The 10th AgriFin Learning Event (ALE) was held in Nairobi on 28 October, focusing on the future of digital farming in Africa as external funding declines.

Organised by Prosper Global AgriFin, formerly Mercy Corps, and partners, the one‑day gathering brought together senior policymakers, innovators, funders and lobby groups representing smallholder farmers.

The event’s theme, “Leveraging Evidence for Connected, Scalable and Inclusive Digital Agriculture,” framed discussions on finance, technology and partnerships needed to revive digital agriculture on the continent.

Prosper Global AgriFin’s vice‑president for Africa, Melaku Yirga, noted that the ALE series has, for over a decade, guided funding and investment decisions for Africa’s digital farming agenda.

Yirga highlighted that collaborations with governments, tech firms, mobile service providers and NGOs have expanded smallholder access to digital tools such as mobile payments and artificial intelligence.

He warned that reliance on external donors threatens the sustainability of digital agriculture, urging domestic resource mobilisation, policy incentives and blended‑finance mechanisms as long‑term solutions.

Yirga also stressed that private‑sector partnerships are essential to deliver inclusive, resilient digital services to farmers facing climate shocks, pest outbreaks, market volatility and high input costs.

In a video message, Africa Food Systems Forum managing director Amath Pathe Sene said the forum should answer whether digital solutions can remain viable after donor cycles end.

Sene added that at scale, AI‑driven tools could give farmers better market access, credit options and weather forecasts while promoting sound agronomic practices.

Gatabaki further argued that building trust in new farming technologies is crucial for uptake, given the multiple challenges smallholders face, including climate shocks and post‑harvest losses.