrigation system for the production of
CHAD
researchers, 58 percent have master’s and blueberries. Start-ups such as Farm4Trade
COMOROS
doctoral degrees, with doctoral degrees being have also made solutions available for livestock
CONGO
about 4 percent less. This reflects a lack of data management.
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
qualified researchers working on agriculture
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Table 7: Agro-innovation
DJIBOUTI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 716.68 FAO
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions) ERITREA
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 100.43 FAO ESWATINI
(2014–2016 = 100)
ETHIOPIA
Logistics Performance Index 2016 2.74 WBG
GABON
(index ranking 1–5: low/high)
THE GAMBIA
Research and Agricultural research spending 2014 3.09 IFPRI
technology (% of AgGDP) GHANA
development GUINEA
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 3.28 WEF GUINEA-
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/ BISSAU
extensive collaboration) KENYA
Capacity for innovation 2017 4.00 WEF LESOTHO
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) LIBERIA
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 2.32 UNCTAD MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
MALI
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 213
©FAO/Shutterstock/Madalin Olariu
THE NIGER
The Niger is a low-income estimates agricultural land area constitutes
country with a GDP of 36.8 percent of the country’s area (see Table 1).
USD 13.6 billion. The country
has a population of 24 million, The Niger’s economy has been robust over the
of whom 83 percent live in last few years. For instance, in 2019, the economic
rural areas (see Table 1). The growth that was mainly driven by agriculture
economy depends primarily on agriculture, which amounted for 6.3 percent. The Niger has made
accounts for about 40 percent of gross domestic significant strides towards decreasing its poverty
product (GDP) and employs roughly 72.5 percent rate that hovered at 41.4 percent as of 2019, or in
of the workforce. In 2019 and prior to the excess of 9.5 million, 6.8 million of whom were food
COVID-19 pandemic, the share of agriculture in insecure in 2018 (WFP, 2019).
the Niger’s GDP was 38.2 percent. Data available
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 24 206 636 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 16.63 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 83.37 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 13 678 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 466 000 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 36.79 FAO
214
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
The Niger has made significant wireless. With the national coverage of 3 812 km
BOTSWANA
progress over the past few years in of fiber optic cable, the Niger connects to border
BURKINA FASO
some areas of its infrastructure. Its ICT crossings into Nigeria, Benin, and Burkina Faso
BURUNDI
sector in particular has witnessed boosted to access undersea cables. It is estimated that
CABO VERDE
performance due to notable addition of 4G coverage in 2019 stood at 7.2 percent of the
CAMEROON
infrastructural capacity. Increased competition territory (GSMA, 2019). At the same time, the
CENTRAL
in the ICT market has also contributed to the number of secure Internet servers per 1 million AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
rapid expansion of mobile services. The Niger inhabitants increased from 0.30 to 1.45 over the
CHAD
has made tremendous efforts to be digital- period 2015 to 2020.
COMOROS
age ready. It has adopted a holistic and
CONGO
inter-sectoral approach to leverage digital M o b i l e s u b s c r i p t i o n s i n c re a s e d f ro m
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
technologies to achieve the SDGs, encompassing 32.8 percent to 40.64 percent between 2014
DEMOCRATIC
the needs of all segments of society to ensure and 2017. According to ITU, the number of REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
no one is left behind. active mobile broadband subscriptions per
DJIBOUTI
100 inhabitants increased from 0.3 percent in
EQUATORIAL
Power generation and distribution is still a major 2013 to 3.9 percent in 2017. The same applies GUINEA
challenge with only about 18.8 percent of the to international Internet bandwidth used that ERITREA
entire population as of 2019 being connected increased from 850 bit/s in 2013 to 7 399 bit/s in ESWATINI
to electricity. The Niger’s urban areas have 2017. However current data available estimate ETHIOPIA
below average coverage access to electricity the number of mobile connections as of January GABON
at 49.9 percent. Figures suggest that only 2021 to be equivalent to 43.2 percent of the THE GAMBIA
12.6 percent of over 80 percent of the country’s total population. GHANA
population living in the rural areas have GUINEA
access to electricity. One of the many factors Efforts to improve digital infrastructure is evident GUINEA-
BISSAU
responsible for low electricity coverage is the in the collaboration between the Niger National
KENYA
country’s vast land area, which requires a lot of Agency for the Information Society (ANSI) and
LESOTHO
infrastructural resources. ITU with the launch of the Smart Villages project.
LIBERIA
With the Agence Nationale pour la Société
MADAGASCAR
Closely related to electricity coverage is mobile de l’Information (ANSI) taking the lead, the
and broadband connectivity. Sonitel, the state- Niger Smart Village project aims at drastically MALAWI
owned fixed line operator merged with its improving the lives of rural people through the MALI
wholly owned mobile unit SahelCom in late provision of digital services, particularly in the MAURITIUS
2016 to form a new entity, Niger Telecom. As of health, agriculture and education sectors. This is MOZAMBIQUE
2019, the mobile telephony service in the Niger intended to bolster the country’s efforts to meet NAMIBIA
has four GSM mobile operators: Celtel Niger, the SDGs. Under the Smart Villages initiative, the THE NIGER
Sahelcom, Atlantique Télécoms and Orange Smart Villages Blue Print was also developed as NIGERIA
Niger. Niger Telecom is the dominant player with a practical tool to provide lessons learnt and RWANDA
the fixed-telephone line market, with wireless a step-by-step approach on how to establish SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
CDMA constituting the majority of subscriptions. and manage a smart village for sustainable
SENEGAL
Similarly, most fixed Internet is through fixed- development (see Table 2).
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 215
Table 2: Infrastructure ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 12.62 WBG
(% of rural population) BURKINA FASO
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 7.20 GSMA BURUNDI
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 37.29 GSMA CABO VERDE
(% of population) CAMEROON
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 1.45 WBG CENTRAL
(per 1 million people) AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 N/A WEF
CHAD
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
to a great extent) COMOROS
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2017 40.64 ITU CONGO
(per 100 inhabitants) CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2017 3.93 ITU DEMOCRATIC
(per 100 inhabitants) REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2017 0.04 ITU
(per 100 people) DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
ERITREA
DIGITAL PENETRATION ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
The digital infrastructure development broadband mobile. The third player in the Niger
GABON
and systems in the Niger is a key factor telecommunication sector with 10 percent share
THE GAMBIA
responsible for the increased use of of subscribers is Moov, which was acquired by
GHANA
digital technology for various activities. The Maroc Telecom from Etisalat in 2014. Since
GUINEA
increasing use of platforms such as WhatsApp, then it has provided 2G and 3G coverage in
GUINEA-
LinkedIn, Facebook, and Skype is largely due to many towns and villages across the country. BISSAU
the increase of mobile penetration in recent The fourth player is the state-owned fixed KENYA
years, reaching 51.9 percent in 2019 (ARCEP, and mobile provider Niger Telecoms, which LESOTHO
2019). The influx of smartphones and other officially launched operations, including 3G LIBERIA
digital devices have as a result increased mobile voice and data services in 2017. Niger MADAGASCAR
significantly. Records available as of January Telecoms provides 3G network in parts of all MALAWI
2021 estimate the total number of Internet users regions and account for less than 5 percent of MALI
in the Niger to be 3.36 million, which was all mobile users. MAURITIUS
equivalent to 13.6 percent of the population. MOZAMBIQUE
According to Cable (2020), the average price NAMIBIA
Airtel is the Niger’s largest wireless operator of 1 GB of mobile data is USD 3.30 compared THE NIGER
by subscribers with a 2G/3G network that as to USD 2.92 in 2019. The ITU also reports that NIGERIA
of 2018 covered approximately 18 000 villages the price of local mobile cellular calls per minute RWANDA
in 264 communities out of the total 266 across is USD 0.21 in 2017. The country’s penetration SÃO TOMÉ
the country. The second largest operator in the of mobile social networks is estimated to be AND PRÍNCIPE
country is Orange Niger with a mobile market 2.1 percent (see Table 3). SENEGAL
share of 29 percent. It is the leading provider of SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
216 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 3: Digital penetration ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 3.30 Cable
penetration (USD) BURKINA FASO
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2018 N/A ITU BURUNDI
as a % of adjusted per capita income CABO VERDE
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2018 N/A ITU CAMEROON
adjusted per capita income
CENTRAL
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 2.08 GSMA AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Number of apps in national language 2019 10.95 GSMA
CHAD
(quantity)
COMOROS
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 0.00 GSMA
CONGO
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 0.00 GSMA
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
POLICY AND REGULATION DJIBOUTI
Through ANSI, the Niger aims at finance digital infrastructures, the organization EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
promoting the use of information and of digital and financial education campaigns,
ERITREA
communication technologies to achieve the modernization of the means of payment for
ESWATINI
the SDGs. To this end, the Niger 2.0 strategic farmers and livestock cooperatives to develop
ETHIOPIA
plan has been drawn up with the goal of dematerialized transactions and the creation
GABON
achieving 100 percent Internet coverage in of data platforms for farmers and ranchers. The
THE GAMBIA
the country. project also aims at facilitating the installation
GHANA
of digital financial transaction services in the
GUINEA
This plan aims at attaining a quality basic rural areas with the highest demand.
GUINEA-
education, a population that is rapidly taken BISSAU
care of in terms of health, quality agriculture, Created in 2018, the Electronic Communications KENYA
financial and social inclusion, and the provision and Post (ARCEP) is the regulatory authority LESOTHO
of sustainable solutions that are likely to responsible for electronic communications. LIBERIA
revolutionise the lives of rural populations and ARCEP monitors communication services, MADAGASCAR
the state executives in these areas. ensures fair prices, ensures quality service, MALAWI
supports the development of enhanced sectors MALI
The Niger 2.0 strategic plan has four main pillars, and mediates disputes in the postal and MAURITIUS
namely, e-government services, the creation electronic communications industries. According MOZAMBIQUE
of a “Technopole” (a city of innovation and to the National Telecommunication Regulation NAMIBIA
technology), the promotion of digital technology Authority (ARTP), the precursor to ARCEP, the THE NIGER
and the Smart Villages project (ITU, 2019). telecommunications sector has entered an era of NIGERIA
technical transformation and impressive growth, RWANDA
In December 2020, ANSI launched the Smart mainly due to technological transformation and SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Villages Project for Rural Growth and Digital the globalisation of the operation of networks
SENEGAL
Inclusion (PVI) to leverage digital technology to and services (see Table 4)
SEYCHELLES
develop the agricultural sector of the country.
SIERRA LEONE
The government plans through this project to
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 217
Table 4: Policy and regulation ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 N/A WEF
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ BURKINA FASO
framework there is a clear plan) BURUNDI
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 N/A WEF CABO VERDE
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
CAMEROON
extremely successful)
CENTRAL
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 N/A WEF AFRICAN
digital business models (index ranking REPUBLIC
1–7: not fast at all/very fast)
CHAD
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 N/A WEF
COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
extremely well developed) CONGO
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 74 EC/ITU CÔTE D’IVOIRE
framework DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation DJIBOUTI
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score EQUATORIAL
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4). GUINEA
ERITREA
ESWATINI
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ETHIOPIA
GABON
The Niger has taken different steps to In 2016, the Niger’s Chamber of Commerce
THE GAMBIA
attract foreign investment that is created a special unit to assist both foreign and
GHANA
intended to boost the local economy as local investors. The chamber lists the benefits
GUINEA
well as put measures in place to improve the of doing business in the Niger as: political
GUINEA-
country’s business environment. These steps stability, economic freedom, an active chamber BISSAU
include reforms to liberalize the economy, foster of commerce, and a waiting time of no more KENYA
privatization and increase imports and exports. than three days to start a business. Further steps LESOTHO
According to the World Bank’s Doing Business were taken in 2017 to create the High Council LIBERIA
2020 report, the Niger is one of twenty countries for Investment whose primary task is to provide MADAGASCAR
that implemented reforms to improve credit support and attract foreign direct investments. MALAWI
information systems by expanding the coverage A World Bank Report (2019) estimated the time MALI
of firms and individuals by credit registries needed to start a business in the Niger to be MAURITIUS
or bureaus. 10 days whereas the investment rate in the Niger MOZAMBIQUE
was 29.3 percent in 2018 according to the National NAMIBIA
Institute of Statistics of Niger (INS) (see Table 5). THE NIGER
NIGERIA
Table 5: Business environment
RWANDA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 593 UNCTAD
SENEGAL
environment culture
SEYCHELLES
Growth of innovative companies 2019 N/A WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ SIERRA LEONE
to a great extent)
SOMALIA
Venture capital availability 2017 N/A WEF
SOUTH AFRICA
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/
extremely easy) SOUTH SUDAN
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 10 WBG TOGO
Ease of access to loans 2017 N/A WEF UGANDA
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ UNITED
extremely easy) REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 N/A WEF
ZAMBIA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) ZIMBABWE
218 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
HUMAN CAPITAL ANGOLA
BENIN
In May 2017, the government adopted shows some improvement but far from the
BOTSWANA
the Stratégie de Développement ideal rate. In 2018, literacy rate of youth
BURKINA FASO
Durable et de Croissance Inclusive (15–24 years of age) was 43.5 percent
BURUNDI
(SDDCI) Niger 2035 (Strategy for Sustainable (51.1 percent for males 35.6 percent for females).
CABO VERDE
Development and Inclusive Growth, Niger 2035). For adults (aged 15 years and older), the
CAMEROON
The first plan for the implementation of the literacy rate was 35 percent (43.6 percent for
CENTRAL
SDDCI, the Plan de Développement Economique males and 26.7 percent for females). For those AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
et Social 2017–2021 (Plan for Economic and aged 65 years and above, the literacy rate
CHAD
Social Development, [PDES]) was adopted in was the lowest at 15.8 percent (22.8 percent
COMOROS
September 2017. The overall strategy seeks to for males and 9.2 percent for females). In terms
CONGO
address the main constraints to development, of education, the Niger’s population of primary
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
including national security, public administration, school children (7–12 years of age), secondary
DEMOCRATIC
human capital (education and health), school (13–19 years of age) and tertiary school REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
population growth as well as economic (20–24 years of age) are about 4 million in total.
DJIBOUTI
growth, rural development, and private Being one of the few countries in the world
EQUATORIAL
sector development. without compulsory primary education, only GUINEA
65 percent of the primary school age children ERITREA
The government has prioritized the education and 20 percent of secondary school age ESWATINI
and training sectors in its budget. For instance, children attend school (23 percent male and ETHIOPIA
in 2016, public spending on education 17 percent female). In 2018, only 4.4 percent of GABON
accounted for 20.7 percent of the total budget tertiary school age children were enrolled in a THE GAMBIA
and 5.2 percent of GDP. Data provided by school (see Table 6). GHANA
UNESCO on the literacy rate of the country GUINEA
GUINEA-
BISSAU
Table 6: Human capital
KENYA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
LESOTHO
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2018 35.05 UNESCO
LIBERIA
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above)
MADAGASCAR
Literacy rate, youth total 2018 43.46 UNESCO
(% of people ages 15–24) MALAWI
Digital skills among population 2019 N/A WEF MALI
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ MAURITIUS
to a great extent)
MOZAMBIQUE
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 72.54 ILO
(% of total employment) NAMIBIA
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 69.47 ILO THE NIGER
(% of female employment) NIGERIA
Unemployment, total 2020 0.69 ILO RWANDA
(% of total labour force)
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
AGRO-INNOVATION SIERRA LEONE
In partnership with the international productivity through the provision of high- SOMALIA
non-profit association CORAF, the yielding varieties, construction and SOUTH AFRICA
national agricultural research systems rehabilitation of agricultural research, the SOUTH SUDAN
of the Niger and the livestock Regional Centre development infrastructure, and improved TOGO
of Specialization work hand-in-hand to devise access to innovations and technologies by UGANDA
science and technology solutions that assist producers. To facilitate R&D and innovation in UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
agriculture actors. This includes assistance the agriculture sector through ANSI, the TANZANIA
to generate high-performing agricultural government has collaborated with the ZAMBIA
innovative technologies, increase agricultural International Crops Research Institute for the ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 219
Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) to set-up an (RECA) and the Regional Chambers of Agriculture ANGOLA
innovation and technology city at ICRISAT’s (CRA) of the Niger. ReCA is aimed at technicians, BENIN
Sadore facility. The centre is expected to focus advisers and the creators of agricultural advisory BOTSWANA
on key sectors including health, agriculture and systems as well as producers. It provides access BURKINA FASO
education. The facility will host small and to useful and educational information on the BURUNDI
medium enterprises and will incubate start-ups. problems encountered by producers or relayed CABO VERDE
Drones for agriculture, AI-based image by advisers, and how to solve them. CAMEROON
recognition for crop health, and mobile-based CENTRAL
AFRICAN
platforms will all be utilised to collect and E-KOKARI is an interactive voice response (IVR) REPUBLIC
collate farm data. platform developed locally to aid farmers, CHAD
breeders and buyers to access information, COMOROS
Some innovative start-ups in the Niger worth advice, alerts and market prices in the field CONGO
mentioning include: TECH-INNOV Niger (digital of agriculture and livestock. AGRITECH is a CÔTE D’IVOIRE
transformation of agriculture in Africa), CSAN web and mobile platform developed by ITECH DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
Niger (e-extension of traditional agricultural CENTER to bring together stakeholders in the CONGO
extension through digital technology), agricultural world through digital technology. It DJIBOUTI
Dev4Smart, Drone Africa service Niger, Agri focuses on plant production, breeding, poultry EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Business Consulting (ABC), etc. farming, forestry and fish farming. Its objective
ERITREA
is to serve as a framework for direct exchange
ESWATINI
Notable digital innovations in agriculture between producers/processors and experts; a
ETHIOPIA
include Tele-Irrigation which allows farmers to sales channel between producers/processors
GABON
use control a farm’s irrigation system remotely, and consumers, as well as providing support for
THE GAMBIA
independently of time and space via IOT rural producers.
GHANA
cell phone sensors following an intelligent
GUINEA
distribution of water (needs, quantity, time, The Orange application Labaroun Kassoua
GUINEA-
speculation, vegetative cycle). Receiving provides farmers with information on prices BISSAU
meteorological and hydrological data in real- of crops (onion, sesame, cowpea, peanuts, KENYA
time is an important innovation (Patent no. potatoes) and livestock (cow, goat, ram, camel, LESOTHO
16025 OAPI / BOPI / 07/13). ReCA is a mobile bull, heifers, sheep). Finally, AGRITECH SHOP LIBERIA
application for smartphones and tablets in is an e-commerce platform providing home MADAGASCAR
Hausa, Zarma and French providing remote delivery services for assorted products that can MALAWI
agricultural advice. It was designed by the be purchased online. MALI
National Network of Chambers of Agriculture MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
Table 7: Agro-innovation NAMIBIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source THE NIGER
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 4 385.93 FAO NIGERIA
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions) RWANDA
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 119.94 FAO SÃO TOMÉ
(2014–2016 = 100) AND PRÍNCIPE
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.07 WBG SENEGAL
(index ranking 1–5: low/high)
SEYCHELLES
Research and Agricultural research spending 2016 0.32 IFPRI SIERRA LEONE
technology (% of AgGDP)
development SOMALIA
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 N/A WEF SOUTH AFRICA
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/ SOUTH SUDAN
extensive collaboration)
TOGO
Capacity for innovation 2017 N/A WEF
UGANDA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2018 2.66 UNCTAD TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
220 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
©FAO/Shutterstock/hspimages
NIGERIA
Nigeria is a lower-middle- Agriculture’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP in 2019
income country with a GDP of was 26 percent, while 34.97 percent of the labour
USD 432 billion. The country force was engaged in agriculture. About 72 percent
accounts for 47 percent of of smallholder farmers live below the poverty line of
West Africa’s population, USD 1.9 or less a day. The agricultural sector grew
while half of the country’s by 1.6 percent (year-on-year) in the second quarter
population of 206 million people are under the of 2020, a regression of –0.21 percent points to the
age of 30 (see Table 1). corresponding period of 2019, and –0.62 percent
points from the preceding quarter.
Nigeria currently has 66 million smallholder
households with 30 million hectares under Nigeria’s ICT sector expanded in the last decade:
cultivation. Although 80 percent of its land is its contribution to GDP doubled during 2010–2017
arable, only 40 percent of it is cultivated. Nigeria and accounted for 12.2 percent of the GDP in 2018.
remains a net food importer as the agricultural In 2018, the sector contributed 9.7 percent to GDP
trade deficit widened by NGN 689.7 billion in growth. However, in 2017, only 5 percent of Nigeria’s
2019 compared to NGN 549.3 billion in 2018. exports were in the ICT sector.
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 206 139 587 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 51.96 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 48.04 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 432 294 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 691 235 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 75.90 FAO
221
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
In Nigeria, 55.4 percent of the cables has increased competition in the mobile
BOTSWANA
population have access to electricity in industry with operators now focusing on rolling
BURKINA FASO
2019. The situation is even more dire in out 4G/LTE technologies. Currently there are
BURUNDI
rural areas, where only 25.6 percent of four GSM operators: Airtel (a subsidiary of the
CABO VERDE
inhabitants have access to a centralized power Indian mobile group); MTN (a subsidiary of
CAMEROON
source. Gillwald et al. (2018) found 66 percent the South African MTN Group); 9mobile, which
CENTRAL
of Nigerian households were connected to the was formerly EMTS (a subsidiary of Etisalat AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
main electricity grid, 33.1 percent did not have of the United Arab Emirates); and Globacom
CHAD
an electricity connection at all, 11.4 percent (owned by a privately held Nigerian group).
COMOROS
depended on generators, while less than There are also two operators using CDMA
CONGO
1 percent had access to solar power. technology, Visafone, and Multilinks, but their
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
market share is negligible. NatCom acquired
DEMOCRATIC
From a connectivity perspective, according the assets of the bankrupt incumbent operator REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
to ITU, 2G network connectivity covers NITEL in 2015, including its mobile licenses,
DJIBOUTI
89 percent of the entire population, 3G reaches and launched under the brand Ntel (ITU, 2018).
EQUATORIAL
78.3 percent of the population and LTE/WiMAX Nigeria is connected to high-speed Internet GUINEA
covers 50.8 percent. By 2016, 88.7 percent of via five undersea international links: Main ERITREA
the population had access to mobile phones One; Glo; West African Cable System (WACS); ESWATINI
of which 93 percent were in urban areas, and SAT-3/WASC; and ACE submarine cable system. ETHIOPIA
86 percent in rural areas. About 59 percent of GABON
the population owns a mobile phone (74 percent Due to several factors, Internet access today in THE GAMBIA
in urban areas and 48 percent in rural areas). Nigeria is 99 percent through wireless mobile GHANA
Nigeria has a 94 percent phone penetration, networks and less than 1 percent through fixed GUINEA
with smartphones at about 30 percent wireless (Agboje et al., 2017). Furthermore, GUINEA-
BISSAU
penetration and feature phones at 70 percent fixed broadband penetration had a household
KENYA
penetration (Adepetun, 2017). penetration rate of 0.04 percent at the end
LESOTHO
of 2018. Nigeria does not have a national
LIBERIA
According to the State of ICT in Nigeria 2018 backbone network through which high-speed
report, there is also an important digital gap of Internet connectivity can be extended across the MADAGASCAR
mobile broadband, with just over 20 percent of entire country. As a result, mobile broadband MALAWI
Nigerians owning a smartphone, 44.8 percent a has become the most common and popular MALI
feature phone, and 32.2 percent a basic phone. way through which people in Nigeria access MAURITIUS
In addition, the report reveals that males are the Internet. MOZAMBIQUE
more likely to own a smartphone than females, NAMIBIA
while females are more likely to own a feature Mobile wireless Internet access is limited by THE NIGER
phone and basic phone (Gillwald, et al., 2018). coverage, number of users per site and scarcity NIGERIA
of devices with 4G capability. These limitations RWANDA
The establishment of the sector’s independent are overcome where there is access to fixed SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
regulator in 1999, the Nigerian Communications wired/wireless facilities. The 4G wireless is still
SENEGAL
Commission (NCC), ended the monopoly of limited to cities, such as Lagos, Abuja and Port
SEYCHELLES
M-Tel, the mobile subsidiary of fixed line Harcourt (Agboje et al., 2017). According to
SIERRA LEONE
incumbent, NITEL. The liberalization process the ITU, in 2018, 19.9 percent of the population
SOMALIA
was kick-started with the awarding of three used their cell phones to connect to the Internet.
SOUTH AFRICA
GSM spectrum licenses, via an auction, to MTN, Overall Internet usage in Nigeria stands at
SOUTH SUDAN
CIL (now GLO), and Econet Wireless Nigeria 27.7 percent (see Table 2).
TOGO
Ltd. The deployment of the high bandwidth
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
222 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 2: Infrastructure ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 25.55 WBG
(% of rural population) BURKINA FASO
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 45.20 GSMA BURUNDI
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 55.24 GSMA CABO VERDE
(% of population) CAMEROON
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 73.94 WBG CENTRAL
(per 1 million people) AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 4.26 WEF
CHAD
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
to a great extent) COMOROS
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2020 99.07 ITU CONGO
(per 100 inhabitants) CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 35.90 ITU DEMOCRATIC
(per 100 inhabitants) REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 0.03 ITU
(per 100 people) DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
ERITREA
DIGITAL PENETRATION ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
Urban Internet access increased to Cable in 2020 posited that the average price
GABON
29 percent, while in rural areas the rate of a 1 GB of mobile data stands at USD 1.39.
THE GAMBIA
was 9.8 percent in 2016. The percentage According to ITU, the mobile broadband prepaid
GHANA
of those who owned/subscribed to Internet handset-based price (500 MB) was 1.9 percent
GUINEA
services among urban respondents was of Gross National Income (GNI) per capita.
GUINEA-
75.5 percent and rural subscription is 77.5 percent. Gillwald et al. (2018) found that 32 percent of BISSAU
An ICT survey reveals that of those unconnected, non-users of the Internet cited high data cost. KENYA
50 percent stated they cannot use the Internet LESOTHO
because they cannot afford the devices required The top use of the Internet was to send/receive LIBERIA
to access it. Over 25 percent cited lack of emails in urban areas (46.3 percent), rural areas MADAGASCAR
electricity as the reason, while over 20 percent (45 percent) and nationally (45.8 percent). MALAWI
cited lack of signal (mobile coverage) (Gillwald, MALI
et al., 2018). For example, a recent survey of The use of Internet for banking services was MAURITIUS
smallholder farmers in Nigeria found that quite low among urban areas (0.4 percent), rural MOZAMBIQUE
77 percent of mobile phone users use basic areas (0.5 percent) and nationally (0.4 percent). NAMIBIA
phones without Internet capability, 88 percent of Out of the 99 million financially eligible adults in THE NIGER
them have never used the Internet to access Nigeria, about 36.8 percent are excluded from NIGERIA
information for business purposes, and the financial system. The proportion of rural RWANDA
49 percent never use cell phones and SMS services adults who have made or received a digital SÃO TOMÉ
for business purposes (Anderson, et al., 2017). payment in 2017 in Nigeria was 22 percent. AND PRÍNCIPE
Almost 40 percent of people aged 15 years or SENEGAL
A report by the GSMA in 2019 points to the older hold an account at a financial institution SEYCHELLES
existence of about 53 mobile apps in the or through a mobile money provider. Mobile SIERRA LEONE
country’s national language. Statcounter (2020) phones are owned by 67 percent of unbanked SOMALIA
also reports that approximately 43 percent men in Nigeria and 53 percent of unbanked SOUTH AFRICA
of Nigerians use Facebook, 39.88 percent use women. Nearly 1 in 10 unbanked adults works in SOUTH SUDAN
Twitter, 9.8 percent use Pinterest, 3.7 percent the private sector and receive wages in cash, and TOGO
use Instagram and 0.3 percent use LinkedIn. The 77 percent of them own a mobile phone. UGANDA
GSMA also reported that about 13.3 percent of UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
the country’s population actively engaged with Around 37 percent of government transfers TANZANIA
social media platforms as of 2019. have been digitized, mostly through mobile ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 223
money and/or bank transfers. There is Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development ANGOLA
potential to digitize the remaining 63 percent (FMARD) to showcase the essential features and BENIN
of transactions that are still cash-based (World key aspects of the food and agriculture industry BOTSWANA
Bank Global Findex). in Nigeria. BURKINA FASO
BURUNDI
In 2018, e-commerce spending in Nigeria was The Kano State Agricultural Development CABO VERDE
estimated at USD 12 billion and was projected Authority (KNARDA) maintains an agricultural CAMEROON
to increase to USD 75 billion in revenue by 2025. radio station that broadcasts about four hours CENTRAL
AFRICAN
Digital commerce was provided, among others, daily. NAERLS and Sasakawa Global 2000 also REPUBLIC
by 87 Nigerian platforms, employing 2.9 million air radio programs, and Fadama has worked on CHAD
people in the country, of which 66 were establishing community radio stations. NAERLS COMOROS
homegrown (76 percent), and the remaining were also provides a weekly 15-minute broadcast on CONGO
from the U.S. (10 percent), Europe (6 percent), commodity prices. Airtel Nigeria and Human CÔTE D’IVOIRE
the rest of Africa (3 percent) and other places Network International (HNI) launched the DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
(5 percent). The major e-commerce retailers 3-2-1 Service in November 2016 as a free service CONGO
have over 1 million customers and receive an that provides information to mobile phones DJIBOUTI
average of 300 000 unique visits per day. on-demand, on agriculture, commodity prices, EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
weather and other information in five national
ERITREA
The Lagos ICT Services Cluster has been valued at languages (see Table 3).
ESWATINI
over USD 2 billion with around 400 to 700 active
ETHIOPIA
start-ups. In Nigeria, 80 agritech companies and To address inefficiencies, the government of
GABON
start-ups have emerged over the last decade. Nigeria established the Growth Enhancement
THE GAMBIA
Crest Agro-processing project, AgroMall, Beat Support Scheme (GESS) in 2011 as part of
GHANA
Drone, Kitovu, Paga, Kiakia, Thrive Agric, Hello efforts to liberalize the input subsidy system.
GUINEA
Tractor, Farmcrowdy, Releaf, Mysmartphone, DSI The GESS provides subsidised fertilisers and
GUINEA-
Technologies Limited, E-Farms, Crop2Cash, Quick seeds directly to farmers through an electronic BISSAU
Leap, Payfarmer and Cellulant to cite a few. For wallet system. Currently, e-Wallet has 15 million KENYA
example, Farmcrowdy and Thrive Agric offer subscribers, several million of whom are women LESOTHO
platforms for the general public to crowdfund farmers (Adesina, 2017). In 2014, 7.22 million LIBERIA
farmers while Hello Tractor offers a shared farmers received a total subsidy transfer of MADAGASCAR
tractor service. AgroMall uses farmer data to NGN 82.4 billion (USD 420 million) via their MALAWI
generate economic identities for farmers while mobile phone. MALI
Crop2Cash’s solution digitizes entire value chains MAURITIUS
and provides digital payments. Community Resource Centers (CRC), funded by MOZAMBIQUE
the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), NAMIBIA
From a public perspective, the government aims at extending voice and ICT training and THE NIGER
has recently launched the Central Portal for other e-services to unserved communities on NIGERIA
Government Services to provide a single point a shared basis to bridge the digital divide RWANDA
of entry to government information and services, across communities. SÃO TOMÉ
enhancing accountability and improving the AND PRÍNCIPE
delivery and quality of public services. However, The National Agricultural Payment Initiative SENEGAL
data from 2018 show that only 2 percent of (NAPI) was developed as part of the second SEYCHELLES
citizens use e-government services because phase of the GESS. NAPI involves the distribution SIERRA LEONE
mobile technology (which is a predominant of chip-based national identity cards that SOMALIA
channel for access in Nigeria) is still short on provide access to financial services such SOUTH AFRICA
data services, especially in rural areas. As a as loans to farmers, in addition to holding SOUTH SUDAN
result, many citizens are caught up in a digital subsidy information. TOGO
divide. In addition, the National E-Agriculture UGANDA
Web Portal is a strategic initiative of the Oyinbo, et al. (2020) found that about three UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
National Information Technology Development quarters of extension agents were proficient TANZANIA
Agency (NITDA) in collaboration with the Federal in the use of smartphones and/or tablets but ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
224 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
only 44 percent owned a smartphone and only Sterling Bank Nigeria has two block-chain ANGOLA
2 percent owned a tablet. Also, the majority of enabled solutions. SABEX 1 caters to agro- BENIN
extension agents (87 percent) were affiliated dealers with input provision and credit. SABEX BOTSWANA
to the public extension system. About 2 provides farmers with credit against harvests, BURKINA FASO
30 percent of the extension agents have ICT- market linkages, and warehouse storage BURUNDI
based extension experience. services to reduce post-harvest losses. CABO VERDE
CAMEROON
Table 3: Digital penetration CENTRAL
AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
CHAD
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 1.39 Cable
penetration (USD) COMOROS
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2018 1.71 ITU CONGO
as a % of adjusted per capita income CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2018 22.08 ITU DEMOCRATIC
adjusted per capita income REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 13.34 GSMA
DJIBOUTI
Number of apps in national language 2019 53.00 GSMA
EQUATORIAL
(quantity) GUINEA
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 45.43 GSMA ERITREA
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 77.31 GSMA ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
GABON
POLICY AND REGULATION THE GAMBIA
GHANA
In 1992, the National Broadcasting accountability. Although the policy is still in the
GUINEA
Commission (NBC) Decree 38 and the process of being adopted, the draft already
GUINEA-
Nigerian Communications Commission contains elements of Open Data principles, BISSAU
(NCC) Decree 75 changed the ICT environment including data completeness, timeliness, data KENYA
permanently. Both decrees began to open the propriety, and licensing. Nigeria does not LESOTHO
broadcasting and telecom markets. Nigeria have a Privacy and Data Protection Act. This LIBERIA
produced a national ICT policy in 2012 through has limited the growth of e-commerce and MADAGASCAR
the Federal Ministry of Communications (FMC). the data economy. Nigeria has a Cybercrimes MALAWI
It formulates policy on communications, while and Cybersecurity Act (2015), which provides MALI
the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) a framework for the prevention, detection and MAURITIUS
implements telecommunications policies. punishment of cybercrimes and the protection of MOZAMBIQUE
critical national information infrastructure. NAMIBIA
I n 2 0 1 5, t h e N i g e r i a Co m m u n i ca t i o n s THE NIGER
Commission’s (NCC) 8-Point Agenda proposed The recent Nigerian Data Protection Regulation, NIGERIA
the transition of Nigera into a digital economy passed in January 2019 is a step toward RWANDA
through investment in digital infrastructure, and improving data compliance (Salami, 2019). The SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
more specifically broadband. Intellectual Property (IP) protection policy is
SENEGAL
outdated, and the Cybercrimes Prevention Act
SEYCHELLES
The Rural Broadband Initiative (RUBI), also is not effectively implemented.
SIERRA LEONE
funded by USPF, provides subsidies to operators
SOMALIA
for the deployment of a network to support the T h e Na t i o n a l I nfo r m a t i o n Te c h n o l o g y
SOUTH AFRICA
establishment of core delivery mechanisms for Development Agency (NITDA) was created
SOUTH SUDAN
broadband services in the rural/semi-urban in April 2001 to implement the Nigerian
TOGO
areas of Nigeria (Universal Service Provision Information Technology Policy and co-ordinate
UGANDA
Fund, 2015b). general IT development in the country. It recently
UNITED
developed the Nigeria Digital Agriculture REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
The Nigeria Open Data Policy presents a great Strategy (NDAS) as a ten-year (2020–2030)
opportunity to increase access and improve plan that provides purpose and direction for ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 225
adopting digital technologies in agriculture. Program (ABP), the Presidential Fertilizer ANGOLA
It is inspired by the Economic Recovery and Initiative (PFI), the Youth Lab, the Presidential BENIN
Growth Plan (ERGP) of the Federal Government Economic Diversification Initiative (PEDI), the BOTSWANA
and the Agriculture Promotion Policy (APP). It is Food Security Council and the Nigeria Incentive- BURKINA FASO
an offshoot of the Nigeria Smart Initiative and Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural BURUNDI
the Nigeria Digital Economy Policy and Strategy Lending (NIRSAL). CABO VERDE
(NDEPS). An implementation governance CAMEROON
framework to be anchored by the National In an attempt to enhance local trade and CENTRAL
AFRICAN
Information Technology Development Agency exports, the government has introduced some REPUBLIC
(NITDA) and supervised by the Federal Ministry policies and programmes: Nigeria–Africa CHAD
of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) Trade and Investment Promotion Programme; COMOROS
and the Ministry of Communications and Presidential Economic Diversification Initiative; CONGO
Digital Economy. Zero Reject Initiative and Economic and Export CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Promotion Incentives. DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
In the agriculture sector, from 2011–2015, CONGO
the Nigerian government implemented the Digital entrepreneurship (including agriculture) DJIBOUTI
Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA), is a government priority, as outlined in the EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
which sought to support agriculture by Economic Recovery and Growth Plan 2017–
ERITREA
introducing business-like practices to the sector. 2020 (ERGP). The government also adopted
ESWATINI
Following the ATA, the government launched the Nigeria ICT Road Map 2017–2020 and the
ETHIOPIA
the Agriculture Promotion Policy (2016–2020) in Nigeria ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship
GABON
2015, as well as several agricultural development Vision (NIIEV) released in 2018 (see Table 4).
