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This week Wednesday marked the beginning of an exciting three-day gathering in Dakar, Senegal, where innovators, researchers, policymakers, and partners are coming together to shape the future of digital agriculture in West Africa.

The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), in collaboration with the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF), is hosting the AGriDI Close-Out and Dissemination Workshop from 27–29 August 2025 at the Sheraton Hotel — a gathering that marks both a milestone and a new chapter for agricultural transformation in the region.

Since its launch in 2020, the Accelerating Inclusive Green Growth through Agri-based Digital Innovation in West Africa (AGriDI) project has been more than a programme — it has been a catalyst for change. With the support of the ACP Innovation Fund through the OACPS R&I Programme and the European Union (EU), AGriDI has worked hand in hand with farmers, agri-entrepreneurs, and innovators to make sure digital tools truly respond to local needs.

While officially opening the workshop, Senegal Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty and Livestock Hon Mabouba Diagne stressed that he is convinced of the importance of research as the motor and accelerator for agriculture. “When I see the good work of icipe, CORAF, VITAGRO,  in partnership with the European Union – I am convinced that technology and innovation can leapfrog our food systems transformation efforts.”

The minister also pointed out that when making sustainable and scaling the results we must be inclusive.

“Digital innovations are vital for transforming agri-food systems and are key to advancing agriculture in Senegal.”

The Director General of icipe, Dr Abdou Tenkouano stressed that digital innovations are key enablers of agri-technologies food systems transformation.

“We can make agriculture more sustainable, profitable, and attractive to the youth through digital innovations. We can also better connect firm produce to the market. Sustainable production is one thing, but access to markets for the produce is even a bigger challenge. We could save up to 40% of farm produce and attract better prices if digital innovations can help perishable goods reach the market in a timely fashion.”

He also emphasized on the importance of partnerships, “No one can do it alone. When you extend your hand to the other there is so much that you can achieve,” Dr Tenkouano stated.

The European Union (EU) Head of Cooperation Republic of Senegal Simon Vanden Broeke on his part underscored the critical need to support agriculture and food systems through innovation to make them more resilient to the effects of climate change, thereby stabilizing food and nutritional security for all in sustainable manner.

“These results still need to be consolidated and expanded to a larger scale. To this end, the present workshop is an opportunity to capitalize on the project’s results with a view to adopting relevant recommendations on the digital technologies adopted by AGriDi and establishing a consensus on new ways to improve policies and practices related to agricultural digital innovations in West Africa,” he said.

The CORAF Executive Director Moumini Savadogo shared that he was previously heading WASCAL, which leads a project in Burkina Faso on Precision Pest and Disease Management System based on Multidimensional Big Data under the AGriDI initiative.

He invited all to come and share their innovations and learn more from each other at the Agricultural Technologies and Innovations Market (MITA) in Bamako, Mali in October 2025. MITA is a platform that brings together researchers, innovators, and stakeholders in the agricultural sector, promoting the exchange of knowledge.

Prof Aminata Sall Diallo, the Chair of the PASET Executive Board  on her part noted that AGriDI project is supported by the European Union (EU) under the framework of the PASET Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Rsif).

“We have always followed AGriDI progress through the quarterly updates on Rsif that icipe provides to the PASET Executive Board.”

Prof Aminata highlighted that AGriDI is implemented as part of Window2 (Research Grants) and Window 3 (Innovation Grants) of the PASET Rsif.

“It aligns well with at least three PASET Rsif thematic priorities namely: AI and data science, food security and agribusiness and climate change. PASET Rsif, under Window 1 (PhD scholarships), manages doctoral programmes related to AI, digital science and innovation at Universite Abomey Calavi in Benin hosting 8 Rsif scholars, Universite Gaston Berger in Senegal hosting 18 Rsif scholars and University of Rwanda in Rwanda with 23 Rsif scholars – altogether 49 PASET Rsif PhD scholars enrolled in these universities with 17  being women which is 35%,” Prof Aminata said adding that AGriDI is complementing PASET Rsif efforts of building digital innovation capacity in Africa.

Her remarks underscored how AGriDI is part of a much larger continental effort to strengthen digital science and innovation for Africa’s transformation.

There was a panel discussion on agri-based digital innovations for green growth in the ECOWAS region.

The conversation underscored the importance of:

•  Adopting integrated and multidisciplinary approaches that bring together science, technology, policy, and practice.
•  Placing end-users — especially farmers and agri-entrepreneurs — at the center by ensuring solutions are practical, profitable, and scalable.
• Strengthening collaboration across sectors to accelerate the uptake of digital innovations for agricultural transformation.

These insights strongly resonate with the theme of the upcoming Africa Food Systems (AFS) Summit 2025: “Leading Collaboration, Innovation, and the Implementation of Agri-Food Systems Transformation.”

To reinforce this connection, the day concluded with field visit to VITAGRO where the participants of the conference had the opportunity to explore practical applications of agricultural production and agroecology involving aquaculture, poultry farming, cattle and sheep farming , agro-food processing of dairy poultry, medicinal plants fruits and vegetables. The visit also highlighted adoption of agroecological practices including composting, integrated pest management, sustainable water management.

VITAGRO is an integrated agricultural and agro-industrial development platform committed to innovation, training, and sustainable development of local resources. It is based in Niayes, Senegal and was launched in 2021 as a public–private partnership.

At VITAGRO, Prof Aminata explained that her motivation to be part of the initiative came after realizing that only 35 per cent of young graduates find employment—most of them from agricultural backgrounds. She noted that VITAGRO provides a platform for these graduates to gain hands-on experience, develop practical skills, and turn agriculture into a viable source of employment and innovation.

Just as the upcoming AFS Summit calls for bold collaboration and innovation to reimagine food systems, AGriDI’s work demonstrates how digital agriculture can drive inclusive green growth, empower smallholders, and create resilient food systems across West Africa.