Africa’s agricultural sector has long been recognised as the backbone of the continent’s economy, yet it remains one of the most underfunded industries despite employing more than half of Africa’s workforce and contributing around 17% to the continent’s gross domestic product (GDP).

According to the World Bank, only about one percent of bank lending across Africa is directed towards agriculture, leaving farmers and agribusinesses with a significant financing gap that limits productivity, innovation and long-term growth.

Desmond Koney, Chief Executive Officer of Complete Farmer, believes the key to unlocking greater investment lies in improving the quality and availability of agricultural data. He argues that financial institutions often hesitate to finance farming operations because they lack reliable information on farm performance, production history, yields, input use and repayment records.

Without credible data, many lenders rely on collateral-based lending models that exclude smallholder farmers and many agricultural enterprises. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) estimates that African small and medium-sized enterprises face a financing shortfall of approximately US$117 billion, with agriculture accounting for a significant portion of that gap.

Digital technology is beginning to change this landscape by making agriculture more transparent, measurable and investable. Complete Farmer’s CF Grower platform captures real-time information throughout the farming cycle, including input distribution, planting activities, crop monitoring, agronomic support and harvest performance. The platform creates verified digital records that help lenders better assess farming operations and reduce investment risks.

Access to structured farm data allows banks and investors to make more informed lending decisions, improve credit assessments and lower financing costs for producers. It also enables farmers to build financial records that can support future access to capital.

Beyond traditional financial institutions, digital platforms are opening new opportunities for private investment in agriculture. Impact investors, family offices, diaspora investors and retail investors increasingly seek investment opportunities that combine financial returns with measurable social and environmental impact. Reliable agricultural data provides these investors with greater confidence by improving traceability, transparency and accountability throughout the production process.

Complete Farmer is also working with the International Finance Corporation through the Africa Agriculture Accelerator Programme to strengthen investment readiness across agricultural businesses. By combining digital infrastructure, market access and farmer data, the initiative aims to create stronger connections between producers and capital providers.

The use of digital technology also changes the role of farmers within the agricultural value chain. In addition to producing food, farmers generate valuable production data that can improve forecasting, strengthen risk models and support more efficient financing decisions.

Improved access to agricultural finance has far-reaching economic benefits beyond individual farming businesses. Increased investment can boost productivity, strengthen food security, create rural employment opportunities and improve resilience against climate change and market volatility. According to the World Bank, agricultural development is among the most effective ways of reducing poverty, generating significantly higher income growth for low-income populations than many other sectors.

Complete Farmer has adopted an integrated financing model that supports farmers throughout the production cycle. Working alongside financing institutions, insurers and input suppliers, the company coordinates access to finance, distributes agricultural inputs, provides technical support, aggregates harvests and facilitates repayment through structured crop sales. This approach helps reduce production, operational and financial risks while improving confidence among investors and financial institutions.

As digital agriculture continues to expand across Africa, technology-driven platforms are laying the foundation for a more inclusive and scalable agricultural finance system. By combining reliable data with innovative financing models, the sector is becoming increasingly attractive to both institutional and private investors seeking to support sustainable agricultural growth across the continent.