THE GAMBIA
initiatives. These include: The Anchor Borrowers
GHANA
GUINEA
Table 4: Policy and regulation
GUINEA-
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source BISSAU
KENYA
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 3.37 WEF
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ LESOTHO
framework there is a clear plan)
LIBERIA
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 3.54 WEF
MADAGASCAR
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
extremely successful) MALAWI
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 2.53 WEF MALI
digital business models (index ranking MAURITIUS
1–7: not fast at all/very fast)
MOZAMBIQUE
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 2.86 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/ NAMIBIA
extremely well developed) THE NIGER
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 78.3 EC/ITU NIGERIA
framework
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation AND PRÍNCIPE
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score SENEGAL
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4).
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT SOUTH AFRICA
In 2018, Nigeria attracted the highest of USD 95 million (Disrupt Africa, 2018). Investment SOUTH SUDAN
number and amount of Africa’s digital funding for Nigerian start-ups, including agritech, TOGO
investment deals. The African Tech Start- was more than USD 100 million in 2016, increasing UGANDA
ups Funding Report shows that Nigeria emerged to USD 117 million in 2018. UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
as the premier investment destination on the TANZANIA
continent in 2018, with 58 start-ups raising a total ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
226 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Nigerian agribusiness economy has sub-sectors. However, lending to the agricultural ANGOLA
3 300 agricultural microenterprises, 1.5 million sector accounts for only 3.4 percent of all bank BENIN
agricultural SMEs that represent 9 percent of lending in Nigeria (as of 2019). BOTSWANA
all MSMEs in the country. BURKINA FASO
The government’s Smart Nigeria Digital BURUNDI
As part of efforts to boost job creation, Economy Project is a digital-led strategy CABO VERDE
particularly among the youth, the Central Bank initiative centred around the establishment of CAMEROON
of Nigeria (CBN), in collaboration with the an ICT ecosystem in Nigeria through the Special CENTRAL
AFRICAN
Bankers’ Committee, introduced the Creative Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) REPUBLIC
Industry Financing Initiative (CIFI) with a view aimed at boosting productivity, integrating CHAD
to improving access to long-term low-cost production and enhancing the processing and COMOROS
financing for entrepreneurs and investors in the exporting of select commodities (see Table 5). CONGO
Nigerian creative and information technology CÔTE D’IVOIRE
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
Table 5: Business environment CONGO
DJIBOUTI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
EQUATORIAL
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 3 299 UNCTAD GUINEA
environment culture
ERITREA
Growth of innovative companies 2019 4.18 WEF
ESWATINI
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) ETHIOPIA
Venture capital availability 2017 1.80 WEF GABON
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/
THE GAMBIA
extremely easy)
GHANA
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 7.2 WBG
GUINEA
Ease of access to loans 2017 2.58 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ GUINEA-
BISSAU
extremely easy)
KENYA
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 5.19 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ LESOTHO
to a great extent) LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
HUMAN CAPITAL MALI
MAURITIUS
Literacy levels in Nigeria are low: private vocational enterprise institutions offering
MOZAMBIQUE
62 percent for adults and 75 percent for national vocational certificates; and 123 (mostly
NAMIBIA
youths. The levels are relatively lower public) technical colleges that mostly focus on
THE NIGER
in rural areas, and slightly lower for women. Out sectors other than agriculture. At the same time,
NIGERIA
of a total population of 190 million, the Nigerian the Nigerian Universities Commission currently
RWANDA
labour force is estimated to be in the region of lists 171 accredited universities, of which four are
SÃO TOMÉ
59 million, with a literacy rate of 51 percent. specialized federal universities of agriculture, AND PRÍNCIPE
30 federal universities, 28 state universities, and SENEGAL
The vocational training sector in Nigeria is seven private universities all have agricultural SEYCHELLES
regulated by the National Board for Technical faculties, schools or colleges. In addition, a SIERRA LEONE
Education (NBTE), which operates under the number of business schools in Nigeria offer SOMALIA
Ministry of Education. In March 2020, the NBTE specialized programmes in agribusiness. Of SOUTH AFRICA
cited some 557 TVETs, including 33 colleges the TVETs listed above, three federal and three SOUTH SUDAN
of agriculture (19 federal, and 14 state); state polytechnics have agriculture or food- TOGO
134 federal, state and private polytechnics, of related schools or departments; 18 are federal UGANDA
which only seven have agricultural programmes; colleges of agriculture, livestock, forestry, UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
31 specialized institutions; 158 mostly private fisheries, and land resources colleges; two are TANZANIA
Innovation Enterprise Institutions (IEIs), offering federal cooperative colleges; and 17 are state ZAMBIA
National Innovation Diplomas (NIDs); 78 mostly colleges of agriculture. The annual turnover ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 227
of students in federal and state agricultural Holdings (OYESTECH I) to provide ICT training ANGOLA
colleges is reported at 27 000. Nevertheless, to more than 10 000 youth as of 2012. In 2018, BENIN
the current agricultural TVET system does not the group trained an additional 5 000 youth BOTSWANA
provide specialized public training in agriculture in the second phase (OYESTECH II), aiming at BURKINA FASO
at a grassroots level. The NBTE currently ultimately addressing youth unemployment BURUNDI
lists 15 national diploma programmes under and equipping youth with the requisite skills CABO VERDE
agriculture and related technologies. for the job market and digital transformation CAMEROON
(ITU, 2018). CENTRAL
AFRICAN
From a digital economy perspective, institutions REPUBLIC
like the Abu Bakar Tafawa Balewa University Investors in Nigeria have committed to building CHAD
(ATBU) or the Federal University of Technology the capacities of youth to fill the skills gap COMOROS
Minna (FUTM) offered TVET programmes that and ensure digital transformation. Paradigm CONGO
include electronics, automobile and mechanical Initiative (PIN) partnerered with UK Trade & CÔTE D’IVOIRE
production, agriculture and business education, Investment, Goggle, Ashoka and Intel to launch DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
and building and woodwork (Ismail & Sale the ICT LIFE school, which targets underserved CONGO
Mohammed, 2015). Nigeria communities by leveraging digital DJIBOUTI
inclusion and youth development. EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
There is an estimated 3 000 NGOs active in
ERITREA
agriculture in Nigeria. They provide farmer PrepClass is a tutoring marketplace that
ESWATINI
training via short courses, as well as farmer connects students and tutors through an online
ETHIOPIA
field schools. Prominent examples include platform. Under the School Knowledge Centres
GABON
Sasakawa Global 2000 (SG2000), Technoserve (SKC) 396 public secondary schools have been
THE GAMBIA
and ACDI-VOCA. provided with connectivity, computers, and
GHANA
power backup. Teachers and students are
GUINEA
The government-supported Knowledge taught how to use ICT as part of the project,
GUINEA-
for Development without Borders (KFDWB) as well as one-year technical support, warranty, BISSAU
programme provides basic ICT training for and remote ICT management. The Basic Digital KENYA
underprivileged youth in Nigeria. The state Education Initiative (BDEI) organized by LESOTHO
government of Osun partnered with RLG Tech4Dev and Microsoft is expected to train LIBERIA
Adaulawo Technology City, Ilesa and Omoluabi 500 000 young Nigerians (see Table 6). MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
Table 6: Human capital MALI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source MAURITIUS
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2018 62.02 UNESCO MOZAMBIQUE
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above) NAMIBIA
Literacy rate, youth total 2018 75.03 UNESCO THE NIGER
(% of people ages 15–24)
NIGERIA
Digital skills among population 2019 3.42 WEF
RWANDA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 34.97 ILO
(% of total employment) SENEGAL
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 23.57 ILO SEYCHELLES
(% of female employment) SIERRA LEONE
Unemployment, total 2020 9.01 ILO SOMALIA
(% of total labour force)
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
228 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
AGRO-INNOVATION ANGOLA
BENIN
Only about NGN 40 billion has been Notable new initiatives that help tackle the
BOTSWANA
earmarked by the government for gender gap include innovation hubs (e.g. She
BURKINA FASO
agricultural research and development Leads Africa), women-focused acceleration
BURUNDI
in 2019. The overall agriculture budget programs by mainstream hubs (e.g Venture
CABO VERDE
represents 1.8 percent (or NGN 183 billion) of the Garden Group’s Greenhouse Lab and Impact
CAMEROON
total 2020 budget. Hub), and networking events (e.g. African
CENTRAL
Women in Technology Conference and Tech AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Budget allocation for agriculture has fluctuated Women Lagos). The two recent players, Network
CHAD
in recent times. For instance, the budget of Incubators and Innovators in Nigeria (NINE)
COMOROS
allocation for the sector increased from and Hubs Nigeria Network (HNN), connect over
CONGO
1.25 percent in 2016 to 1.8 percent in 2017 and a 75 hubs, and support knowledge sharing and
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
significant 2.2 percent in 2018. But by 2019, the standards setting.
DEMOCRATIC
budget allocation dropped to 1.6 percent. REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
To improve innovative capacities of young
DJIBOUTI
Only a small number of Nigerian firms entrepreneurs, set ups such as Agri Lab are
EQUATORIAL
(13.8 percent) invest in R&D. Among digital creating the avenue for idea incubation GUINEA
industries, only software developers have and training. ERITREA
significant R&D expenditure amounting to ESWATINI
23.4 percent (Ernst & Young: Nigeria, 2018). L5Labs is a business incubator focused on ETHIOPIA
building outstanding businesses in Africa. The GABON
Eleven of the Federal Colleges of Agriculture focus is on the rapidly expanding mobile and THE GAMBIA
(FCAs) in Nigeria come under the Agricultural Internet technology space in Nigeria. L5Labs GHANA
Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), and by works with start-ups and early stages businesses GUINEA
extension the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and led by teams, comprising individuals with GUINEA-
BISSAU
Rural Development. The ARCN was established outstanding leadership potential who are aiming
KENYA
in 2006 with a mandate to coordinate, at tapping into very large identifiable markets.
LESOTHO
supervise, and regulate agricultural research, The Technology Incubation Centre in Benin City
LIBERIA
training, and extension in Nigeria. It became the has a broad mandate to assist small-scale
MADAGASCAR
apex organization for 15 (of a total of 18) mostly budding entrepreneurs to overcome the initial
commodity-oriented or thematically focused hurdles of bringing viable R&D results and other MALAWI
Agricultural Research Institutes (ARIs). technologies into profitable enterprises. The MALI
Venia Business Hub in Lagos was established to MAURITIUS
Nigeria is home to several high-growth digital render conducting business in Nigeria practical, MOZAMBIQUE
companies that provide hopeful examples of the affordable and flexible for start-ups, SMEs, NAMIBIA
country’s digital potential. Lagos is a mature corporate organizations and multinationals, as THE NIGER
and active ecosystem with dynamic incubators, well as linking growing businesses to a pool of NIGERIA
venture capital companies, and digital start-ups. companies for financial support as and when RWANDA
Digital entrepreneurship ecosystems are also required. Cocreation Hub Nigeria, or CcHUB, SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
growing in the cities of Abuja and Port Harcourt, is Nigeria’s foremost open living lab and pre
SENEGAL
with a potential for expansion to other cities. incubation space. It is designed to be a multi-
SEYCHELLES
Although urban SMEs are increasingly using functional, multipurpose space, where work
SIERRA LEONE
digital platforms for trading, digitalization of to catalyse creative social tech ventures takes
SOMALIA
firms in traditional industries and rural locations place. The Hub allows technologists, social
SOUTH AFRICA
remains limited. As of 2018, Nigeria has 55 active entrepreneurs, government, tech companies,
SOUTH SUDAN
tech hubs, and over 100 digital hubs (incubators, impact investors and hackers in and around
TOGO
co-working spaces, and accelerators) across Lagos to co-create new solutions to the
UGANDA
the country. Nigeria has also attracted several numerous social problems in Nigeria. In addition,
UNITED
multinational companies including Google, Technology Incubation Centre G-led, The Tinapa REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
Microsoft, and Facebook, which have set up Knowledge City (TKC) project and Minna Tech
ZAMBIA
their own incubators/accelerator programs. Incubation Centre are governmental-led hubs.
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 229
Angel investors are common in Nigeria and GIZ, UK Aid Direct and USAID, are also active ANGOLA
often provide early-stage funding even from in the agritech space in Nigeria. Nigerian BENIN
the outset before a start-up joins an incubator agritech start-ups raised USD 2 million in 2019 BOTSWANA
or an accelerator programme. International (see Table 7). BURKINA FASO
donors providing concessional finance, such as BURUNDI
CABO VERDE
Table 7: Agro-innovation CAMEROON
CENTRAL
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 112 451.14 FAO
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions) CHAD
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 106.65 FAO COMOROS
(2014–2016 = 100) CONGO
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.53 WBG CÔTE D’IVOIRE
(index ranking 1–5: low/high)
DEMOCRATIC
Research and Agricultural research spending 2014 0.22 IFPRI REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
technology (% of AgGDP)
development DJIBOUTI
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 2.52 WEF EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/
extensive collaboration) ERITREA
Capacity for innovation 2017 3.94 WEF ESWATINI
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
ETHIOPIA
to a great extent)
GABON
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 3.72 UNCTAD
THE GAMBIA
GHANA
GUINEA
GUINEA-
BISSAU
KENYA
LESOTHO
LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
MALI
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
230 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
©FAO/Shutterstock/Tetyana Dotsenko
RWANDA
Rwanda is a low-income country Agriculture remains a crucial sector contributing
with a GDP of USD 10.3 billion 31 percent to GDP and employing 62.3 percent
as of 2020. Rwanda has of the total population. Almost 61 percent of
experienced an economic boom Rwanda’s land is fertile and suitable for agriculture
over the past decade with an (Rwanda Development Board, 2020). Tea and
annual average growth of more coffee are the top export products while cassava,
than 7 percent between 2000 and 2019. The majority potatoes, maize, and rice make up the main food
of the population still lives in rural areas. Though the crops. However, Rwanda’s agriculture faces many
percentage of rural population decreased between constraints like land distribution, low productivity
1991 and 2002 from 94.5 percent to 83.2 percent, it and limited capacity. ICT is therefore considered
remained stable until 2019 at 82.6 percent. Moreover, a potential enabler in the process of addressing
42 percent of its urban population lives in slum areas some of these challenges in order to drive rural
(World Bank, 2018). The poverty rate has declined development and reduce poverty, considering its
from 77 percent in 2001 to 55 percent in 2017, increasing contribution to Rwanda’s economy with
reflecting progress in Rwanda’s social performance an annual average growth of 21.1 percent.
attained through strong leadership implementing
social policies (see Table 1).
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 12 952 209 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 17.43 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 82.57 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 10 334 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 18 117 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 73.44 FAO
231
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
As of 2019, 37.8 percent of Rwanda’s the key players in providing 2G and 3G services,
BOTSWANA
population had access to electricity. covering more than 95 percent of the population
BURKINA FASO
T h e a c c e s s fo r r u ra l a re a s i s (Rwanda Utilities Regulatory authority, 2019).
BURUNDI
26.2 percent (see Table 2). Compared to below
CABO VERDE
10 percent years ago, the improved access is Both the public and private sectors have
CAMEROON
largely due to government interventions. undertaken efforts to enhance connectivity
CENTRAL
Rwanda is rich in energy resources including in Rwanda. In 2019, the Ministry of ICT AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
solar, thermal, hydro, and methane. The and Innovation announced that the first
CHAD
government aimed at ensuring 100 percent communication satellite was successfully
COMOROS
electricity access by 2020 as announced in its launched to improve Internet connectivity across
CONGO
2016 Rural Electrification Strategy (FAO). the country. The Rwanda Utilities Regulatory
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Authority (RURA), jointly working with ITU, is
DEMOCRATIC
3G and 4G services play an important role in undertaking a broadband expansion project to REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Rwanda, with a high coverage of 90.3 percent increase rural connectivity and low-cost Internet
DJIBOUTI
and 99 percent (see Table 2) respectively. 4G access. The local broadband provider Liquid
EQUATORIAL
was mainly supported and upgraded by Korea Telecom launched in 2020 a new range of fiber GUINEA
Telecom Rwanda Networks (KTRN) under public- broadband products to provide fast and reliable ERITREA
private partnerships (ITU, 2018). In addition connections, targeting households in selected ESWATINI
to KTRN, which is a dominant player in the areas of the capital city Kigali (see Table 2). ETHIOPIA
4G/LTE market, MTN and Airtel Rwanda are also GABON
THE GAMBIA
Table 2: Infrastructure GHANA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source GUINEA
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 26.21 WBG GUINEA-
BISSAU
(% of rural population)
KENYA
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 99.00 GSMA
LESOTHO
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 54.80 GSMA
(% of population) LIBERIA
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 81.92 WBG MADAGASCAR
(per 1 million people) MALAWI
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 5.07 WEF MALI
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
MAURITIUS
to a great extent)
MOZAMBIQUE
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2020 81.95 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) NAMIBIA
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 42.30 ITU THE NIGER
(per 100 inhabitants)
NIGERIA
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 0.14 ITU
RWANDA
(per 100 people)
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
DIGITAL PENETRATION SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
According the Rwanda Utilities of poverty hinder Internet access in rural
SOMALIA
Regulatory Authority’s (RURA) Annual communities. There is a variety of sector
SOUTH AFRICA
Report ( 2 0 1 9 –2 0 2 0 ) , Internet players in Rwanda. The main mobile network
SOUTH SUDAN
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants increased operators are MTN Rwanda and Airtel Rwanda
TOGO
to 62.3 percent as of June 2020. Fixed while 26 Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are
UGANDA
broadband subscriptions remain low at competing in the market (RURA, 2020).
UNITED
0.07 per 100 inhabitants because Internet REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
access is primarily concentrated in the capital On the contrary, mobile cellular subscriptions
ZAMBIA
city. Low income and awareness as a result are much higher at 82 percent, seeing a sharp
ZIMBABWE
232 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
increase compared to 35.3 percent a decade smartphones to vulnerable households and ANGOLA
ago (see Table 3). Rwanda has relatively cheap individuals who cannot afford them. BENIN
mobile data, with USD 1.48 per 1 GB (see Table 3). BOTSWANA
However, only 4.7 percent of the population is The expansion of smartphone use is due to BURKINA FASO
active on social media (see Table 3). To further Rwanda’s booming mobile payment services. BURUNDI
increase the penetration of smartphones as a There are currently six mobile money services, CABO VERDE
basic tool to access digital services and bridge three of which are offered by MNOs and three by CAMEROON
the digital divide in rural areas from their current banks (International Finance Corporation, 2020). CENTRAL
AFRICAN
level below 20 percent, the Connect Rwanda This is also in line with the government’s vision of REPUBLIC
campaign was launched in 2019 to pledge building a “cashless society” (see Table 3). CHAD
COMOROS
Table 3: Digital penetration CONGO
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
DEMOCRATIC
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 1.48 Cable REPUBLIC OF
penetration (USD) CONGO
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2016 6.88 ITU DJIBOUTI
as a % of adjusted per capita income EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2016 48.14 ITU
adjusted per capita income ERITREA
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 4.69 GSMA ESWATINI
Number of apps in national language 2019 28.00 GSMA ETHIOPIA
(quantity) GABON
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 19.59 GSMA THE GAMBIA
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 7.10 GSMA GHANA
GUINEA
GUINEA-
BISSAU
POLICY AND REGULATION KENYA
Reflective of the importance of the ICT Digitalization of agriculture is gradually taking LESOTHO
sector as a pillar of the country’s shape in Rwanda’s national policies. The 2017 LIBERIA
development strategy, Rwanda National Agriculture Policy indicated that MADAGASCAR
scored 5.77/7 in the recognition of the overall digitalization brings opportunities for MALAWI
importance of ICT in national policies. It also agriculture, which could be integrated in skill MALI
scored a high 6.05/7 in the proliferation of ICT development, data collection and analysis. The MAURITIUS
(see Table 4). The Ministry of Youth and ICT National ICT4Rag Strategy (2016–2020), aligned MOZAMBIQUE
(MINICT), which is responsible for ICT policy with the national ICT strategy as well as the NAMIBIA
and strategy development launched a Smart Rwanda Master Plan, further illustrates THE NIGER
Smart Rwanda Master Plan 2015–2020. The the importance of enhancing farmer-centric NIGERIA
government has demonstrated strong ambition agriculture and rural development through RWANDA
to go cashless and paperless as well as offering concrete implementation plans, pursuing a SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
24-hour self-service. The plan also highlighted poverty reduction goal of less than 30 percent
SENEGAL
the importance of ICT in terms of generating job by 2020. Moreover, the Government of Rwanda
SEYCHELLES
opportunities driven by the private sector. is currently developing a national digital
SIERRA LEONE
agriculture strategy in partnership with FAO for
SOMALIA
its upcoming five-year schedule (see Table 4).
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 233
Table 4: Policy and regulation ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 5.77 WEF
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ BURKINA FASO
framework there is a clear plan) BURUNDI
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 6.05 WEF CABO VERDE
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
CAMEROON
extremely successful)
CENTRAL
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 4.72 WEF AFRICAN
digital business models (index ranking REPUBLIC
1–7: not fast at all/very fast)
CHAD
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 4.67 WEF
COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
extremely well developed) CONGO
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 82.3 EC/ITU CÔTE D’IVOIRE
framework DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation DJIBOUTI
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score EQUATORIAL
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4). GUINEA
ERITREA
ESWATINI
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ETHIOPIA
GABON
Investment in Rwanda is mostly public participation in the economy and to promote
THE GAMBIA
sector-led, which results in large gender equality in business and investments.
GHANA
amounts of external borrowing.
GUINEA
Government debt stood at 51.4 percent of GDP However, some limitations for businesses to
GUINEA-
in 2019. The government has adopted a series maintain their operations still exist, such as BISSAU
of policies to reform and reduce dependency by strong government interventions, limited access KENYA
attracting more foreign investments and to affordable credit, inconsistent application LESOTHO
improving its business climate. For instance, the of tax incentives and import duties, unstable LIBERIA
2015 Investment Code aims at boosting FDI supply of electricity and water, and so on. MADAGASCAR
through incentive. It also protects the intellectual MALAWI
property rights of investors, particularly relevant Favourable policies also motivate investors to MALI
to technology transfer. target opportunities in agriculture. Rwanda has MAURITIUS
built up an attractive enabling environment MOZAMBIQUE
Rwanda currently has a relatively high score of including duty-free importation of inputs, NAMIBIA
doing business, at 93.2 of 100. It takes just four tax exemption for equipment, reduction THE NIGER
days to start a business with zero cost thanks to in corporate income tax as well as a one- NIGERIA
the efficient and fast online processes offered stop centre for process facilitation (Rwanda RWANDA
by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). SMEs Development Board). Furthermore, sub- SÃO TOMÉ
can also benefit from 2018 property tax law to sectors such as food processing, horticulture, AND PRÍNCIPE
obtain a two-year exemption for tax trading livestock, distribution and cold chain offer huge SENEGAL
license. Rwanda also created the Chamber of investment opportunities (see Table 5). SEYCHELLES
Women Entrepreneurs to encourage women’s SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
234 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 5: Business environment ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 420 UNCTAD
environment culture BURKINA FASO
Growth of innovative companies 2019 4.33 WEF BURUNDI
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ CABO VERDE
to a great extent)
CAMEROON
Venture capital availability 2017 3.24 WEF
CENTRAL
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ AFRICAN
extremely easy) REPUBLIC
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 4 WBG CHAD
Ease of access to loans 2017 4.06 WEF COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ CONGO
extremely easy)
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 4.42 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
to a great extent) CONGO
DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
HUMAN CAPITAL ERITREA
The total literacy rate of Rwanda has quality and quantity, with a particular focus on ESWATINI
been continuously improving, reaching education as a sector and vulnerable groups as ETHIOPIA
73.2 percent in 2018. Meanwhile the a target. This goal was particularly underlined GABON
literacy gender gap has decreased particularly in the National Digital Talent Policy launched by THE GAMBIA
between youth males and females, at MINICT and followed by actionable programmes GHANA
84.3 percent and 88.5 percent respectively. like the Digital Ambassadors Programme (DAP). GUINEA
However, digital literacy is less than 10 percent, Selected digital ambassadors will acquire GUINEA-
BISSAU
which largely affects the promotion and digital skills through boot camp and training,
KENYA
adoption of ICT tools. whose digital capacities will further influence
LESOTHO
their communities. Higher learning institutions
LIBERIA
Given the importance of ICT particularly in also offer ICT related courses through academic
MADAGASCAR
the increased uptake of mobile payments, the programs to enhance students’ digital skills
MALAWI
government is aiming at improving the country’s (see Table 6).
MALI
digital skills and literacy both in terms of
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
Table 6: Human capital
NAMIBIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source THE NIGER
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2018 73.22 UNESCO NIGERIA
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above)
RWANDA
Literacy rate, youth total 2018 86.49 UNESCO
(% of people ages 15–24) SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Digital skills among population 2019 3.96 WEF
SENEGAL
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) SEYCHELLES
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 62.29 ILO SIERRA LEONE
(% of total employment) SOMALIA
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 70.98 ILO SOUTH AFRICA
(% of female employment)
SOUTH SUDAN
Unemployment, total 2020 1.35 ILO
TOGO
(% of total labour force)
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 235
AGRO-INNOVATION ANGOLA
BENIN
The total R&D expenditure in Rwanda and the private sector has made great efforts
BOTSWANA
contributed to 0.7 percent of GDP. in deploying digital solutions in agriculture.
BURKINA FASO
Agricultural R&D accounted for only The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has
BURUNDI
0.44 percent of total agricultural GDP (IFPRI). taken the lead in partnering with FAO in a
CABO VERDE
UNESCO reported that the majority of R&D five-year programme aiming at digitizing
CAMEROON
activities were led by the government at agricultural value chains by development local
CENTRAL
70 percent, while higher education, the private suppliers’ capacity and promoting e-commerce AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
sector and non-profit institutions contributed in agricultural value chains. A range of digital
CHAD
only a small proportion. With this government- agriculture solutions have already been applied
COMOROS
led nature, 64.5 percent of R&D funds were across the value chains, such as the eRwanda
CONGO
government-sourced while the rest was mainly project, funded by the World Bank. The Esoko
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
from external funds. Rwanda project aims at enhancing interaction
DEMOCRATIC
between the Ministry of Agriculture with farmers REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
As the only government agricultural research and traders and to train farmers on the use of
DJIBOUTI
centre, the Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB) the eSoko System. The International Institute
EQUATORIAL
employs 63 percent of total researchers. In of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Rwanda promotes GUINEA
terms of qualification, a master’s degree is the a phone-based tool to banana farmers and ERITREA
minimal requirement to become a researcher in promoters, agricultural mobile applications ESWATINI
RAB, while doctoral degrees are held by only a supported by FAO are aiming at enhancing ETHIOPIA
small proportion of researchers. A gender gap is access to digital services, and N-Frnds offers GABON
also evident with only 24 percent of researchers a range of solutions for digitizing agricultural THE GAMBIA
being female (IFPRI). value chains. GHANA
GUINEA
With a growing youth population and faced Local innovative start-ups in Rwanda have GUINEA-
BISSAU
by persistent challenges in agriculture, digital benefitted from various opportunities, such as
KENYA
agriculture is a way out for Rwanda. It can the Innov8Agric Challenge, the Rwanda Open
LESOTHO
create job opportunities and increase income. Innovation Challenge, and the Envisage Youth
LIBERIA
In this context, the government in partnership Agribusiness Incubator (see Table 7).
MADAGASCAR
with international development organizations
MALAWI
MALI
Table 7: Agro-innovation
MAURITIUS
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
MOZAMBIQUE
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 2 480.71 FAO
NAMIBIA
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions)
THE NIGER
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 123.33 FAO
(2014–2016 = 100) NIGERIA
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.97 WBG RWANDA
(index ranking 1–5: low/high)
SÃO TOMÉ
Research and Agricultural research spending 2015 0.44 IFPRI AND PRÍNCIPE
technology (% of AgGDP) SENEGAL
development
SEYCHELLES
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 3.53 WEF
SIERRA LEONE
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/
extensive collaboration) SOMALIA
Capacity for innovation 2017 4.32 WEF SOUTH AFRICA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ SOUTH SUDAN
to a great extent)
TOGO
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 5.26 UNCTAD
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
236 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
©FAO/Shutterstock/alfotokunst
SÃO TOMÉ AND PRÍNCIPE
São Tomé and Príncipe is pests and power shortages, the agriculture and
a l o w e r- m i d d l e income, fisheries sector have been negatively affected.
twin-island country with a Moreover, weak cocoa prices have affected many
population of 219 161 people people spurring rural-urban migration. To date,
as of 2020, and a GDP of 74.35 percent of the population lives in urban areas
almost USD 473 million as of while 25.64 percent lives in rural areas, which is a
2019. Tourism, agriculture and fisheries are the unique demographic breakdown compared to
main drivers of the economy. The island has about most African countries. About 68 percent of the
440 km2 of agriculture land area, representing population lives in poverty, 22 percent of whom live
46 percent of the land. Plantation agriculture in extreme poverty.
of cacao trees (for cocoa beans) dominates the
cultivated land and to a lesser extent, coffee and The country is strategically located along undersea
palm trees. The economy is more oriented to services cable routes such as the ACE submarine cable.
with agriculture contributing 11 percent of the GDP. This has improved Internet access and offers the
potential for a strong digital economy. The ICT
Since 2018, São Tomé and Príncipe’s economy was sector is improving with Internet access costs
affected by negative shocks that influenced all decreasing. Telecoms contribute an estimated
sectors of the economy. Coupled with agricultural 7 percent of GDP.
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 219 161 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 74.35 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 25.65 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 473 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 440 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 45.83 FAO
237
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
São Tomé and Príncipe has limited After launching ACE with support from the World
BOTSWANA
infrastructure. Total electricity access as Bank, the government awarded the Angolan
BURKINA FASO
of 2019 was 75.2 percent of the mobile phone company Unitel the license to
BURUNDI
population with 77.6 percent access in urban operate as the country’s second major telecom.
CABO VERDE
areas and 68.5 percent in rural areas. The The impact of a second mobile operator and
CAMEROON
country generates 58 percent less electricity than ceding of government shareholding from STP-
CENTRAL
its installed capacity due to ageing generation Cabo led to further price reductions, enabled AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
assets and lack of maintenance. The coverage competitiveness in the sector, and increased
CHAD
of electricity is mostly in the capital city and government revenue (World Bank, 2015).
COMOROS
towards the north-western part of the country.
CONGO
In 2011, the government began to develop São Tomé and Príncipe has access to the
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
network infrastructure through public-private Central African Backbone, a joint fiber optic
DEMOCRATIC
partnerships. For example, the government and Internet backbone developed by the Economic REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Companhia Santomense de Telecomunicações Community of Central African States (ECCAS).
DJIBOUTI
(CST- subsidiary of Portugal Telecom), jointly
EQUATORIAL
worked to build access to the Africa Coast to With two mobile network operators – São Tomé GUINEA
Europe (ACE) submarine fiber optic cable. This Company for Telecommunications (CST) and ERITREA
improved network infrastructure, contributing to UNITEL – the country has good coverage. In ESWATINI
a decline of Internet and telecommunication 2015, CST’s 3G network covered 90 percent of ETHIOPIA
service prices. This investment helped the the population and 80 percent of the territory. GABON
government attract a second mobile operator According to the General Regulatory authority THE GAMBIA
and service provider. This initiative was timely (GRA), in 2018, CST dominated the market with GHANA
because until 2013 São Tomé and Príncipe relied an 85 percent share compared to UNITEL’s GUINEA
on satellite for international communications. 15 percent. GUINEA-
BISSAU
KENYA
Table 2: Infrastructure
LESOTHO
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
LIBERIA
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 68.51 WBG
MADAGASCAR
(% of rural population)
MALAWI
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 N/A GSMA
MALI
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 N/A GSMA
(% of population) MAURITIUS
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 31.94 WBG MOZAMBIQUE
(per 1 million people) NAMIBIA
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 N/A WEF THE NIGER
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
to a great extent) NIGERIA
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2020 79.49 ITU RWANDA
(per 100 inhabitants) SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 34.34 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) SENEGAL
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 1.15 ITU SEYCHELLES
(per 100 people) SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
DIGITAL PENETRATION SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
In 2020, the country’s mobile cellular per capita income. Currently, service provider in
UGANDA
subscriptions reached 79.5 percent the country has planned to launch LTE services
UNITED
while fixed broadband subscriptions and 4G network and is waiting for official REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
stood at 1.15 percent, due to a relatively high regulatory permission to roll out.
ZAMBIA
price, accounting for approximately 20% of the
ZIMBABWE
238 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 3: Digital penetration ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2019 28.26 Cable
penetration (USD) BURKINA FASO
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2017 6.11 ITU BURUNDI
as a % of adjusted per capita income CABO VERDE
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2017 18.60 ITU CAMEROON
adjusted per capita income
CENTRAL
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2020 N/A GSMA AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Number of apps in national language 2019 N/A GSMA
CHAD
(quantity)
COMOROS
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 N/A GSMA
CONGO
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 N/A GSMA
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
POLICY AND REGULATION DJIBOUTI
T h e M i n i s t r y of P u b l i c Wo r k s , The World Bank supported the country to EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Infrastructure, Tr a n s p o r t and prepare an ICT Strategy Plan in 2014, as part of
ERITREA
Communications is responsible for the Central African Backbone Program (APL2).
ESWATINI
driving the country’s ICT policies. The Autoridade The draft strategy had established objectives,
ETHIOPIA
Geral de Regulação de São Tomé e Príncipe roles, responsibilities and monitoring measures
GABON
(AGER) is the general regulatory authority, in the implementation of the country’s ICTs.
THE GAMBIA
established by Law No. 14/2005. AGER also However, at the time of the project reporting
GHANA
manages the universal service fund and provides in 2015, the strategy was not adopted by
GUINEA
technical assistance for the transition to digital the government.
GUINEA-
broadcasting (ITU, 2018). There is no separate BISSAU
ICT policy in the country; however, the Second The government also operates the Institute KENYA
National Poverty Reduction Strategy II (NPRS-II) of Innovation and Knowledge (INIC), whose LESOTHO
recognizes the value of promoting access to ICTs responsibility is to establish an information LIBERIA
by citizens and governments within education and and knowledge society. INIC formulates and MADAGASCAR
health. Policy measures include the development executes strategies for the integration of new MALAWI
of universal services, the definition of a sectoral ICTs in numerous fields including agriculture. MALI
legal and regulatory framework to ensure the There is insufficient information on the role and MAURITIUS
promotion of investments, and the development function of this agency. MOZAMBIQUE
of new services provided by ICTs (IMF, 2014). NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
Table 4: Policy and regulation NIGERIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source RWANDA
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 N/A WEF SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/
framework there is a clear plan) SENEGAL
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 N/A WEF SEYCHELLES
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/ SIERRA LEONE
extremely successful)
SOMALIA
Legal framework’s adaptability to digital 2019 N/A WEF
business models (index ranking 1–7: SOUTH AFRICA
not fast at all/very fast) SOUTH SUDAN
Laws relating to ICTs (index ranking 1–7: 2016 N/A WEF TOGO
not developed at all/extremely well developed)
UGANDA
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2016 75 EC/ITU
UNITED
framework REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation (from G1 to G4). ZAMBIA
Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation (G1), a score between
ZIMBABWE
40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score above 85 belong to the fourth (G4).
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 239
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ANGOLA
BENIN
The country has legal and policy receives foreign direct investment in oil while
BOTSWANA
conventions for establishing and running the government relies on aid and government
BURKINA FASO
a business in all sectors of the economy. borrowing. The São Tomé and Príncipe 2030
BURUNDI
Like all small island states, São Tomé and Príncipe development agenda seeks to attract more
CABO VERDE
lacks economies of scale while the distance to foreign investment and improve sectors that can
CAMEROON
markets is a particular challenge. That said, enhance the labour market.
CENTRAL
according to the World Bank, the time required to AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
start a business is seven days (see Table 5). This There is insufficient data published on current
CHAD
is due to the adoption of a straightforward single agritech investments (see Table 5). However,
COMOROS
electronic window registry for opening a business. UNDP has supported young people in the
CONGO
However, some processes are arduous, such as development of innovative business solutions
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
acquiring construction permits, paying taxes and and tackling different aspects of developmental
DEMOCRATIC
dealing with insolvent companies. challenges. In 2019, UNDP launched a REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
nationwide initiative to invest in the country’s
DJIBOUTI
While the economy of São Tomé and Príncipe is youth with the participation of Yunus & Youth,
EQUATORIAL
driven by agriculture and tourism, the country a local youth-operated business. GUINEA
ERITREA
Table 5: Business environment ESWATINI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source ETHIOPIA
GABON
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 57 UNCTAD
environment culture THE GAMBIA
Growth of innovative companies 2019 N/A WEF GHANA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
GUINEA
to a great extent)
GUINEA-
Venture capital availability 2017 N/A WEF BISSAU
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/
KENYA
extremely easy)
LESOTHO
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 7 WBG
LIBERIA
Ease of access to loans (index ranking 1–7: 2017 N/A WEF
extremely difficult/extremely easy) MADAGASCAR
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 N/A WEF MALAWI
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
MALI
to a great extent)
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
HUMAN CAPITAL THE NIGER
São Tomé and Príncipe’s population Computer Science, and Telecommunications NIGERIA
is young, with 54.8 percent aged Engineering. Not much is known on the capacity of RWANDA
15–64 years, while those 65 years and training institutions to support agriculture. AfDB and SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
older account for only 3 percent. About 93 percent IFAD have supported Sao Tome Principe to improve
SENEGAL
of people aged 15 years and older are literate, its agricultural research institute and also rural
SEYCHELLES
while youth aged 15–24 years literacy have a farmers to mitigate the effects of climate change.
