OpenAgriNet Digital Network Initiative Launched to Modernize Agricultural Data Systems

Addis Ababa, February 3, 2026 (ENA)—The Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI) has launched Ethiopia OpenAgriNet (Ethiopia OAN), a national digital initiative designed to establish an interoperable digital public infrastructure that enables secure and consent-based sharing of agricultural data.

Officials speaking at the launch said that achieving interoperability and unlocking the full value of agricultural data will require strong collaboration among all stakeholders across the digital ecosystem.

Ethiopia OpenAgriNet is expected to play a central role in modernizing the country’s agricultural sector.

Ethiopia OpenAgriNet represents a strategic step forward in strengthening agricultural data systems and improving the livelihoods of millions of farmers across the country.

The platform is designed to bring together farmers, extension services, markets, climate intelligence, financial services, and government programs into a single, open, interoperable, and trusted digital network.

Speaking at the event, Dawit Philipos, Chief Operating Officer of the Agricultural Transformation Institute, said that in agriculture, data has the power to transform productivity, resilience, and livelihoods.

 However, he noted that agricultural data in Ethiopia continues to face significant challenges.

According to Dawit, data gaps and shortages persist, while existing information is fragmented across government institutions, the private sector, and development partners.

Much of this data is stored in siloed systems, limiting the ability to develop a comprehensive view of the sector.

He also cited limited mechanisms for data verification and validation as a key constraint.

He emphasized that Ethiopia OpenAgriNet is designed to address these challenges by integrating fragmented data systems into a unified and interoperable digital framework, enabling more effective and efficient use of agricultural data across the sector.

As part of the Digital Ethiopia 2030 strategy, Dawit added that OpenAgriNet will integrate with national digital systems such as Fayda, the country’s digital identification platform, and align closely with the government’s Digital Agriculture Roadmap.

ATI Director for Technology and Digital Innovations, Girum Ketema, said the initiative is focused on making technology—particularly artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure—work for smallholder farmers, rather than expecting farmers to adapt to complex digital systems.

By combining farmer-controlled data rights with a simple, voice-based interface, he explained, the platform will deliver AI-enabled advisory services, financial solutions, and market linkages to communities that have historically been excluded from the digital economy.

For his part, Protean eGov Technologies Ltd Chief Business Officer, Ashish Chatterjee, said the company brings more than three decades of experience in designing and operating India’s Digital Public Infrastructure, including systems for taxation, foundational identity, eKYC, eSign, open digital ecosystems, and e-commerce, along with deep expertise in deploying artificial intelligence at population scale.