Rwanda is set to host the second edition of the African Conference on Agricultural Technologies (ACAT) in June 2025, a landmark event that will bring together key stakeholders from across the continent to discuss and advance agricultural technology. The announcement was made on August 30, 2024, in Kigali during a press launch.
ACAT, organized by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) in collaboration with the Rwandan government and other key partners, has established itself as Africa’s premier platform for exploring innovative agricultural technologies, policies, and ideas.
The inaugural conference, held in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2023, laid a strong foundation for future events, highlighting the essential role of science, technology, and innovation (STI) in tackling Africa’s food security challenges under the theme “Agricultural Resilience through Innovation.”
The upcoming ACAT 2025, scheduled from June 9th to 13th at the Kigali Convention Centre, will revolve around the theme “NextGen Ag-Tech Solutions for Africa’s Farmers.”
This conference will feature high-level plenaries, live demonstrations of scalable technologies, and interactive dialogues aimed at fostering collaboration among various stakeholders, including farmers, youth, investors, technology developers, policymakers, and the private sector.
Speaking during the press conference, Dr. Rutikanga Alexandre, Chief Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, underscored the importance of ACAT in advancing agricultural technology.
He remarked, “As a country and government, we are delighted to co-host the 2nd edition of ACAT and to welcome the global, regional, and local community to Kigali, Rwanda, for this important forum. We look forward to discussing actionable solutions to the challenges facing the agricultural sector not only in Rwanda but across Africa. This conference will drive change and foster growth.”
Dr. Rutikanga also highlighted Rwanda’s ongoing efforts to boost agricultural productivity and sustainability through the adoption of innovative technologies.
He cited the launch of the Hanga Agritech Innovation Challenge Fund, a $2 million USD initiative aimed at addressing food challenges and promoting agricultural innovation in Rwanda, as a testament to the country’s commitment to leveraging technology for agricultural transformation.
“Our goal is to position Rwanda as a leader in agricultural innovation, not just in East Africa but across the continent. By hosting ACAT 2025, we aim to catalyze the adoption of cutting-edge technologies that will drive productivity, enhance resilience, and ultimately transform agriculture into a more profitable and sustainable sector,”he said.
Dr. Canisius Kanangire, Executive Director of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), expressed his enthusiasm for the forthcoming event.
He stated, “The ACAT conference is more than just a gathering; it is a movement towards harnessing the full potential of agricultural technology to solve Africa’s pressing food security challenges. The discussions and collaborations that will take place in Kigali will set the stage for a new era of agricultural transformation on the continent.”
He further remarked, “Rwanda’s hosting of ACAT 2025 is a testament to the country’s forward-thinking approach and its commitment to driving agricultural innovation. We are excited to see the exchange of ideas and the demonstration of technologies that will undoubtedly shape the future of African agriculture.”
The ACAT platform not only facilitates discussions but also ensures that commitments made during the conference are followed up with concrete actions. The event will offer a timely opportunity for stakeholders to assess progress in the utilization of innovative agricultural technologies across Africa and explore new opportunities to address the challenges affecting the continent’s agricultural sector.
Rwanda’s role as the host of ACAT 2025 underscores its leadership in agricultural innovation and its commitment to driving technological advancements that contribute to food security and economic growth in Africa.
The country’s national agricultural goals, which align with the Malabo Declaration under the CAADP framework, focus on improving food security, strengthening the resilience of agricultural systems, and transforming agriculture into a productive, profitable venture for the benefit of the people, the country, and the continent.
As ACAT 2025 approaches, Rwanda is poised to take center stage in the ongoing efforts to transform African agriculture through the adoption of next-generation.
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