SIERRA LEONE
literacy rate of 97.8 percent (World Bank, 2018). AfDB through the Infrastructure Rehabilitation for
SOMALIA
School enrolment figures suggest the country Food Security Support Project (PRIASA) modernized
SOUTH AFRICA
enjoys adequate education (see Table 6). agriculture in the country. Amongst other things, this
SOUTH SUDAN
included modernizing and equipping the Centre
TOGO
The University of São Tomé and Príncipe was de Recherche Agronomique et Technologique
UGANDA
established in 2014, and formerly was known as (Agricultural Research and Technology Centre,
UNITED
the Higher Polytechnic Institute of São Tomé and CIAT). There is lack of data on the impact of these REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
Príncipe (ISPSTP). The university offers degrees in investment or state of human capital needs and
ZAMBIA
Agronomy, Computer Engineering, Engineering, levels of knowledge in the country.
ZIMBABWE
240 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 6: Human capital ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2018 92.82 UNESCO
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above) BURKINA FASO
Literacy rate, youth total 2018 97.78 UNESCO BURUNDI
(% of people ages 15–24) CABO VERDE
Digital skills among population 2019 N/A WEF CAMEROON
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
CENTRAL
to a great extent) AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 19.14 ILO
(% of total employment) CHAD
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 8.56 ILO COMOROS
(% of female employment) CONGO
Unemployment, total 2020 13.86 ILO CÔTE D’IVOIRE
(% of total labour force)
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
DJIBOUTI
AGRO-INNOVATION EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
In terms of Agro-innovation, there is ICT especially in the areas of Science, ERITREA
insufficient data on the agritech Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. This ESWATINI
space in the country, however, the will set up the foundation for a more favourable ETHIOPIA
government values the importance of ICT and enabling environment for the country’s digital
GABON
started to set the goal of improving access to transformation (MAIO, 2019).
THE GAMBIA
GHANA
Table 7: Agro-innovation
GUINEA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source GUINEA-
BISSAU
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 37.63 FAO
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions) KENYA
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 107.41 FAO LESOTHO
(2014–2016 = 100) LIBERIA
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.65 WBG MADAGASCAR
(index ranking 1–5: low/high)
MALAWI
Research and Agricultural research spending 2016 N/A IFPRI
MALI
technology (% of AgGDP)
development MAURITIUS
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 N/A WEF MOZAMBIQUE
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/ NAMIBIA
extensive collaboration)
THE NIGER
Capacity for innovation 2017 N/A WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ NIGERIA
to a great extent) RWANDA
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 3.77 UNCTAD SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 241
©FAO/Shutterstock/klublu
SENEGAL
Senegal is a lower-middle- importance of rice to the sector, the country still
i n c o m e c o u n t r y. I t s G D P imports about 70 percent of the rice it requires for
increased from USD 23.3 billion domestic consumption.
in 2019 to USD 24.9 billion
i n 2 0 2 0. T h e a g r i c u l t u re The poverty headcount ratio at the national
sector is important for the poverty line declined from 48.3 percent in 2005 to
country as it contributed to 15.8 percent of 46.7 percent in 2011. Geographic disparities exist in
GDP in 2020. Also, in 2019, the sector employed poverty between rural and urban areas. For instance,
around one-third population and the proportion 66 percent of rural residents are considered poor
of females employed in the sector accounted compared to 23 percent of residents of the capital
for 24.8 percent. Smallholder farmers are still city Dakar. Due to the incidence of poverty there,
dominant in the country on a subsistence basis. the rural population keeps declining. According to
The dominant crops grown are groundnuts (cash the World Bank, the rural population reduced from
crop), rice, and millet. Regardless of the relative 52.8 percent in 2018 to 51.8 percent in 2020.
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 16 743 930 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 48.12 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 51.88 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 24 911 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 88 780 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 46.11 FAO
242
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
National access to electricity increased to benefit from higher mobile penetration rates,
BOTSWANA
to 70.4 percent in 2019. By West African which in turn has substantial implications to the
BURKINA FASO
standards, Senegal is considered to country’s economic and human development.
BURUNDI
have high access to electricity. Nevertheless, A significant proportion of Senegalese people
CABO VERDE
vast inequalities exist between urban and rural have access to mobile phone services as well as
CAMEROON
areas as well as significant geographic mobile broadband Internet. About 98.7 percent
CENTRAL
disparities. Senegal is gradually inching toward of users access the Internet through mobile AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
achieving a 100 percent access rate in urban phones, which emphasizes the importance of
CHAD
areas. Registered at 95.2 percent in 2019, urban mobile broadband Internet in the country (ARTP,
COMOROS
access to electricity increased by 3 percent from 2019). With almost 100 percent 2G coverage
CONGO
2018. Although low, the rural access rate has as of 2019, the Senegalese economy boasts
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
shown progress with an increase to to 95 percent 3G coverage and 73.7 percent 4G
DEMOCRATIC
47.8 percent in 2019 from 41.4 percent in 2018. coverage. However, broadband coverage REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
remains persistently uneven across the country
DJIBOUTI
Regional disparities exist, with regions as rural and urban areas demonstrate a
EQUATORIAL
like Kaffrine, Kolda, and Kédougou having significant gap in 3G coverage, which is mostly GUINEA
an estimated 9–12 percent rural access to concentrated in the main urban centres. ERITREA
electricity, while other regions like Diourbel and Similarly, Senegal’s Internet penetration also has ESWATINI
Thiès enjoying rural access rates of 55 percent a huge gap in urban and rural areas, standing ETHIOPIA
and 76 percent respectively. The government is at 41 percent and 17 percent respectively as GABON
embarking on a rural electrification project with of 2017. THE GAMBIA
support from the World Bank to increase access GHANA
to electricity and at the same time cut down on Several initiatives to expand Senegal’s telecom GUINEA
global GHG emissions by adopting sustainable infrastructure are underway. These include GUINEA-
BISSAU
energy sources such as grid extension, solar/ Orange’s plans to build a new international
KENYA
diesel mini-grids, solar home systems, and backbone network that will run from Senegal
LESOTHO
solar lanterns in rural areas across Senegal. The to other countries in West Africa, constructed
LIBERIA
carbon-linked results-based payment scheme around a terrestrial fiber network combined with
will be used to support the government’s plan subsea cables. It will then connect to the rest MADAGASCAR
to accelerate rural electrification by private of the world through additional subsea cables MALAWI
concessionaires and other project operators. and will link up all the main regional capital MALI
Also, the Millennium Challenge Corporation cities like Dakar, Bamako, Abidjan, Accra, and MAURITIUS
(MCC) compact was signed in December 2018 Nigeria’s largest city of Lagos. MOZAMBIQUE
and was expected to go into force in 2021. It NAMIBIA
aims at decreasing energy costs by modernizing The construction of a government cloud THE NIGER
the power sector, increasing access to electricity in Diamniadio has been launched by the NIGERIA
in rural Senegal, strengthening the electrical Agence de l’Informatique de l’Etat (State RWANDA
transmission network in Dakar, and improving Informatics Agency). The cloud will serve as SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
the governance of the power sector. the core of the government’s broadband
SENEGAL
administrative network by interconnecting all
SEYCHELLES
Telecommunication has been cited as relevant administrative buildings, such as local
SIERRA LEONE
instrumental to the growth of the Senegalese governments and agencies, universities, schools
SOMALIA
economy. Efforts are being put in place to and health centres. This offers an avenue to
SOUTH AFRICA
expand infrastructure in the telecom sector. This integrate, in size and project structure, all of
SOUTH SUDAN
is supported by a 91.6 percent mobile network the state’s IT storage needs, including those of
TOGO
coverage as of 2016. Digital connectivity stands ministerial data centres.
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 243
Table 2: Infrastructure ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 47.82 WBG
(% of rural population) BURKINA FASO
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 73.65 GSMA BURUNDI
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 57.66 GSMA CABO VERDE
(% of population) CAMEROON
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 26.34 WBG CENTRAL
(per 1 million people) AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 4.87 WEF
CHAD
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
to a great extent) COMOROS
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2020 113.95 ITU CONGO
(per 100 inhabitants) CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 54.25 ITU DEMOCRATIC
(per 100 inhabitants) REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 1.06 ITU
(per 100 people) DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
ERITREA
DIGITAL PENETRATION ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
Senegal has witnessed a spectacular (53.2 percent) in the mobile sector. Free Senegal
GABON
growth of digital technology in recent and Expresso have 24.6 percent and 22.2 percent
THE GAMBIA
years. Even though the number of market share respectively. Orange and many
GHANA
mobile connections in Senegal declined by other partners offer information and advice to
GUINEA
2.4 percent between January 2020 and January farmers via USSD, SMS, call centres, IVR, and
GUINEA-
2021, Internet usage increased by 2.7 percent websites or mobile applications (chatbots). BISSAU
between 2020 and 2021. Internet users in KENYA
January 2021 stood at 7.81 million, and the rise Digital technologies have increased financial LESOTHO
in Internet users also caused a 15 percent surge inclusion in Senegal, especially for rural LIBERIA
of social media use (500 000 users) between populations, with mobile money services being MADAGASCAR
January 2020 and January 2021. a major contributing factor to this. Unlike MALAWI
other countries, there gender awareness gap MALI
Active mobile broadband subscriptions slim at 93 and 90 percent for men and women MAURITIUS
per 100 inhabitants in Senegal increased from respectively. The use of mobile money is rapidly MOZAMBIQUE
42.1 in 2018 to 54.3 in 2019. A similar increasing scaling up growth in bank account ownership. NAMIBIA
trend was experienced in post-paid/prepaid The percentage of the adult population with THE NIGER
mobile cellular telephone subscriptions, which one or more financial accounts rose from NIGERIA
rose from 15.7 million to 17.8 million between the 15.4 percent in 2014 to 42.3 percent 2017. It is RWANDA
same period. also considered an easy avenue to credit with SÃO TOMÉ
most of the population accessing credit and AND PRÍNCIPE
Senegal’s fixed line sector has two operators: savings through informal methods rather than SENEGAL
Orange Senegal (Sonatel) and Expresso, which transacting with the formal financial system. SEYCHELLES
was introduced as the second national operator In 2017, the adult percentage that saved or SIERRA LEONE
in 2009. The mobile sector however has three borrowed from the formal financial system was SOMALIA
operators: Sonatel, Free Senegal and Expresso. 7.3 percent and 7.8 percent respectively, while SOUTH AFRICA
Orange Senegal (Sonatel) is the dominant 23.8 percent saved, and 29.9 percent borrowed SOUTH SUDAN
player in both the fixed line and mobile sectors, through informal methods (World Bank, 2019). TOGO
commanding more than half of the market share UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
244 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 3: Digital penetration ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 3.30 Cable
penetration (USD) BURKINA FASO
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2018 N/A ITU BURUNDI
as a % of adjusted per capita income CABO VERDE
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2018 N/A ITU CAMEROON
adjusted per capita income
CENTRAL
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 20.46 GSMA AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Number of apps in national language 2019 24.43 GSMA
CHAD
(quantity)
COMOROS
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 26.78 GSMA
CONGO
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 88.32 GSMA
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
POLICY AND REGULATION DJIBOUTI
The country has adopted several However, the Digital Senegal Strategy EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
policies and action plans to develop its (2016–2025) acknowledges the importance
ERITREA
agriculture sector. Agriculture sector of agriculture, conceding that ICT adoption
ESWATINI
policies include the National Agricultural in agriculture is relatively low. Promoting
ETHIOPIA
Development Plan (PNDA) (2015–2025), which digital technologies across all priority sectors
GABON
seeks to promote a modern, competitive and is critical to the provision of new sources of
THE GAMBIA
sustainable sector through the development of growth, improving the economy’s productivity
GHANA
plant sectors with strong potential for growth. and competitiveness, all of which can foster
GUINEA
The National Strategy of the Sector Rural (SDSR) sustainable development, facilitate technological
GUINEA-
horizon 2025, the National Food Security Strategy transformation and improve digital access. BISSAU
(SNSA) vision 2030 are other complementing KENYA
policies. The Emerging Senegal Plan (2019–2023) IFAD and the government are also implementing LESOTHO
aims at modernizing agriculture by strengthening the second phase of the Support to Agricultural LIBERIA
food security and through the country’s Digital Development and Rural Entrepreneurship MADAGASCAR
Senegal Strategy (2016–2025). Programme, which aims at sustainably improving MALAWI
the food security and incomes of smallholder MALI
Meanwhile, in a bid to eradicate rural poverty, crop and livestock farmers by integrating them MAURITIUS
a number of development projects have been into profitable, diversified value chains that are MOZAMBIQUE
undertaken to improve rural living standards. resilient to climate change. To contribute to food NAMIBIA
For instance, IFAD is embarking on two and nutrition security and improve the livelihoods THE NIGER
projects that support rural development. The of farmers, the Sorghum and Millet Compact NIGERIA
Support to Agricultural Development and activities were launched in Senegal. This is part of RWANDA
Rural Entrepreneurship Programme – Phase II the African Development Bank’s plan to transform SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
aims at reducing poverty for people living in agriculture in Senegal and six other Sahelian
SENEGAL
the programme’s focus area by integrating countries through the Technologies for African
SEYCHELLES
them with profitable, diversified value chains. Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) programme.
SIERRA LEONE
The Rural Youth Agripreneur Support Project It targets about 40 to 50 percent of African
SOMALIA
aims at enabling rural youth to become farmers with technologies that include improved
agricultural entrepreneurs. seeds, water harvesting, and integrated soil SOUTH AFRICA
fertility management, with the goal of boosting SOUTH SUDAN
ICT also plays a cruicial role in the success of the agricultural productivity and self-sufficiency TOGO
Senegalese economy. The National ICT Policy by 2025. As part of the programme, a compact UGANDA
and the Digital Senegal Strategy (2016–2025) seed multiplication site (Sorghum Breeder at the UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
are the country’s main ICT policies. The National Centre National de Recherches Agronomiques de TANZANIA
ICT Policy does not refer directly to agriculture. Bambey) has been set up in Bambey. ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 245
Table 4: Policy and regulation ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 4.10 WEF
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ BURKINA FASO
framework there is a clear plan) BURUNDI
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 4.43 WEF CABO VERDE
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
CAMEROON
extremely successful)
CENTRAL
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 3.91 WEF AFRICAN
digital business models (index ranking REPUBLIC
1–7: not fast at all/very fast)
CHAD
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 3.85 WEF
COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
extremely well developed) CONGO
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 80 EC/ITU CÔTE D’IVOIRE
framework DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation DJIBOUTI
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score EQUATORIAL
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4). GUINEA
ERITREA
ESWATINI
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ETHIOPIA
GABON
Senegal has a favourable stock of FDI Start-ups in Senegal often receive support
THE GAMBIA
compared to other countries in Africa. from the government and other donors. Four
GHANA
The UNCTAD 2020 World Investment Senegalese start-ups have received coaching
GUINEA
Report noted that FDI in the country increased and help in drawing up business growth plans
GUINEA-
from USD 848 million in 2018 to a record high of from Ernst & Young (EY), as part of the AgriHack BISSAU
USD 983 million in 2019, with a total stock of FDI Talent initiative. The companies were guided to KENYA
registered at USD 6.4 billion at the end of 2019. draw up a one-year business growth plan as LESOTHO
The 2020 edition of the World Bank’s Doing well as explore the challenges they faced in LIBERIA
Business report showed that Senegal has accessing funding after the execution of the MADAGASCAR
advanced nearly 20 rankings for ease of doing plan, as well as proposing areas where strategy MALAWI
business. With the country’s score of starting a could be improved. The initiative included MALI
business recorded at 91.2/100, it only takes four several schemes to help businesses access MAURITIUS
procedures and six days to start a new business. finance, including the Pitch AgriHack, where MOZAMBIQUE
Senegal is positioning itself as investor-ready, start-ups competed for between USD 5 700 and NAMIBIA
with the number of new businesses set up USD 17 000 of seed capital. THE NIGER
increasing from 3 712 in 2017 to 4 003 in 2018. NIGERIA
The Syngenta Foundation plans to roll-out the RWANDA
In a bid to attract FDI, Senegal has made e-Farmers’ Hub (e-Hub) project in Senegal. It SÃO TOMÉ
progress in giving access to credit information is a mobile, digital platform, designed to help AND PRÍNCIPE
by increasing the credit bureau coverage and entrepreneurs keep track of daily transactions SENEGAL
offering credit scoring as a value-added service. while offering the Syngenta Foundation for SEYCHELLES
The tax collection system has improved through Sustainable Agriculture (SFSA) an opportunity SIERRA LEONE
the implementation of an electronic filing and to monitor progress in real-time. The project SOMALIA
payment system with reduced cost by merging aims at bringing a new dimension to agritech, SOUTH AFRICA
several taxes. As part of the overall business increasing efficiency and strengthening the SOUTH SUDAN
climate and competitiveness reforms, tangible agricultural value chain. This technology TOGO
improvements have been made in the process facilitates the smooth management of UGANDA
of business creation and contract enforcement. Farmers’ Hubs (FHs), agricultural input-output UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
marketplaces for smallholder farmers and also TANZANIA
allows for sound business and data-driven ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
246 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
investment decisions to be made. The project Foundation intends to scale the platform to ANGOLA
was initiated in Bangladesh in 2017. Following other countries such as Senegal. BENIN
a successful proof of concept, the Syngenta BOTSWANA
BURKINA FASO
Table 5: Business environment BURUNDI
CABO VERDE
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
CAMEROON
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 983 UNCTAD
environment culture CENTRAL
AFRICAN
Growth of innovative companies 2019 4.05 WEF REPUBLIC
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ CHAD
to a great extent)
COMOROS
Venture capital availability 2017 2.57 WEF
CONGO
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/
extremely easy) CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 6 WBG DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
Ease of access to loans 2017 3.27 WEF CONGO
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ DJIBOUTI
extremely easy)
EQUATORIAL
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 3.75 WEF GUINEA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
ERITREA
to a great extent)
ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
GABON
HUMAN CAPITAL THE GAMBIA
Senegal’s adult literacy rate increased Transforming Education in Africa project that GHANA
from 43.5 percent in 2013 to 51.9 percent was launched in 2015. Phase two of the project GUINEA
in 2017. Similarly, youth literacy rose runs from 2019 to 2023 and includes Senegal GUINEA-
BISSAU
from 65.9 percent in 2013 to 69.5 percent in 2017. with the aim of increasing access and quality
KENYA
A slight disparity existed in the youth literacy rate of basic education through innovation ICT
LESOTHO
for males and females with 75.6 percent and solutions. Additionally, the USAID Senegal
LIBERIA
63.5 percent respectively. However, gross through the support of Chemonics International
MADAGASCAR
enrolment in secondary schools remained below has embarked on a technical assistance project
MALAWI
50 percent in 2019, while that of teritiary schools called Lecture Pour Tous (LPT). The project
MALI
was even lower, at 13.1 percent. aims at complementing national reforms
MAURITIUS
spearheaded by the Ministry of Education to
MOZAMBIQUE
The digital skills evaluation of the WEF global improve early grade literacy. As part of the
NAMIBIA
competitive index of the Senegalese population LPT programme, SIM cards will be provided to
THE NIGER
dropped from 4.38 in 2018 to 4.21 in 2019. teachers and directors for free communication
NIGERIA
However, among the sub-Saharan African among recipients to receive text messages
RWANDA
countries, this secore is above average. about pedagogical and evaluation techniques.
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Senegal is yet to fully integrate ICT into its In Senegal, other forms of digital training also SENEGAL
education sector through any kind of formal exit, for example,the start-up Mlouma offers SEYCHELLES
policy, even though a national ICT policy exists. actors in the agri-food value chain digital SIERRA LEONE
The government does recognize the role of ICT in education on agricultural practices. This SOMALIA
national development, and as such the Ministry includes training on the use of inputs, creation SOUTH AFRICA
of Education and several institutions have taken of databases, and dissemination of information SOUTH SUDAN
steps to launch and sustain activities that would on pricing, soil monitoring, weather conditions, TOGO
modernize the education system. etc. The Senegal Virtual University, an electronic UGANDA
platform established by the Ministry of Higher UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
Some initiatives that were undertaken to Education and Research, has facilitated TANZANIA
increase digital skills include UNESCO and efficient and accessible higher education ZAMBIA
the Korea Funds-in-Trust cooperation: ICT through a digital open space across country. ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 247
This teaching platform commenced in February emphasis on women and youth in Senegal and ANGOLA
2014 with over 2 000 students enrolled for the other countries in the region. BENIN
first academic year. BOTSWANA
Developing the capacity of the youth is BURKINA FASO
The government and the private sector important to any development agenda. To BURUNDI
provide various support mechanisms to young that end, the African Development Bank CABO VERDE
entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector. One and Microsoft have launched the Coding for CAMEROON
example is the partnership between the Employment digital training platform, an online CENTRAL
AFRICAN
International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO) tool offering digital skills to African youth to REPUBLIC
Cooperation and the Mastercard Foundation foster a continuous learning culture wherever CHAD
to implement a five-year (2017–2021) they are across the continent. The ultimate goal COMOROS
programme called the Strengthening African of the programme, which was piloted in Senegal CONGO
Rural Smallholders (STARS). Using the market and four other countries, is to scale it up to CÔTE D’IVOIRE
systems development approach, STARS aimed 130 centres of excellence across Africa over a DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
at improving access to finance and markets for 10-year period. CONGO
over 200 000 smallholder farmers with special DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Table 6: Human capital
ERITREA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source ESWATINI
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2017 51.90 UNESCO ETHIOPIA
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above)
GABON
Literacy rate, youth total 2017 69.48 UNESCO
THE GAMBIA
(% of people ages 15–24)
GHANA
Digital skills among population 2019 4.21 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ GUINEA
to a great extent)
GUINEA-
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 30.10 ILO BISSAU
(% of total employment) KENYA
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 24.75 ILO LESOTHO
(% of female employment)
LIBERIA
Unemployment, total 2020 7.10 ILO
MADAGASCAR
(% of total labour force)
MALAWI
MALI
MAURITIUS
AGRO-INNOVATION MOZAMBIQUE
Senegal has nine public bodies that crop development that is undertaken on oil NAMIBIA
undertake agricultural research and plants, cereals, vegetables, fruit trees, and some THE NIGER
development. The Senegalese forest species. NIGERIA
Agricultural Research Institute (ISRA) is Senegal’s RWANDA
principal agricultural research agency that falls Several initiatives are geared toward increasing SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural agricultural productivity utilizing digital
SENEGAL
Equipment. It focuses on crop, livestock, forestry, technology in Senegal. For instance, FAO is
SEYCHELLES
fisheries, and socio-economic research. The supporting the National Agricultural and Rural
SIERRA LEONE
Institute of Food Technology (ITA) is another Advisory Agency (ANCAR) in the development
SOMALIA
governmental agency whose research mandate of an e-council and applications through its
SOUTH AFRICA
focuses on storage, conservation, and Agricultural Services and Digital Inclusion in
SOUTH SUDAN
processing of agricultural products. Furthermore, Africa (SAIDA) project, to provide real-time
TOGO
universities in Senegal collaborate with other information with the help of modern tools.
UGANDA
research institutes to find solutions to the many
UNITED
challenges that affect the agricultural sector. A Senegal’s digital ecosystem is made up of private REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
case in point is the Plant Breeding Programs, companies that develop applications offering
ZAMBIA
which is a series of plant breeding activities for digital solutions. In the agricultural sector, Orange
ZIMBABWE
248 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
has given access to its customers to the Mlouma Regarding digital ecosystem for start-ups, there ANGOLA
digital platform, which connects agricultural are also some initiatives and practices existing in BENIN
sellers to the agricultural industry, production the country. For example, WAZIUP is a European BOTSWANA
buyers, equipment vendor and agro-inputs that Union-Africa project developing Internet of BURKINA FASO
are needed on their farms. This useful and timely things (IoT) technologies in Africa. It engages BURUNDI
information helps strengthen the efficiency the ICT ecosystem by encouraging new tools CABO VERDE
of agricultural value chains. Also, Mlouma, in and good practices among entrepreneurs and CAMEROON
partnership with ICCO Cooperation and OCP start-ups. The WAZIUP consortium comprises CENTRAL
AFRICAN
Africa, launched its newest digital innovation seven partners from four African countries REPUBLIC
called Xam Sa Mbay, which means Know the and five partners from four EU countries that CHAD
Agricultural World in Wolof. It is an agricultural bring together business developers, technology COMOROS
information system that facilitates interaction experts, and local African companies operating CONGO
between all actors in the agricultural value in agriculture and ICT. CÔTE D’IVOIRE
chain, reducing information asymmetry between DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
producers, input suppliers, banks, and buyers. CONGO
DJIBOUTI
Table 7: Agro-innovation EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source ERITREA
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 3 351.65 FAO ESWATINI
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions)
ETHIOPIA
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 153.45 FAO
GABON
(2014–2016 = 100)
THE GAMBIA
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.25 WBG
(index ranking 1–5: low/high) GHANA
Research and Agricultural research spending 2016 0.89 IFPRI GUINEA
technology (% of AgGDP)
GUINEA-
development BISSAU
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 3.56 WEF KENYA
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/
LESOTHO
extensive collaboration)
LIBERIA
Capacity for innovation 2017 4.26 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ MADAGASCAR
to a great extent)
MALAWI
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 3.25 UNCTAD MALI
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 249
©FAO/Shutterstock/My Lovely Planet
SEYCHELLES
Seychelles is a high-income Seychelles boasts the highest GDP per capita in
country with a population Africa, and a GDP USD 1.12 billion in 2020. Although
of 98 462 people, of whom agriculture is not a key contributor to the country’s
57.5 percent reside in urban GDP growth, tuna fishing and processing accounts
areas and 42.5 percent dwell for close to 5 percent of total GDP, 7 percent of total
in rural areas. According to employment, and around 35 percent of export goods.
the 2017 Seychelles Food Insecurity Experience Over the last ten years, Seychelles has been importing
Scale Survey, 9 percent of households experienced up to 70 percent of its food requirements. The economy
moderate to severe food insecurity in 2017 is driven by tourism, fisheries and financial services
(see Table 1). (AfDB, 2020). Tourism accounts for almost 25 percent of
the total national GDP, 25 percent of total employment
and 70 percent of foreign exchange earnings.
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 98 462 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 57.55 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 42.45 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 1 125 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 16 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 3.37 FAO
250
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
Seychelles has made significant strides Internet connectivity, the government partnered
BOTSWANA
in infrastructural development in the with Internet service providers to develop and
BURKINA FASO
recent past. It is one of very few African strengthen Cable and Wireless services. This
BURUNDI
countries that have achieved 100 percent led to the launch of 4.5G services in 2020
CABO VERDE
electricity distribution in rural areas. (see Table 2).
CAMEROON
CENTRAL
There are two mobile operators in Seychelles: Cable and Wireless Seychelles offers prepaid AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Cable and Wireless and Airtel, a subsidiary of and post-paid copper landline telephone
CHAD
the Indian mobile group. Mobile penetration service. Other providers include Intelvision,
COMOROS
is high, with 94 percent of households having which offers fixed telephony over its fiber optic
CONGO
mobile phones and 90 percent of the population network, and Kokonet, which offers voice-
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
covered with 3G (ITU, 2018). Mobile broadband over-Internet Protocol (VoIP). Fixed broadband
DEMOCRATIC
has been available since 2006 with the launch is available through ADSL, fiber optic and REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
of 3G networks and has been upgraded to fixed wireless technologies. Fixed-broadband
DJIBOUTI
the latest LTE technology. To further improve penetration is high by regional standards.
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Table 2: Infrastructure ERITREA
ESWATINI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
ETHIOPIA
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 100.00 WBG
(% of rural population) GABON
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 N/A GSMA THE GAMBIA
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 N/A GSMA GHANA
(% of population)
GUINEA
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 61 109.87 WBG
GUINEA-
(per 1 million people) BISSAU
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 4.98 WEF KENYA
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
LESOTHO
to a great extent)
LIBERIA
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2020 186.58 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) MADAGASCAR
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 91.98 ITU MALAWI
(per 100 inhabitants) MALI
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 35.56 ITU MAURITIUS
(per 100 people)
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
DIGITAL PENETRATION NIGERIA
Seychelles enjoys good Internet that the average price of a 1 GB of mobile data RWANDA
connectivity and services. The landing was at USD 11.4. Also, ITU reported that the cost SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
of the Seychelles East Africa System of local mobile cellular calls per minute was
SENEGAL
(SEAS) submarine cable in mid-2012 transformed USD 0.29 as of 2017 (see Table 3).
SEYCHELLES
Internet access through a dramatic increase in
SIERRA LEONE
international bandwidth and a consequent drop A number of agritech use cases exist in
SOMALIA
in prices. In Seychelles, 58.8 percent of the Seychelles. These include Isle Exotic Flavour,
SOUTH AFRICA
population uses the Internet, 58.7 of households Point2Point, SpillerFruit Co and Insite Traders,
SOUTH SUDAN
own a computer, and 57.9 percent of households which provide services ranging from data
TOGO
have Internet access (ITU, 2018). Almost management, e-commerce, advisory, financial
UGANDA
94 percent of the population has a bank account. and marketing linkages.
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
However, mobile and Internet services are From a public perspective, the National Institute
ZAMBIA
comparatively expensive. Cable in 2020 posited of Science, Technology and Innovation (NISTI)
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 251
and the Seychelles Agricultural Agency (SAA) in While Seychelles has developed a Geographical ANGOLA
2018 started the Farmers Digital Engagement Information System (Seychelles WebGIS) BENIN
Platform (FDEP) to promote, market and sell and digitalization of titles has started at the BOTSWANA
their products to a wider target audience (both Registrar-General, the databases of different BURKINA FASO
individuals and businesses). public institutions are not interconnected, which BURUNDI
makes it difficult to assess availability. CABO VERDE
CAMEROON
Table 3: Digital penetration CENTRAL
AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
CHAD
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 11.43 Cable
penetration (USD) COMOROS
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2018 N/A ITU CONGO
as a % of adjusted per capita income CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2018 N/A ITU DEMOCRATIC
adjusted per capita income REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 N/A GSMA
DJIBOUTI
Number of apps in national language 2019 N/A GSMA
EQUATORIAL
(quantity) GUINEA
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 N/A GSMA ERITREA
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 N/A GSMA ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
GABON
POLICY AND REGULATION THE GAMBIA
GHANA
In 2019, Seychelles launched its 15-year From an agriculture perspective, the four-
GUINEA
vision (Vision 2033) and the first year Agriculture Strategic Plan (2016–2020)
GUINEA-
National Development Strategy (NDS sought to create decent employment through BISSAU
2019–2023), the latter being the first of three inclusive growth and the transformation KENYA
NDSs that will enable implementation of the of rural economies through food security. LESOTHO
goals of the Vision, which include digital Correspondingly, the five-year Seychelles LIBERIA
transformation and innovation in the agriculture National Agriculture Investment Plan (2015– MADAGASCAR
sector. The National ICT Policy, the STI Policy 2020) sought to harmonise, consolidate MALAWI
and Strategy, the SME Policy and Strategy as and accelerate the implementation of the MALI
well as the ICT in Education and Training Policy agricultural policy to create inclusive growth MAURITIUS
consider ICT and science, technology, and and the transformation of rural economies MOZAMBIQUE
innovation (STI) as the building blocks of growth. through food security. All these policies provide NAMIBIA
direction to realising positive outcomes in THE NIGER
The National ICT Policy has five focus areas: the digitalization of the agriculture sector. In NIGERIA
(a) promotion of affordable, modern and addition, the government endorsed in 2013 RWANDA
high-quality ICT infrastructure and services; the country’s National Food and Nutrition SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
(b) fostering an enabling legal and regulatory Security Policy (NFNSP), and the Seychelles
SENEGAL
framework to ensure growth of the ICT sector; National Agricultural Investment Plan (SNAIP),
SEYCHELLES
(c) development of human resources with which define agricultural priorities, goals
SIERRA LEONE
appropriate ICT skills; (d) leveraging ICT to and outcomes including digitalization of the
SOMALIA
attract investment and stimulate economic agriculture sector.
SOUTH AFRICA
growth; and (e) enabling online government
SOUTH SUDAN
services. The main legislative document is the Other related policies are the National FinTech
TOGO
Broadcasting and Telecommunication Act of Strategy on mobile payments, e-commerce and
UGANDA
2000. In addition, the National Broadband digital finance and the Tourism Master Plan that
Policy and Cyber Security Policy were enacted recognizes the need and potential for backward UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
to promote (i) digital transformation of the public and forward linkages in the sector, in particular TANZANIA
sector; (ii) digital access; and (iii) digital inclusion. for agricultural products (see Table 4). ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
252 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 4: Policy and regulation ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 4.00 WEF
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ BURKINA FASO
framework there is a clear plan) BURUNDI
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 4.06 WEF CABO VERDE
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
CAMEROON
extremely successful)
CENTRAL
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 4.43 WEF AFRICAN
digital business models (index ranking REPUBLIC
1–7: not fast at all/very fast)
CHAD
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 3.90 WEF
COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
extremely well developed) CONGO
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 62 EC/ITU CÔTE D’IVOIRE
framework DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation DJIBOUTI
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score EQUATORIAL
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4). GUINEA
ERITREA
ESWATINI
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ETHIOPIA
GABON
Start-ups that target the digital The Agricultural Development Fund (ADF) is
THE GAMBIA
agriculture market face difficulties in currently the only source of relatively cheap
GHANA
obtaining initial capital support such financing to farmers, with roughly SCR 17 million
GUINEA
as loans. The Seychelles SME Strategy and Policy in capital. The government has already
GUINEA-
specifically mentions the linkages between local taken measures to allocate more land to the BISSAU
entrepreneurs and FDI. However, no structured agricultural sector, in order to increase the KENYA
business linkages programme exists. On the scale of output and to provide local farmers LESOTHO
other hand, the National Education Financial with opportunities to grow their businesses. LIBERIA
S t r a t e g y 2 0 1 7–2 0 2 0 underlines that Furthermore, in 2019 an exempt order was MADAGASCAR
“entrepreneurs are often not business literate, approved for registered fishermen and farmers MALAWI
cannot put together bankable business plans not to pay business tax. MALI
and do not have the required collateral” (Piprek MAURITIUS
and Jacquin, 2017). The government has exerted additional efforts to MOZAMBIQUE
allocate SCR 30.8 million and SCR 41.1 million to NAMIBIA
The Development Bank of Seychelles (DBS) has the National Biosecurity Agency and Seychelles THE NIGER
also adjusted its lending policies to finance Agricultural Agency respectively from the 2020 NIGERIA
working capital for up to 50 percent of the budget, targeting enhancement of infrastructure RWANDA
loan amount (DBS, 2019). With the exception and smart irrigational facilities. Moreover, the SÃO TOMÉ
of the Blue Grant, the Blue Investment Fund government partnered with the EU in 2019 for a AND PRÍNCIPE
and, to some extent, the SME Scheme and the new Sustainable Fishing Partnership Agreement SENEGAL
DBS Scheme, access to finance schemes do not and a new Protocol worth EUR 5.3 million. All SEYCHELLES
form an integrated chain of loans to support these initiatives are targeted at improving SIERRA LEONE
the gradual growth of businesses. In addition, productivity through innovative and strategy SOMALIA
grants such Programme de Promotion de investment in the agricultural sector. SOUTH AFRICA
l’Entreprenariat des Jeunes (PPEJ) are available SOUTH SUDAN
for youth entrepreneurs to grow their start-ups TOGO
and businesses including those on digital UGANDA
agriculture (see Table 5). UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 253
Table 5: Business environment ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 126 UNCTAD
environment culture BURKINA FASO
Growth of innovative companies 2019 4.10 WEF BURUNDI
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ CABO VERDE
to a great extent)
CAMEROON
Venture capital availability 2017 2.29 WEF
CENTRAL
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ AFRICAN
extremely easy) REPUBLIC
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 32 WBG CHAD
Ease of access to loans 2017 3.13 WEF COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ CONGO
extremely easy)
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 4.55 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
to a great extent) CONGO
DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
HUMAN CAPITAL ERITREA
Seychelles has a fairly literate and effort has been carried out, through the annual ESWATINI
youthful population (99.06 percent). The ICT Week, and the commemoration of the ETHIOPIA
adult population has a 95.9 percent International Girls in ICT day (an initiative of the GABON
literacy rate. Basic digital skills are acquired International Telecommunication Union) with THE GAMBIA
at the secondary level. While the Internet SYAH-Seychelles. Other initiatives include the GHANA
connectivity of schools has improved in recent SIDS Youth AIMS Hub, a youth led NGO that GUINEA
years, specialized teachers with advanced digital promotes and advances youth-led sustainable GUINEA-
BISSAU
skills remain scarce (Republic of Seychelles, 2019). development projects (see Table 6).
