Microsoft, through its 4Afrika initiative, has partnered with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to make digital tools and training resources more accessible to the small-scale agricultural sector.

The partnership will leverage 4Afrika’s unique digital platforms and the IFC’s Agribusiness Leadership Programme to help small-scale farmers, their cooperatives and last mile retailers access information and tools to strengthen their farming practices, business professionalism and, ultimately, food security and traceability throughout the supply chain.

For starters, the companies will pilot a mobile platform among farmers in Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda and Côte d'Ivoire.  These first pilot projects aim to support 50 000 farmers and at least 50 cooperatives.

The IFC explains in a statement that digital technology can improve the operation of key supply chains in the food system through greater agricultural efficiencies, improved business practices, traceability, food safety and access to finance. 

However, the use of digital tools in Africa’s agriculture sector remains limited, often because of infrastructure, affordability, awareness and regulatory issues.

“Now, more than ever, we need to pay close attention to how agri-tech organisations transform digitally, what challenges they face acquiring new technologies, and the daily challenges they may be facing in the area of digital skills development.

“Microsoft 4Afrika’s strategy is to invest in agri-tech to unlock Africa’s vibrant potential, accelerating innovation in agri-tech to enable data-driven farming that can optimise yields, boost farm productivity and increase profitability – all while feeding a nation,” notes Microsoft Kenya country manager Kendi Nderitu.

“Digital technologies have the power to transform small-scale farming in Africa. By making digital tools more accessible to farmers, cooperatives and last-mile retailers, Microsoft and the IFC can together help the agribusiness sector to capitalise on the opportunities afforded by the digital economy,” adds IFC Middle East and Africa acting regional industry director for manufacturing, agribusiness and services Samuel Dzotefe.

Around 155-million people across 55 countries or territories faced acute food insecurity in 2020, an increase of around 20-million people from 2019, according to the 2021 Global Report on Food Crises.

Of the ten countries with the highest number of people facing food insecurity, six were in Africa and the IFC believes digital technology is one way to boost agricultural production and efficiencies.

The IFC’s Agribusiness Leadership Program helps small businesses, aggregators, and farmer cooperatives improve their professionalism, productivity and creditworthiness.

Over the long term, Microsoft and the IFC aim to deepen the understanding of factors that drive the adoption and use of digital solutions among smallholder farmers, farmer cooperatives and other actors in the agriculture supply chain.