Rwanda, Kigali
For decades, international discourse has largely focused on Africa’s “potential”—a distant hope of what the continent could become. However, looking at regional hubs like Ethiopia and Kenya, the conversation has shifted from future promises to current results.
Experts urge this transformation is being spearheaded by hybrid seed technologies and integrated digital platforms, which are the primary engines driving the continent toward total food self-sufficiency. Africa’s agricultural growth was long stifled by “Western arrogance”—the tendency of European and North American institutions to impose rigid development models that were ill-suited for the African context.
Max Müller, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Public Affairs of Bayer AG told Capital at the sidelines of Africa CEO Forum, the era of giving directives to African farmers is coming to an end.
“For a long time, we Europeans—perhaps with good intentions—believed that economic development had to be done our way,” the official stated. “This is not a path to success because there is no ‘single’ Africa. What works in Kenya may not work in Côte d’Ivoire; what is effective in South Africa may not succeed in Morocco or South Sudan.”
Now, the primary role of international partners is to respect the continent’s diversity in soil, climate, and culture. Ag-tech companies are pivoting their focus toward localized solutions, training, and advisory services.
The argument for hybrid technology centers on its value proposition. As climate change and market volatility impact the prices of commodities like cocoa and maize, a farmer’s only defense is a reliable yield. High-quality fertilizers and crop protection tools are now viewed as essential investments rather than luxuries.
A major hurdle for African smallholder farmers has been accessing the credit needed to purchase modern inputs. Historically, banks viewed small-scale farming as a high-risk venture. However, the “digital revolution” in ag-tech is changing this perception.
Müller emphasized that anyone not currently active in Africa is missing out on the next great success story, noting that global food products—such as German chocolate—rely heavily on West African productivity. Addressing concerns that high-tech seeds and fertilizers are too expensive compared to traditional ones, he argued that the focus should be on quality rather than price.
High-quality inputs yield higher harvests, reduce waste, and improve a farmer’s creditworthiness. Consequently, digitally-supported agriculture is transforming the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
Guided by the motto “Health for All, Hunger for None,” Bayer aims to benefit 100 million smallholder farmers globally by 2030, with a specific target of reaching 21.3 million farmers in Africa.