KENYA
Since 2016, an important inclusion and promotion
LESOTHO
LIBERIA
Table 6: Human capital
MADAGASCAR
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source MALAWI
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2018 95.87 UNESCO MALI
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above)
MAURITIUS
Literacy rate, youth total 2018 99.07 UNESCO
MOZAMBIQUE
(% of people ages 15–24)
NAMIBIA
Digital skills among population 2019 4.59 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ THE NIGER
to a great extent)
NIGERIA
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 N/A ILO
RWANDA
(% of total employment)
SÃO TOMÉ
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 N/A ILO AND PRÍNCIPE
(% of female employment)
SENEGAL
Unemployment, total 2020 N/A ILO
SEYCHELLES
(% of total labour force)
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
AGRO-INNOVATION SOUTH SUDAN
The government remains resolute in its Mahe. However, academic research institutions TOGO
quest to improve the agriculture sector. are limited in Seychelles and R&D expenditure is UGANDA
It has allocated SCR 115.9 million in mostly funded by the government. The University UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
2019 to accomplish new initiatives to improve of Seychelles was established in 2009 and has TANZANIA
R&D in the agri-food sector through a new three research institutes, two of which target ZAMBIA
agriculture diagnostic centre in Grand Anse social sciences and one the blue economy. Other ZIMBABWE
254 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
academic institutions related to ICT and STI do the Ministry of Education and the Seychelles ANGOLA
not have research institutes. While non- National Youth Council. The country also BENIN
governmental organizations are active in the organizes the World IP day, and an ICT Day is BOTSWANA
blue economy sector, their research activities are organized annually. Additionally, the University BURKINA FASO
seldom integrated within the activities of of Seychelles and the Wildlife Clubs Seychelles BURUNDI
universities. In addition, no active effort is have engaged in a joint initiative to bring CABO VERDE
conducted to target investors and entrepreneurs together science and agricultural innovation CAMEROON
in innovative activities Although they are to Seychelles. CENTRAL
AFRICAN
referenced in the NDS and in the STI Policy, no REPUBLIC
accelerator programmes, business incubators or A three-year project involving the Department CHAD
science parks exist in Seychelles. of the Blue Economy, the EID and NISTI was COMOROS
launched with support from the AfDB. It includes CONGO
In 2019 Seychelles took part in the Global the establishment of a business incubator. Also, CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Entrepreneurship Week. The Entrepreneurship the Climate Smart Agriculture pilot Val d’Endor DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
and Industry Department (EID) organizes Project aims at rolling out the Water Smart CONGO
an entrepreneurship competition involving Farms concept to improve water management DJIBOUTI
pupils and students at the secondary and in farming communities by reducing water and EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
post-secondary levels, in collaboration with energy consumption in agriculture (see Table 7).
ERITREA
ESWATINI
Table 7: Agro-innovation
ETHIOPIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source GABON
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 34.51 FAO THE GAMBIA
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions)
GHANA
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 92.25 FAO
(2014–2016 = 100) GUINEA
GUINEA-
Logistics Performance Index 2018 N/A WBG
BISSAU
(index ranking 1–5: low/high)
KENYA
Research and Agricultural research spending 2016 N/A IFPRI
technology (% of AgGDP) LESOTHO
development LIBERIA
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 2.67 WEF MADAGASCAR
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/
MALAWI
extensive collaboration)
MALI
Capacity for innovation 2017 3.68 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ MAURITIUS
to a great extent)
MOZAMBIQUE
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 2.33 UNCTAD
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 255
©FAO/Shutterstock/akslam
SIERRA LEONE
Sierra Leone is a low-income weather conditions in the country. Sierra Leone’s
country with a GDP of agriculture is dominated by smallholder farmers
USD 3.8 billion (see Table 1). with low-level mechanized commercial agriculture.
The total population as of 2020 The main food crops include rice, cassava and
was 7.9 million, of whom more millet. Cash crops like cocoa, coffee and palm oil
than half live in rural areas, are also grown. Sierra Leone also has abundant
although this is slowly decreasing. The World Bank fishing resources, which contribute more than
estimates that the rate of people living below the 10 percent of GDP and generate substantial direct
extreme poverty line (USD 1.9 or less a day in 2011 and indirect job opportunities.
PPP) decreased to 40.1 percent in 2019.
The ICT sector in Sierra Leone is on the rise. The
Sierra Leone has a land area of 72 180 km , of 2
government recognizes the importance of ICT’s
which 1 584 000 hectares (21.9 percent of total role in multiple sectors such as education, health,
land area) is arable. About 54.7 percent of Sierra agriculture and so on. However, the Internet
Leone’s agricultural land is under-used. Agriculture, and mobile sector development is still an urban
including livestock and forestry, is a key driver of phenomenon from which rural areas are mostly
the national economy, accounting for almost underserved. Relatively limited digital literacy and
50 percent of GDP (SLIHS, 2018) and employs low income also hinder the uptake of digital tools.
54.5 percent of the working force (ILO). This is ICT can generate more future job opportunities of
mainly due to favourable land, soil, water and the future for the country’s young population.
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 7 976 985 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 42.92 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 57.08 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 3 865 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 39 490 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 54.71 FAO
256
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
In Sierra Leone, 22.7 percent of the total more than 90 percent will be produced by hydro
BOTSWANA
population have access to electricity, sources. Also, a USD 50 million grant from the
BURKINA FASO
with a huge gap between urban and International Development Association was
BURUNDI
rural, at 51.4 percent and 1.5 percent respectively approved to support the Enhancing Sierra Leone
CABO VERDE
(see Table 2). The country has limited generation Energy Access Project to provide electricity
CAMEROON
capacity that largely affect households and access for post-Covid recovery.
CENTRAL
businesses accessing services and operating AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
normally, especially in rural areas. As of 2019, 3G coverage reached 62.5 percent
CHAD
and 4G covered 42 percent. More than half of
COMOROS
The Government of Sierra Leone has launched the population (53.7 percent) owned mobile
CONGO
a series of projects and initiatives to improve devices as of 2019 (see Table 1). In terms of
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
its infrastructure. Power Africa is supporting national fixed broadband services, since
DEMOCRATIC
Sierra Leone through the Millennium Challenge connecting to the ACE system, the country had REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Corporation’s Threshold Program with its first submarine fiber optic cable link in 2012.
DJIBOUTI
USD 18 million to enhance energy sector’s It also constructed a 400 km network as part of
EQUATORIAL
institutional capacity. The country has joined the ECOWAS Regional Backbone initiative (ITU, GUINEA
the SEforALL initiative, aiming at reaching 2018) (see Table 2). ERITREA
92 percent access to electricity by 2030 while ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
Table 2: Infrastructure GABON
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source THE GAMBIA
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 1.50 WBG GHANA
(% of rural population) GUINEA
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 42.00 GSMA GUINEA-
BISSAU
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 53.68 GSMA
(% of population) KENYA
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 6.52 WBG LESOTHO
(per 1 million people) LIBERIA
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 3.03 WEF MADAGASCAR
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
MALAWI
to a great extent)
MALI
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2020 86.30 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) MAURITIUS
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 14.75 ITU MOZAMBIQUE
(per 100 inhabitants)
NAMIBIA
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 N/A ITU
THE NIGER
(per 100 people)
NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
DIGITAL PENETRATION AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
Sierra leone has a high mobile 1 percent of households connecting to the
SEYCHELLES
penetration rate at 86 percent (ITU). Internet via fixed broadband due to low level of
SIERRA LEONE
The mobile market is competitive and electrification (see Table 3).
SOMALIA
mainly dominated by Orange and Africell. 3G
SOUTH AFRICA
was introduced in 2011 by Africell, followed by As mobile subscriptions and connections are
SOUTH SUDAN
Orange and SMART (ITU, 2018). 4G was increasing rapidly, digital financial services are
TOGO
launched relatively late by the state-owned gradually playing a critical role in people’s lives.
UGANDA
operator Sierratel in 2018 and followed by According to the State of the Digital Financial
UNITED
Orange in 2019. Compared to the increasing Services Market report jointly published by the REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
trend of mobile services, the penetration of fixed Bank of Sierra Leone and the United Nations
ZAMBIA
broadband services is quite low, with less than Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) in 2018,
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 257
30 percent of adults have an active digital ensure financial inclusion, especially of the poor, ANGOLA
financial services (DFS) account, with a total women and youth. BENIN
of 10 providers in the market, including two BOTSWANA
mobile operators (Africell and Orange Money) Sierra Leone has expanded its scope in BURKINA FASO
and eight banks. The report also identified digitalization as 13 percent of mobile apps are BURUNDI
the potential of applying DFS in rural areas to in the country’s national language, and about CABO VERDE
meet the specific demand of farmers and rural 8.8 percent of the country’s population are actively CAMEROON
households who are currently not able to access engaged with social media platforms as of 2019 CENTRAL
AFRICAN
formal financial services. In 2015, the country’s (see Table 3), with over 70 percent using Facebook, REPUBLIC
first mobile money regulation was launched to according to the 2020 Statcounter report. CHAD
COMOROS
Table 3: Digital penetration CONGO
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
DEMOCRATIC
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 3.69 Cable REPUBLIC OF
penetration (USD) CONGO
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2018 15.60 ITU DJIBOUTI
as a % of adjusted per capita income EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2018 N/A ITU
adjusted per capita income ERITREA
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 8.78 GSMA ESWATINI
Number of apps in national language 2019 70.00 GSMA ETHIOPIA
(quantity) GABON
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 45.28 GSMA THE GAMBIA
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 13.58 GSMA GHANA
GUINEA
GUINEA-
BISSAU
POLICY AND REGULATION KENYA
The ICT sector is mainly regulated by to i) achieve 90 percent food self-sufficiency; LESOTHO
the Ministry of Information and ii) increase youth and women’s participation; LIBERIA
Communication. Developed in 2009, and iii) develop the value chains for at least MADAGASCAR
the National ICT Policy proposed a strategic two agricultural products. Followed the NDP, MALAWI
vision and legal framework for the development the National Agriculture Transformation MALI
of ICT. Eleven pillars were identified as areas in Programme 2023 has identified five strategic MAURITIUS
which ICT can play a key role. Agriculture and interventions to further improve rice and other MOZAMBIQUE
food security is one of them. As a follow up to crops, livestock, forestry development, as well as NAMIBIA
the National ICT Policy, the government has fostering an enabling environment. In fisheries, THE NIGER
drafted the National Cyber Security and Data the government signed a USD 29.8 million NIGERIA
Protection Strategy (2017–2022) to ensure a safe partnership agreement in 2019 for the RWANDA
and secure environment to deter and defend construction of a fish harbour complex with SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
against cyber threats in the digital domain. a reefer quay and transhipment facilities. To
SENEGAL
date, digital agriculture policies did not exist,
SEYCHELLES
Policy actions entailed in the Medium-Term just references to it in the country’s National
SIERRA LEONE
National Development Plan (NDP) 2019–2023 Innovation and Digital Strategy (2019–2029). For
SOMALIA
include improving the productivity and example some initial ideas such as the “Country-
SOUTH AFRICA
commercialization of the agricultural sector and as-AI-Lab” model are mentioned in the context
SOUTH SUDAN
moving up value chain into industrial agriculture of agriculture (see Table 4).
TOGO
activities. Special targets have been set by 2030,
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
258 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 4: Policy and regulation ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2014 3.90 WEF
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ BURKINA FASO
framework there is a clear plan) BURUNDI
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2014 4.12 WEF CABO VERDE
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
CAMEROON
extremely successful)
CENTRAL
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2018 2.97 WEF AFRICAN
digital business models (index ranking REPUBLIC
1–7: not fast at all/very fast)
CHAD
Laws relating to ICTs 2014 3.10 WEF
COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
extremely well developed) CONGO
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 56 EC/ITU CÔTE D’IVOIRE
framework DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation DJIBOUTI
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score EQUATORIAL
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4). GUINEA
ERITREA
ESWATINI
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ETHIOPIA
GABON
Doing Business 2020 scores Sierra and post-harvest losses. Given the challenges in
THE GAMBIA
Leone 91.3/100 in terms of starting a the country, agriculture and fisheries have been
GHANA
business. It takes eight days to considered as sectors with high-investment
GUINEA
complete all the procedures with no disparity potential. For example, there are already a few
GUINEA-
between men and women. However, the overall commercial agriculture farms producing palm BISSAU
business climate is challenging to businesses oil, rice and timber. Moreover, more investment KENYA
and investors due to a shortage of power opportunities are arising in the processing and LESOTHO
supply, difficulties in accessing loans or credit, marketing for adding value to a range of food LIBERIA
and difficulties in obtaining permits. As the and cash crops, fruits, vegetables, livestock and MADAGASCAR
country relies largely on foreign aid leading to fishery products, as well as relevant supporting MALAWI
high external debts, the government seeks to functions such as input supply, storage MALI
reduce this dependency through economic facilities, agri-machinery contracting services, MAURITIUS
diversification and attracting more FDI. etc. The Commercial Agricultural Producers MOZAMBIQUE
and Processors Association (CAPPA) was set NAMIBIA
The agriculture and fishing sector in Sierra Leone up to integrate those commercial agribusiness THE NIGER
has low levels of technology and mechanization companies to facilitate modern farming NIGERIA
a d o p t i o n a n d l a c k s p ro c e s s i n g a n d techniques and innovation (see Table 5). RWANDA
preservation, thus leading to low productivity SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 259
Table 5: Business environment ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 368 UNCTAD
environment culture BURKINA FASO
Growth of innovative companies 2018 3.59 WEF BURUNDI
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ CABO VERDE
to a great extent)
CAMEROON
Venture capital availability 2017 2.37 WEF
CENTRAL
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ AFRICAN
extremely easy) REPUBLIC
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 8 WBG CHAD
Ease of access to loans 2017 2.71 WEF COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ CONGO
extremely easy)
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2018 3.35 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
to a great extent) CONGO
DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
HUMAN CAPITAL ERITREA
Only 43.2 percent of adults above In the National Development Plan (2019–2023) ESWATINI
15 years of age in Sierra Leone are human capital development is recognized as one ETHIOPIA
literate, with a disparity between male of the key pillars. Moreover, providing quality GABON
and female, at 51.7 percent and 34.9 percent education is a critical way to “improve the uptake THE GAMBIA
respectively. Also, the drop-out rate remains of modern farming practices and allow fishermen GHANA
quite high. About 70 percent of youth between and fish traders to move up the value chain”. GUINEA
15 and 35 years of age are unemployed or Policy actions include establishing additional GUINEA-
BISSAU
underemployed, mainly due to lack of education universities and improving the ICT infrastructure
KENYA
and adequate skills to apply for jobs. It is even of universities. Some projects and initiatives have
LESOTHO
more challenging for women as only 9.5 percent been undertaken to improve education within the
LIBERIA
have received a secondary and higher education country, as well as enhance digital capacity. For
MADAGASCAR
(UNDP, 2021). example, the REDiSL project supported by the
MALAWI
World Bank helped more than 1 800 schools
MALI
The country also faces a number of constraints improve the quality of education and provided
MAURITIUS
in improving its digital literacy. Intermittent remote education through radio during the
MOZAMBIQUE
electricity supply, slow Internet and high Ebola disease crisis. A joint initiative that has
NAMIBIA
cost of services all prevent youth from using been agreed to by the government and UNICEF
THE NIGER
computers or other digital tools to enhance their and ITU, connects schools to the Internet and
NIGERIA
digital capacities. provides youth with access to ICT (see Table 6).
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
Table 6: Human capital AND PRÍNCIPE
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source SENEGAL
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2018 43.21 UNESCO SEYCHELLES
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above) SIERRA LEONE
Literacy rate, youth total 2018 66.65 UNESCO SOMALIA
(% of people ages 15–24)
SOUTH AFRICA
Digital skills among population 2018 3.15 WEF
SOUTH SUDAN
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) TOGO
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 54.49 ILO UGANDA
(% of total employment) UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 51.47 ILO TANZANIA
(% of female employment)
ZAMBIA
Unemployment, total 2020 4.60 ILO
(% of total labour force) ZIMBABWE
260 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
AGRO-INNOVATION ANGOLA
BENIN
Sierra Leone investment in its and education, and to collaborate, share data
BOTSWANA
agricultural research stands at a low and access services. The Sensi Tech Hub aims at
BURKINA FASO
0.24 percent of its agricultural GDP. Of creating employment through innovation and
BURUNDI
all researchers, 73 percent hold master’s and entrepreneurship. Several other promising start-
CABO VERDE
doctoral degrees, but female researchers ups in agri-technology operate in the country,
CAMEROON
accounted for only 20 percent. The main such as Jalimi Farms for smart farm solutions,
CENTRAL
research institution is the Sierra Leone and Born to do Business. AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI), which
CHAD
was established in 2007 and employs nearly Innovation Axis Sierra Leone was launched in
COMOROS
90 percent of the country’s agricultural March 2017 as an entrepreneurship support and
CONGO
researchers. The Njala University School of innovation and technology management entity.
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Agriculture and Fourah Bay College Institute of It focuses on developing growth-oriented start-
DEMOCRATIC
Marine Biology and Oceanography (IMBO) are ups and building a dynamic and well-functioning REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
the two other higher education institutes. ecosystem that supports entrepreneurship and
DJIBOUTI
However, poor infrastructure, insufficient innovation in agritech solutions. The company
EQUATORIAL
qualified researchers, low adoption of research works closely with the UNDP accelerator Lab GUINEA
technologies have always been critical issues in providing agritech solutions by identifying, ERITREA
faced by national research institutes nurturing and coaching innovators. The ESWATINI
and universities. Accelerator Lab is a support unit that provides ETHIOPIA
information and recommendations on local GABON
Hubs and incubators have been established solutions available in country and across the THE GAMBIA
in recent years for start-ups and youth lab networks. They have successfully completed GHANA
entrepreneurs with support from development one experiment that relates to agriculture auto- GUINEA
organizations. Examples include the Human irrigation and are now preparing to deploy the GUINEA-
BISSAU
Capital Development (HCD) incubator in next batch of six experiments that cover efficient
KENYA
Freetown, which is used for local start-ups, energy, agriculture as well as other sectors
LESOTHO
the private and public sectors as well as (UNDP, 2019).
LIBERIA
academia for innovation in health, agriculture
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
Table 7: Agro-innovation
MALI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
MAURITIUS
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 2 973.32 FAO
MOZAMBIQUE
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions)
NAMIBIA
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 104.56 FAO
(2014–2016 = 100) THE NIGER
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.08 WBG NIGERIA
(index ranking 1–5: low/high)
RWANDA
Research and Agricultural research spending 2013 0.24 IFPRI
SÃO TOMÉ
technology (% of AgGDP) AND PRÍNCIPE
development
SENEGAL
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 2.78 WEF
SEYCHELLES
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/
extensive collaboration) SIERRA LEONE
Capacity for innovation 2017 3.32 WEF SOMALIA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ SOUTH AFRICA
to a great extent)
SOUTH SUDAN
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2018 2.16 UNCTAD
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 261
©FAO/Shutterstock/mbrand85
SOMALIA
Somalia is a low-income country 2015). The Global Report on Food Crises 2020 notes
with a GDP of USD 4.9 billion. The that around 69 percent of the population lives in
country has a total population poverty and are food insecure due to conflict and
of almost 15.9 million people, political instability. The situation is worsened by
of which 43 percent is in urban extreme weather conditions. Between 2019–2020
areas and around 54 percent for example, torrential rains caused widespread
in rural areas. The country has 441 250 km 2 of flooding, affecting 547 000, of which 370 000 were
agriculture land but is considered one of the displaced (OCHA, 2019). Yet, agriculture remains
world’s most fragile countries having suffered key to the country’s food security and central to
violence, political instability, and environmental and its economic recovery (see publication by FAO and
economic shocks over the past 20 years (FAO, 2020). the World Bank on rebuilding Somali’s agriculture;
[Gianni, et al., 2018]).
Since 2012, the government has made progress
toward realising the country’s political, security, and The Somali telecommunications sector has endured
economic development agenda. Due to the absence despite the absence of central government guidance
of a central government over the years, current or regulation. The country has many competing
national statistics on the economy are lacking. operators that have reduced the Internet cost in
Somalia compared to regional averages (ITU, 2018).
The Somali economy still relies heavily on agriculture The cost of 1 GB of data is USD 0.5, reportedly one of
and livestock sectors. The pre-conflict agricultural the lowest in the world. The government has created
production system in Somalia was divided into the National Development Plan (2019–2024), which
(i) subsistence farming, often part of agro-pastoral seeks to influence policy planning and programming,
production system; (ii) small scale irrigation and while supporting the country to realise its political,
oasis farming; and (iii) commercial farming (FAO, security, and economic development agenda.
262
Table 1: Basic facts ANGOLA
BENIN
Basic facts Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Total population 2020 15 893 219 WBG
BURKINA FASO
Urban population (%) 2020 46.14 UNPD
BURUNDI
Rural population (%) 2020 53.86 UNPD
CABO VERDE
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 4 918 WBG
CAMEROON
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 441 250 FAO
CENTRAL
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 70.34 FAO AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
CHAD
COMOROS
INFRASTRUCTURE CONGO
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Two decades of conflict destroyed Somalia has access to the East Africa Submarine
DEMOCRATIC
most of the country’s infrastructure Cable System (Internet) which connects REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
and whatever remains is dilapidated. Mogadishu and Bosaaso. Although Somalia
DJIBOUTI
Restoration of infrastructure systems is a is a coastal country with proximity to several
EQUATORIAL
priority and will have to include economic, major undersea cable networks, this strategic GUINEA
social and institutional clusters. proximity has not been exploited. Examples ERITREA
of these undersea cable networks include ESWATINI
The country has no centralized electricity those that connect Europe, (the Europe-India- ETHIOPIA
grid. About 70 percent of the population lives Gateway (EIG) and India-Middle East-Western GABON
without any electricity connection. According Europe, I-ME-WE. THE GAMBIA
to the World Bank (2019), only 36 percent of GHANA
the population had access to electricity, while The National Development Plan 2020–2024 GUINEA
in rural areas the rate was just 11.1 percent. prioritized the telecommunication sector as a
GUINEA-
Households that do have access to electricity strategic one. The self-regulation of private BISSAU
pay a premium for it; electricity is supplied by players has also indirectly contributed to KENYA
privately owned diesel-powered mini-grids. In the development of the telecommunications LESOTHO
rural areas, charcoal and firewood are major infrastructure in Somalia. Post-2017 initiatives LIBERIA
energy sources depleting the country’s forests are expected to open markets and create a MADAGASCAR
at an alarming rate. more competitive mobile sector in the country. MALAWI
The government drafted the Somali National MALI
In contrast, the country’s telecommunications Infrastructure Strategy (SNIS) 2019–2063 as a MAURITIUS
sector is thriving under a self-regulated private guide of investment to resuscitate infrastructure MOZAMBIQUE
sector regime. There are 11 operators, five of across all sectors. Meanwhile, the African NAMIBIA
which dominate the market, including: Golis Development Bank, the World Bank, the THE NIGER
Telecom Somalia, Hormuud, Nation Link Telecom, European Union and many other multilateral NIGERIA
Somali Telecom Group and Galkom. Many of institutions are supporting various infrastructure RWANDA
these operators started launching 3G services projects in Somalia. SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
in the unrecognized state of Somaliland, and
SENEGAL
soon expanded to other regions. In 2015, the
SEYCHELLES
global satellite service provider O3b Networks
SIERRA LEONE
signed satellite connectivity contracts with three
SOMALIA
Somalia telecommunication operators (ITU,
SOUTH AFRICA
2018) (see Table 2).
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 263
Table 2: Infrastructure ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 11.12 WBG
(% of rural population) BURKINA FASO
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 N/A GSMA BURUNDI
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 93 GSMA CABO VERDE
(% of population) CAMEROON
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 4.47 WBG CENTRAL
(per 1 million people) AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 N/A WEF
CHAD
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
to a great extent) COMOROS
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2018 50.99 ITU CONGO
(per 100 inhabitants) CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2017 2.45 ITU DEMOCRATIC
(per 100 inhabitants) REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 0.67 ITU
(per 100 people) DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
ERITREA
DIGITAL PENETRATION ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
Internet penetration in Somalia is The cost of mobile services is one of the cheapest
GABON
estimated at 12.1 percent while the on the continent due to competition among
THE GAMBIA
number of social media users hovered service providers and low tariffs. Mobile money
GHANA
at 13 percent as of January 2021, with 99.8 percent has also become widespread in Somalia. Almost
GUINEA
of access being made via mobile phones. Mobile 55 percent of the population aged 16 years and
GUINEA-
cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants older use mobile money with a high penetration BISSAU
stands at 51 while active mobile broadband rate in both rural and urban areas (World Bank, KENYA
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants is 2.5 (ITU, 2018). Due to the unique political environment, LESOTHO
2018). The statistics reflect the huge challenges Somalia relies more on mobile money than any LIBERIA
of accessing the Internet in Somalia. An other African country (see Table 3). MADAGASCAR
examination of mobile networks coverage by MALAWI
locations indicates that the southern part of the MALI
country has less coverage compared to the MAURITIUS
north (See GSMA Coverage Maps). MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
Table 3: Digital penetration THE NIGER
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source NIGERIA
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 0.50 Cable RWANDA
penetration (USD) SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2018 N/A ITU
as a % of adjusted per capita income SENEGAL
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2018 N/A ITU SEYCHELLES
adjusted per capita income
SIERRA LEONE
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 N/A GSMA
SOMALIA
Number of apps in national language 2019 N/A GSMA
SOUTH AFRICA
(quantity)
SOUTH SUDAN
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 N/A GSMA
TOGO
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 N/A GSMA
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
264 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
POLICY AND REGULATION ANGOLA
BENIN
Ideally, the Ministry of Post and telecommunication sector, and the creation of
BOTSWANA
Telecommunication (MPT) should an audio-visual authority. The absence of state
BURKINA FASO
oversee the ICT and telecommunication control, regulatory laws on operations and
BURUNDI
sector in Somalia. However, there is no licensing created a deregulated market with
CABO VERDE
regulation or taxation, and no service illegal operators inducing lost tax revenue
CAMEROON
obligation (ITU, 2018: 166). The absence of any (see Table 4).
CENTRAL
regulation has “resulted in uncertainty, creating AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
vulnerabilities for the development and Due to the collapse of Somalia’s institutional
CHAD
scalability of ICTs across the country” (World capacities, the fate of the country’s agriculture
COMOROS
Bank, 2017). In 2017, the president signed into was the same as that of its policies. FAO, the
CONGO
law the Communications Act after it was World Bank and other partners are supporting
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
passed by both houses of parliament. The new the new administration to resuscitate the
DEMOCRATIC
law aimed at establishing the legal, regulatory, country’s agricultural sector (Gianni, et al., 2018) REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
a n d i n s t i t u t i o n a l f ra m ewo r k s fo r t h e (see Table 5).
DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
Table 4: Policy and regulation GUINEA
ERITREA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
ESWATINI
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 N/A WEF
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ ETHIOPIA
framework there is a clear plan)
GABON
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 N/A WEF
THE GAMBIA
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
extremely successful) GHANA
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 N/A WEF GUINEA
digital business models (index ranking GUINEA-
1–7: not fast at all/very fast) BISSAU
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 N/A WEF KENYA
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
LESOTHO
extremely well developed)
LIBERIA
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 67 EC/ITU
framework MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation MALI
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score MAURITIUS
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4).
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT NIGERIA
S o m a l i a i s ra n ke d 1 9 0 a m o n g 2020–2024, the government aims at improving RWANDA
190 economies on the World Bank’s the business environment through reforms in SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
ease of doing business scale. This policy, and the institutional and regulatory SENEGAL
means it is the most difficult country in the frameworks. New investors in Somalia have to
SEYCHELLES
world to conduct business in. The country endure a long and potentially unknown process
SIERRA LEONE
receives remittances from Somalis living abroad of establishing a company within the country.
SOMALIA
(considered FDI), which was estimated at The absence of relevant institutions has
SOUTH AFRICA
USD 447 million in 2019. implications on the days required to complete
SOUTH SUDAN
procedures to legally operate a business, with
TOGO
In 2020, the country received debt relief under a recorded 70 days in 2019; one of the highest
UGANDA
the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) in Africa.
UNITED
Initiative, with the hope that this could unlock REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
more resources for the Somali people. Through There is currently no available data on the
ZAMBIA
the Somalia National Development Plan government’s actual policies to support business.
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 265
In 2018, the World Bank launched the Somali Puntland and Somaliland) to receive financial ANGOLA
Business Catalytic Fund (SBCF) aimed at spurring and technical support. Other international BENIN
economic growth in the country by supporting organizations are seeking to support SMEs in BOTSWANA
SMEs and entrepreneurs. The programme Somalia, including the European Union and the BURKINA FASO
selected around 101 SMEs (in South Somalia, International Organization for Migration. BURUNDI
CABO VERDE
Table 5: Business environment CAMEROON
CENTRAL
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 447 UNCTAD
environment culture CHAD
Growth of innovative companies 2019 N/A WEF COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ CONGO
to a great extent)
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Venture capital availability 2017 N/A WEF
DEMOCRATIC
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ REPUBLIC OF
extremely easy) CONGO
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 70 WBG DJIBOUTI
Ease of access to loans 2017 N/A WEF EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/
extremely easy) ERITREA
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 N/A WEF ESWATINI
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
ETHIOPIA
to a great extent)
GABON
THE GAMBIA
GHANA
HUMAN CAPITAL GUINEA
Although latest statistics are not challenges in providing quality education, GUINEA-
BISSAU
available, the overall literacy rate in needless to say advanced digital skills. One of
KENYA
Somalia is relatively low with gender five school-aged child is displaced (USAID,
LESOTHO
inequality. Access to education in rural area is 2021). Meanwhile, more than 80% of
LIBERIA
quite limited, particular for school age children. employment are involved in agriculture but still
MADAGASCAR
Due to years of conflicts and civil unrest, difficult to maintain household food security.
MALAWI
Somalia’s educational system has faced great
MALI
MAURITIUS
Table 6: Human capital
MOZAMBIQUE
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source NAMIBIA
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2018 N/A UNESCO THE NIGER
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above)
NIGERIA
Literacy rate, youth total 2018 N/A UNESCO
RWANDA
(% of people ages 15–24)
SÃO TOMÉ
Digital skills among population 2019 N/A WEF AND PRÍNCIPE
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) SENEGAL
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 80.28 ILO SEYCHELLES
(% of total employment) SIERRA LEONE
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 83.89 ILO SOMALIA
(% of female employment)
SOUTH AFRICA
Unemployment, total 2020 13.10 ILO
SOUTH SUDAN
(% of total labour force)
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
266 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
AGRO-INNOVATION ANGOLA
BENIN
The absence of a central government iRise is the first innovation and technology hub
BOTSWANA
also affected the agricultural R&D, as in Mogadishu aiming at unlocking the potential
BURKINA FASO
well as the vibrance of the private sector of Somalia’s talent and accelerating change and
BURUNDI
and agritech industries. However, despite these economic development. From 2017, iRise has
CABO VERDE
tough economic circumstances, local entrepreneurs become a launch pad for new ideas, a space
CAMEROON
work to foster high quality innovation in Somalia. for civil and social entrepreneurs to connect,
CENTRAL
New start-ups and innovation hubs are emerging and an enabling environment where technology AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
with solutions (see Table 4). professionals, innovators, digital-doers,
CHAD
and investors can connect and co-create a
COMOROS
According to the StartupBlink Global Startup sustainable ecosystem for Somalia and beyond.
CONGO
Ecosystem Rankings 2020, Somalia ranked among
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
the top 100 countries, landing at position number FAO and other partners are using digital
DEMOCRATIC
95 in the global country rankings. In the same innovation to support agriculture in Somalia. REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
report, Mogadishu proved to be by far the most One prominent example of that is the Somali
DJIBOUTI
prominent start-up ecosystem in Somalia. The Water and Land Information Management
EQUATORIAL
city ranks 14 out of the 36 African cities that were (SWALIM) project. SWALIM uses technologies GUINEA
assessed. Significant investment has been made in to support land, water and natural resources for ERITREA
renewable energy, while agriculture is the country’s Somali people, by helping in the management ESWATINI
most important sector. However, Mogadishu is not of ground water, surface water, flood and ETHIOPIA
the only example. Hargeisa is another city with a drought forecasting. The project also uses GABON
budding innovation hub that has a lot of activity remote sensing technologies to help collect THE GAMBIA
and growth. Through fundamental policies and data on vegetation, floodwater management GHANA
a few key initiatives, Hargeisa has developed a and infrastructure projects (see Table 7). GUINEA
significant start-up ecosystem that is expected to GUINEA-
BISSAU
continue blossoming in the future. Emerging digital technologies are enhancing
KENYA
outreach to Somali farmers who are burdened
LESOTHO
The Somali Response Innovation Lab (SomRIL) with infrastructural challenges, lack of electricity
LIBERIA
is an inter-agency partnership of World Vision, and extreme weather conditions (flash floods
MADAGASCAR
Action Against Hunger, ADRA, Care, COOPI, and droughts). Examples include, Ari-farm, an
Danish Refugee Council and Oxfam. It aims app that allows anyone with a smartphone to MALAWI
at using innovation to enhance the impact of purchase and invest in livestock. M-Dalag is a MALI
humanitarian and development interventions mobile-based market information system for MAURITIUS
to improve the resilience of the Somali people. easily connecting farmers to market. MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
Table 7: Agro-innovation THE NIGER
NIGERIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
RWANDA
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 867.75 FAO
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions) SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 96.81 FAO
SENEGAL
(2014–2016 = 100)
SEYCHELLES
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.21 WBG
(index ranking 1–5: low/high) SIERRA LEONE
Research and Agricultural research spending 2016 N/A IFPRI SOMALIA
technology (% of AgGDP) SOUTH AFRICA
development
SOUTH SUDAN
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 N/A WEF
TOGO
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/
extensive collaboration) UGANDA
Capacity for innovation 2017 N/A WEF UNITED
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
to a great extent)
ZAMBIA
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 N/A UNCTAD
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 267
©FAO/Shutterstock/ModernNomad
SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa is an upper- potatoes, groundnut, citrus, and grapes (FAO, 2016).
middle-income country with Animal production constitutes about 48 percent of
a population of 59.3 million the total value of agricultural production.
people, 33 percent of whom
live in rural areas. South However, in 2019 nearly 11 percent of the population
Africa has the second largest experienced hunger according to Statistics South
economy in sub-Saharan Africa. While agriculture Africa, amid increasing concern about food insecurity
contributes around USD 21 billion of the country’s in the country. In the same year, an estimated
GDP of USD 301.9 billion, South Africa’s economy 19 million people lived in rural areas, many of whom
is largely supported by the manufacturing, mining experienced food insecurity. The government is
and services industries (see Table 1). systematically carrying out a land reform programme
to address land ownership for South Africans who
Agriculture employs around 5.3 percent of the had been previously disadvantaged under the
active population. South Africa’s agricultural sector country’s former apartheid system.
consists of commercial farmers and subsistence
smallholder farmers, both of whom are involved in South Africa has a mature digital ecosystem across
crop cultivation and animal production. sectors, with both public and private players
actively investing in various technologies. Digital
South Africa is a net agricultural and food exporter. solutions in agriculture are emerging in the following
For example, the agricultural sector contributed areas: (i) digital advisory services; (ii) agri-digital
around 10 percent to South Africa’s total export financial services; (iii) digital procurement; (iv) agri-
earnings in 2019 at a value of USD 10.7 billion. The e-commerce; and (iv) smart farming (precision
main agricultural produce includes maize, wheat agriculture) across sub-Saharan Africa. The country is
and to a lesser extent sugarcane, sunflower, one of the leading 5G network implementers in Africa.
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 59 308 690 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 67.35 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 32.65 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 301 924 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 963 410 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 79.42 FAO
268
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
South Africa has one of the most South Africa has good Internet connectivity,
BOTSWANA
advanced telecommunication mobile network infrastructure and more than
BURKINA FASO
infrastructures in Africa due to a strong 80 percent electricity distribution in rural areas.
BURUNDI
investment by the government and the private The country is a beneficiary of Mobile Internet of
CABO VERDE
sector. The national utility company Eskom Things services recently deployed in 33 countries
CAMEROON
dominates the South African market for (GSMA, 2019). South Africa’s availability of the
CENTRAL
generation, transmission, and more than latest technologies was ranked 5.6 out of 7. AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
79 percent distribution of electricity in rural Meanwhile, a study by Research ICT Africa
CHAD
areas. The following are the mobile network (RIA) in 2018 confirmed disparities in urban
COMOROS
operators and their respective 4G coverage: and rural Internet use in the country, which has
CONGO
MTN (89.5 percent); Cell C (81 percent); Vodacom a likely bearing on the use of mobile phones and
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
(83.6 percent) and Telkom (88.6 percent). Internet services among smallholder farmers
DEMOCRATIC
Vodacom and MTN launched 5G service in in rural areas. By comparison, 87.8 percent REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Johannesburg and Cape Town in December of South African households exclusively use
DJIBOUTI
2020, and coverage will eventually to be rolled cellular phones.
