2020 Investor Summit: ICTs for improving investment readiness of small and medium agribusinesses

Digitization and the use of technology is critical in transforming agribusinesses into high performing and efficient enterprises. With increasing available platforms and tools, agribusinesses must engage and exploit the full benefit of digital efficiency.

This session explored the factors behind successful deployment of mobile technologies to improve agribusiness productivity and investment readiness while having a positive developmental impact at the smallholder farmer level. The discussion was framed around research conducted by CASA, which analysed over 100 mobile-based value-added services, targeted at agribusinesses, across Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. We brought together a diverse panel representing some of the most successful service providers in the field, facilitating the identification of investment opportunities both at the agribusiness and service provider levels.

The Commercial Agriculture for Smallholders and Agribusiness (CASA) programme supports the commercial and development case for investing in agribusinesses that source produce from smallholders in the global South.

This summit was designed to provide opportunities to reflect on issues affecting the viability and growth of agri-businesses. The inaugural summit focused on three research reports commissioned by the CASA programme. In addition to the researchers, the three sessions also featured agribusinesses on the virtual panels reflecting on their learning and that of  their peers. The platform for the Summit supported the AGRF Deal Room and facilitated active networking amongst participants.