We are excited to announce the release of AFSA’s latest publication, “Digitalisation and Agroecological Markets in Africa.” This groundbreaking book explores the intersection of digital technologies and agroecology in Africa, offering a critical perspective on how digitalization impacts the continent’s food systems.
The digitalization of African agriculture has become a battleground between supporters of the conventional Green Revolution and the Agroecology movement. While the Green Revolution proponents see digitization as a technological solution to boost efficiency and productivity, the African social movement views it through the lens of political economy. The movement raises crucial questions: “Who owns the technology? Who controls the data extracted by digital technologies?” These concerns highlight the power imbalances that digitalization can exacerbate, particularly when technology is tied to covert bilateral and multinational agreements. Despite these challenges, the movement also recognizes the potential of digital technologies to engage the next generation in agriculture, eliminate exploitative middlemen, and promote healthy food production and consumption.
“Digitalisation and Agroecological Markets in Africa” provides an in-depth analysis of how digital technologies are currently being used across Africa’s food systems. The book identifies both opportunities and risks, recognizing that while digital tools such as mobile apps, online marketplaces, and blockchain technology offer new ways to enhance agroecology, they also risk deepening the digital divide and disrupting traditional social cohesion. The digital landscape in Africa is still fragmented, with many startups struggling to develop sustainable business models. The book underscores the need for creative solutions that align with the principles of agroecology.
The publication presents key recommendations for how digital technologies can support agroecology, including celebrating local problem solvers, actively involving women in digital incubation programs, advocating for data-free solutions for African farmers, and exploring the idea of an agroecology super-app. It also calls for the development of a “digital food markets strategy” that preserves and strengthens territorial markets while promoting innovation.
AFSA urges African governments and the global community to adopt a “digital food markets strategy” that protects and strengthens the functioning of territorial markets and generates a political mandate for trade and innovation departments. This approach is essential to ensure that digitalization supports the resilience and sustainability of Africa’s food systems, rather than undermining them.
The book is now available for free download on our website. We encourage you to read, share, and engage with this important work. Together, we can shape a future where digital technologies are used to support and expand agroecology in Africa, ensuring a more equitable and sustainable food system for all.