EQUATORIAL
out to the rest of the country. The telecom GUINEA
operators have equally sought to expand both ERITREA
fiber and LTE networks (see Table 2). ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
Table 2: Infrastructure GABON
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source THE GAMBIA
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 79.23 WBG GHANA
(% of rural population) GUINEA
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 95.70 GSMA GUINEA-
BISSAU
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 74.70 GSMA
(% of population) KENYA
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 11 421.82 WBG LESOTHO
(per 1 million people) LIBERIA
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 5.16 WEF MADAGASCAR
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
MALAWI
to a great extent)
MALI
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2020 161.80 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) MAURITIUS
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 102.22 ITU MOZAMBIQUE
(per 100 inhabitants)
NAMIBIA
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 2.20 ITU
THE NIGER
(per 100 people)
NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
DIGITAL PENETRATION AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
In 2019, 56 percent of the population According to the survey mentioned above,
SEYCHELLES
had access to the Internet and the national Internet access using mobile devices
SIERRA LEONE
country had 2 135 fixed broadband at 58.7 percent was much more common
SOMALIA
subscriptions per 100 people. The General than access at home (9.1 percent), at work
SOUTH AFRICA
Household Survey (2019) noted that 63.3 percent (18.6 percent) and elsewhere (10.7 percent).
SOUTH SUDAN
of South African households had at least one Moreover, the use of mobile Internet access
TOGO
member who had access to or used the Internet devices in rural areas (44 percent) still
UGANDA
at home, work, place of study or Internet cafes. lags behind its use in metropolitan cities
UNITED
However, this access is mainly in urban and (67.8 percent) and urban areas (59.5 percent). REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
peripheral areas while some areas have reduced The most common mode of access in rural areas
ZAMBIA
or no access. is via mobile Internet. Network operators are
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 269
keen to extend network coverage in rural areas. population aged 18 years in rural areas who ANGOLA
For example, Vodacom invested EUR 16 million earn below USD 70 a month (see Table 3). BENIN
to bring broadband connectivity to the KwaZulu BOTSWANA
Natal area. GSMA (2019) reports that South Africa has the BURKINA FASO
highest mobile social media penetration rate BURUNDI
According to the independent technology in the region with 61.1 percent of the content CABO VERDE
market research organisation World Wide Worx found to be locally relevant. Gender disparities CAMEROON
(2016), approximately 25 percent or 13 million in social media use was high (78.2 percent) as CENTRAL
AFRICAN
South Africans used Facebook in 2016 while of 2019 and mobile social media penetration REPUBLIC
Instagram saw the fastest growth. The cost was below 50 percent among the population. CHAD
of data is expensive for 65.4 percent of the The average price of 1 GB of data is currently COMOROS
USD 2.67 (Cable, 2020). CONGO
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Table 3: Digital penetration DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
DJIBOUTI
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 4.30 Cable
penetration (USD) EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2018 N/A ITU
ERITREA
as a % of adjusted per capita income
ESWATINI
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2018 N/A ITU
adjusted per capita income ETHIOPIA
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 36.99 GSMA GABON
Number of apps in national language 2019 57.27 GSMA THE GAMBIA
(quantity) GHANA
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 96.33 GSMA GUINEA
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 78.27 GSMA GUINEA-
BISSAU
KENYA
LESOTHO
POLICY AND REGULATION LIBERIA
South Africa has a number of legal, (section 2[d]) and further develop a competitive MADAGASCAR
policy and regulatory frameworks that market landscape (section 2[f]). The bill however MALAWI
guide the telecommunications sector. was withdrawn and never enacted. Furthermore, MALI
The government’s ICT priorities are clearly in the same year, the South African parastatal MAURITIUS
stated in the National Development Plan (NDP). telecommunications company Telkom was partly MOZAMBIQUE
The National Broadband Policy, Cybersecurity privatised in 2003 to open up the market. The NAMIBIA
Policy framework and Integrated ICT Policy are ending of Telkom’s monopoly on submarine fiber THE NIGER
core policies, which collectively prioritise three optic cables also reduced the cost of services NIGERIA
pillars – digital transformation of the public with the arrival SEACOM in 2009 (see Table 4). RWANDA
sector, digital access and digital inclusion. SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
The government also created Broadband
SENEGAL
The Department of Communications and InfraCo, a national infrastructure company to
SEYCHELLES
Digital Technologies is the policy-maker of the provide affordable backbone network capacity
SIERRA LEONE
sector while the Independent Communications to service providers. The major mobile network
SOMALIA
Authority of South Africa (ICASA) is the regulator operators have also moved to fixed line and
SOUTH AFRICA
of telecommunications. A number of policy fiber sector. The Universal Service and Access
SOUTH SUDAN
mechanisms were put in place to liberalize and Agency of South Africa (USAASA) strives to
TOGO
improve private participation and investment achieve universal service and access to ICTs
UGANDA
in the digital economy. For example, in 2019, by all citizens. However, it seems policies are
UNITED
the government proposed amendments to the lagging behind in implementation of broader REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
Communications Act whose goal was to improve population access. For example, the South
the ability of new entrants to access networks African Broadband Policy (2013) aims at ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
270 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
ensuring that: broadband reaches a critical by 2020, and 100 percent by 2030. However, ANGOLA
mass of South Africans; access to broadband is the DTPS and Universal Service and Access BENIN
affordable; demand-side skills are developed to Agency of South Africa (USAASA) reported in BOTSWANA
ensure usage as well as supply-side skills. But to a 2020 parliamentary committee a number of BURKINA FASO
date, the policy has not been fully implemented. challenges in delivering services and meeting BURUNDI
The South Africa Broadband Policy (SABP) their goals. CABO VERDE
proposed a four-pronged approach to close CAMEROON
the access gap and rollout broadband, which Meanwhile, within the National Development CENTRAL
AFRICAN
are: (i) digital readiness; (ii) digital development; Plan, agriculture plays an important role in REPUBLIC
(iii) digital future; and (iv) digital opportunities. eliminating poverty by 2030. The National Policy CHAD
on Food and Nutrition Security was enacted COMOROS
In 2019, the Department of Communications in 2013 to ensure the availability, accessibility CONGO
and Digital Technologies launched SA and affordability of safe and nutritious food CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Connect, an implementation model that was at national and household levels. The National DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
previously published on 6 December 2013 in Broadband Policy, the Cybersecurity Policy CONGO
the Government Gazette No. 37119. SA Connect framework and the Integrated ICT Policy are DJIBOUTI
aimed at delivering widespread broadband the guiding policies that support investment in EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
access to 90 percent of the country’s population digital agriculture.
ERITREA
ESWATINI
Table 4: Policy and regulation
ETHIOPIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source GABON
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 3.22 WEF THE GAMBIA
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/
framework there is a clear plan) GHANA
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 3.41 WEF GUINEA
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/ GUINEA-
extremely successful) BISSAU
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 3.55 WEF KENYA
digital business models (index ranking LESOTHO
1–7: not fast at all/very fast)
LIBERIA
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 4.36 WEF
MADAGASCAR
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
extremely well developed) MALAWI
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 71.3 EC/ITU MALI
framework
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation NAMIBIA
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score
THE NIGER
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4).
NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
The South African business environment a complex process of registering and getting
comprises mostly locally-owned regulatory approvals, although some processes SEYCHELLES
emerging enterprises and foreign can be completed online while others require SIERRA LEONE
multinational companies. The percentage of a specialist. SOMALIA
agricultural contribution to GDP in 2019 was SOUTH AFRICA
2 percent, compared to 26 percent from industry The South African government has a stable SOUTH SUDAN
and 61.2 percent from services. According to the legal framework to support existing and new TOGO
World Bank and the International Finance businesses. Some of these laws include the UGANDA
Corporation (2019), South Africa ranks 84 out of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
189 countries in the ease of doing business Act (BEE Act) of October 2014; the Protection TANZANIA
scale. However, registering a business requires of Investment Act of 2015; the Competition ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 271
Amendment Act 2018; the Special Economic to 10 percent of GDP on ICT goods and services, ANGOLA
Zones Act 2014; the Companies Act 2008 representing a huge market potential for the BENIN
and a number of employment laws. In terms digital economy. Additionally, the privatisation BOTSWANA
of investment, data from the World Economic of Telkom has opened up the sector for BURKINA FASO
Forum (2019) points to the country creating investment by private players. BURUNDI
an enabling environment for the growth of CABO VERDE
new innovative companies. South Africa was When it comes to investments in digital CAMEROON
second in the region with a score of 4.36 in 2019. agriculture, the model of WEF value-at-stake CENTRAL
AFRICAN
Reforms have also resulted in reduction in the framework was deemed the guide to investment REPUBLIC
number of days required to complete procedures in South Africa. In that report, five aspects of CHAD
to legally operate a business to 40 days in 2019. the agricultural value chain (input, production, COMOROS
processing, distribution and purchasing) CONGO
The South African legal system guarantees were identified as potential areas for digital CÔTE D’IVOIRE
protection of investments and the resolution investments. Four specific areas where DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
of disputes. With constitutional guarantees of digital agri-technologies have potential are: CONGO
private property ownership, both foreign and i) precision farming; (ii) connected supply chain; DJIBOUTI
domestic investors can participate in most (iii) digital marketplace; and (iv) autonomous EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
sectors of the economy (see Table 5). operation (WEF, 2016). In order to unlock this
ERITREA
value, the agricultural sector must acknowledge
ESWATINI
South Africa has attracted most of the FDI the benefits of digitalization in agriculture, while
ETHIOPIA
inflows into Africa. FDI stocks in 2019 increased addressing the lack of access to infrastructure,
GABON
to USD 151 billion, well above USD 127 billion in high cost and lack of connectivity in rural areas.
THE GAMBIA
2018 (UNCTAD, 2019). South Africa spends close
GHANA
GUINEA
Table 5: Business environment
GUINEA-
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source BISSAU
KENYA
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 4 624 UNCTAD
environment culture LESOTHO
Growth of innovative companies 2019 4.36 WEF LIBERIA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
MADAGASCAR
to a great extent)
MALAWI
Venture capital availability 2017 2.87 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ MALI
extremely easy) MAURITIUS
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 40 WBG MOZAMBIQUE
Ease of access to loans 2017 3.95 WEF NAMIBIA
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/
extremely easy) THE NIGER
NIGERIA
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 4.27 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ RWANDA
to a great extent)
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
HUMAN CAPITAL SIERRA LEONE
South Africa’s national adult literacy tertiary education and vocational training. South SOMALIA
rate is 95 percent and 98.4 percent for Africa’s education system seeks to produce ICT SOUTH AFRICA
young people aged 15 years and older. and agriculture graduates with skills needed for SOUTH SUDAN
The country has a positive school enrolment rate the economy. One report estimated that TOGO
of 98.5 percent and 101 percent for primary and 90 percent of South African business are UGANDA
secondary schools, respectively. The Department engaged in digital transformation and suggests UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
of Basic Education is responsible for primary the need for increased digital skills (see Table 6). TANZANIA
school education, while the Department of Higher ZAMBIA
Education and Training (HET) is responsible for ZIMBABWE
272 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
South Africa has a number of agricultural internet of things (IoT), machine learning, and ANGOLA
training colleges that include private colleges robotics as impactful technologies. BENIN
and universities. Some notable ones include BOTSWANA
Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute, Fort Cox Young people in disadvantaged backgrounds BURKINA FASO
College of Agriculture and Forestry, Grootfontein in South Africa lack digital skills and lag behind BURUNDI
Agricultural Development Institute, Lowveld due to poor infrastructure the high cost of CABO VERDE
College of Agriculture, Marapyane College of mobile data. As a result, they cannot actively CAMEROON
Agriculture, University of Cape Town and the participate in the digital economy. To that CENTRAL
AFRICAN
University of Free State. end, the government has produced strategic REPUBLIC
policies to address the digital divide and lack CHAD
South Africa’s unemployment rate has slowly of infrastructure in schools. For example, a COMOROS
increased from a decade ago and reached draft white paper on e-education sought to CONGO
28.74 percent in 2020. While agriculture transform learning and teaching through ICTs. In CÔTE D’IVOIRE
employs five percent of the population, it is 2018, The National Infrastructure Management DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
estimated that digitization could result in a System allocated communication facilities CONGO
net gain of more than 1 million jobs by 2030 and computer centres in schools. That digital DJIBOUTI
(Ndzena, 2018). The government, businesses, technology content is not available in local EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
and individuals must invest in emerging digital languages is also another challenge.
ERITREA
skills to support digital transformation in
ESWATINI
the country as stated in the National Digital About 44 percent of South African companies
ETHIOPIA
and Future Skills Strategy published on report finding difficulties in recruiting staff
GABON
23 September 2020 in the Government Gazette with the right digital skills. The private sector
THE GAMBIA
No. 43730. Furthermore, the Department of telecommunications sector, with its need for
GHANA
Higher Education and Training (DHET) identifies digital skills, has instated on-the job training in
GUINEA
occupations and skills that are needed to meet digital technologies. Vodacom and its partners
GUINEA-
the NDP and industry needs. In 2020, the most launched an initiative to train youth in ICT skills BISSAU
needed skilled professions were data scientists, such as A+, N+ and 3G connectivity. Microsoft KENYA
web developers, electrical engineers, crop South Africa collaborated with Afrika Tikkun LESOTHO
produce analysts and agricultural scientists. to train about 50 000 job seekers as part of LIBERIA
The department foresees artificial intelligence their Global Skills Initiative to transfer critical MADAGASCAR
(AI), big data, cybersecurity, digital modelling, digital skills. MALAWI
MALI
Table 6: Human capital MAURITIUS
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source MOZAMBIQUE
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2019 95.02 UNESCO NAMIBIA
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above) THE NIGER
Literacy rate, youth total 2019 98.41 UNESCO NIGERIA
(% of people ages 15–24)
RWANDA
Digital skills among population 2019 3.27 WEF
SÃO TOMÉ
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ AND PRÍNCIPE
to a great extent)
SENEGAL
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 5.28 ILO
(% of total employment) SEYCHELLES
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 3.79 ILO SIERRA LEONE
(% of female employment) SOMALIA
Unemployment, total 2020 28.74 ILO SOUTH AFRICA
(% of total labour force)
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 273
AGRO-INNOVATION ANGOLA
BENIN
South Africa has a strong innovation Digital agricultural service and applications
BOTSWANA
ecosystem that includes research have been applied in agriculture and forestry
BURKINA FASO
institutions, academia, and public and across the value chains. The Digital
BURUNDI
sector entities such as national innovation Agriculture Profiles by FAO and partners
CABO VERDE
agencies and public sector financing. The (FAO et al, 2019) notes that the most common
CAMEROON
Agricultural Research Council (ARC) is the digital solutions address credit applications,
CENTRAL
country’s principal agricultural research agency. instructional resources, market and inputs AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
As of 2014, South Africa ranked second access, decision support, field management
CHAD
regionally after Nigeria in agricultural research and data management. Examples include:
COMOROS
investment and capacity levels (ASTI, IFPRI & (i) precision farming: Aerobotics, a South
CONGO
ARC, 2018). And while the government does African ag-tech company developed a
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
invest in R&D, the budget for R&D in 2018 was precision pesticide application product to
DEMOCRATIC
just 0.8 percent of GDP. ensure compliance with export standards; John REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Deere and Massey Ferguson precision tractors
DJIBOUTI
South Africa has embraced the following in are now available in South Africa; (ii) input
EQUATORIAL
agriculture: precision farming, GIS-based services: Khula is a mobile app that connects GUINEA
applications, IoT, mobile-based systems, smallholder and emerging farmers with the ERITREA
machine learning and other emerging formal marketplace; and (iii) market and input ESWATINI
technologies. These technologies can alleviate value chains: The Farmer2Market project ETHIOPIA
some of the challenges faced by agriculture in prepares smallholder and emerging farmers to GABON
South Africa, including: the lack of appropriately access high-value markets by offering training THE GAMBIA
adaptable seeds and fertilizers; limited access on food safety standards and good agricultural GHANA
to finance, skills, and training; the lack of practices (see Table 7). GUINEA
infrastructure such as storage facilities; and the GUINEA-
BISSAU
lack of access to market information. South Africa’s start-up market is one of the
KENYA
most competitive in the continent, and agro-
LESOTHO
Innovation in agriculture and agro-processing innovation ventures are emerging. Popular
LIBERIA
value chains can solve some of these and other upcoming venture include, 3DIMO, a local start-
agricultural challenges. In South Africa, as in up in a joint venture with the University of Cape MADAGASCAR
other African countries, smallholder farmers Town. 3DIMO developed the Thola infrared MALAWI
lack access to technologies. But this is further imaging tool, which helps small and medium MALI
exacerbated by limited network coverage, scale farmers who are at the most risk of losing MAURITIUS
exorbitant data costs, and low digital literacy. their income. Another start-up called swiftVEE MOZAMBIQUE
However, mobile money payments and uses artificial intelligence to match buyers and NAMIBIA
e-commerce initiatives are also emerging and sellers of livestock globally. Buyers can acquire THE NIGER
have been boosted by the COVID-19 pandemic. livestock at the most optimal times. NIGERIA
That said, well-financed large commercial RWANDA
farmers can easily afford to implement the SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
new technologies.
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
274 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 7: Agro-innovation ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 6 401.43 FAO
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions) BURKINA FASO
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 101.73 FAO BURUNDI
(2014–2016 = 100) CABO VERDE
Logistics Performance Index 2018 3.38 WBG CAMEROON
(index ranking 1–5: low/high)
CENTRAL
Research and Agricultural research spending 2014 2.78 IFPRI AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
technology (% of AgGDP)
development CHAD
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 4.38 WEF COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/ CONGO
extensive collaboration)
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Capacity for innovation 2017 4.87 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
to a great extent) CONGO
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 8.01 UNCTAD DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
ERITREA
ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
GABON
THE GAMBIA
GHANA
GUINEA
GUINEA-
BISSAU
KENYA
LESOTHO
LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
MALI
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 275
©FAO/Shutterstock/Homo Cosmicos
SOUTH SUDAN
South Sudan is a low-income Although about 45.2 percent of total land area
country with a population of is suitable for cultivation in South Sudan, only
almost 11.2 million people, 4 percent is currently used for agriculture (Diao
79.8 percent of whom reside et al., 2011). About 85 percent of the population
in rural areas. The country is engaged in non-wage work, largely subsistence
has approximately 1.76 million agriculture, which accounts for around 15 percent
internally displaced persons (IDPs), 2.45 million of the country’s GDP.
refugees in neighbouring countries, and 5.1 million
food insecure people (see Table 1). South Sudan’s ICT sector is under-developed due
to high operating costs with heavy tow on the
investment of two key Operators: Zain South Sudan
and MTN South Sudan.
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 11 193 729 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 20.20 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 79.80 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2015 11 998 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 285 332 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 45.15 FAO
276
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
Only 6.7 percent of South Sudan’s mobile broadband demand. Fixed-telephone
BOTSWANA
population has access to electricity. services are virtually non-existent due to under-
BURKINA FASO
The country’s power sector is faced deployment before independence.
BURUNDI
with challenges ranging from poor infrastructure,
CABO VERDE
frequent power outages and high cost of service According to the Digital 2019 report, only 14 percent
CAMEROON
delivery. There is no national interconnected of the population has a mobile subscription and
CENTRAL
network of transmission grids. Grid electricity is less than 20 percent of the population in the major AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
produced mainly through diesel generators and towns owns mobile devices.
CHAD
provided by SSEC (South Sudan Electricity
COMOROS
Corporation). In rural areas, 90 percent of the Current subscribers to mobile networks have poor
CONGO
population relies on firewood and biomass services in the absence of good broadband and
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
for energy. Internet connectivity. Whatever services exist
DEMOCRATIC
make any attempts to leverage digital solutions REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Zain and MTN’s mobile service coverage and to transform rural agriculture expensive and
DJIBOUTI
update remain low due to limited incomes and difficult. Most Internet access is via mobile phones,
EQUATORIAL
the country’s precarious security situation. although there are some fixed wirelesses and VSAT GUINEA
Nevertheless, both operators offer 3G coverage, operators. South Sudan has 16 licensed ISPs mostly ERITREA
while MTN has launched 4G to meet growing in urban rather than rural areas (see Table 2). ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
Table 2: Infrastructure GABON
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source THE GAMBIA
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 5.13 WBG GHANA
(% of rural population) GUINEA
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 0.00 GSMA GUINEA-
BISSAU
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 14.67 GSMA
(% of population) KENYA
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 4.11 WBG LESOTHO
(per 1 million people) LIBERIA
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 N/A WEF MADAGASCAR
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
MALAWI
to a great extent)
MALI
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2019 20.09 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) MAURITIUS
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 5.95 ITU MOZAMBIQUE
(per 100 inhabitants)
NAMIBIA
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 0.00 ITU
THE NIGER
(per 100 people)
NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
DIGITAL PENETRATION
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
Being a landlocked country, and with In addition, there is a significant rural-urban
SEYCHELLES
a poor existing infrastructure, South divide in terms of access to media and
SIERRA LEONE
Sudan is challenged with costly telecommunications. Very few households own
SOMALIA
mobile and digital services. The country’s televisions or computers and Internet access is
SOUTH AFRICA
mobile broadband price is one of the highest limited at 8 percent in 2020. Only 2.5 percent
SOUTH SUDAN
in the region. The GSMA also reports of low of the population uses social media. Among
TOGO
engagement with social media among its those with Internet access, 53 percent accessed
UGANDA
populace and the limited presence of Internet at home and 47 percent from the
UNITED
digital apps. places of work. When it comes to gender gap REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
in Internet use and access to digital media,
ZAMBIA
only 5 percent of women in five states of South
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 277
Sudan used the Internet to access news and roll out a digitally enabled extension services in ANGOLA
information, compared to 14 percent of men. South Sudan. The FEWS NET in 2015 established BENIN
Male youth are the most likely to have used the an early warning system to educate decision- BOTSWANA
Internet (17 percent) while adult women are the makers who are responsible for creating and BURKINA FASO
least likely(3 percent). Only one percent of South funding humanitarian response plans and BURUNDI
Sudan’s population have bank accounts. assessing their food security. FAO introduced a CABO VERDE
new digital tool to fight the fall armyworm and CAMEROON
All that said, digital agriculture penetration in distributed electronic tablets to 220 villagers CENTRAL
AFRICAN
the country is slowly taking pace. AGRA, with to monitor and transmit information. FAO also REPUBLIC
support from the Feed the Future Developing helped combat locusts with digital tools such as CHAD
Local Extension Capacity (DLEC) introduced eLocust3 that has been using drones and data COMOROS
digital extension approaches in the county. for surveillance of locust intensification since CONGO
AGRA has also partnered with Digital Green to 2020 (see Table 3). CÔTE D’IVOIRE
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
Table 3: Digital penetration CONGO
DJIBOUTI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
EQUATORIAL
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 N/A Cable GUINEA
penetration (USD)
ERITREA
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2018 N/A ITU
ESWATINI
as a % of adjusted per capita income
ETHIOPIA
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2018 N/A ITU
adjusted per capita income GABON
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 2.49 GSMA THE GAMBIA
Number of apps in national language 2019 3 GSMA GHANA
(quantity)
GUINEA
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 0.00 GSMA GUINEA-
BISSAU
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 3.23 GSMA
KENYA
LESOTHO
LIBERIA
POLICY AND REGULATION MADAGASCAR
The South Sudan Vision 2040: Towards The Agriculture Sector Policy Framework (ASPF) MALAWI
freedom, equality, justice, peace and (2012–2017) was one of the key strategic MALI
prosperity for all is the foundational frameworks aimed at accelerating food and MAURITIUS
document of all government policies. Drafted agricultural production; improving agricultural MOZAMBIQUE
in February 2011, the vision acknowledged the markets and trade through investment in NAMIBIA
need to diversify the economy away from oil infrastructure and institutions; enhancing THE NIGER
and noted the huge economic potential of human and institutional capacity; and pursuing NIGERIA
agriculture and animal resources. The Local agricultural growth through social development. RWANDA
Government Act (2009) established the powers, SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
structure, and functions of local governments, In the absence of a new national ICT policy, the
SENEGAL
which includes land administration and activities of key institutions such as the National
SEYCHELLES
management and broad functions to improve Communication Authority are aligned to the
SIERRA LEONE
agriculture and community livelihoods. The country’s vision 2040, the constitution and the
SOMALIA
Agricultural Research Policy was finalized in Communications Sector Policy 2012. The Telecom
SOUTH AFRICA
July 2012 with the objective of promoting the and Postal Services Policy and Strategic Work
SOUTH SUDAN
generation, acquisition, adaptation, and Plan 2008, the Communication Sector Policy and
TOGO
dissemination of new knowledge and improved South Sudan National Communication Authority
UGANDA
technologies and policies necessary for Act of 2012 provide the establishment of a
transforming farming in South Sudan from Universal Service and Access Fund, the oversight UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
subsistence to commercial. of which lies with the South Sudan National TANZANIA
Communication Authority. ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
278 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
M o r e o v e r, S o u t h S u d a n h a s s e v e r a l From a human capacity perspective, the ANGOLA
national policy documents on private sector General Education Sector Plan (GESP) 2017– BENIN
development, none of them operational due 2022, called the Planning for Safety, Resilience BOTSWANA
to the absence of an operational framework and Social Cohesion, is an effort to alleviate the BURKINA FASO
and lack of resources. These include: the stress on the system, and to direct education BURUNDI
South Sudan Private Sector Development toward stability based on data, evidence and CABO VERDE
Strategy; the South Sudan Investment Climate financing outlays (see Table 4). CAMEROON
Reform Programme; the South Sudan Access CENTRAL
AFRICAN
to Finance Programme; and the South Sudan REPUBLIC
Enterprise Fund (SSEF). However, CHAD
COMOROS
Table 4: Policy and regulation CONGO
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
DEMOCRATIC
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 N/A WEF REPUBLIC OF
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ CONGO
framework there is a clear plan) DJIBOUTI
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 N/A WEF EQUATORIAL
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/ GUINEA
extremely successful)
ERITREA
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 N/A WEF ESWATINI
digital business models (index ranking
1–7: not fast at all/very fast) ETHIOPIA
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 N/A WEF GABON
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/ THE GAMBIA
extremely well developed)
GHANA
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 54.7 EC/ITU
GUINEA
framework
GUINEA-
BISSAU
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation KENYA
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score
LESOTHO
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4).
LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT MALI
South Sudan has not yet developed an In 2016, UNDP launched a national MAURITIUS
entrepreneurial culture, likely due to the entrepreneurship and enterprise development MOZAMBIQUE
limited development of its private programme that trained 110 young entrepreneurs NAMIBIA
sector. Investing continues to be challenging in numerous areas including IT services. The World THE NIGER
due to the economic concentration in the oil Bank’s South Sudan Youth Start-up Business NIGERIA
sector. There is also a lack of clarity among Grant Program launched in 2014 provided seed RWANDA
federal, state and county jurisdictions over capital between USD 1 000 and USD 1 200 to SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
business licensing, taxes and customs. small businesses and developed the business
SENEGAL
skills of participants to start their own enterprises.
The private sector faces many issues that The South Sudan Jobs Creation and Trade SEYCHELLES
constrain its competitiveness, including in Development (JCTD) project aims at providing SIERRA LEONE
delivering agricultural services. In 2018, South integrated and holistic assistance for the SOMALIA
Sudan had 10 microfinance offerings that had development of micro, small and medium-sized SOUTH AFRICA
reached only about 5 percent of the potential enterprises (MSMEs) in the fruits and vegetables SOUTH SUDAN
clientele in the capital Juba, and less than value chains to create economic and employment TOGO
1 percent of the potential clientele in the entire opportunities financed by EUR 4.8 million from the UGANDA
nation (Fortune of Africa, 2018). EU. Nonetheless, enterprises still have to spend UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
about 13 days to complete legal registration TANZANIA
processes (see Table 5). ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 279
Table 5: Business environment ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 18 UNCTAD
environment culture BURKINA FASO
Growth of innovative companies 2019 N/A WEF BURUNDI
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ CABO VERDE
to a great extent)
CAMEROON
Venture capital availability 2017 N/A WEF
CENTRAL
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ AFRICAN
extremely easy) REPUBLIC
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 13 WBG CHAD
Ease of access to loans 2017 N/A WEF COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ CONGO
extremely easy)
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 N/A WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
to a great extent) CONGO
DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
HUMAN CAPITAL ERITREA
South Sudan’s adult literacy rate is low Private and missionary schools that are fully funded ESWATINI
at 34.5 percent as of 2018, but slightly by organizations are more likely than public schools ETHIOPIA
higher among the youth at almost to have laptops/desktops, even in major towns. GABON
48 percent. According to UNESCO, female youth THE GAMBIA
literacy rate was 28.9 whereas that of males was Initiatives such as the 10-day Youth Mobile GHANA
48.2 in the same year. workshop organised in 2014 on mobile app GUINEA
development by UNESCO for 40 university students GUINEA-
BISSAU
In 2018, the Ministry of General Education and in South Sudan aim at preparing the youth for
KENYA
Instruction reported that the number of primary transformation in the agriculture sector. The ICT
LESOTHO
schools in the country rose to 3 848 and primary Society South Sudan was formed to represent
LIBERIA
enrolment to 1.6 million. Of all enrolled primary players and stakeholders in South Sudan’s ICT
MADAGASCAR
school children, 42.9 percent were girls. About sector who provide ICT services. This includes
MALAWI
one-third of primary schools and over half of targeting the agriculture sector to elevate the
MALI
secondary schools were private (MGEI, 2018). standards of ICT professionals in South Sudan.
MAURITIUS
Educational inequalities persist along rural and GoGirls ICT mentors women and girls in ICT and
MOZAMBIQUE
urban lines. For one, all 120 secondary schools science, technology, engineering and mathematics
NAMIBIA
are in South Sudan’s towns. (STEM). In addition, The South Sudan STEM Initiative
THE NIGER
brings computer hardware and learning software
NIGERIA
Government sponsored higher education to schools in need throughout South Sudan, as well
RWANDA
institutions in South Sudan have increased as a solar-powered computer lab in Jonglei in 2019.
SÃO TOMÉ
from three to eight while privately owned have AND PRÍNCIPE
risen from zero to over 35 universities, including The NGO SPARK in partnership with Premium Agro- SENEGAL
the University of Juba, John Garang University Consult Ltd. (the HUB), developed training materials SEYCHELLES
and Catholic University of South Sudan. Yei for and trained 350 illiterate entrepreneurs. SIERRA LEONE
Agricultural and Mechanical University provides In phase II of the South Sudan Agribusiness SOMALIA
courses in agriculture science and ICT related Development Programme, a consortium of NGOs SOUTH AFRICA
topics. Vocational education is currently offered (Cordaid, Agriterra and SPARK) launched a project SOUTH SUDAN
at public secondary technical schools under the to support 10 000 farmers and their agribusinesses TOGO
Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. including in the uptake of technologies. The South UGANDA
These include technical secondary schools in Sudan Agribusiness Development Project (SSADP) UNITED
Juba and Wau, commercial secondary schools created 900 jobs over the past years through REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
in Juba and Wau, and an agricultural secondary 457 farmers who employed one or two additional ZAMBIA
school in Wau. workers (see Table 6). ZIMBABWE
280 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 6: Human capital ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2018 34.52 UNESCO
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above) BURKINA FASO
Literacy rate, youth total 2018 47.90 UNESCO BURUNDI
(% of people ages 15–24) CABO VERDE
Digital skills among population 2019 N/A WEF CAMEROON
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
CENTRAL
to a great extent) AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 60.38 ILO
(% of total employment) CHAD
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 73.16 ILO COMOROS
(% of female employment) CONGO
Unemployment, total 2020 12.66 ILO CÔTE D’IVOIRE
(% of total labour force)
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
DJIBOUTI
AGRO-INNOVATION EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
The current research and development knowledge and innovation hub; a community- ERITREA
institutions in the country are limited in based initiative established by like-minded ESWATINI
capacity. The Ministry of Agriculture youth based on identified gaps and potential ETHIOPIA
and Food Security continues to work with NGOs solutions to community needs.
GABON
as well as regional and international research
THE GAMBIA
institutions to develop technology, especially Despite South Sudan’s challenges, efforts
GHANA
seed technology. have been made to develop the innovative
GUINEA
capacities of the youth in the country. The Peace
GUINEA-
RIL Country Labs fosters partnerships that Hack Camp was one of the first hackathons BISSAU
develop, pilot and scale innovations that organised in the country in 2015. It hosted over KENYA
overcome context-specific problems or barriers 100 participants who were trained in the design LESOTHO
to the delivery of aid and community recovery of mobile applications, entrepreneurship skills LIBERIA
or resilience. Jubahub (jHUB) is an open and sustainable agriculture (see Table 7). MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
Table 7: Agro-innovation MALI
MAURITIUS
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
MOZAMBIQUE
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 200.56 FAO
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions) NAMIBIA
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 106.52 FAO THE NIGER
(2014–2016 = 100) NIGERIA
Logistics Performance Index 2018 N/A WBG RWANDA
(index ranking 1–5: low/high)
SÃO TOMÉ
Research and Agricultural research spending 2016 N/A IFPRI AND PRÍNCIPE
technology (% of AgGDP)
SENEGAL
development
SEYCHELLES
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 N/A WEF
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/ SIERRA LEONE
extensive collaboration) SOMALIA
Capacity for innovation 2017 N/A WEF SOUTH AFRICA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
SOUTH SUDAN
to a great extent)
TOGO
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 N/A UNCTAD
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 281
©FAO/Shutterstock/traveloskop
TOGO
Togo is a low-income country over 200 000 people are at risk of being food
with a population of 8.2 million insecure. Poverty is still high in rural areas with
people, 57.2 percent of whom live female-headed households suffering the most.
in rural areas and 42.8 percent The country is committed to increasing agricultural
in urban areas. The agriculture productivity and the incomes of farmers. Togo’s
sector employs 32.4 percent National Development Plan (2018–2022) outlines
of the population. In 2020, Togo’s GDP was the government’s key developmental focus areas.
USD 7.5 billion, and agriculture contributed
41 percent of GDP. Togo’s agriculture is both In the National Development Plan, the government
subsistence and commercial based. The country’s identified the digital economy as of strategic
major agricultural produce includes coffee, cocoa importance to the country. Actions to enhance
and cotton (see Table 1). digital services have been strengthened in the
government’s roadmap (2020–2025) defined to
Most rural communities practice subsistence face the major challenges accentuated by the
agriculture and use rudimentary techniques COVID-19 pandemic. The plan aims at transforming
and tools. The biggest challenge over the years Togo into digital service hub and an international
has been consistently low food crop yields. The centre for innovation and expertise. To achieve that,
performance of the main export crops (cotton, the government launched the Togo Digital 2021
coffee and cocoa) has also been deteriorating. strategic plan covering the next five years. The plan
Animal production and fisheries are not performing would ensure social inclusion, support enhanced
well either. WFP notes that 22 percent of the competitiveness and growth potential of Togo’s
population require humanitarian assistance while digital economy.
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 8 278 737 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 42.80 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 57.20 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 7 575 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 38 200 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 70.23 FAO
282
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
Togo’s infrastructure is generally in cable can potentially lower Internet prices
BOTSWANA
needs of substantial investments. The significantly. Additionally, Togo launched the
BURKINA FASO
World Bank is supporting the country construction of its first data centre and Virtual
BURUNDI
to develop its urban infrastructure. In 2019, Landing Point (VLP) in Lomé in December 2018.
CABO VERDE
about 52.4 percent of the population had access The data centre will make Togo a regional hub
CAMEROON
to electricity – with 23.6 percent access in rural for connectivity (see Table 2).
CENTRAL
areas compared to 91.8 percent in urban areas. AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
In 2010, Contour Global, Togo’s first independent Togocom is state-owned and the biggest
CHAD
power producer (IPP), started operations to player in the telecommunications market. It was
COMOROS
augment the electricity grid. Despite that, Togo formed from the merger of Togo Télécom, Togo’s
CONGO
still needs to import electricity. To deliver historical fixed-phone operator, and Togocel, the
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
electricity to rural areas, the government is country´s mobile-network operator. Togocom
DEMOCRATIC
privatizing the sector allowing off-grid power and Moov are the two mobile network operators, REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
generation investments in rural areas. both providing 3G and 4G network coverage,
DJIBOUTI
although the coverage is still not nationwide.
