Panelists Emphasize for Leveraging AI for Resilient Agriculture, Energy in Africa

Addis Ababa, September 9, 2025 (ENA) -- The panelists at the second Africa Climate Summit being held in Addis Ababa underscored the critical need to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) for enhancing resilience in agriculture and energy sectors in Africa.

They highlighted the importance of collaboration among regional leaders, financial institutions, and researchers to develop innovative financing mechanisms and effective data governance strategies deemed crucial for harnessing AI's potential to Africa's agriculture and energy sectors.

African Center of Meteorological Application for Development (ACMAD) Director General, Ousmane Ndiaye said that AI can significantly improve people's understanding of climate patterns and forecasting capabilities.

He pointed out that traditional observation methods can be augmented by AI to predict outcomes based on historical data.

However, he highlighted that high-quality data is essential for effective AI modeling, reinforcing the adage "garbage in, garbage out."

The discussion also addressed the importance of technological access and modern computing resources, which are vital for AI training and application.

The panelists called for greater collaboration among African nations to share data and best practices, avoiding duplication of efforts.

Valuable lessons could be learned from successful models implemented in Europe and North America, advocating for collective action within the African community to optimize AI's potential in climate science, the panelists noted.

International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Regional Director for Africa, Emmanuel Manasseh on his part articulated the pressing need for effective leadership and governance as Africa prepares for urbanization, where the projected population of urban areas account 70 percent by 2050.

Smart cities must integrate various services, including utilities like electricity and clean water, to ensure effective urban planning, he stressed.

The director general also explored the potential of AI in optimizing energy usage from production to distribution, highlighting renewable energy techniques, recalling experiences from 2013 on Zero Net Energy Buildings.

Manasseh envisioned a future where homes could generate electricity during sunny days, allowing owners to sell excess power back to the grid while drawing from it at night, potentially resulting in zero net payment due to energy production.

As demand for energy continues to rise, particularly with the growing energy consumption associated with AI, he reiterated the necessity of incorporating renewable energy and green technologies, alongside effective policies and governance, to meet the growing demand.

Namukolo COVIC, ILRI Director General Representative to Ethiopia, emphasized AI's ability to accelerate learning; pointing out the critical issue of data governance, which raises concerns about data usage and potential misuse.

Establishing clear guidelines for shared data is essential to build trust and maximize AI's effectiveness, she noted.

She identified financing as a significant challenge, urging policymakers to prioritize investment in AI initiatives tailored to agriculture, calling for multilateral organizations to contribute to funding research and AI projects, citing the emergence of innovative solutions, such as a virtual agronomist platform that enables farmers to seek timely advice.