Addis ababa: The State Minister of Planning and Development, Seyoum Mekonnen, emphasized the need for a paradigm shift in nourishing African nations by integrating biological and digital technologies, addressing the paradox of Africa being a net food importer despite possessing over 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, a Pan-African conference on the Future of Biodigital Technologies in Food and Agriculture was held in Addis Ababa, organized by the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA). In his opening remarks, Seyoum Mekonnen highlighted the imperative transformation required in Africa’s food system, asserting that food sovereignty and agroecology are attainable goals for all Africans.
The conference follows notable events such as the UN Climate Week and the Second Africa Climate Summit, which also took place in Addis Ababa earlier in September, emphasizing digitalization’s critical role in enhancing climate resilience and promoting a sustainable, low-emi
ssion future.
Seyoum reiterated the significant potential of digital technology in addressing Africa’s food security challenges, describing it as a necessary catalyst for change. He mentioned that Ethiopia is actively participating in the global climate and digital revolution, as evidenced by its involvement in the Addis Ababa Declaration from the recent African Climate Summit, which promotes homegrown solutions.
Ethiopia’s proactive approach is further reflected in its Enhanced Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0, targeting a 70.3% emission reduction by 2035. The Digital Ethiopia 2025 strategy and the rollout of the Fayda Digital ID are pivotal components of this commitment, aiming to ensure effective distribution of climate funds and bolster transparency by enhancing KYC compliance and minimizing fraud.
Seyoum called for collaborative efforts to leverage digital technology, urging immediate action to re-imagine and transform Africa’s food systems.