EQUATORIAL
Togo is connected to the African submarine In November 2020, Togocom engaged Nokia GUINEA
cable (WACS) via Togocom. Togocom is the sole to develop its 5G network across the country, ERITREA
provider of international capacity in the country making Togo the first country in West Africa ESWATINI
and ISPs and Moov Togo (rebranded recently to launch a 5G network. Togo also has a fixed ETHIOPIA
as Moov Africa) can access this network on a broadband Internet market with four facilities- GABON
wholesale basis. Meanwhile, Moov announced based Internet service providers. Togocom (via THE GAMBIA
that it was granted authority for a new subsea PTO TogoCom, its subsidiary) has 90 percent of GHANA
cable, connecting Casablanca to Togo’s capital the fixed broadband Internet market share. GUINEA
city Lomé. The entry of the second Internet GUINEA-
BISSAU
KENYA
Table 2: Infrastructure
LESOTHO
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
LIBERIA
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 23.63 WBG
MADAGASCAR
(% of rural population)
MALAWI
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 12.44 GSMA
MALI
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 52.64 GSMA
(% of population) MAURITIUS
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 26.45 WBG MOZAMBIQUE
(per 1 million people) NAMIBIA
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 N/A WEF THE NIGER
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
to a great extent) NIGERIA
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2020 78.71 ITU RWANDA
(per 100 inhabitants) SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 41.10 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) SENEGAL
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 0.64 ITU SEYCHELLES
(per 100 people) SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
DIGITAL PENETRATION SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
In 2017, 12.3 percent of the population broadband subscriptions was 31.89 percent. Due
UGANDA
was using the Internet according to the to investments in Togolese telecommunications
UNITED
World Bank. By 2020, there were infrastructure and likely reductions of Internet REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
6.5 million mobile cellular subscriptions. During costs, there is an increase in the usage of
ZAMBIA
that same time, penetration rate of fixed mobile connections.
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 283
The mobile subscriber share between the two USD 11.76 in 2019. Through various reforms, the ANGOLA
mobile network operators in Togo is 51.4 percent government has contributed to the reduction in BENIN
for Togocom and 48.6 percent for Moov, while costs of prepaid cellular calls (see Table 3). BOTSWANA
the total revenue share is 63 percent for Togocom BURKINA FASO
and 37 percent for Moov. TogoCom maintains a With assistance from the African Development BURUNDI
leading market share. According to GSMA Mobile Bank (AfDB), the government has launched the CABO VERDE
Connectivity Index (2019), mobile connections AgriPME project, which plans to reach up to four CAMEROON
was 72 percent and and 3G and 4G coverage million vulnerable farmers and users with its CENTRAL
AFRICAN
reached 66.4 percent and 12.4 percent of the Agri-PmE scheme by 2030. The project connects REPUBLIC
population respectively. Both figures indicate distributors and farmers via an e-wallet system CHAD
an expanded network and increased Internet to facilitate agricultural input purchase. More COMOROS
coverage across Togo. But coverage has not than 250 000 farmers benefit from AgriPME. CONGO
reached most rural areas. One report suggests The project aims at providing efficient fertilizer CÔTE D’IVOIRE
that in 2017 only 0.6 percent of rural areas had grants and management systems for vulnerable DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
Internet access. About 96 percent of Togolese farmers. In 2015, the Togolese entrepreneur CONGO
Internet users connect to social networks via their Edeh Dona Etchri launched the e-Agribusiness DJIBOUTI
phone. The total rate of access to social media platform to connect people and organizations EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
platforms in Togo is 7.7 percent (see Table 3). across the country’s agriculture sector and
ERITREA
provided them with a local language call centre
ESWATINI
According to Cable, the Average price of mobile to facilitate access to valuable information they
ETHIOPIA
data per 1 GB in 2020 was USD 4.5 compared to previously could not access.
GABON
THE GAMBIA
Table 3: Digital penetration
GHANA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
GUINEA
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 4.50 Cable GUINEA-
penetration (USD) BISSAU
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2015 15.10 ITU KENYA
as a % of adjusted per capita income
LESOTHO
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2015 37.75 ITU
LIBERIA
adjusted per capita income
MADAGASCAR
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 7.75 GSMA
MALAWI
Number of apps in national language 2019 32.85 GSMA
(quantity) MALI
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 11.64 GSMA MAURITIUS
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 28.89 GSMA MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
POLICY AND REGULATION RWANDA
Togo has a favourable policy and Communications Law No. 2012-018 amended SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
regulatory framework for by Law No. 2013-003. In essence, these laws
SENEGAL
digitalization. The Ministry of Posts and subsequent decrees regulate the sector.
SEYCHELLES
and Digital Economy oversees this sector. The More recently, these laws have also guided the
SIERRA LEONE
Telecommunications Regulatory Agency framework for the liberalization of the telecoms
SOMALIA
(ARCEP) is the regulatory body responsible for market (World Bank, 2020:30). The government
SOUTH AFRICA
regulating mobile operators and Togo Poste is also developing other laws to support the
SOUTH SUDAN
(see Table 4). digital economy as guided by the Togo Digital
TOGO
2025 strategic plan for the country’s digital
UGANDA
The main telecommunications legislation is the transformation. An example of that is the
Law on Telecommunications No. 98-005, later Cybersecurity, Electronic Transactions and the UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
amended in 2004 by Law No. 2004-010 and Information Society draft legislations. TANZANIA
Law No. 2004-011, and the law on Electronic ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
284 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Togo Digital 2025 supports a number of Decree No. 2014-112-PR on interconnection and ANGOLA
sector strategies, including the regulatory access to the digital infrastructure. BENIN
framework, market liberalization, institutional BOTSWANA
strengthening, infrastructure development and For example, Decree No. 2014-112-PR establishes BURKINA FASO
digital technology use across different sectors. the principle of interconnection, right of access, BURUNDI
The Togo Digital 2025 plan comes after the the handling of access requests, and service CABO VERDE
government successfully rolled out the e-Gouv costs and tariffs. CAMEROON
project that implemented a government-wide CENTRAL
AFRICAN
network project that links all ministries in the In terms of agriculture, Togo was one of the REPUBLIC
capital city Lomé and is expected to extend to first countries to sign the African Union’s CHAD
other areas across the country. The government Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development COMOROS
has placed digital technology at the heart of its Programme (CAADP) and immediately crafted its CONGO
national strategy to accelerate the development own agriculture policy in line with the CAADP. The CÔTE D’IVOIRE
of priority business sectors and modernize policy is the National Agricultural Investment and DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
its administration. Food and Nutritional Security Program (PNIASAN) CONGO
2016–2025, which is based on five pillars DJIBOUTI
The following are some of the decrees related (Programme National d’Investissement Agricole EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
to digital economy that have also been et de Sécurité Alimentaire et nutritionnelle).
ERITREA
published: Decree No. 2016-161/PR, establishing That said, this policy does not mention any
ESWATINI
the National Spectrum Agency for Radio strategy on agribusiness or ICTs. However,
ETHIOPIA
frequencies; (Agence Nationale du Spectre the National Development Plan (2018–2022)
GABON
pour les Radiofréquences, ANSR); Decree No. identifies agribusiness as one of the sectors the
THE GAMBIA
2018-62/PR regulating digital and electronic government should prioritize. In terms of relevant
GHANA
transactions; Decree No. 2016-109/PR of digital agriculture policies, Togo is now drafting
GUINEA
20 October 2016, on the National Frequency a strategy for the digitization of agricultural
GUINEA-
Allocation Plan (PNAF); Decree No. 2015-91-PR value chain management (Stratégie pour la BISSAU
on the roles and organization of the regulator numérisation de la gestion des chaines de valeur KENYA
l’ARCEP; Decree No. 2014-088-PR on the legal Agricole) with support from IFAD and FAO. LESOTHO
framework for electronic communications; and LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
Table 4: Policy and regulation MALAWI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source MALI
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 N/A WEF MAURITIUS
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ MOZAMBIQUE
framework there is a clear plan)
NAMIBIA
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 N/A WEF
THE NIGER
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
extremely successful) NIGERIA
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 N/A WEF RWANDA
digital business models (index ranking
SÃO TOMÉ
1–7: not fast at all/very fast) AND PRÍNCIPE
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 N/A WEF SENEGAL
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
SEYCHELLES
extremely well developed)
SIERRA LEONE
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 69 EC/ITU
framework SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation
SOUTH SUDAN
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score TOGO
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4).
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 285
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ANGOLA
BENIN
Togo ranked 97 out of 190 economies in In 2019, Togo’s FDI was equivalent to 2.4 percent
BOTSWANA
the Ease of Doing Business scale by the of its GDP. According to UNCTAD’s World
BURKINA FASO
World Bank, and ranked 15 in the ease of Investment Report 2020, FDI inflows increased
BURUNDI
starting a business. The government of Togo’s to USD 133 million in 2019, a turnaround from
CABO VERDE
e-Citizen platform serves as a one-stop shop for USD 183 million in 2018. E-commerce is slowly
CAMEROON
accessing services. For now, it acts as an gaining pace in Togo, although most platforms
CENTRAL
information portal for citizens on the offline process are from foreign institutions (see Table 5). AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
for dozens of services, ranging from renewal of
CHAD
licenses to applications for business permits. Togo’s agritech industry is still at its infancy.
COMOROS
Additionally, commercial courts can now pay fees There are initiatives to engage youth in agri-
CONGO
online, which streamlines a lot of bureaucratic businesss. In conjunction with the Technologies
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
processes of many commercial transactions. There for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT),
DEMOCRATIC
is evidence of the impact Togo’s digital investments the government organized a training session REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
are having on business. As a result, the time for youth on potential technologies that may
DJIBOUTI
required to start a business in Togo in 2019 was present economic opportunities.
EQUATORIAL
2.5 days compared to 10 days in 2015. GUINEA
ERITREA
Table 5: Business environment ESWATINI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source ETHIOPIA
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2020 133 UNCTAD GABON
environment culture THE GAMBIA
Growth of innovative companies 2019 N/A WEF GHANA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
GUINEA
to a great extent)
GUINEA-
Venture capital availability 2017 N/A WEF BISSAU
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/
KENYA
extremely easy)
LESOTHO
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 2.5 WBG
LIBERIA
Ease of access to loans 2017 N/A WEF
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ MADAGASCAR
extremely easy)
MALAWI
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 N/A WEF
MALI
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
HUMAN CAPITAL NIGERIA
An estimated 60 percent of Togo’s Education (PSE 2010–2020) seeks to promote RWANDA
population is under 25 years of age. The access to ICTs in training in general. In 2014, the SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
total adult literacy rate is 66.5 percent government launched the Digital Work
SENEGAL
as of 2019 while youth aged 15–24 have a literacy Environment (DWE) Technical and Scientific High
SEYCHELLES
rate of 87.9 percent. There is gender disparity in Schools Project as a means to spread the use of
SIERRA LEONE
literacy rates, with males being more literate than ICTs in schools. DWE falls under the Sector Plan
SOMALIA
woman. Due to poverty rates, education in Togo for Education (PSE 2010–2020) (see Table 6).
SOUTH AFRICA
remains stagnant with some education facilities
in rural areas in need of improvement. Reducing Not much information is available on the state SOUTH SUDAN
literacy rates is a core pillar for the government’s of agricultural training institutions in Togo. TOGO
education strategy 2014–2025. Most students do The University of Lomé has a higher school UGANDA
not complete their education, while only of agronomy, while the University of Kara has UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
18.2 percent complete schooling up to the lower a higher institute of agricultural professions. TANZANIA
secondary level, as of 2011. Togo’s Sector Plan for Agricultural training institutions in Togo need ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
286 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
support. That said, some institutions like the entrepreneurship; and advancement of its ANGOLA
University of Lomé, the University of Kara, digital platforms and services. The Togo Digital BENIN
the Catholic University of West Africa, and 2025 plan was a precursor to the following BOTSWANA
the Higher School of Computer, Science and efforts to improve digital skills in the economy: BURKINA FASO
Science Management (ESGIS) are reported to the Optical Fiber Wi-Fi Campus project aims BURUNDI
be advanced centres of learning. at improving the capacities of universities CABO VERDE
and vocational training institutes. The project CAMEROON
Togo’s National Development Plan 2018–2022 connects five universities to the country’s public CENTRAL
AFRICAN
(PND) seeks to have 50 percent of public high hospital sites; and design of ICT modules to REPUBLIC
schools and colleges equipped with networks impart digital skills. The Ministry of Education CHAD
and ICTs, all fully integrated in the training and the Ministry of Posts and Digital Economy COMOROS
of pupils and students. Currently, there is no are jointly working on the curricular redesign. CONGO
evidence of ICT integration in schools. A recent CÔTE D’IVOIRE
study by the World Bank (2020) assessed the The major challenges for the development of DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
extent that Togo’s digital skills can drive its digital skills are a weak education system, lack CONGO
digital economy, specifically the installation of of Internet access in public schools, and lack of DJIBOUTI
its digital infrastructure; growth of its digital skilled human resources and financial resources. EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
ERITREA
Table 6: Human capital
ESWATINI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source ETHIOPIA
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2019 66.54 UNESCO GABON
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above)
THE GAMBIA
Literacy rate, youth total 2019 87.89 UNESCO
GHANA
(% of people ages 15–24)
GUINEA
Digital skills among population 2019 N/A WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ GUINEA-
to a great extent) BISSAU
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 32.38 ILO KENYA
(% of total employment) LESOTHO
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 26.87 ILO LIBERIA
(% of female employment)
MADAGASCAR
Unemployment, total 2020 4.05 ILO
MALAWI
(% of total labour force)
MALI
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
AGRO-INNOVATION NAMIBIA
Togo’s National Development Plan and Various innovation initiatives such as THE NIGER
its policy statement on digital economy innovation labs and centres of excellences NIGERIA
reflect the government’s commitment to have been reported, although not necessarily RWANDA
innovation. Togo has six public institutions in in agriculture. One example is the March SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
agricultural research, which include the Togolese 2019 Lomé Policy Hackathon, organized
SENEGAL
Institute for Agricultural Research (Institut by local entrepreneurship stakeholders to
SEYCHELLES
Togolais de Recherche Agronomique [ITRA]). ITRA use creativity/innovation methodologies to
SIERRA LEONE
operates research centres distributed in the four influence a favourable business environment.
SOMALIA
agro-ecological zones of the country. An IFPRI The US Embassy in Togo organised a Tech
SOUTH AFRICA
review (2014) identified a number of problems in Camp (AgriTechCamp Togo) for 60 young
SOUTH SUDAN
research institutes including: shortage of agricultural entrepreneurs in the northern City
TOGO
researchers; fewer female researchers; lack of of Kara. Participants included young people,
UGANDA
financial resources; and lack of technological farmers, inventors, agricultural experts and
UNITED
innovations. There are no statistics on funding to entrepreneurs. Three successful projects REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
research and development in agriculture and were chosen and received funding for further
ZAMBIA
veterinary sciences. (see Table 7). development. The German Development
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 287
Agency also runs the Green Innovation through innovation in the agri-food sector. ANGOLA
Centers in 14 African countries with a goal There a still ample room for growth of the BENIN
of supporting smallholder farmers’ incomes Togolese agro-innovation industry. BOTSWANA
BURKINA FASO
Table 7: Agro-innovation BURUNDI
CABO VERDE
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
CAMEROON
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 1 486.65 FAO
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions) CENTRAL
AFRICAN
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 110.16 FAO REPUBLIC
(2014–2016 = 100) CHAD
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.45 WBG COMOROS
(index ranking 1–5: low/high)
CONGO
Research and Agricultural research spending 2016 0.20 IFPRI
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
technology (% of AgGDP)
development DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 N/A WEF CONGO
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/ DJIBOUTI
extensive collaboration)
EQUATORIAL
Capacity for innovation 2017 N/A WEF GUINEA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
ERITREA
to a great extent)
ESWATINI
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 3.84 UNCTAD
ETHIOPIA
GABON
THE GAMBIA
GHANA
GUINEA
GUINEA-
BISSAU
KENYA
LESOTHO
LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
MALI
MAURITIUS
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
288 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
©FAO/Shutterstock/Travel Stock
UGANDA
Uganda is a low-income country reduction. Uganda produces a variety of food crops
with a GDP of USD 37.3 billion. such as cassava, sweet potato, plantains, and
Growing by three percent corn, as well as cash crops like coffee, tea, sugar,
a n n u a l l y, t h e p o p u l a t i o n cotton and tobacco. Uganda is among the leading
reached 45.7 million in 2020, exporters of coffee in Africa.
w h i l e yo u t h a g e d u n d e r
25 years accounted for more than 65 percent, However, despite being rich in natural resources
making Uganda one of the most youthful nations (fertile land and water resources), agriculture in
in the world. The country still has a large rural Uganda has not yet reached its full potential. Only
population of 75 percent (see Table 1), of which 35 percent of its arable land is being cultivated and
80 percent are youth (UNFPA, 2020). The fast- the country has to cope with a range of challenges
growing population exerts pressure on the such as rain-fed dependency, climate conditions,
domestic labour market as the demand for quality low productivity as well as lack of access to
and decent jobs exceeds supply. necessary services. It is also important to note that
women have contributed over 75 percent of farm
Measured in terms of the national poverty line, labour and 90 percent of primary agro-processing,
Uganda has made achievements in the past three whereas smallholder households are generally
decades. The proportion of people living below the male-dominated (World Bank).
national poverty line decreased from 56.2 percent
in 1992 to 19.7 percent in 2012, but it increased to Uganda’s ITC sector contributed to 2.5 percent
21.4 percent in 2016 (World Bank, 2016). of GDP as of 2015 and employed more than
2 million people with a significant portion of them
Agriculture is the backbone of the country’s being youth. The key functions of Uganda’s ICT
economy, contributing to 25 percent of GDP, sector include providing services and improving
employing 72 percent of the total population and infrastructure. To date, the country has created a
ensuring 89 percent of people are food secure. It is dynamic market for private service providers to
a key sector for income improvement and poverty actively engage in.
289
Table 1: Basic facts ANGOLA
BENIN
Basic facts Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Total population 2020 45 741 000 WBG
BURKINA FASO
Urban population (%) 2020 24.95 UNPD
BURUNDI
Rural population (%) 2020 75.05 UNPD
CABO VERDE
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 37 372 WBG
CAMEROON
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 144 150 FAO
CENTRAL
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 71.89 FAO AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
CHAD
COMOROS
INFRASTRUCTURE CONGO
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
About 41.3 percent of the population has broadband access and deploy 3G wireless
DEMOCRATIC
access to electricity, with 70.8 percent communications infrastructure via satellite with REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
in urban and 31.8 percent in rural areas. support from Intelsat and Gilat.
DJIBOUTI
Uganda has launched the SEforALL initiative
EQUATORIAL
and set up a goal of achieving 99 percent The country has also made efforts in improving GUINEA
electricity access by 2030. the overall ICT infrastructure and encourages ERITREA
the engagement of telecom companies. The ESWATINI
Currently, the telecommunications market in government of Uganda has invested over ETHIOPIA
Uganda is dominated by two large operators: USD 105 million in the National Backbone GABON
MTN Uganda, with a 52 percent of market Infrastructure (NBI) to lay out 5 110 km fiber THE GAMBIA
share, and Airtel Uganda, at 34 percent. Three optic cables. MTN has launched its fibre-to- GHANA
other operators account for 12 percent market the-home (FTTH) services in selected areas
GUINEA
share collectively. 3G and 4G services have across Uganda. Facebook has partnered
GUINEA-
been promoted with rising mobile phone use with Bandwidth & Cloud Services (BCS) Group BISSAU
in the country. 2G service is gradually being and Airtel to deploy approximately 770 km KENYA
phased out. In 2019, 4G coverage in Uganda of fiber infrastructure across north-western LESOTHO
reached 63.9 percent (see Table 2). 5G trial Uganda. Uganda is also connected to three LIBERIA
has started in 2020 supported by China’s marine fiber optic cables. All these investments MADAGASCAR
ZTE and MTN Uganda. Given the relative have enhanced the digital infrastructure and MALAWI
dearth of broadband Internet connectivity in strengthened the country’s potential for digital MALI
rural Uganda, the country’s Communications transformation (see Table 2). MAURITIUS
Commission (UCC) decided to expand MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
Table 2: Infrastructure THE NIGER
NIGERIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
RWANDA
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 31.80 WBG
(% of rural population) SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 63.88 GSMA
SENEGAL
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 49.96 GSMA
SEYCHELLES
(% of population)
SIERRA LEONE
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 34.39 WBG
(per 1 million people) SOMALIA
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 4.08 WEF SOUTH AFRICA
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
SOUTH SUDAN
to a great extent)
TOGO
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2020 60.53 ITU
(per 100 inhabitants) UGANDA
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2018 33.61 ITU UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
(per 100 inhabitants) TANZANIA
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 0.08 ITU ZAMBIA
(per 100 people)
ZIMBABWE
290 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
DIGITAL PENETRATION ANGOLA
BENIN
Despite a low Internet penetration at social media platforms as of 2019 (see Table 3).
BOTSWANA
23.7 percent in 2019, the country has The most frequently used social media platform
BURKINA FASO
slowly improved the situation given is Twitter, followed by Pinterest, Facebook
BURUNDI
that two decades ago Uganda had virtually and other platforms (Statcounter, 2020). The
CABO VERDE
zero Internet, and below 10 percent until 2010 uptake of mobile phones did not result in
CAMEROON
(World Bank). The digital gap between rural and high penetration of social media. This can be
CENTRAL
urban is still large, with only 9 percent of rural partially explained by Uganda’s over the top AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
people with access to the Internet (Research ICT (OTT) social media tax policy (social media tax)
CHAD
Africa, 2019). adopted in 2018, which charges an additional
COMOROS
UGX 200 for major social media platforms
CONGO
Fixed broadband subscriptions are at including Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, and
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
0.23 per 100 inhabitants while mobile cellular Instagram. Recently, this tax has been replaced
DEMOCRATIC
subscriptions perform relatively better at by a 12 percent duty on Internet data (except REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
60.5 percent. Around half of the population for medical and education services) which has
DJIBOUTI
owns mobile devices (see Table 3). Even though made the Internet relatively more unaffordable.
EQUATORIAL
the price for data, calls and SMS on the mobile GUINEA
cellular network may not seem costly (see Table A similar tax is applied to mobile payments. ERITREA
3), many Ugandans still face constraints in terms Mobile money users have to pay 0.5 percent of ESWATINI
of affordability considering their low-income withdrawal transactions. However, this has not ETHIOPIA
levels (Research ICT Africa, 2019). impeded the growth of mobile money adoption. GABON
In 2020, the number of mobile money customers THE GAMBIA
The GSMA reported that about 5.5 percent of reached more than 30.3 million (see Table 3). GHANA
the country’s population actively engaged with GUINEA
GUINEA-
BISSAU
Table 3: Digital penetration
KENYA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
LESOTHO
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 1.62 Cable
LIBERIA
penetration (USD)
MADAGASCAR
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2016 8.49 ITU
as a % of adjusted per capita income MALAWI
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2018 N/A ITU MALI
adjusted per capita income MAURITIUS
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 5.50 GSMA MOZAMBIQUE
Number of apps in national language 2019 53.39 GSMA NAMIBIA
(quantity)
THE NIGER
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 48.17 GSMA
NIGERIA
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 42.72 GSMA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
POLICY AND REGULATION
SEYCHELLES
The Digital Uganda Vision guides the services within the country through the Digital SIERRA LEONE
country’s ICT development and Transformation Programme, as well as leveraging SOMALIA
implementation. It aims at empowering advancements in the ICT sector. The 2018 SOUTH AFRICA
citizens and achieving “universal inclusion, National Broadband Policy also indicated the SOUTH SUDAN
sustainable development, economic progress establishment of a “universal service and access TOGO
and poverty eradication through digital fund” to target the development of ICT in rural UGANDA
innovation” (Ministry of ICT & National areas. NDPIII also indicates that the agricultural
UNITED
Guidance). The Uganda National Development extension system will be enhanced with the help REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
Plan III (NDP III) is currently under development of ICT, and access and use of digital technologies
ZAMBIA
and continues to increase ICT penetration and in agro-industry will be increased.
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 291
The National Agriculture Policy (NAP) is Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development ANGOLA
the foundational document that governs Programme (CAADP). The Extension Guidelines BENIN
the country’s agriculture sector. “Improving and Standards also target youth groups to BOTSWANA
agriculture research, technology dissemination consider ICT opportunities and technology and BURKINA FASO
and adoption” is one of the main outcomes of the information needs for youth (see Table 4). BURUNDI
CABO VERDE
Table 4: Policy and regulation CAMEROON
CENTRAL
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 4.15 WEF
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ CHAD
framework there is a clear plan) COMOROS
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 4.24 WEF CONGO
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
extremely successful)
DEMOCRATIC
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 3.09 WEF REPUBLIC OF
digital business models (index ranking CONGO
1–7: not fast at all/very fast)
DJIBOUTI
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 3.36 WEF
EQUATORIAL
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/ GUINEA
extremely well developed)
ERITREA
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 86 EC/ITU
ESWATINI
framework
ETHIOPIA
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation GABON
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation
THE GAMBIA
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4). GHANA
GUINEA
GUINEA-
BISSAU
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT KENYA
Uganda is one of the highest recipients of food and cash crops. Opportunities include LESOTHO
of FDI in East Africa. According to commercial agriculture, agro-processing for LIBERIA
UNCTAD, FDI inflows increased by value-added products, cold chain as well as MADAGASCAR
nearly 20 percent to USD 1.3 billion in 2019, input supply (The State House of Uganda, 2021). MALAWI
mainly due to the development of oil fields and MALI
projects in agriculture, manufacturing and However, some constraints exist, including lack MAURITIUS
construction (UNCTAD, 2019). of adequate infrastructure, high poverty levels, MOZAMBIQUE
as well as social insecurity in parts of the country NAMIBIA
Uganda has consistently improved its political that may reduce FDI appeal. The government THE NIGER
and economic stability to facilitate business has carried out a series of incentives to facilitate NIGERIA
operations within the country. The country investment, such as a 75 percent import duty RWANDA
provides a relatively liberalized and well- reduction on factory equipment, 100 percent SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
regulated business climate to attract investors tax deduction on research and training costs,
SENEGAL
and protect their rights. It takes 13 steps and depreciating start-up costs over four years,
approximately 24 days register a business in and a 10-year tax break for export-oriented SEYCHELLES
Uganda according to the Doing Business report. production (see Table 5). SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
B o t h I C T a n d a g r i c u l t u re h a ve h u g e SOUTH AFRICA
investment potential. Uganda’s supportive SOUTH SUDAN
legal framework, young labour resources and TOGO
improved infrastructure enhance the growth UGANDA
opportunities of the country’s ICT sector. In UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
agriculture, Uganda is a large coffee and TANZANIA
banana producer, and produces a wide range ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
292 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 5: Business environment ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 1 266 UNCTAD
environment culture BURKINA FASO
Growth of innovative companies 2019 4.20 WEF BURUNDI
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ CABO VERDE
to a great extent)
CAMEROON
Venture capital availability 2017 2.46 WEF
CENTRAL
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ AFRICAN
extremely easy) REPUBLIC
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 24 WBG CHAD
Ease of access to loans 2017 3.86 WEF COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ CONGO
extremely easy)
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 4.36 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
to a great extent) CONGO
DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
HUMAN CAPITAL ERITREA
Uganda’s education expenditures Various projects have been implemented by a ESWATINI
accounted for 2.6 percent of GDP, number of institutions to reduce Uganda’s digital ETHIOPIA
re s u l t i n g i n a l i t e ra c y ra t e o f divide. The eGranary Digital Portable Library GABON
76.5 percent (see Table 6) with 74.8 percent provides a 750 GB hard drive with approximately THE GAMBIA
for females and 82.7 percent for males. At the 10 million educational documents (Samuel GHANA
same time, the country faces challenges as Andema et el, 2012). The Digital skills @ your GUINEA
8.8 million young people in Uganda are not local library project (EIFL-PLIP) raises awareness GUINEA-
BISSAU
engaged in any form of education or training and provides digital literacy training to women
KENYA
(UNFPA, 2020). and unemployed youth through 25 libraries. The
LESOTHO
Leaving No One Behind in the Digital Era project
LIBERIA
The low level of digital literacy is a key constraint is implemented by UNCDF and aims at providing
MADAGASCAR
of Internet use in Uganda. The country scored a digital literacy curriculum and training toolkit.
MALAWI
3.42 of 7 for digital skills (see Table 6). Enhancing Kampabits offers six-months of training on
MALI
the country’s digital capacities will have a net advanced ICT skills to help trainees access jobs
MAURITIUS
positive impact. and start ICT-related companies.
MOZAMBIQUE
NAMIBIA
Table 6: Human capital
THE NIGER
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
NIGERIA
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2018 76.53 UNESCO RWANDA
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above)
SÃO TOMÉ
Literacy rate, youth total 2018 89.40 UNESCO AND PRÍNCIPE
(% of people ages 15–24)
SENEGAL
Digital skills among population 2019 3.42 WEF
SEYCHELLES
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) SIERRA LEONE
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 72.13 ILO SOMALIA
(% of total employment) SOUTH AFRICA
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 76.77 ILO SOUTH SUDAN
(% of female employment)
TOGO
Unemployment, total 2020 2.44 ILO
UGANDA
(% of total labour force)
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 293
AGRO-INNOVATION ANGOLA
BENIN
The expenditure on agriculture National Agricultural Research Organization
BOTSWANA
research accounted for 0.6 percent of (NARO) to exchange and showcase innovations
BURKINA FASO
Uganda’s agricultural GDP in 2016, within the country through joint scientific
BURUNDI
falling nearly 0.4 percent from 2014–2015 due conferences. The International University of East
CABO VERDE
to completion of World Bank loans. However, Africa (IUEA) plans to be the first in the country
CAMEROON
the number of researchers is increasing; to launch an education satellite to collect data
CENTRAL
81 percent of researchers have attained high for precision agriculture. AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
levels of education that include advanced and
CHAD
higher degrees. However, there is still a To better provide capacity building to youth and
COMOROS
noticeable gender gap, with 70 percent of enable them to access job opportunities or start
CONGO
researchers being male compared to 30 percent businesses, a variety of skill acquisition channels
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
being female. exist in Uganda. The CURAD incubation centre
DEMOCRATIC
has supported more than 150 youth-led SMEs REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
The National Agricultural Research Organization and generated over 2 200 jobs with a special
DJIBOUTI
(NARO) is the leading institute in conducting focus on coffee and fruit/beverage value chain.
EQUATORIAL
agricultural research activities and implementing GUINEA
technologies and innovations in agriculture. This Innovation is also being boosted among new ERITREA
includes launching digital platforms, adopting enterprises in agriculture through a number ESWATINI
dairy technologies, etc. Higher education of platforms. GIST I-Hub and the Innovation ETHIOPIA
has witnessed strong growth and plays an Village build networks for young entrepreneurs. GABON
increasing role in agricultural R&D. The Makerere Venture Lab East Africa provided a platform THE GAMBIA
University Agricultural Research Institute for technology-enabled business ventures and GHANA
Kabanyolo (MUARIK) carries out a range of start-ups. Outbox Hub organized challenges GUINEA
agricultural research including food value chains and hackathons to support young entrepreneurs GUINEA-
BISSAU
and educational training. The university also has using technologies that address social
KENYA
a strong connection and collaboration with the challenges (see Table 7).
LESOTHO
LIBERIA
Table 7: Agro-innovation
MADAGASCAR
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
MALAWI
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 6 851.20 FAO
MALI
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions)
MAURITIUS
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 99.54 FAO
(2014–2016 = 100) MOZAMBIQUE
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.58 WBG NAMIBIA
(index ranking 1–5: low/high)
THE NIGER
Research and Agricultural research spending 2016 0.62 IFPRI NIGERIA
technology (% of AgGDP)
development RWANDA
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 3.59 WEF SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/
extensive collaboration) SENEGAL
Capacity for innovation 2017 3.94 WEF SEYCHELLES
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ SIERRA LEONE
to a great extent)
SOMALIA
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2018 4.01 UNCTAD
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
294 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
©FAO/Shutterstock/feiflyfly
UNITED REPUBLIC
OF TANZANIA
The United Republic of Tanzania has recorded an average growth of 0.4 percent
is a lower-middle-income between 2015 and 2017 (Tanzania National Bureau
country with a population of of Statistics, 2020).
59.7 million as of 2020. The
country’s agriculture employs Poverty is significantly higher in rural areas with
65 percent of the workforce, 31.3 percent of rural people living below the poverty
80 percent of whom are small farmers, of which line, compared to 15.8 percent in urban areas. About
42 percent are youth. Agriculture contributes to 85 percent of smallholder households live below the
24.1 percent of GDP, 30 percent of export earnings, poverty line, earning less than USD 1.9 a day.
and 65 percent of raw materials for industries
(URT 2013; Misaki et al., 2015; Barakabitze et al., Recognising the value of ICTs, the Government of
2015) (see Table 1). the United Republic of Tanzania has introduced
reforms and strategies to provide support for
Of the country’s 885 800 km2 of land, 45 percent is diverse initiatives aimed at boosting these tools
agriculture land. About 80 percent of agricultural across various sectors. The government has created
production comes from rain-fed, low-input an enabling environment through a predictable
smallholder farms that are highly vulnerable regulatory framework, competition and open
to climate variability and change. Moreover, access to backbone networks.
productivity is generally low. The agriculture sector
Table 1: Basic facts
Basic facts Year Score Source
Total population 2020 59 734 213 WBG
Urban population (%) 2020 35.23 UNPD
Rural population (%) 2020 64.77 UNPD
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 62 410 WBG
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 396 500 FAO
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 44.76 FAO
295
INFRASTRUCTURE ANGOLA
BENIN
The United Republic of Tanzania has an TTCL’s fixed broadband offerings include ADSL
BOTSWANA
average of 19 percent electricity (up to 2 Mbit/s), fiber optic and fixed wireless
BURKINA FASO
distribution in rural areas, compared to LTE. It competes with other fixed broadband
BURUNDI
73.2 percent in urban areas as of 2019. A total providers, primarily using fixed wireless
CABO VERDE
of 11 070 public institutions have been broadband and a few offering fiber optic
CAMEROON
connected to electricity between 2015 and 2019, connections, mainly to businesses in urban
CENTRAL
up from 3 200. A total of 9 001 villages in the areas. The National ICT Broadband Backbone AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
country have been connected to electricity, of (NICTBB) infrastructure – covering more than
CHAD
which 3 559 villages were connected through the 7 500 km – has been operational since June
COMOROS
first round of Phase Three Rural Electrification 2012. It is structured as a public–private
CONGO
Project (REA III-1) The project is funded through partnership between the government and
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
the operational Rural Energy Fund, which is operators, and the Fibre Consortium (comprising
DEMOCRATIC
financed through levies, the national budget Airtel, Tigo, Vodacom and Zantel) constructed REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
and donors. It aims at offsetting the about 400 kilometres of metro fibre.
DJIBOUTI
USD 747 cost per new connection. The Songwe,
EQUATORIAL
Kigoma, Shinyanga, Simiyu, and Manyara The government’s fifth and last phase of the GUINEA
regions all have less than 10 percent of rural National Information and Communication ERITREA
households with access to electricity. Of these Technologies (ICT) Broadband Backbone ESWATINI
rural households with electricity, 34.5 percent (NICTBB) project will extend broadband ETHIOPIA
were electrified through the grid, 0.6 percent connectivity to the last mile in underserved rural GABON
through private entity/individual electricity and urban areas. Mobile operators through the THE GAMBIA
generated from own sources excluding solar, UCSAF subsidization initiative and Halotel have GHANA
and 64.8 percent using solar power. collectively covered more than 90 percent of the GUINEA
geographic area of the country, where every GUINEA-
BISSAU
There are seven mobile operators in the country, local government area at least has 2G cellular
KENYA
with the top three accounting for 81 percent of network coverage.
LESOTHO
market share as of March 2021. The three market
LIBERIA
leaders are Vodacom, a subsidiary of the South Mobile operators have invested around
African mobile group with the sane name; Tigo, USD 2.6 billion in the country’s network MADAGASCAR
a subsidiary of the Luxembourg-based Millicom infrastructure and new platforms that enable MALAWI
mobile group; and Airtel, a subsidiary of the Indian digital services like mobile money and M2M. MALI
mobile group. Other mobile operators include MAURITIUS
Zantel, operating on the island of Zanzibar, and Some notable achievements include: the MOZAMBIQUE
a subsidiary of Millicom; Halotel, a subsidiary of deployment of six Internet Exchange Points NAMIBIA
the Vietnamese Viettel Group; Smile, owned by (IXPs) located in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, THE NIGER
the Aga Khan Development Network and the Mwanza, Zanzibar, Mbeya and Dodoma; NIGERIA
Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation (TTCL). the establishment of the country code top- RWANDA
level domain (ccTLD); and the landing of two SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Although 56 percent of the 52.8 million mobile submarine cables in Dar es Salaam, namely
SENEGAL
subscriptions in the country are based on 2G, Eastern Africa Submarine Cable System (EASSy)
SEYCHELLES
mobile broadband technologies are rising and Southern and Eastern Africa Communication
SIERRA LEONE
rapidly. In 2018, 3G and 4G connections Network (SEACOM).
SOMALIA
reached 40 percent and 4 percent of total
SOUTH AFRICA
connections respectively. By March 2021, 2G, 3G GSMA brings affordable GSM mobile connectivity
SOUTH SUDAN
and 4G networks covered around 93 percent, to remote rural communities and areas previously
TOGO
68 percent and 45 percent of the country’s unconnected. In partnership with Vodacom it
UGANDA
population respectively.* All mobile operators provides Internet cafes using 3G HSPA technology
UNITED
have deployed 3G while Tigo, Smart, Zantel and that are managed by local entrepreneurs who REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
Vodacom have also commercially launched LTE. charge a fee for the service (see Table 2).
