Ghana Secures $100 Million AI-Driven Agriculture Investment
Ghana has taken a bold step toward modernizing its agricultural sector with a groundbreaking $100 million investment in AI-driven farming. The announcement was made by President John Dramani Mahama during the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-9) in Yokohama, Japan.
The funding, secured from Degas Limited, a Ghanaian-Japanese agri-tech startup, will be rolled out over the next four years to build an AI-powered agricultural hub in Ghana. This move signals strong international confidence in Ghana’s vision for technology-enabled farming and food security.
A $100 Million Commitment to AI-Powered Agriculture
Degas Limited, led by founder and CEO Doga Makiura, has pledged $100 million to transform Ghana’s agriculture sector. Over four years, the investment will fund:
Satellite crop monitoring
Data analytics and AI-driven tools
Precision agriculture systems
Farmer-financing programs
The goal is to enhance productivity across the farm-to-market value chain, reduce post-harvest losses, and ensure a reliable food supply for millions of Ghanaians.
Empowering Smallholder Farmers
Smallholder farmers form the backbone of Ghana’s agriculture, and Degas is already making a major impact in this space.
By late 2023, Degas had financed 46,000 farmers across 20,000 hectares of land.
President Mahama cited projections of 86,000 farmers supported on 122,000 acres under the expanded program.
Farmers under the Degas model have seen their incomes double, with an impressive 95% loan repayment rate — proof of both sustainability and success.
This massive scale-up demonstrates how AI and innovative financing can uplift rural livelihoods and make farming more profitable.
Strengthening Agricultural Value Chains
A key focus of the new investment is to strengthen agricultural value chains — from inputs to markets.
Using AI to monitor fields and predict yields, Ghana will be able to:
Optimize seed and fertilizer distribution.
Improve logistics and market access.
Reduce post-harvest losses.
These innovations build on Ghana’s digital agriculture platform (GhAAP), which already tracks 1.2 million farmers and successfully distributed $125 million in inputs to over 650,000 farmers during recent crises. With Degas’ AI-driven data systems, input delivery will become even more precise and transparent.
Driving Food Security and Youth Employment
The initiative is not just about boosting productivity — it’s also about securing Ghana’s food future and creating jobs.
Improved yields will strengthen food security, ensuring stability amid climate and economic shocks.
New AI and precision agriculture technologies will create jobs for Ghana’s youth, including roles as farm technicians, data analysts, and agri-tech innovators.
As the World Bank has noted, digital solutions in agriculture are a “game changer” for improving access and efficiency in food production.
This dual focus on feeding the nation and generating youth employment reflects Mahama’s broader #FeedGhana and #ResettingGhana agenda.
A Vote of Confidence in Ghana’s Vision
President Mahama framed the Degas partnership as a strong endorsement of Ghana’s agricultural transformation strategy. By integrating AI and satellite monitoring into farming, Ghana is positioning itself as a leader in technology-enabled agriculture in Africa.
“This investment is a strong vote of confidence in Ghana’s vision for integrated, technology-enabled agriculture,” Mahama declared.
Key Takeaways
$100 million investment from Degas Limited over four years.
Creation of an AI-powered agricultural hub in Ghana.
Support for over 86,000 farmers with advanced financing and technology.
Use of AI, satellite monitoring, and data analytics to strengthen value chains.
Boosting food security, productivity, and youth employment.
Alignment with Ghana’s national strategy to feed the nation and transform the economy.
Conclusion
The Degas investment marks a historic milestone in Ghana’s agricultural journey. By combining AI technology, precision farming, and farmer financing, Ghana is laying the foundation for a more resilient and innovative farming sector.
With strong leadership, international partnerships, and a commitment to digital transformation, Ghana is well on its way to becoming a hub for AI-driven agriculture in Africa.
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