African nations should launch an aggressive drive to harness the power of technology, particularly data-driven agriculture, to address food security across the continent, Mr Kunle Awosika, Microsoft Managing Director, Africa Transformation Office (ATO) says. 

It is achievable to end hunger in Africa by 2030 if the continent takes a united approach to agriculture and embraces technology, particularly data-driven-agriculture, Awosika says in a LinkedIn post.

“While this goal may seem impossible,” Awosika says, “it is achievable if we embark on an aggressive drive to harness the power of technology in farming. Data-driven agriculture and the farmer’s knowledge and intuition about their farms can help increase farm productivity and help post-harvest losses. There’s a need for a united approach from both the public and private sectors across the continent to allow farmers access data through the provision of power in the fields and internet and information access in the farms.”

Africa suffers from high food insecurity, with over one-third of the 828 million hungry people in the world being on the continent. This, coupled with the adverse effects of climate change and other crises worldwide, makes the situation ever direr, Awosika says, but believes that data-driven agriculture and the farmer’s knowledge and intuition about their farms can help increase farm productivity and reduce post-harvest losses.

“According to data from the United Nations,” the Africa suffers from high food insecurity, with over one-third of the 828 million hungry people in the world being on the continent. The continent’s population is growing, leading to stretched resources. This, coupled with the adverse effects of climate change and other crises worldwide, makes the situation ever direr.”

Awosika says that Africa’s 65% arable land currently unused makes it possible to feed not only the continent but also the world. Achieving this goal would require aggressive and united efforts from the public and private sectors in Africa to develop and deploy technology solutions to farming.

Microsoft, through its strategic partnership with MTN, has already begun deploying the latest technologies to benefit MTN’s customers in South Africa and Nigeria. Awosika believes that technology can also play a significant role in agriculture across the continent.

With only seven years left to achieve the SDG goal of ending hunger and ensuring access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food for all, Awosika underscores the need for a single-minded approach to agriculture in Africa. 

“Nothing is insurmountable or impossible when there is a single-minded approach. Africa’s single-mindedness in Agriculture makes it the continent to feed our continent and feed the world,” he says.

Awosika, a Microsoft veteran and Africa expert, who assumed the position of Managing Director for the Africa Transformation Office with over 22 years’ experience working in multiple countries across the continent has a deep understanding of, and passion for Africa. 

Awosika was one of the three pioneer team members when Microsoft opened its Nigeria office, and has played various roles in the company, including Director of Enterprise Business, Country Manager: Microsoft Kenya and Director: Small and Medium Corporates, Emerging Markets. In these roles, he has had the opportunity to introduce transformational technology opportunities to a wide range of organisations in both the public and private sectors, enabling them to unlock significant value, Microsoft had announced following his appointment.

“I am passionate about the incredible potential Africa has to become a truly connected continent that exports digital goods and services to the rest of the world. I am delighted to have the opportunity to meaningfully impact this growth and help unlock the continent’s full digital potential,” Awosika says.

Launched in 2021, the ATO is focused on enabling growth and fuelling investment in four essential development areas – digital infrastructure, skilling, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and startups. Understanding that these ambitious goals cannot be achieved alone, strategic partnerships with governments, international organisations, multinationals, and African enterprises will accelerate investments in Africa and increase the continent’s export of digital services.

Since its inception, Microsoft says, the ATO has spearheaded initiatives and strategic partnerships across Africa to build digital infrastructure, enable small and medium enterprises with digital capabilities, support innovative startups and skill the current and future workforce.

“I look forward to playing a role in unlocking Africa’s potential as the ATO develops and steers strategic partnerships with governments, international organisations and partners to accelerate digital transformation agendas and fuel a knowledge-based economy,” Awosika says.