ZAMBIA
*Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority, 2021 ZIMBABWE
296 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 2: Infrastructure ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 19.00 WBG
(% of rural population) BURKINA FASO
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 28.00 GSMA BURUNDI
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 45.51 GSMA CABO VERDE
(% of population) CAMEROON
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 38.19 WBG CENTRAL
(per 1 million people) AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 3.83 WEF
CHAD
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
to a great extent) COMOROS
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2019 82.20 ITU CONGO
(per 100 inhabitants) CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 9.79 ITU DEMOCRATIC
(per 100 inhabitants) REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2017 12 700 ITU
(per 100 people) DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
ERITREA
DIGITAL PENETRATION ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
Mobile and Internet services are The main reason cited by smallholders for not
GABON
inexpensive, which would explain the having a mobile phone is cost. Almost two thirds
THE GAMBIA
proliferation of mobile devices and the (65 percent) feel they do not have the funds to
GHANA
prevalence of social media use. Cable in 2020 purchase one. Among smallholders who have
GUINEA
reported that the average price of 1 GB of an active, working SIM card registered in their
GUINEA-
mobile data stands at USD 0.73. Also, ITU name, 85 percent are men and 81 percent BISSAU
reported that the price of local mobile cellular are women. KENYA
calls per minute was USD 0.20 as of 2017. The LESOTHO
country had 15.15 million Internet users in There were 5.40 million social media users LIBERIA
January 2021, which increased to 29.1 million in in January 2021, reflecting an increase of MADAGASCAR
March of the same years. Internet penetration 900 000 users from 2020. The figure of MALAWI
stands at 49 percent. About 86 percent of the social media users represents 8.9 percent of MALI
rural population is connected to the Internet the total population as of January 2021. The MAURITIUS
compared to just 44.6 percent in rural areas. United Republic of Tanzania has expanded MOZAMBIQUE
Similarly, fewer women have access to and use its digitalization scope with 53 mobile apps NAMIBIA
the Internet compared to men. Smartphone existing in the country’s national language as THE NIGER
penetration stood at 26 percent as of of 2019. NIGERIA
March 2021. RWANDA
Statcounter (2020) reported that 34.08 percent SÃO TOMÉ
Two-thirds of smallholder farmers have their of Tanzanians use Facebook, 19.79 percent use AND PRÍNCIPE
own mobile phone, and 82 percent have used a Pinterest, 28.83 percent use Twitter, 14.2 percent SENEGAL
phone. The most common phone is a basic phone use YouTube, 2.6 percent use Twitter and SEYCHELLES
without Internet capability. The use of feature 0.3 percent using LinkedIn. The GSMA also SIERRA LEONE
phones and smartphones is quite low at 13 and reported that about 7.7 percent of the country’s SOMALIA
7 percent respectively among smallholders. population actively engaged with social media SOUTH AFRICA
Eighty-four percent of men and 77 percent of platforms in 2019. SOUTH SUDAN
women have their own mobile phones. Similarly, TOGO
urban farmers are only 10 percent more likely to ICT interventions have also been used in the UGANDA
have a cell phone than rural farmers (87 percent past, principally through village information UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
vs. 77 percent). Close to half (47 percent) have centres and telecentres (Mtega and Msungu, TANZANIA
made a financial transaction with their phone. 2013). A television programme for agriculture ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 297
called Shamba Shapeup is watched by 5 million The market has 28 digital agriculture products ANGOLA
viewers. Participatory Radio Campaigns and service providers such as Kilimo Fresh, BENIN
(PRCs) and Farm Radio also have agriculture Agritechs, Fursa 101, MyAgro, WeFarm, providing BOTSWANA
broadcasting programmes. marketing, logistics and farm intelligence. BURKINA FASO
Agrimark started in 2015 as the first Tanzanian BURUNDI
Only 10 percent of Tanzanian smallholders digital agricultural platform. NINAYO was CABO VERDE
have a bank account registered in their name, launched in 2015 as an online trading platform CAMEROON
but nearly 49 percent are considered financially for the Tanzanian agricultural market. The CENTRAL
AFRICAN
included. This is primarily through mobile money, Mastercard Foundation and Kaderes provide REPUBLIC
of which it is estimated there are 32.7 million a digital platform to deliver financial inclusion CHAD
accounts as of March 2021. Around 48 percent to farmers. COMOROS
of smallholders under 30 have been financially CONGO
excluded, and 36 percent of all smallholders GSMA is developing mobile services for the CÔTE D’IVOIRE
access credit informally. Only three percent use of agriculture, and it also promotes six DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
of rural smallholders have government-issued projects listed in the mAgri deployment Tracker CONGO
identification, compared to 18 percent of urban (see Table 3). DJIBOUTI
smallholders (eight percent overall). EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
ERITREA
Table 3: Digital penetration
ESWATINI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source ETHIOPIA
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 0.73 Cable GABON
penetration (USD)
THE GAMBIA
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2017 6.75 ITU
GHANA
as a % of adjusted per capita income
GUINEA
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2017 21.46 ITU
adjusted per capita income GUINEA-
BISSAU
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 7.69 GSMA
KENYA
Number of apps in national language 2019 53.39 GSMA
(quantity) LESOTHO
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 35.99 GSMA LIBERIA
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 64.41 GSMA MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
MALI
MAURITIUS
POLICY AND REGULATION MOZAMBIQUE
I n 2 0 0 1 , t h e Ta n z a n i a n R u ra l government to promote the participation of NAMIBIA
Development Strategy (RDS) both the public and private sectors to ensure THE NIGER
supported the introduction of ICT in the availability of ICT services in under-served NIGERIA
rural areas through the creation of telecentres rural and urban areas. This was followed by the RWANDA
that offer a wide variety of public and private establishment of the Universal Communication SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
information-based goods and services, and Access Fund and five mobile phone operators
SENEGAL
which support local economic or social (Tigo, Zantel, TTCL, Vodacom and Airtel) that
SEYCHELLES
development. In addition, the National ICT signed a contract to enable telecommunications
SIERRA LEONE
Policy 2003 was developed and revised in 2016 companies to construct Microwave towers to
SOMALIA
to provide more affordable access to a range facilitate ICT services for rural Tanzanians.
SOUTH AFRICA
of ICT services to as many people as possible
SOUTH SUDAN
in urban and rural areas. Subsequently, the Responsibility for the ICT sector falls under
TOGO
Tanzanian Development Master Plan outlined the Ministry of Works, Transport and
UGANDA
each village to be provided with ICT services by Communications. It enacts policies and legal
2020 (Tanzania Development Vision 2025). frameworks to promote digitalization and UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
Furthermore, The Universal Communications ICT services. Examples include; the Tanzania TANZANIA
Service Access Act was enacted by the Domestic Broadband Infrastructure Policy, ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
298 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
the National ICT Policy and National Digital helps improve rural employment opportunities ANGOLA
Strategy to promote (i) digital transformation across the regions of Iringa, Manyara, Mwanza, BENIN
of the public sector; (ii) digital access; and Pwani, Ruvuma and Tanga. It provides rural BOTSWANA
(iii) digital inclusion. entrepreneurs of SMEs with improved skills BURKINA FASO
training, knowledge and access to markets, BURUNDI
Phase II of the Agricultural Sector Development to help increase productivity, profitability and CABO VERDE
Programme (ASDP II) has been developed to off-farm incomes. The Marketing Infrastructure, CAMEROON
propel the country’s economic development Value Addition and Rural Finance Support CENTRAL
AFRICAN
and guide the implementation of prioritized Programme (MIVARF) is co-financed by IFAD REPUBLIC
interventions for the Tanzania Development and AfDB for a total of USD 170 million. The CHAD
Vision 2025 (TDV 2025). Other enabling plans programme is coordinated by the prime COMOROS
aimed at the agriculture sector include: the minister’s office. It covers 26 regions, including CONGO
Long Term Perspective Plan (LTPP 2012–2021); the 21 mainland regions and the five regions CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Phase II of the Five Year Development Plan of Zanzibar for a total of 141 rural districts. The DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
(FYDP II 2011–2021), the Tanzania Agriculture East African Agricultural Productivity Programme CONGO
and Food Security Investment Plan (TAFSIP) and (EAAPP) aims at supporting the regional DJIBOUTI
the Agricultural Sector Development Strategy centres of excellence (RCoE) to contribute to EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Phase II (ASDS II). The duration of (ASDP II) is increased agricultural productivity and growth
ERITREA
ten years starting 2017/18 to 2027/28. It is by strengthening and scaling up regional
ESWATINI
complemented by the National Strategy for cooperation in technology development,
ETHIOPIA
Growth and Reduction of Poverty I & II, known training, and dissemination programmes.
GABON
as MKUKUTA I and II and Kilimo Kwanza (KK).
THE GAMBIA
In addition, the United Republic of Tanzania
GHANA
In order to promote and enhance digitalization adopted the National Strategy for Youth
GUINEA
that encompasses the agriculture sector Involvement in Agriculture, which aims at
GUINEA-
as well, the government bolstered its Rural facilitating and building youth capacity for BISSAU
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Support self-employment and creating an enabling KENYA
Programme (MUVI) with a USD 25 million environment for attracting youth to participate LESOTHO
budget implemented through the Ministry of in agricultural economic activities along the LIBERIA
Industry, Trade and Investment. The programme value chain (see Table 4). MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
Table 4: Policy and regulations MALI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source MAURITIUS
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 3.59 WEF MOZAMBIQUE
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ NAMIBIA
framework there is a clear plan)
THE NIGER
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 3.80 WEF
NIGERIA
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
extremely successful) RWANDA
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 3.76 WEF SÃO TOMÉ
digital business models (index ranking AND PRÍNCIPE
1–7: not fast at all/very fast) SENEGAL
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 3.17 WEF SEYCHELLES
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
SIERRA LEONE
extremely well developed)
SOMALIA
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 85 EC/ITU
framework SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation
TOGO
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score UGANDA
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4).
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 299
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ANGOLA
BENIN
The Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) In the United Republic of Tanzania, almost all
BOTSWANA
was established in 1997 by the firms own mobile phones. About 81.9 percent
BURKINA FASO
Tanzania Investment Act as the own computers, 65.4 percent have landline
BURUNDI
primary agency of the government for the telephones, and 47.3 have company websites.
CABO VERDE
coordination, encouragement, promotion and About 42.3 percent of Tanzanian firms have
CAMEROON
facilitation of investment in the country. subscribed to Internet services, with 72 percent
CENTRAL
Favourable conditions for enabling digital reporting that they frequently use ICTs to AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
agriculture were introduced, such as the support their businesses.
CHAD
elimination of import duties on project capital
COMOROS
goods, computers and computer accessories, The public and private sectors are actively
CONGO
raw material and replacement parts for working to enable a digital ecosystem for
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
agriculture, animal husbandry and fishing. This businesses to leverage. For instance, UNCDF
DEMOCRATIC
is further complemented by 100 percent capital is working with FAO, WFP and ITC to provide REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
expenditure to agricultural sectors. a digital platform through which farmers can
DJIBOUTI
access financial services with mobile network
EQUATORIAL
Tanzanian agricultural technology is attracting operators and a financial service provider, GUINEA
investment from non-traditional sources like the Tanzania Postal Bank. Since the start of ERITREA
wealthy individuals and private equity firms implementation, a total of 6 688 farmers have ESWATINI
that have invested USD 25.5 million in 2015–2017. registered for services. ETHIOPIA
The average age of agritech company owners GABON
ranges between 29–32, suggesting enterprising Mercy Corps’ AgriFin Accelerate Program (AFA) THE GAMBIA
and innovative youth are creating new tech- funded by the Mastercard Foundation aims at GHANA
savvy value chains. supporting private sector actors to develop, GUINEA
prototype and scale digitally-enabled services GUINEA-
BISSAU
The number of days required to legally register for smallholder farmers across the United
KENYA
and operate a business was reduced to Republic of Tanzania.
LESOTHO
29.5 days as of 2019.
LIBERIA
MADAGASCAR
Table 5: Business environment
MALAWI
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
MALI
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 1 112 UNCTAD
MAURITIUS
environment culture
MOZAMBIQUE
Growth of innovative companies 2019 4.28 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ NAMIBIA
to a great extent)
THE NIGER
Venture capital availability 2017 2.65 WEF
NIGERIA
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/
extremely easy) RWANDA
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 29.5 WBG SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Ease of access to loans 2017 3.29 WEF
SENEGAL
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/
extremely easy) SEYCHELLES
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 3.99 WEF SIERRA LEONE
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ SOMALIA
to a great extent)
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
300 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
HUMAN CAPITAL ANGOLA
BENIN
The United Republic of Tanzania has a Democrat Union (IDU), and other research
BOTSWANA
fairly literate youthful population institute libraries (see Table 6).
BURKINA FASO
(85.8 percent) while the literacy rate of
BURUNDI
its adult population is about 77.9 percent. The agriculture sector has several training
CABO VERDE
However, it is estimated that 5.1 million children organizations for researchers and extension
CAMEROON
between the ages of seven and 17 are not in services, which include universities and research
CENTRAL
school. Primary school enrolment reached its institutes. The largest is the Sokoine University AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
peak of 86 percent in 2016, and in that same of Agriculture (SUA), which also runs projects on
CHAD
year, lower-secondary level school enrolment the role of mobile phones towards improving
COMOROS
plummeted to a low of 33.4 percent. Many coverage of agricultural extension services
CONGO
Tanzanian children do not go on to attain a funded by the Norwegian government to the
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
secondary education or vocational training. tune of USD 11 million.
DEMOCRATIC
Most of the country’s population remains REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
condensed in rural areas far away from Microsoft partnered with AGRA via its 4Africa
DJIBOUTI
secondary schools. In response to the need to initiative to offer skills development support
EQUATORIAL
teach more soft skills in school curricula, the that leverages existing Microsoft programmes, GUINEA
Tanzania Institute of Education (TEA) has i n c l u d i n g co - m a n a g i n g a n i n t e r n s h i p ERITREA
altered the secondary school curriculum to programme as well as co-designing and ESWATINI
include new subjects such as computer literacy, developing technology solutions. ETHIOPIA
unified science and social skills. GABON
Farm Africa has been working with local partners THE GAMBIA
Women hold only 25 percent of tech jobs Inades-Formation and Community Support GHANA
nationally, while women and girls comprise Initiatives Tanzania (COSITA) to train Tanzanian GUINEA
j u s t 1 0 p e rc e n t o f s t u d e n t s e a r n i n g sesame farmers to use smartphones loaded with GUINEA-
BISSAU
degrees in computer science, according to training apps. In the central part of the country,
KENYA
government statistics. around 10 000 smallholder farmers are set to
LESOTHO
benefit from the new technology, which will help
LIBERIA
Education beyond primary school is rare among them increase yields and profitability.
MADAGASCAR
Tanzanian smallholder heads of households.
Only 9 percent advance to secondary school, Don’t Lose the Plot (DLTP) was a pilot MALAWI
and just 2 percent receive a higher education. agricultural support platform built around a MALI
There are numerous programmes (such as weekly television programme that followed MAURITIUS
the Tanzania Beyond Tomorrow, e-Schools the lives of farmers. DLTP aimed at increasing MOZAMBIQUE
Project, etc.) that are aiming at increasing youth interest and participation in agriculture NAMIBIA
access to ICT infrastructure in schools. About as a viable business in the United Republic THE NIGER
77 percent of secondary school teachers of Tanzania. The programme watched by NIGERIA
possess either a laptop, a smartphone or 340 000 viewers. RWANDA
both. Public organizations like Costech have SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
been instrumental in networking and providing The Upscaling Technologies in Agriculture
SENEGAL
information and ICTs to scientists. The current through Knowledge Extension (UPTAKE) project
SEYCHELLES
status of agricultural libraries and the potential uses mobile phone and radio technologies to
SIERRA LEONE
of electronic communications to disseminate provide information to small-scale farmers on
SOMALIA
agricultural information in Tanzania have been proven agricultural technologies.
SOUTH AFRICA
affected by poor communications resulting
SOUTH SUDAN
in provision of inferior information services The ICT Commission provides courses on cloud
TOGO
to users. This is particularly the case among computing, big data analytics, ICT project
UGANDA
information custodians like Sokoine National management and cybersecurity. Access
UNITED
Agricultural Library (the largest in the country Agriculture is a non-profit organization that REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
and relatively better resourced), Costech, the showcases agricultural training videos in local
ZAMBIA
University Of Dar Es Salaam, International languages. In May 2016, the Vocation Education
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 301
Training Authority of the Ministry of Education, platform called VSOMO, to expand the reach of ANGOLA
Science and Technology partnered with Airtel the Vocational Education and Training Authority BENIN
and the Dar Teknohama Business Incubator to (VETA) in providing digital content to potential BOTSWANA
develop and implement a mobile e-learning clients who cannot physically attend classes. BURKINA FASO
BURUNDI
Table 6: Human capital CABO VERDE
CAMEROON
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
CENTRAL
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2015 77.89 UNESCO AFRICAN
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above) REPUBLIC
Literacy rate, youth total 2015 85.76 UNESCO CHAD
(% of people ages 15–24) COMOROS
Digital skills among population 2019 3.87 WEF CONGO
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
to a great extent)
DEMOCRATIC
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 65.09 ILO REPUBLIC OF
(% of total employment) CONGO
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 66.71 ILO DJIBOUTI
(% of female employment) EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Unemployment, total 2020 2.16 ILO
(% of total labour force) ERITREA
ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
GABON
AGRO-INNOVATION
THE GAMBIA
As of 2016, the United Republic of Institute of Tanzania (TRIT) for tea and the GHANA
Tanzania invested only 0.17 percent of Tanzania Coffee Research Institute (TaCRI) GUINEA
its agricultural GDP in agricultural R&D. for coffee. GUINEA-
The Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute BISSAU
(TARI) and the Tanzania Livestock Research The Fair Competition Commission (FCC) KENYA
Institute (TALIRI) have struggled to attract and is responsive to requests for assistance LESOTHO
retain well-qualified researchers. New recruits, from private companies and acts against LIBERIA
even those with doctoral degrees, often have counterfeiters. Registration of patents and MADAGASCAR
inadequate experience. As of 2016, most senior trademarks is on a “first in time, first in MALAWI
researchers were approaching retirement age. right” basis. MALI
Overall, the share of female researchers rose MAURITIUS
from 21 percent in 2008 to 29 percent in 2016. The Dar es Salaam based Buni Hub is a pre- MOZAMBIQUE
However, the Tanzania Commission for Science incubator hosted by Costech. Most innovation NAMIBIA
and Technology (COSTECH) has set the direction spaces are incubators including the Dar THE NIGER
and priority areas for research in science, Teknohama Business Incubator (DTBi), the NIGERIA
technology and innovation (STI), which will University of Dar es Salaam Entrepreneurship RWANDA
propel socio-economic transformation. Centre (UDEC), and the UDEC Business Incubator SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
to name but a few.
SENEGAL
The present structure of Tanzania’s National
SEYCHELLES
Agricultural Research System (NARS) can be Innovation spaces at different stages of
SIERRA LEONE
classified as public and private sector research. development also exist such as the Microsoft
SOMALIA
Public research is represented by the Division Innovation Centre at the University of Dodoma
SOUTH AFRICA
of Research and Development (DRD) under the in Dodoma; Twende-AISE, Kakute, NM-AIST,
SOUTH SUDAN
Ministry of Agriculture Food Security (MAFS). It Carmartec, an d Obuntu Hub in Arusha; VSO
TOGO
is the largest entity in the National Agricultural International T-LED, Rlabs Iringa, Kiota in
UGANDA
Research System (NARS). Privatization of Iringa; the Anza Accelerator, and Kilihub in
UNITED
agricultural research is relatively more advanced Moshi, VSO International T-LED in Mtwara; the REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
in tea and coffee, with each crop having a Saint Augustine University, Ellimu Living Lab
ZAMBIA
specialized research institute. The Tea Research Sengerema, EQWIP Hubs, VSO International
ZIMBABWE
302 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
T-LED in Mzanza; and EQWIP Hubs, ZTBI, Cube The Tanzania Commission for Science and ANGOLA
Zanzibar, Tanzania Youth Icon (TAYI) in Zanzibar. Technology through Buni Innovation Hub BENIN
has started an initiative to support the BOTSWANA
Start-up accelerators (such as e-kilimo, BuniHub, establishment and growth of innovation spaces, BURKINA FASO
Kinu Co-Creation Hub, Seedstars Dar es Salaam, specifically those attached to public universities, BURUNDI
Robotech, Vodacom Digital Accelerator, and with the aim of creating awareness about CABO VERDE
Ennovate Hub) provide supportive platforms for innovation in universities and R&D institutions. CAMEROON
early-stage ideas and start-ups in the sector The first phase included six universities and a CENTRAL
AFRICAN
through mentoring, technical support and total of 50 people who can potentially run the REPUBLIC
seed funding. spaces. This includes: the University of Iringa, CHAD
Mbeya University of Science and Technology, COMOROS
In addition, Twiga is a bilateral initiative the University of Dodoma, Nelson Mandela CONGO
between South Africa and The United Republic Institute of Science and Technology, Sokoine CÔTE D’IVOIRE
of Tanzania for the promotion of collaboration University of Agriculture, the State University DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
and innovation between the start-up of Zanzibar, Mwanza region - Innovation space CONGO
ecosystems and hubs in the two countries, and virtual incubator. DJIBOUTI
particularly focusing on the digital health and EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
food security sectors. Huawei Tanzania has been organizing annual
ERITREA
ICT competitions since 2018 to cultivate
ESWATINI
Implementation of the Tanzania ICT Technology Tanzanian talent.
ETHIOPIA
Park started in 2010 with a memorandum
GABON
of understanding signed with the Export The Tanzania Youth Digital Summit (TYDS) is
THE GAMBIA
Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) in May 2014. an annual event organized by DOT Tanzania in
GHANA
The Master Plan Development was completed partnership with the ICT Commission, to support
GUINEA
in 2018 but a Special Purpose Vehicle to run digital skills development among Tanzanian
GUINEA-
the Technology Park has not yet started. The youth, and to inspire their innovation and active BISSAU
inauguration and call for investors for the participation in the digital economy. KENYA
Technology Park was planned for 2021/2022. LESOTHO
LIBERIA
Table 7: Agro-innovation MADAGASCAR
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source MALAWI
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 15 778.22 FAO MALI
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions) MAURITIUS
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 107.19 FAO MOZAMBIQUE
(2014–2016 = 100)
NAMIBIA
Logistics Performance Index 2016 2.99 WBG
THE NIGER
(index ranking 1–5: low/high)
NIGERIA
Research and Agricultural research spending 2016 0.17 IFPRI
technology (% of AgGDP) RWANDA
development
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 3.50 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/ SENEGAL
extensive collaboration)
SEYCHELLES
Capacity for innovation 2017 3.60 WEF
SIERRA LEONE
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) SOMALIA
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2018 3.12 UNCTAD SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 303
©FAO/Shutterstock/Ingrid Heres
ZAMBIA
Zambia is a lower-middle- growth in wholesale and retail trade, education,
income economy with a GDP construction as well as tourism sectors attributed
of USD 19.3 billion. About to the COVID-19 shock (Bank of Zambia, 2020).
44.1 percent of its 18.3 million
population lives in urban areas The positive growth in agriculture, forestry and fishing,
while 55.9 percent lives in rural information and communication (ICT), mining, as well
areas (ZamStats, 2020). Zambia has a youthful as electricity, gas and water sectors moderated the
population, growing at 2.8 percent per year, which overall contraction. Agriculture, forestry and fishing
brings abundant labour forces but also increasing job recovered strongly in 2020, growing by 17.2 percent
demands. Employment in agriculture accounted for and contributed 1.1 percentage points to overall
49.6 percent of total employment in 2020, decreasing growth. This was largely on account of improved maize
sharply from 2008 when it stood at 71.43 percent output. Maize production increased by 69 percent to
(see Table 1). According to the Labour Force Survey, 3.3 million metric tonnes due to early delivery of inputs
employed persons aged 15 years and older in (fertilisers, crop chemicals and seeds under FISP) and
agriculture accounted for 35.3 percent (ZamStats, 2019) favourable rainfall (Bank of Zambia, 2020).
As estimated by the Bank of Zambia, the real GDP Whereas Zambia is a landlocked and resource-
growth rate in 2020 reached more than 3 percent, rich country, the cultivated pattern in Zambia is still
revised to –4.2 percent as projected. Despite traditional and largely rain-fed, despite Zambia’s
the huge impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on abundant water resources. Only a few commercial
wholesale and retail trade, education, construction farms own irrigated lands representing a small
tourism, agriculture, forestry and fishing showed percentage. The lack of irrigation makes the country
strong performance, growing by 17.2 percent vulnerable and dependent on weather patterns. The
attributed to improved maize output (Bank of agriculture sector (including forestry and fishing)
Zambia 2020 Annual Report). contributed 1.1 percent to the overall growth in 2020
(Bank of Zambia 2020 Annual Report). Meanwhile,
Preliminary data indicate that real GDP contracted the ICT sector also witnessed a significant growth in
by 3 percent in 2020 compared to a positive 2020 in the era of COVID-19, by switching to digital
growth of 1.4 percent in 2019. This was less solutions, contributing 0.7 percent to the overall
severe than the projected decline of -4.2 percent. growth and growing by 14.3 percent (Bank of Zambia
Largely accounting for the recession was negative 2020 Annual Report).
304
Table 1: Basic facts ANGOLA
BENIN
Basic facts Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Total population 2020 18 383 956 WBG
BURKINA FASO
Urban population (%) 2020 44.63 UNPD
BURUNDI
Rural population (%) 2020 55.37 UNPD
CABO VERDE
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 19 320 WBG
CAMEROON
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 238 360 FAO
CENTRAL
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 32.06 FAO AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
CHAD
COMOROS
INFRASTRUCTURE CONGO
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
In Zambia, 4G services are available areas, the Zambian Government launched a
DEMOCRATIC
with 49 percent coverage while only project to construct over 200 Multipurpose REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
52.1 percent of the population own Communication Towers with the Universal
DJIBOUTI
mobile devices. Electricity is a vital constraint in Access Fund across the rural parts of the
EQUATORIAL
rural areas, with nearly 86 percent of rural country. Leading network operators such as GUINEA
population being impacted by limited supply of MTN Zambia, Airtel and Zamtel have invested ERITREA
electricity (see Table 2). in infrastructure to improve access to 3G ESWATINI
and 4G services, while the government has ETHIOPIA
To improve the country’s ICT infrastructure planned to upgrade the mobile infrastructure GABON
construction, particularly in rural and underserved to 5G services. THE GAMBIA
GHANA
Table 2: Infrastructure
GUINEA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source GUINEA-
BISSAU
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 13.94 WBG
KENYA
(% of rural population)
LESOTHO
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 49.10 GSMA
LIBERIA
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 52.14 GSMA
(% of population) MADAGASCAR
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 40.52 WBG MALAWI
(per 1 million people)
MALI
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 3.98 WEF
MAURITIUS
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
to a great extent) MOZAMBIQUE
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2020 103.92 ITU NAMIBIA
(per 100 inhabitants) THE NIGER
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 51.07 ITU NIGERIA
(per 100 inhabitants)
RWANDA
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 0.45 ITU
SÃO TOMÉ
(per 100 people) AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
DIGITAL PENETRATION SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
The number of mobile cellular increase of mobile penetration is also attributed
SOUTH AFRICA
subscriptions in Zambia has increased to cost reduction of data bundles regulated by
SOUTH SUDAN
to 19.1 million as of 2020, with a mobile parliament. The average price of 1 GB of mobile
TOGO
penetration rate increase from 96 to 104 per data is USD 1.36 as posited by Cable (2020), and
UGANDA
100 inhabitants between 2019 and 2020. The improvement of Internet speeds, led by network
UNITED
COVID-19 pandemic has made mobile payments operators MTN Zambia, Airtel Zambia and Zamtel, REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
more popular with a doubling of transactions with dominant network coverage of 44.1 percent,
ZAMBIA
(Bank of Zambia 2020 Annual Report). The 42.7 percent and 27 percent respectively.
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 305
However, there is a significant gap in computer of 53.7 percent. This presents another key obstacle ANGOLA
ownership between rural and urban areas. of accessing the Internet for women and girls. Lack BENIN
According to ZICTA’s 2018 survey, only 2.7 percent of access to training, early marriage, as well as BOTSWANA
of rural households owned a computer. Meanwhile, heavy household workloads prevent them from BURKINA FASO
the country has a low penetration of mobile social being qualified for ICT skills and limits their ability BURUNDI
networks rated at 12.76 percent with a gender gap to access information (see Table 3). CABO VERDE
CAMEROON
Table 3: Digital penetration CENTRAL
AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
CHAD
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 1.36 Cable
penetration (USD) COMOROS
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2015 3.65 ITU CONGO
as a % of adjusted per capita income CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2015 18.26 ITU DEMOCRATIC
adjusted per capita income REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 12.76 GSMA
DJIBOUTI
Number of apps in national language 2019 16.00 GSMA
EQUATORIAL
(quantity) GUINEA
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 59.79 GSMA ERITREA
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 53.70 GSMA ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
GABON
POLICY AND REGULATION THE GAMBIA
GHANA
The Ministry of Communications and communications services in particular areas. In
GUINEA
Transport launched the National 2015, the government launched the Smart
GUINEA-
ICT Policy in 2007 to reduce the Zambia project to help national institutions and BISSAU
development divide by building an information- ministries establish viable and interoperable KENYA
centred society. Agriculture is one of the policy’s computing systems. The Zambia National Data LESOTHO
13 pillars, and the adoption of e-commerce by Centre was set up in 2017 and has actively LIBERIA
SMEs in agriculture is especially highlighted. To opened up to the private sector at a fee. MADAGASCAR
further improve access to ICT services, the MALAWI
government issued ICT (Universal Access) Although there is an emerging number of digital MALI
Regulations in 2012 based on the 2009 Act to innovations and initiatives in the agriculture MAURITIUS
e n c o u ra g e i n s t a l l a t i o n o f e l e c t ro n i c sector, the country is yet to develop a national MOZAMBIQUE
communications networks and provide electronic policy focusing on digital agriculture. NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
Table 4: Policy and regulation NIGERIA
RWANDA
Themes Sub- Indicators Year Score Source
themes SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 4.11 WEF
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ SENEGAL
framework there is a clear plan) SEYCHELLES
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 4.03 WEF SIERRA LEONE
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
extremely successful) SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
Legal framework’s adaptability to digital 2019 3.09 WEF
business models (index ranking 1–7: not SOUTH SUDAN
fast at all/very fast)
TOGO
Laws relating to ICTs (index ranking 1–7: 2016 3.64 WEF
UGANDA
not developed at all/extremely well developed)
UNITED
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 71.7 EC/ITU REPUBLIC OF
framework TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation (from G1 to G4).
ZIMBABWE
Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation (G1), a score between
40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score above 85 belong to the fourth (G4).
306 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ANGOLA
BENIN
In 2020, unemployment in Zambia stood the government continues to put emphasis on
BOTSWANA
at 12.2 percent while among the youth, rural agribusiness development and encourages
BURKINA FASO
the the number was higher at 22.6 in 2019, private investments in agriculture through
BURUNDI
showing a slow increase from 2012. A growing business support services. However, the growth
CABO VERDE
youth population puts extra pressure on creating of innovative companies witnessed a decrease
CAMEROON
jobs. Agribusiness has thus been identified as a from 3.95/7 in 2017 to 3.81/7 in 2019 (WEF, 2019).
CENTRAL
way to unlock the potential in generating job AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
opportunities to absorb youth labour forces. Particular focus is also given to female
CHAD
entrepreneurs and female-run businesses.
COMOROS
Encouraged by the government, MSMEs are Supported by Standard Chartered Bank Zambia,
CONGO
starting to thrive in the country. Evolving from an incubator programme has been designed for
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Small Industries Development Organizations in women to develop entrepreneurial skills and
DEMOCRATIC
1991, the Small Enterprises Development Board in leverage technology to grow their businesses REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
1996, the Zambia Development Agency in 2016, (see Table 5).
DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
Table 5: Business environment GUINEA
ERITREA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
ESWATINI
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 753 UNCTAD
environment culture ETHIOPIA
Growth of innovative companies 2019 3.81 WEF GABON
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
THE GAMBIA
to a great extent)
GHANA
Venture capital availability 2017 2.16 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ GUINEA
extremely easy) GUINEA-
BISSAU
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 8.5 WBG
KENYA
Ease of access to loans (index ranking 1–7: 2017 3.10 WEF
extremely difficult/extremely easy) LESOTHO
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 3.87 WEF LIBERIA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ MADAGASCAR
to a great extent)
MALAWI
MALI
MAURITIUS
HUMAN CAPITAL MOZAMBIQUE
Zambia had an adult (15 years of age libraries, smart boards to replace traditional NAMIBIA
and older) literacy rate of 86.8 percent blackboards, to enhance the ICT skills of youth. In THE NIGER
(90 percent for males, and 83 percent for 2015, the government also revised the education NIGERIA
females). The literacy rate has increased due to curriculum to include ICT learning in schools. RWANDA
the government’s efforts in enlarging education SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
expenditure from 5.65 percent of the total budget Investors and entrepreneurs have committed
SENEGAL
in 2008 to 17 percent in 2018. Primary school fees to building youth capacities to fill the skills gap
SEYCHELLES
have also been eliminated. However, the transition and ensure digital transformation in Zambia. The
SIERRA LEONE
rate remains low with 42.9 percent net secondary New Hope Waves launched The Project for Young
SOMALIA
school enrolment, compared to 87.9 percent of People Promoting ICT and Livelihood Skills Training
SOUTH AFRICA
primary school (UNICEF). (YPICTS) aimed at empowering vulnerable young
SOUTH SUDAN
people with ICT skills. BongoHive established
TOGO
The country’s digital literacy level remains low, innovation and technology hubs to deliver digital
UGANDA
scoring 3.5 of 7 according to WEF, particularly marketing and business training and in 2018
UNITED
among youth. As a result, the government aims supported agro-processing entrepreneurs through REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
at improving digital literacy levels. This will be the Zambia AgriBusiness BootCamp (UNCTAD,
ZAMBIA
achieved through public and private investments 2019) (see Table 6).
ZIMBABWE
to build digital schools that have computer
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 307
Table 6: Human capital ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2018 86.75 UNESCO
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above) BURKINA FASO
Literacy rate, youth total 2018 92.09 UNESCO BURUNDI
(% of people ages 15–24) CABO VERDE
Digital skills among population 2019 3.50 WEF CAMEROON
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
CENTRAL
to a great extent) AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 49.64 ILO
(% of total employment) CHAD
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 54.66 ILO COMOROS
(% of female employment) CONGO
Unemployment, total 2020 12.17 ILO CÔTE D’IVOIRE
(% of total labour force)
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
DJIBOUTI
AGRO-INNOVATION EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
Agriculture development is still critical launched the E-FISP initiative to ensure farmers ERITREA
for Zambia in terms of poverty reduction, can benefit from e-voucher payment systems. ESWATINI
job generation and enhanced food ETHIOPIA
security. With emerging technologies and start- Within the country itself, university contribution GABON
ups, Zambia is witnessing a transformation of its to R&D stayed at a medium level, scoring 3.27
THE GAMBIA
food system. out of 7. In general, the government’s involvement
GHANA
seems to facilitate progress. For example, with
GUINEA
A number of programs and projects supported government support, the Zambia Open University
GUINEA-
by international and local organizations have signed a memorandum of understanding with BISSAU
helped Zambia increase agriculture digital the Southern Africa Telecentre Network and KENYA
technologies and services. The Agriculture Zambia’s Library and Information Association to LESOTHO
Productivity Program for Southern Africa (APPSA) establish a digital platform for the adoption of LIBERIA
of the World Bank promoted 22 new technologies ICT in rural areas and across agriculture sector. MADAGASCAR
to farmers in Zambia. The Mercy Corps AgriFin The overall agricultural R&D capacity is largely MALAWI
Accelerate programme established a mobile- reliant on government funding. Despite receiving MALI
based digital banking service called AgriPay limited support from donors, underinvestment is MAURITIUS
to smallholder farmers. And with the support of still a key constraint to have a pool of qualified MOZAMBIQUE
Feed the Future Innovation Lab, the government researchers and to provide training. NAMIBIA
THE NIGER
Table 7: Agro-innovation NIGERIA
RWANDA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
SÃO TOMÉ
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 1 022.85 FAO AND PRÍNCIPE
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions)
SENEGAL
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 110.44 FAO
(2014–2016 = 100) SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.53 WBG
(index ranking 1–5: low/high) SOMALIA
Research and Agricultural research spending 2014 0.51 IFPRI SOUTH AFRICA
technology (% of AgGDP)
SOUTH SUDAN
development
TOGO
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 3.27 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/ UGANDA
extensive collaboration) UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
Capacity for innovation 2017 3.83 WEF TANZANIA
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
to a great extent) ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 2.99 UNCTAD
308 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
©FAO/Shutterstock/Denny-Muta
ZIMBABWE
Zimbabwe is a lower-middle iron ore (AFDB, 2019). However, the country has
income country with a population endured a decade of economic crises, which has
of 14.8 million people, 10 million affected food security, availability of farming inputs
of whom live in rural areas. and increased unemployment rates. Extreme poverty
Agriculture is the backbone of is estimated to have risen to 34 percent in 2019.
