The three-day gathering in Addis Ababa will showcase African innovations using artificial intelligence, climate data and emerging technologies to strengthen food security and support farmers.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will convene policymakers, researchers, technology developers and agricultural stakeholders in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from October 27 to 29, 2026, for a continental forum examining how science and innovation can transform Africa’s food systems.
The Africa Science and Innovation Forum (ASIF) 2026, officially known as the Africa Forum on Harnessing Science and Innovation for Agrifood Systems Transformation, will focus on translating scientific research and emerging technologies into practical solutions for agricultural productivity, climate resilience and sustainable food production.
The event will take place at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Conference Centre, bringing together government representatives, research institutions, investors, development partners and private sector innovators to explore ways of scaling technologies across the continent. The forum is being organised in collaboration with the African Union Commission, the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), Ethiopia’s Agricultural Transformation Institute and other partners.
Artificial intelligence is expected to feature among the technologies showcased, particularly through innovations designed to help farmers respond to changing weather patterns, improve crop production and make more informed agricultural decisions.
AI Innovations to Address Agricultural and Climate Challenges
One of the notable aspects of this year’s forum will be the presentation of African-developed technologies that apply AI and data-driven approaches to agricultural and environmental challenges.
Among the innovators expected to participate is Lavender Birike of Klima360, whose work uses artificial intelligence and data to forecast climate risks and help farmers strengthen their resilience to environmental changes.
Another initiative is THRIVE, an AI-enabled crop intelligence platform being developed by Temitope Odedeyi of University College London. The platform is designed to support climate-resilient agriculture by providing crop-related insights that can help farmers make better-informed decisions.
These initiatives reflect a growing interest in using AI to bridge information gaps in African agriculture, where farmers often face uncertainty over rainfall, changing growing seasons, crop health and the timing of essential farming activities.
When supported by reliable data and made accessible to farmers, AI-powered tools can help interpret weather information, identify potential crop problems and improve planning throughout the agricultural cycle. Their effectiveness, however, will depend on the quality of local data, affordability, connectivity and whether the tools reflect the realities of smallholder farming.
The forum will provide an opportunity for researchers, policymakers and technology developers to examine how such solutions can move beyond pilot projects and reach more farming communities across Africa.
Climate Change and Food Security Take Centre Stage
The focus on agricultural innovation comes as African food systems contend with climate-related pressures, persistent productivity challenges and substantial post-harvest losses.
Many farming communities depend on rainfall and remain vulnerable to droughts, floods and unpredictable growing seasons. These pressures can affect crop yields, livestock production, household incomes and the availability of affordable food.
AI and other digital technologies could help address some of these challenges by improving climate forecasting, strengthening early-warning systems and supporting more efficient management of water, land and other agricultural resources.
For example, AI-assisted forecasting systems can combine weather observations and other relevant data to identify potential climate risks. When linked to reliable advisory services, these insights may help farmers prepare for adverse conditions, adjust planting schedules or take measures to protect crops and livestock.
However, technology alone cannot resolve Africa’s food security challenges. Farmers also need access to finance, agricultural extension services, quality seeds, irrigation, reliable markets and infrastructure that enables them to use new technologies effectively.
The forum is expected to explore how scientific research, public policy, investment and partnerships can work together to make agricultural innovations more accessible and impactful.
Nigerian Innovators to Showcase Waste-to-Value Solutions
Nigeria is also expected to feature in discussions around sustainable agricultural production and the use of innovation to improve resource efficiency.
Tunde Adeyemi of D-Olivette Labs is among the innovators expected to showcase work converting agricultural and livestock waste into clean energy and biofertiliser.
The approach highlights the potential of the circular economy in agriculture, where materials that would otherwise be discarded can be transformed into useful products that support farming and reduce waste.
Biofertilisers can contribute to soil management, while waste-to-energy solutions can provide alternative sources of energy for agricultural and related activities. The benefits of individual solutions depend on their design, safety, cost and suitability for local conditions.
Although this initiative is not primarily an AI application, its inclusion illustrates the broader focus of the forum: combining scientific research, technology and practical innovation to improve the sustainability of African food systems.
Other innovations expected at the gathering include approaches to livestock health, fisheries and aquaculture, biodiversity conservation, food safety and the reduction of food loss and waste.
Bridging the Gap Between Research and Adoption
Beyond showcasing individual technologies, the forum aims to address a persistent challenge facing African agriculture: translating scientific knowledge into solutions that farmers and agribusinesses can adopt at scale.
Research institutions across the continent continue to develop approaches to crop improvement, climate adaptation and sustainable resource management. However, limited financing, weak links between researchers and industry, inadequate infrastructure and fragmented innovation ecosystems can prevent promising ideas from reaching their intended users.
AI adoption faces additional challenges, including the availability of representative agricultural data, limited digital skills, unreliable connectivity and the cost of accessing technology. Language barriers can also restrict the usefulness of digital advisory services for farmers who do not primarily communicate in widely supported languages.
Addressing these barriers will require collaboration between governments, universities, technology companies, agricultural organisations and farmers themselves.
The forum is expected to examine innovative financing models, public-private partnerships and South-South and Triangular Cooperation as potential mechanisms for expanding successful solutions across countries and regions.
Discussions will also consider how scientific evidence can better inform government policies and investment decisions, helping create an enabling environment for innovation.
Ensuring Smallholder Farmers Benefit from AI
A key question for African policymakers and innovators is whether emerging agricultural technologies will be accessible to the millions of smallholder farmers who play a central role in food production across the continent.
Many AI tools are developed in environments with stronger digital infrastructure and more readily available data. Adapting these systems to African farming conditions requires attention to local crops, languages, weather patterns, farming practices and economic realities.
Affordable mobile services, locally relevant datasets and partnerships with agricultural extension workers could help make AI-powered advice more useful to farmers. Solutions should also be designed with the participation of farming communities to ensure that they address genuine needs rather than technological priorities alone.
Responsible deployment will require transparency about how AI systems generate recommendations, safeguards against inaccurate advice and clear mechanisms for farmers to seek human assistance when necessary.
The inclusion of women, young people and small-scale producers will also be important in determining whether agricultural innovation delivers broad-based economic benefits.
For Africa’s growing agritech ecosystem, the challenge is therefore not simply to develop more sophisticated tools, but to ensure that the technologies are practical, trustworthy and affordable.
A Roadmap for Africa’s Agricultural Transformation
The three-day gathering is expected to contribute to a regional roadmap aimed at strengthening research and innovation institutions and accelerating the transformation of African agrifood systems.
Its five broad areas of focus include productivity and value-chain optimisation, sustainable resilience, the relationship between science and policymaking, investment and partnerships, and inclusive innovation.
The discussions could help identify opportunities for governments and development partners to support agricultural research, improve technology transfer and mobilise investment for solutions with demonstrated potential.
For AI developers, the event offers an opportunity to connect with agricultural researchers, investors and policymakers while demonstrating how locally relevant technologies can contribute to food security and climate adaptation.
The ultimate test will be whether the ideas and partnerships emerging from the forum lead to measurable improvements in farmers’ productivity, livelihoods and resilience.
As climate pressures intensify and demand for food grows, the ability to turn scientific advances into accessible, locally adapted solutions will be increasingly important to Africa’s agricultural future.
The Addis Ababa forum is expected to provide a platform for advancing that conversation, placing African research, innovation and collaboration at the centre of efforts to build more productive, resilient and sustainable food systems.
Event details: The Africa Science and Innovation Forum will take place from October 27 to 29, 2026, at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Conference Centre in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The event is planned as a hybrid gathering, with online participation available.
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
