Harnessing data and innovation for Africa’s agrifood transformation

Ahead of World Food Day held every October 24, The FAO Regional Office for Africa hosted the World Food Forum that spotlighted the opportunities and challenges of using data to drive innovation across Africa’s agrifood systems.

Abebe Haile-Gabriel, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa underscored the importance of digital innovations for the region’s agrifood sector. "Data and digital innovations offer effective opportunities to address food security and economic growth challenges," he said. "By harnessing the power of data, we can improve productivity, make better decisions, innovate, and optimize value chains."

The event featured a fireside chat facilitated by Ade Freeman, FAO Regional Programme Leader for Africa, with insights from experts Dr Getaw Tadesse, Director of the  Department of Operational Analysis at Akademiya2063, and Nelson Mupfugami, Director of Agricultural Statistics of Zimbabwe. Tadesse emphasized that data can play a big role in formulating policies grounded in evidence and facts. However, he raised concerns about the quality, accuracy, and tracking of data across Africa, highlighting a gap between data supply and demand. “Good data can support good policies based on evidence, but the disconnect between institutions and policymakers remains a significant challenge,” Tadesse noted.
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