Data takes centre stage at ALE 2025 as stakeholders chart path for resilient agri-food systems

The 9th Annual Learning Event (ALE 2025), hosted by Mercy Corps AgriFin in partnership with Briter, concluded on Tuesday in Nairobi bringing together more than 300 participants from over 20 countries.

The one-day forum convened investors, innovators, policymakers, development partners, and agri-food entrepreneurs to explore how Africa and Asia’s food systems can become more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable through smarter, data-driven investment.

Held under the theme “Data-Driven Innovations and Investments: Harnessing Intelligence to Build Sustainable, Investable Agri-Food Systems”, the event also featured the pre-launch of key findings from the AgTech Investment and Innovation in Emerging Markets Report (H1 2025), powered by the AgBase platform.

Melaku Yirga, Mercy Corps Vice President for Africa, emphasized the organization’s long-term focus on transforming food systems:

“We’re working to meet urgent food needs while building systems that are resilient and inclusive. The goal is to prevent crises, mitigate climate shocks, and ensure food systems work better for everyone—from producers to consumers.”

Discussions at ALE 2025 centred on investment trends, technology adoption, and inclusive models reshaping the agri-food sector. Breakout sessions such as Bridging the Investment Gap, Harnessing Emerging Technologies to Unlock Opportunities, and Strengthening Ecosystems and Partnerships for Resilient Agri-SMEs explored practical steps for scaling innovation and investment.

According to Sieka Gatabaki, Program Director at Mercy Corps AgriFin, data is increasingly central to directing meaningful investments in agriculture.

“In 2023, USD 1.56 billion was invested in AgTech across Africa, with 60 percent going into agriculture. But unless guided by localized intelligence, these funds risk missing the mark. ALE 2025 is about ensuring that every investment has measurable impact for smallholder farmers and their ecosystems.”

Data presented from AgBase highlighted emerging innovation clusters in precision agriculture, AI-driven farm management, and climate-smart technologies—areas expected to influence cross-border investment and policy priorities in 2026.

Dario Giuliani, Founder and Managing Director of Briter, noted that access to reliable, comparable investment data is key to unlocking the continent’s agricultural potential:

“AgBase is helping close one of the biggest information gaps in Africa’s agri-food economy. By mapping where innovation and capital are flowing, we’re enabling investors, governments, and entrepreneurs to make faster, smarter decisions.”

The event also featured an innovation marketplace and the announcement of new investment commitments expected to shape upcoming funding pipelines and policy conversations.

Looking ahead, AgriFin and Briter plan to expand AgBase to provide deeper, real-time investment intelligence supporting more coordinated and data-informed growth of Africa’s food systems.

“With the right mix of capital, technology, and inclusive policy, Africa’s agri-food sector can move from potential to performance,” Gatabaki added.