Ethiopia’s State Minister of Planning and Development, Seyoum Mekonnen, stated that the convergence of biological and digital domains can play a key role in overcoming food security challenges.
He also highlighted that Africa possesses over 60% of the world’s arable land, yet its low level of food imports presents a paradox.
Speaking at the Pan-African conference on “Food and Agriculture” organized by the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) in Addis Ababa, Mekonnen emphasized the urgent need for a fundamental transformation of Africa’s food systems. He stressed that this transformation can be achieved through digital technology.
Seyoum noted that Ethiopia is not merely a bystander in the global climate and digital revolution but is actively shaping the process.
The State Minister recalled the Addis Ababa Declaration from the recent African Climate Summit, emphasizing the importance of homegrown solutions. In line with this vision, Ethiopia recently launched the Africa Climate Innovation Compact to scale up supporting technologies.
Mekonnen also highlighted the rollout of the Fayda Digital ID, a critical step to ensure that climate funds effectively reach smallholder farmers and women-led enterprises.
He stressed the importance of collaboration in utilizing digital technology and underlined that the time to act is now to reimagine and transform Africa’s food systems.