Investors, lenders and technology providers will meet in Nairobi to explore how digital agriculture services can sustain support for smallholder farmers.
The AgriFin Learning Event will examine how digital farming services can survive beyond donor funding. The 10th edition takes place on October 27 at Nairobi’s Argyle Grand Hotel, bringing together investors, lenders and technology providers.
Prosper Global AgriFin, formerly Mercy Corps AgriFin, is organising the meeting as its AgriFin Digital Farmer II programme concludes its Gates Foundation funding phase. The discussions will therefore address how development-backed services can continue operating on commercially viable terms.
The event announcement says the programme registered 7.6 million farmers, surpassing its target of five million. Participants will consider how to sustain those gains while keeping essential services accessible to smallholder farmers.
AgriFin Learning Event puts investment in focus
The gathering will explore connected, scalable and inclusive digital agriculture, with evidence guiding discussions on financing and farmer demand. Governments and development partners will also join financial institutions and technology companies.
To inform those discussions, participants will draw on an analysis of US$4.39 billion in agricultural technology funding. It covers 17 emerging markets from 2023 through the third quarter of 2025.
AgriFin commissioned the report through its AgBase programme, while Briter and ISF Advisors developed it. The research examines more than 900 deals involving 700 funded companies and 900 funders.
The findings indicate an investment recovery following the downturn after 2022. However, they also highlight differences in funding conditions and business viability across markets.
Organisers say development funding can demonstrate impact and lower investment barriers, while private capital can support commercially credible businesses. Discussions will therefore examine which models offer sustainable returns and what financing companies need at different growth stages.
Connecting services around farmers’ needs
Beyond financing, the meeting will explore how digital platforms can connect services that smallholder farmers need. These include agricultural credit, quality inputs, market access, farm advice, weather information and insurance.
Disconnected systems can make it harder for farmers to access information and support for production and financial decisions. Organisers say closer collaboration could help providers build more integrated services around farmers’ needs.
Weather and climate information will also feature, as farmers face increasingly uncertain growing conditions. Participants will consider how providers can maintain these services over time.
Practical sessions and lessons from partnerships
The programme includes masterclasses on trusted data systems for agricultural finance, sustainable agricultural payment services, and digital safety and security. Organisers also plan an artificial intelligence showcase, a farmers’ experience centre and a marketplace exhibition with more than 15 exhibitors.
Prosper Global AgriFin says it has supported access to digital financial and agricultural services across Africa and Asia since 2012. Its work involves financial institutions, agricultural technology companies, digital platforms and governments.
Since 2019, the organisation says it has worked with nearly 200 partners on services including financial products and agricultural advice. The Nairobi meeting will draw lessons from these initiatives to explore commercially viable ways to improve farmers’ productivity, incomes and resilience.
