Addis Ababa, October 2, 2025 (ENA) -- Hakim Baliraine, the head of the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA), emphasizes that Africa urgently needs to achieve food sovereignty that honors its diverse cultural and ecological backgrounds.
Speaking at theThe inaugural Pan-African Meeting on the Future of Biodigital Technologies in Food and Agriculture, which commenced in Addis Ababa today,The chair of AFSA, Hakim Baliraine, stated that the AFSA initiative is focused on supporting African communities and advancing agricultural methods that are sustainable, fair, and inclusive.
It comprises small-scale farmers, herders, fishers, native communities, religious groups, women and young people's networks, advocates, civil society organizations, and end-users.
Therefore, the event goes beyond a simple gathering. It is a shared act of defiance and creativity in response to technologies that have been created separate from local food systems, Baliraine said.
He claims that digital tools, artificial intelligence, and emerging bio-digital technologies, typically seen as effective, may endanger traditional knowledge and cultural variety by aligning with corporate goals.
HHowever, the Chair emphasized that Africa must guarantee its food sovereignty, which incorporates its diverse cultural and ecological traditions, rather than becoming a testing site for digitalization.
He also warned about the possible decline of independent thinking caused by depending on AI, encouraging attendees to reflect on technology's impact in supporting rather than harming the food systems within African communities.
Baliraine urged participants to exchange their stories and strengthen unity throughout Africa, aiming to develop a shared African viewpoint, experiment with fresh approaches, and create accounts that honor the knowledge and endurance of local food systems across the continent.
From his side, Seyoum Mekonnen, the State Minister for Planning and Development, emphasized the critical importance of a major shift in Africa's agricultural system.
Although Africa possesses more than 60 percent of the planet's unused farmland, it continues to be a major importer of food, highlighting that the merging of biological and digital fields signifies a major transformation in feeding African countries.
The State Minister highlighted that food sovereignty and agroecology are not just aspirations but practical possibilities for all Africans, emphasizing that digital technology can facilitate the required change.
Seyoum mentioned that Ethiopia is not merely an observer in the worldwide climate and digital transformation but is actively influencing it.
The State Minister mentioned the Addis Ababa Declaration from the latest African Climate Summit, which promotes locally developed solutions. In reaction, Ethiopia initiated the Africa Climate Innovation Compact to expand technologies that align with this goal.
He also highlighted the introduction of the Fayda Digital ID in Ethiopia, a significant move toward transparency, ensuring that climate funds properly reach smallholder farmers and women-run businesses by improving Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures and reducing fraudulent activities.
Seyoum ultimately urged for joint initiatives to leverage digital technology, emphasizing that the moment for action has arrived to rethink and reshape Africa's agricultural systems.
Organizer of the three-day gathering, tThe Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) is a wide-ranging coalition of various civil society groups involved in the fight for food sovereignty and agroecology across the continent. They include farmers’ organizations, non-governmental organization networks, specialized African NGOs, consumer groups, internationalorganizations, and individuals.
Its members include smallholder farmers, herders, fishermen, hunter-gatherers, native communities, religious organizations, and eco-advocates from throughout Africa.AFSAis a collection of interconnected networks, now including 48 member networks operating across 50 African nations.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
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