Zimbabwe’s economy, and more
than 80 percent of rural households depend on it for ICT services have been affected by the political
their livelihoods. Agriculture provides employment and economic crises of the past decade, as have
and income for 66 percent of the population, supplies all other sectors of the economy. Despite these
60 percent of the raw materials required by the challenges, ICT is one of the key drivers for growth
industrial sector and contributes 40 percent of total and employment creation as identified in the
export earnings. Agriculture contributes approximately Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic
17 percent to Zimbabwe’s GDP (FAO, 2021). Transformation (Zim Asset). The agenda clearly
spells out ICT as one of the pillars of national
Over 60 percent of Zimbabwe’s population is socio-economic development. The government
comprised of youth, who have the potential to drive is encouraging investment by the private sector
the economy. This demographic is highly educated, for full exploitation of ICT opportunities. For
skilled, but remains largely unemployed. example, in 2021 the government promised to roll
out e-government services in the areas of health,
Zimbabwe is endowed with a wide variety of mineral education, agriculture and the judiciary. Digital
resources, and there is extensive mining of coal, gold, agriculture investments in Zimbabwe are still low
platinum, copper, nickel, tin, clay, chromium ore, and although pockets of projects are being launched.
309
Table 1: Basic facts ANGOLA
BENIN
Basic facts Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Total population 2020 14 862 927 WBG
BURKINA FASO
Urban population (%) 2020 32.24 UNPD
BURUNDI
Rural population (%) 2020 67.76 UNPD
CABO VERDE
GDP (current millions of USD) 2020 16 769 WBG
CAMEROON
Agricultural land (km2) 2018 162 000 FAO
CENTRAL
Agricultural land (% of land area) 2018 41.88 FAO AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
CHAD
COMOROS
INFRASTRUCTURE CONGO
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
The infrastructure of Zimbabwe has The Internet infrastructure in the country is
DEMOCRATIC
also been affected by the economic overseen by the Postal and Telecommunications REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
challenges facing the country. The Regulatory authority (Potraz). According to
DJIBOUTI
country has requested assessment support from Potraz’s register, as of December 2015, there
EQUATORIAL
AfDB to revive its infrastructure. Despite were 11 up-to-date internet access providers GUINEA
numerous dams and coal resources and the (IAPs); two public data service providers; one ERITREA
establishment of the Rural Electrification Agency postal service general operator; three mobile ESWATINI
in 2002, only 41 percent of the country’s cellular communications operators; one fixed ETHIOPIA
population has access to electricity, with telephony operator; and forty private network GABON
20.1 percent electricity supply in rural areas license holders. THE GAMBIA
(see Table 2).
GHANA
There is one national television broadcaster and GUINEA
Zimbabwe’s mobile sector has had long- five national radio broadcasters, one of which
GUINEA-
standing competition, with three operators has been privately owned since 2012. Zimbabwe BISSAU
currently in the market. Net-One launched in has had 28 unlicensed community radio KENYA
1997 and is the mobile arm of the incumbent. initiatives since 2011. The main service providers LESOTHO
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe is a local company in the ISP market include M-Web (part of the LIBERIA
that successfully challenged the incumbent’s South African based MIH Group), Zimbabwe MADAGASCAR
monopoly and launched its GSM network in 1998. Online, Africa Online, ComOne (operated by MALAWI
Telecel launched in 1998 and has gone through TelOne) and Ecoweb, which is part of the Econet MALI
several ownership changes but is now majority- Wireless group. There are also a significant MAURITIUS
owned by a government investment holding. number of smaller ISPs based in Harare, Mutare, MOZAMBIQUE
and Bulawayo. The Universal Service Fund was NAMIBIA
Despite the rural population constituting set up in 2001 to provide funding for expansion THE NIGER
67.8 percent of the total population, it is only of services to isolated communities. NIGERIA
served by 29 percent of the country’s base RWANDA
stations. Inversely, the 32.2 percent of the As of 2018, 95 percent of Zimbabwean households SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
population located in urban areas has access had cell phones, while 77 percent had radios,
SENEGAL
to 71 percent of the country’s base stations. 49 percent had televisions, and only 23 percent
SEYCHELLES
This disparity contributes to the limited had computers. Cell phone service was available
SIERRA LEONE
network coverage within rural communities. in almost all urban zones as of 2017, but 15 percent
SOMALIA
Most of the network base stations in rural of rural areas did not have coverage. While almost
SOUTH AFRICA
communities only support second generation 99 percent of urban areas had mobile phone
SOUTH SUDAN
2G mobile GSM networks. Urban communities service, about one in seven rural zones did not.
TOGO
are already accessing fourth generation 4G Active fixed telephone subscriptions have been
UGANDA
networks, including LTE (Potraz). According to fluctuating over the past year. The total number
UNITED
ITU (2018), 3G coverage reaches 78.2 percent of active subscriptions in rural areas declined by REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
of the population and LTE/WiMAX 34.7 percent. 0.9 percent to 11 434 subscriptions.
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
310 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 2: Infrastructure ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Infrastructure Availability Access to electricity in rural areas 2019 20.05 WBG
(% of rural population) BURKINA FASO
4G coverage (% of total coverage) 2019 40.00 GSMA BURUNDI
Mobile (device) ownership 2019 55.41 GSMA CABO VERDE
(% of population) CAMEROON
Secure access to Internet servers 2020 74.48 WBG CENTRAL
(per 1 million people) AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Availability of the latest technologies 2017 3.87 WEF
CHAD
(index ranking 1-7: not at all/
to a great extent) COMOROS
Connectivity Mobile-cellular subscription 2020 88.76 ITU CONGO
(per 100 inhabitants) CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Active mobile broadband subscriptions 2019 52.69 ITU DEMOCRATIC
(per 100 inhabitants) REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Fixed broadband subscriptions 2020 1.37 ITU
(per 100 people) DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
ERITREA
DIGITAL PENETRATION ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
Broadband is mainly concentrated in Most households in Zimbabwe do not have
GABON
urban areas and remains low in rural mobile phones with Internet access, computers,
THE GAMBIA
areas. This disparity is widening the or reliable electricity supply. Even among the
GHANA
urban-rural digital divide contrary to the youngest adults, only one in three regularly
GUINEA
principle of equitable access. There were just went online. Regular Internet usage was higher
GUINEA-
176 280 fixed broadband subscribers in among younger respondents (34 percent), BISSAU
Zimbabwe at the end of June 2019 compared to among men (29 percent), and particularly KENYA
8.17 million mobile broadband subscribers, among urban residents (49 percent, versus LESOTHO
according to Potraz. The average price of 1 GB 11 percent among their rural counterparts). LIBERIA
of mobile data is USD 75.2 according to Cable MADAGASCAR
(2019). The average cost of local mobile cellular The household ownership of computers is far MALAWI
calls per minute was USD 0.16 as of 2017 more prevalent in cities (51 percent) than in rural MALI
according to ITU. Active Internet and data areas (7 percent) and among the highly educated MAURITIUS
subscriptions declined by 2.5 percent in 2019. As (80 percent) compared to their less-educated MOZAMBIQUE
a result, the Internet penetration rate declined counterparts (-19 percent). While about half NAMIBIA
by 0.7 percent to reach 59.1 percent. Less than of households in Bulawayo (53 percent) and THE NIGER
half (43 percent) of cell phone owners and only Harare (48 percent) had computers, the same NIGERIA
28 percent in rural areas, had access to is true for only 7 percent of those in Masvingo RWANDA
the Internet. and Manicaland. Radios are widely accessible SÃO TOMÉ
within most socio-demographic groups, although AND PRÍNCIPE
On the other hand, mobile Internet and data more than one-third of residents in Masvingo SENEGAL
traffic increased by 2.8 percent to record (39 percent) and Matabeleland South (34 percent) SEYCHELLES
6 661 TB. In-bundle data usage constituted households did not have a radio. Other groups SIERRA LEONE
91.8 percent of total mobile Internet. WhatsApp in which radio ownership is less common include SOMALIA
usage constituted 40.5 percent of total mobile senior citizens (33 percent with no household SOUTH AFRICA
Internet and data usage, followed by YouTube at access), rural residents (27 percent), and women SOUTH SUDAN
11.4 percent and Facebook at 2.4 percent. Only (27 percent). Lack of access to a television shows TOGO
one-fourth of Zimbabweans used the Internet a similar pattern, but at a much higher level, as UGANDA
every day, 11 percent a few times a week and more than half (51 percent) of Zimbabweans UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
62 percent never went online. reported no TV set in the household. This is TANZANIA
particularly common among rural residents ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 311
(74 percent), senior citizens (63 percent), The Turning Matabeleland Green launched in 2019. ANGOLA
and residents of Masvingo (75 percent) and It is a digital agriculture programme that uses BENIN
Manicaland (73 percent) provinces. satellite technology to send weather information BOTSWANA
and farming advice to over 2 000 farmers via BURKINA FASO
The number of adults with transaction SMS. The Esoko platform and the Eco farmer BURUNDI
accounts in Zimbabwe has grown exponentially platform uses SMS to disseminate information CABO VERDE
from one million in 2014 to 7.1 million as on prices, daily weather, new market and farming CAMEROON
of September 30, 2019. As of the end of tips, credit ratings, financial linkages and other CENTRAL
AFRICAN
October 2019, there were about 7.2 million important information to guide farmers in their REPUBLIC
mobile wallet holders in Zimbabwe. decision making. The INSPIRE project assists CHAD
with agricultural information dissemination using COMOROS
GSMA 2019 reported that about 47 mobile apps simple technologies such as SMS and podcasts to CONGO
exist in the country’s national language. The enhance farming production. CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Statcounter (2020) reports that 30.8 percent of DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
Zimbabwean were using Facebook, with over Additionally, some government solutions were CONGO
22.6 percent using Twitter, 39.7 percent using introduced to the sector. The Zimbabwe Revenue DJIBOUTI
Pinterest, 4.9 percent using YouTube, 1.4 percent Authority (ZIMRA) is developing a ‘single window’ EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
using Instagram and 0.3 percent using Tumblr. platform for its users to access its various services.
ERITREA
Furthermore, the GSMA (2019) established that The Ministry of Tourism combines registration,
ESWATINI
about 6.2 percent of the country’s population is designation and regulatory services into one
ETHIOPIA
actively engaged with social media (see Table 3). platform. The Agricultural Commodities Imports
GABON
and Exports Administration System serves as a
THE GAMBIA
Zimbabwe’s digital ecosystem is an emerging one one-stop shop for all the activities involved in the
GHANA
with a few tried-and-tested digital solutions for assurance of all agricultural related permits and
GUINEA
the agriculture sector. These include GreenFingers Agricultural Information Management Systems
GUINEA-
Mobile (GFM) applications that include: Fresh in (AIMS). It is a pricing tool that connects buyers BISSAU
a box, Zagric, YouFarm, Kurima Mari, AgriShare and sellers of agricultural goods. KENYA
and Umojalands. More recently, the Zimbabwe LESOTHO
Farmers’ Union (ZFU) has been working with The volume and value of mobile money LIBERIA
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe to promote weather- transactionswitnessed an overall decline in the MADAGASCAR
based insurance and dissemination of farming value of cash-in and cash-out transactions at MALAWI
tips and alerts through the ZFU EcoFarmer the outset of 2020. On the other hand, there MALI
Combo programme covering 80 000 farmers at was considerable growth in cross-network MAURITIUS
a cost of USD 1 per month. The cost is deducted value, airtime, and bill and merchant payments. MOZAMBIQUE
from farmers’ mobile money wallets (EcoCash) The growth in the value of bill and merchant NAMIBIA
on their cell phones. Econet’s EcoFarmer has payments is attributed to the increase in the THE NIGER
a base of 1 million registered users, including scope of services that can be paid through NIGERIA
small-scale farmers, large-scale farmers, farmer mobile money as well as the general increase RWANDA
organizations, as well as industry at large. in the prices of goods and services. SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
Table 3: Digital penetration SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
SIERRA LEONE
Digital Affordability Average mobile data price per 1 GB 2020 N/A Cable
penetration (USD) SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
Data-only mobile broadband prices 2018 N/A ITU
as a % of adjusted per capita income SOUTH SUDAN
Fixed broadband prices as a % of 2018 N/A ITU TOGO
adjusted per capita income
UGANDA
Willingness Mobile social media penetration (%) 2019 6.20 GSMA
UNITED
Number of apps in national language 2019 47.00 GSMA REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
(quantity)
ZAMBIA
Gender gap in social media use (%) 2019 45.88 GSMA
ZIMBABWE
Gender gap in mobile ownership (%) 2019 100 GSMA
312 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
POLICY AND REGULATION ANGOLA
BENIN
The Ministry of Information Four separate pieces of legislation have a
BOTSWANA
Communication Technology, Postal and bearing on the regulatory environment for the
BURKINA FASO
Courier Services is responsible for ICT sector in Zimbabwe. These are the Postal
BURUNDI
oversight of the sector. The importance of ICT and Telecommunications Act of 2000, the
CABO VERDE
for is recognized in the Zimbabwe Agenda for Broadcasting Services Act of 2016, the Access
CAMEROON
Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation to Information and Protection of Privacy Act of
CENTRAL
(Zim Asset), identifying ICTs as one of the pillars 2002, the Interception of Communications Act of AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
of national socio-economic development. 2007 and the Computer Crime and Cybercrime
CHAD
Bill. At present, regulation of the ICT sector is
COMOROS
The National Policy for Information and divided between the Broadcasting Authority of
CONGO
Communication Technology from 2018 objectives Zimbabwe (BAZ), Potraz, and the Media and
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
include: a) Using ICTs to facilitate delivery of Information Commission (MIC).
DEMOCRATIC
Zim!ASSET and other national developmental REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
goals; b) Enabling access to and increasing Zimbabwe is making great progress in introducing
DJIBOUTI
use of ICT across all sectors of the economy; various e-government services to its citizens. The
EQUATORIAL
c) Bridging the digital divide and providing Zimbabwe Agenda will use ICT as an enabler GUINEA
access to broadband for all; d) Managing to achieve the objectives of the four Zim ASSET ERITREA
challenges resulting from ICT development to clusters for: food security and nutrition; social ESWATINI
ensure sustainability; and e) Leading, improving services and poverty eradication; infrastructure ETHIOPIA
and adapting the changing ICT environment and utilities; and value addition and beneficiation. GABON
through innovation and partnership. In addition, the NDS for 2021–2025 seeks to THE GAMBIA
facilitate a digitally enabled economy where all GHANA
The key institutions driving public service sectors embrace ICTs to improve efficiency and GUINEA
digitization in Zimbabwe are the e-Government effectiveness, in line with the global trends. GUINEA-
BISSAU
Unit in the Office of the President and Cabinet
KENYA
(OPC), and the Ministry of Information Zimbabwe has for many years operated
LESOTHO
Communication Technology, Postal and Courier without an updated standalone comprehensive
LIBERIA
Services (MoICTPCS). In addition, the Ministry of agricultural policy. Instead, the country has
MADAGASCAR
Industry and Commerce chairs a newly formed been using the Zimbabwe Agricultural Policy
National Committee for the Digital Economy. Framework: 1995 to 2020, which was formulated MALAWI
in 1994. Given that this framework was outdated, MALI
Regarding digitalization and ICT services, the the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanization MAURITIUS
National Broadband Policy and Implementation and Irrigation Development (MAMID), now MOZAMBIQUE
Strategy was launched in 2018, complemented known as the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture NAMIBIA
by the National Cybersecurity Policy and and Rural Resettlement (MLARR), with support THE NIGER
Strategy. The Digital Financial Services Policy from FAO and other stakeholders, undertook a NIGERIA
was enacted to promote digital transformation process to update the 1994 framework. A draft RWANDA
in the public sector, digital access and digital Comprehensive Agricultural Policy Framework SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
inclusion. Essentially, all these policies point was completed in April 2012 to address issues
SENEGAL
toward recognising progressive outcomes for concerning crop and livestock production,
SEYCHELLES
the digitalization of the agricultural sector. marketing and trade.
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
The SMART Zimbabwe 2030 Master Plan seeks Unfortunately, this Policy Framework remained
SOUTH AFRICA
to exploit the potential of ICTs building on the in draft form and was not adopted as the
SOUTH SUDAN
achievements of the Zimbabwe National Policy country’s blueprint for guiding investments in
TOGO
on ICTs. This is intended to further strengthen the agricultural sector. Therefore, the NAPF
UGANDA
the country’s economic base and improve its will be linked to other policies, especially
UNITED
overall economic environment for accelerated those focusing on infrastructural development, REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
growth towards achieving a digital government, particularly in the energy, water, transport and
ZAMBIA
a digital economy and a digital society by 2030. ICT sectors. (see Table 4)
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 313
Table 4: Policy and regulation ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Governance Policy Importance of ICTs to government’s 2016 2.84 WEF
and legal vision (index ranking 1–7: no plan/ BURKINA FASO
framework there is a clear plan) BURUNDI
Government’s success in ICT promotion 2016 3.09 WEF CABO VERDE
(index ranking 1–7: not successful at all/
CAMEROON
extremely successful)
CENTRAL
Legal framework’s adaptability to 2019 2.51 WEF AFRICAN
digital business models (index ranking REPUBLIC
1–7: not fast at all/very fast)
CHAD
Laws relating to ICTs 2016 2.49 WEF
COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: not developed at all/
extremely well developed) CONGO
Regulatory ICT regulatory tracker (1–100)* 2018 74 EC/ITU CÔTE D’IVOIRE
framework DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
*According to Global ICT Regulatory Outlook 2020, the economies are classified in different generations of regulation
(from G1 to G4). Countries with a Tracker score below 40 are considered to belong to the first generation of regulation DJIBOUTI
(G1), a score between 40 and 69 to the second (G2), a score between 70 and 84 to the third (G3) and finally, a score EQUATORIAL
above 85 belong to the fourth (G4). GUINEA
ERITREA
ESWATINI
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ETHIOPIA
GABON
In 2009, Zimbabwe implemented a The government also introduced some fiscal
THE GAMBIA
number of reforms designed to attract incentives to investors; local and foreign
GHANA
foreign investment. The introduction of businesses are now exempt from paying
GUINEA
a multicurrency monetary regime allowed the US corporate income tax in their first five years
GUINEA-
dollar to act as a stabilising force, restoring of operation in Zimbabwe and will pay only a BISSAU
business confidence in the economy as it 15 percent corporate tax rate thereafter. In KENYA
removed the risk associated with the use of the addition, companies are now allowed to import LESOTHO
domestic currency. duty-free capital equipment, raw materials LIBERIA
and other intermediary products. All these MADAGASCAR
While Zimbabwe has not yet broken-out measures are intended to make the country more MALAWI
globally with ground-breaking digital innovation competitive in attracting foreign investment in MALI
spurred by SMEs, the government recognises line with Zimbabwe’s new economic diplomacy. MAURITIUS
the socio-economic value of SMEs. Through The government is synchronising investment laws MOZAMBIQUE
the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and policies to remove inconsistencies and make NAMIBIA
that was established in 2002, the country is the country more attractive to FDI (see Table 5). THE NIGER
seeking to enhance efficiency, development and NIGERIA
competitiveness across SMEs through people- In the 2020 budget, the government announced RWANDA
cantered policies (Bomani, Fields, & Derera, 2015). the creation of a ZWD 500 million National SÃO TOMÉ
Venture Capital Fund targeting youth AND PRÍNCIPE
Recently, Zimbabwe invested USD 6 million to entrepreneurs. However, as of yet, there are SENEGAL
improve rural connectivity. Potraz has launched no local private funds investing in digital SEYCHELLES
the Passive Telecommunications Infrastructure enterprises in Zimbabwe. A new network SIERRA LEONE
Project, which will see 20 shared base stations comprising 10 angel investors was founded in SOMALIA
deployed across eight of Zimbabwe’s regions. 2019. Still, the highly inflationary environment SOUTH AFRICA
The initiative is receiving support from the has made meaningful investment difficult, SOUTH SUDAN
Universal Services Fund and will deploy network and no regulatory incentives exist for venture TOGO
equipment in the provinces of Manicaland, capital investments. So far, six privately-driven UGANDA
Masvingo, Midlands, Matabeleland North entrepreneurship support organizations include UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
and South, and Mashonaland Central, East support for digital start-ups, though they are not TANZANIA
and West. exclusively focused on the agriculture sector. ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
314 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Table 5: Business environment ANGOLA
BENIN
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
BOTSWANA
Business Investment FDI inflows (millions of USD) 2019 280 UNCTAD
environment culture BURKINA FASO
Growth of innovative companies 2019 4.00 WEF BURUNDI
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ CABO VERDE
to a great extent)
CAMEROON
Venture capital availability 2017 1.81 WEF
CENTRAL
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ AFRICAN
extremely easy) REPUBLIC
Entrepreneurship Time required to start a business (days) 2019 27 WBG CHAD
Ease of access to loans 2017 2.82 WEF COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: extremely difficult/ CONGO
extremely easy)
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Attitude towards entrepreneurial risk 2019 4.23 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
to a great extent) CONGO
DJIBOUTI
EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
HUMAN CAPITAL ERITREA
Affordability, accessibility and digital while the education reforms in the post- ESWATINI
literacy are some of the key issues secondary education subsector also identify ETHIOPIA
affecting Internet uptake. Zimbabwe’s agriculture as one of the training courses that GABON
education policy resulted in a literacy rate of should be prioritized for reform processes. THE GAMBIA
88.7 percent among adults and 90.4 percent of GHANA
youth aged 15–24 years (UNESCO, 2014). Investors and donors have committed to GUINEA
Children in urban and rural areas are equally building youth capacities to fill the skills gap GUINEA-
BISSAU
likely to attend school. There are significantly and ensure digital transformation across
KENYA
more youth attending secondary school in Zimbabwe. For example, USAID launched the
LESOTHO
urban areas compared to rural areas; and Local Works Zimbabwe Youth Program in 2020,
LIBERIA
99 percent of women aged 15–24 years in urban which is a USD 5 million economic empowerment
MADAGASCAR
areas can read, compared to 95 percent in rural initiative to support youth-led local development
MALAWI
areas (see Table 6). initiatives. Additionally, the on-going AFDB
MALI
Youth and Women Empowerment Project aims
MAURITIUS
Zimbabwe has 11 Universities, 13 colleges and at empowering youth through food processing
MOZAMBIQUE
11 training centres established for agricultural and business creation, institutional capacity
NAMIBIA
training at various levels. Some institutions were building and support for project management.
THE NIGER
established before independence, others were
NIGERIA
established after independence, and the rest 2KO Zimbabwe offers onsite training for local
RWANDA
post- 2000, in the land reform era. Agricultural farmers and farming organizations at the
SÃO TOMÉ
R&D is dominated by three faculties at the intersection of ICT and agriculture. The College AND PRÍNCIPE
University of Zimbabwe, the largest being the IT Enhancement Programme (CITEP) is a local SENEGAL
faculty of agriculture. The faculty of science, capacity building project supported by VVOB SEYCHELLES
department of biological sciences, and the in ten Zimbabwean colleges. It focuses on SIERRA LEONE
faculty of veterinary science also conduct developing capacity for effective use of ICTs. SOMALIA
research. Research is also conducted by other The Computer Society of Zimbabwe aims at SOUTH AFRICA
state universities, and non-profit agencies like educating the general public on the use and SOUTH SUDAN
the African Institute for Agrarian Studies, the development of ICTs. In addition, during the TOGO
Institute for Rural Technologies, and the Ruzivo 2018 Africa Code Week (ACW) activities in UGANDA
Trust. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Zimbabwe, 24 000 students were trained in UNITED
Education’s (MoPSE) updated the curriculum digital literacy and coding skills. REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
of 2017 and introduced agriculture as a core ZAMBIA
subject in primary and secondary education, ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 315
Potraz continues to work toward the establishment and free training to marginalized communities ANGOLA
of about 87 community information centres across (Ministry of ICT and Cyber Security, 2019). BENIN
the country geared at promoting Internet access BOTSWANA
BURKINA FASO
Table 6: Human capital BURUNDI
CABO VERDE
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source
CAMEROON
Human Digital skills/ Literacy rate, adult total 2014 88.69 UNESCO
capital literacy (% of people ages 15 and above) CENTRAL
AFRICAN
Literacy rate, youth total 2014 90.43 UNESCO REPUBLIC
(% of people ages 15–24) CHAD
Digital skills among population 2019 3.90 WEF COMOROS
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/
CONGO
to a great extent)
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Employment Employment in agriculture 2019 66.19 ILO
(% of total employment) DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
Employment in agriculture, female 2019 69.48 ILO CONGO
(% of female employment) DJIBOUTI
Unemployment, total 2020 5.73 ILO EQUATORIAL
(% of total labour force) GUINEA
ERITREA
ESWATINI
ETHIOPIA
AGRO-INNOVATION
GABON
Agricultural R&D in Zimbabwe is is not clearly defined to facilitate effective THE GAMBIA
primarily funded by the government, information dissemination. Policies do not foster GHANA
but for the most part, the support only private participation. The government needs to GUINEA
covers salaries and not the operating costs formulate a framework for R&D to stimulate
GUINEA-
or capital investments associated with innovation and realise the full potential of ICT BISSAU
conducting research. in entrepreneurship (Government of Zimbabwe, KENYA
2016). Recently, the Zimbabwean government LESOTHO
The number of researchers with doctoral disbursed over USD 40 million earmarked LIBERIA
degrees rose substantially from 12 percent in for innovation hubs at tertiary institutions. MADAGASCAR
2009 to 23 percent in 2016. But in the agriculture An additional USD 500 million was set aside MALAWI
sector specifically, only 12 percent of researchers in the 2020 national budget to encourage MALI
in 2011 held doctoral degrees. entrepreneurship and to support innovation from MAURITIUS
SMEs. To date, institutions such as the University MOZAMBIQUE
Of the sixteen agencies conducting agricultural of Zimbabwe, Midlands State University, and the NAMIBIA
R&D in Zimbabwe, the Department of Research National University of Science and Technology THE NIGER
and Specialist Services is the largest, employing (NUST) have built state-of-the-art innovation NIGERIA
72 full-time equivalent (FTE) researchers in 2011. hubs that are meant to strengthen ties between RWANDA
It accounts for approximately 40 percent of the universities and the private sector, while serving SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
country’s agricultural researchers and focuses as incubators for innovations created by
SENEGAL
on crops. Other government agricultural R&D students, faculty and researchers.
SEYCHELLES
agencies include the Tobacco Research Board
SIERRA LEONE
(24 FTEs in 2011), the Forestry Commission of Although for-profit R&D is minimal, the Green
SOMALIA
Zimbabwe (16 FTEs), the Institute of Agricultural Innovation Centre (SEWOH) launched Young
SOUTH AFRICA
Engineering (7 FTEs), the Department of Farmers Innovation Lab project aiming at
SOUTH SUDAN
Livestock and Veterinary Services (4 FTEs), and developing ICT-solutions for and in partnership
TOGO
the Pig Industry Board (0.3 FTEs). with young farmers and developers in 2016.
UGANDA
Techno Serve has launched two innovative
UNITED
Linkages and coordination within the national p ro g ra m s t h a t a i m a t s t re n g t h e n i n g REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
agricultural research system are not fully Zimbabwean businesses and creating new
ZAMBIA
developed, and the research-extension interface opportunities for smallholder farmers.
ZIMBABWE
316 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
Several hubs like the Impact Hub in Harare sessions with selected mentors. It organizes ANGOLA
operate in and serve major cities across the Zim4AgriStartups debate on digital BENIN
Zimbabwe, although not in rural areas. They agriculture innovation. BOTSWANA
seek to assist entrepreneurs grow their business BURKINA FASO
by focusing on technology, capacity building All of the hubs mentioned above are committed BURUNDI
and education. to working with start-ups that are focused on CABO VERDE
the UN’s SDGs, including the transformation CAMEROON
The Tech Village in Bulawayo is home to of digital agriculture processes. Civil society CENTRAL
AFRICAN
a number of sector- and cause-specific organizations in Zimbabwe also operate their REPUBLIC
communities, which includes the Green Village own hubs like the Sky Hub Initiative and the CHAD
(Green Innovators), ZimVR (AR/VR community), Hypercube Hub. COMOROS
Mutambo (a gaming league,) GameOn (game CONGO
development community), and the Bulawayo The Potraz Innovation Fund was launched CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Open-Source Society. Muzinda Hub Harare is in 2018. It called on all innovators across the DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
a training centre that develops skills required country to utilize funding under its Innovation CONGO
for the creation of high-quality websites and Drive, a programme meant to unlock business DJIBOUTI
mobile applications. Tech Hub Harare is a opportunity from ICT start-ups. In 2020, the call EQUATORIAL
GUINEA
start-up development platform, supporting was re-launched seeking innovations to address
ERITREA
early-stage start-ups with access to networking the SDGs in a post-COVID-19 world.
ESWATINI
opportunities through events and one-on-one
ETHIOPIA
GABON
Table 7: Agro-innovation
THE GAMBIA
Themes Sub-themes Indicators Year Score Source GHANA
Agro- Value chain Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and 2019 1 729.64 FAO GUINEA
innovation performance Fishing), USD at 2015 prices (millions)
GUINEA-
Gross Production Index for Agriculture 2019 112.60 FAO BISSAU
(2014–2016 = 100)
KENYA
Logistics Performance Index 2018 2.12 WBG
LESOTHO
(index ranking 1–5: low/high)
LIBERIA
Research and Agricultural research spending 2016 1.39 IFPRI
technology (% of AgGDP) MADAGASCAR
development MALAWI
University-industry cooperation in R&D 2017 2.54 WEF MALI
(index ranking 1–7: no collaboration/
MAURITIUS
extensive collaboration)
MOZAMBIQUE
Capacity for innovation 2017 3.21 WEF
(index ranking 1–7: not at all/ NAMIBIA
to a great extent)
THE NIGER
ICT goods imports (% of total imports) 2019 2.26 UNCTAD
NIGERIA
RWANDA
SÃO TOMÉ
AND PRÍNCIPE
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOMALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH SUDAN
TOGO
UGANDA
UNITED
REPUBLIC OF
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
ZIMBABWE
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 317
MAIN FINDINGS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Main findings in 47 countries
INFRASTRUCTURE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
Most of the countries studied in this report Most countries face constraints in creating a
have the adequate infrastructure in rural conducive business environment. These
areas to enable digitalization. That said, the obstacles include high taxes, lack of credit
state of digitalization infrastructure needed varied facilities especially for women and youth, lengthy
across countries. Overall across the region, urban registration procedures, lack of institutional capacities,
areas are better served with electricity than rural and limited entrepreneurial skills among rural and
ones, even though a higher percentage of people live agricultural communities. There is also lack of a mature
in rural areas are dependent on agriculture for their business landscape for small business and start-ups
livelihood. Network coverage has increased, with 2G to thrive. However, digital financial services have
and 3G now more widespread across sub-Saharan extended to the larger population, leading to financial
Africa. Many countries in the region have also inclusion in sub-Saharan Africa. The establishment of
implemented 4G while a few are even testing 5G. In the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
most countries, public and private operators play an agreement creates opportunities for digital
active role in the telecommunication sector. Undersea agricultural entrepreneurs across the region.
cables are within the reach of most countries, but
mostly coastal countries are nevertheless better
HUMAN CAPITAL
connected while landlocked countries still
face challenges. Educational systems have improved across
the region, with a notable increase in youth
literacy. Overall digital literacy rates
DIGITAL PENETRATION however remain low as most educational systems
Mobile Broadband is the common mode of are yet to integrate ICT training in the curricula. Most
accessing the Internet across sub-Saharan schools in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa have
Africa, yet its growth remains lower than limited or no access to connectivity and IT
mobile cellular subscriptions. In most countries, infrastructure. Digital skills training is mainly
mobile broadband prices and Internet enabled provided by private educational institutions, mobile
mobile devices are out of reach of most people. This network companies and online platforms, or through
hinders digital adoption, especially in rural areas programs and projects launched by development
with lower incomes and higher dependence on organizations, and mostly concentrated in urban
agriculture for livelihood. areas. Gender divide is evident as girls and women
lag in digital literacy in these 47 countries.
POLICY AND REGULATION
Most countries have enabling AGRO-INNOVATION
telecommunication regulatory frameworks For most countries, the R&D ecosystem has
although some existing national ICT not fully developed. Digital innovation in
policies are not up to date. Some countries in the agriculture is available in some countries, but
region have agriculture policies that align with the at a limited scale. Start-ups and innovation technology
Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development hubs work in silos, often lacking the requisite support
Programme (CAADP). That said, digital agriculture and not many are related to agriculture. In general,
is still not emphasized in these policies. Meanwhile, national agriculture research institutions have
a few countries have started drafting digital inadequate financial and human resources, limited
agriculture strategies (for example, Benin, Rwanda, youth engagement, and in some cases high
the Niger, Nigeria, etc.) and the African Union has dependence on external funding to support agricultural
published the Digital Transformation Strategy for research and innovation. Collaboration between
Africa (2020–2030). research institutions and the private sector is low.
318
Opportunities for digital agriculture in
sub-Saharan Africa
Infrastructure Business environment
The utilisation of the Universal Services Funds (USF) Increasing incentives to improve the business
resources and cost-sharing of some services to environment, and to attract investors to the digital
connect to the last mile through public-private economy, one who can deploy digital products and
partnerships presents an opportunity for sub- services across the agri-food systems.
Saharan Africa to make mobile devices affordable
and the Internet accessible in rural areas.
Human capital
The rise of private educational institutions providing
Digital penetration digital literacy and skills through mentorship
The rise of digital platforms, e-commerce and programmes and training, could create a balance
e-government services are triggering the potential of inclusivity and promote education frameworks
for providing and disseminating agriculture content and policies that boost relevant digital agriculture
via these platforms for the benefit of smallholder education opportunities, especially among youth.
farmers and rural communities.
Agro-innovation
Policy and regulation Currently, capacity development and financial
Creating roadmaps in the form of national digital support is mostly provided by international partners
agriculture strategies as a conduit towards digital through various incubators, accelerators and labs.
agriculture transformation remains a priority. These These initiatives can be further promoted to support
strategies can support countries in the identification digital agriculture and innovation through public-
of challenges and investment priorities towards private partnerships. They can also be scaled up as
modernizing the agri-food systems in the region. digital public goods across the 47 countries and the
region as a whole.
Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries 319
Opportunities for impactful investments
Based on the findings and the analysis done for the Digital literacy
47 countries featured in this study, below are some • Identifying relevant digital skills required for digital
potential opportunities for impactful investments agriculture transformation in the 47 countries.
for consideration to foster and facilitate the
adoption of digital agriculture in the areas of • Integrating digital agriculture curricula in formal
infrastructure, enabling environment, digital literacy and non-formal education systems.
and agro-innovation.
• Providing support for vocational education
and training programs that enhance digital
Infrastructure
agriculture, especially in rural areas.
• Enhancing digital infrastructure to foster the
uptake of digital technologies in agriculture,
especially in rural communities. Agro-innovation
• Developing digital platforms for agriculture that
• Supporting the building of a digital economy provide value added services for farmers (such
across different sectors for digital transformation, as market prices, weather-based services, etc.),
with emphasis on the digital agriculture as well as serving as a repository for relevant
ecosystem targeting rural areas for increased information in agriculture for farmers.
food productivity and security.
• Supporting and engaging local agritech start-ups
for enhancing and scaling up digital innovations
Enabling environment
in agriculture and rural areas.
• Creating national awareness across programs
for different stakeholders to promote digital
• Facilitating public-private partnerships
agriculture transformation and adoption in the
through innovation incubators, accelerators
47 countries.
and platforms for agricultural entrepreneurs to
exchange experiences and for knowledge sharing
• Developing national digital agriculture strategies
among stakeholders to leverage good practices
and policies that are aligned to the regional
and resources.
objectives that spur growth and focus on
digital agriculture.
Digital inclusion
• Establishing policy frameworks that take into • Accelerating the adoption of digital technologies
consideration and foster digital agriculture in agriculture to drive inclusion of women
transformation with monitoring frameworks to and youth.
support evaluation and capture lessons learned
for continuous improvement. • Enabling financial inclusion for farmers
through access to digital financial services to
improve efficiency in service provision and to
increase income.
320 Status of digital agriculture in 47 sub-Saharan African countries
CONCLUSION
Whereas the present study provides an overview This study notes that the digital ecosystem in each
of the status of digital agriculture in sub- country is evolving with new policies, initiatives,
Saharan Africa using against six themes, it is still innovations and stakeholders. However, the study
inadequate to support countries and regional could not cover in detail the aforementioned
bodies in identifying gaps and priorities for aspects due to limitations of time and scope. For
further investments. A digital readiness index is example, regarding available digital agriculture
necessary to assist countries in understanding and solutions, a detailed study is essential for the
transforming their digital agriculture landscape creation of a database of digital public goods
toward policy formulation, targeted interventions, that could be scaled up. A similar approach could
resource allocation, partnership establishment and be applied for collection and dissemination of
informed decision-making. good and promising practices, as well as mapping
innovation hubs and other programs.
321
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ISBN 978-92-5-135453-7
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
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International Telecommunication Union 9 789251 354537
www.itu.int CB7943EN/1/02.21
CB7943EN/1/02.22
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