According to Daniel Huba, Head of Markets and Partnerships Execution for Growth Segments at Mastercard, AI is helping shift African agriculture from fragmented, informal production systems to connected, data-driven value chains that create greater value for farmers and agribusinesses alike.

With the African Development Bank projecting that Africa’s food and agriculture market could be worth US$1 trillion by 2030, AI is increasingly viewed as a key enabler of the continent’s agricultural transformation.

Turning Data Into Opportunity

One of AI’s greatest strengths lies in its ability to analyse alternative sources of data that traditional financial institutions have often overlooked.

Many African smallholder farmers have historically struggled to access credit because they lack formal banking records or collateral. AI is changing that by evaluating transaction histories, production patterns and supply chain data to assess creditworthiness.

This allows financial institutions to make more informed lending decisions while expanding access to finance for farmers who have previously been excluded from formal financial systems.

“Farmers are entrepreneurs in their own right, and economies grow when small businesses do,” Huba explained.

Digital Identity Unlocks Financial Inclusion

Mastercard’s Community Pass platform is designed to provide digital identities for rural communities, enabling farmers to build verified digital profiles linked to payment credentials and transaction histories.

Once registered, every interaction—from purchasing inputs and receiving payments to delivering produce—creates a digital record that strengthens a farmer’s financial profile.

This growing digital footprint makes it easier for farmers to access loans, insurance products and other financial services that were previously beyond reach.

The platform has already connected millions of farmers across Africa while functioning effectively even in low-connectivity environments using basic mobile devices.

Infrastructure Remains The Biggest Challenge

Despite AI’s enormous potential, widespread adoption across Africa continues to face significant infrastructure barriers.

According to recent industry data:

• Approximately 63% of Africans remain without internet access.
• More than 300 million adults in sub-Saharan Africa still lack formal financial accounts.
• Over 540 million Africans do not possess official identification.
• Nearly 600 million people across sub-Saharan Africa continue to live without reliable electricity.

These limitations restrict farmers’ ability to access digital advisory services, financial platforms and AI-powered agricultural solutions.

Huba argues that these challenges should accelerate investment in digital infrastructure rather than slow technological adoption.

Technology Alone Is Not Enough

Mastercard has found that successful adoption depends less on sophisticated technology and more on trust, relevance and practical value for farmers.

Solutions gain traction when they address immediate challenges such as:

• Access to affordable credit.
• Reliable input supplies.
• Guaranteed produce markets.
• Faster and more secure payments.

Huba noted that farmers are far more likely to adopt digital platforms when they are introduced through trusted organisations such as cooperatives, agribusinesses, financial institutions and buyers rather than as standalone applications.

Integrated services that combine financing, agricultural inputs and market access have consistently delivered higher adoption rates than individual digital tools.

Building Smarter Agricultural Value Chains

Beyond individual farmers, AI is helping connect every participant within agricultural value chains.

By creating shared digital records, buyers, financial institutions, insurers and governments can access trusted information that improves transparency, reduces transaction costs and strengthens market efficiency.

This shift enables better coordination throughout the agricultural ecosystem while supporting more informed decision-making across production, financing and marketing activities.

Collaboration Will Drive Future Growth

According to Huba, scaling intelligent agricultural systems across Africa will require close collaboration between governments, financial institutions, technology companies and development partners.

Governments have an important role to play by investing in digital infrastructure, expanding connectivity and establishing standards for digital identity, payment systems and data sharing.

Meanwhile, private sector investment must focus on building commercially sustainable solutions capable of serving rural communities at scale.

One example is the Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance: Africa, co-chaired by Mastercard and the African Development Bank, which aims to bring 15 million people into the digital economy through Community Pass.

Unlocking Africa’s Agricultural Potential

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, its greatest impact may come from making African farmers more visible within formal economies.

By combining digital identities, financial inclusion, AI-driven analytics and connected value chains, Africa has an opportunity to build more productive, resilient and sustainable agricultural systems capable of meeting growing food demand while improving rural livelihoods.

If supported by continued investment in infrastructure and digital ecosystems, AI could become one of the most powerful drivers of agricultural transformation across the continent over the coming decade.