Harnessing advanced digital technologies in food systems in the African region

Relevance . Digital technologies influence the processes of reducing production costs in food systems through the use of IoT devices, the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning, the use of blockchain technologies and smart contracts, the introduction of integrated and calendar production planning, which is actively used by modern farmers and large enterprises. The purpose is to conduct a comparative analysis of the practices of introducing digital technologies into the agro–food complexes of individual African countries. Objectives : to characterize the economic, scientific and technical potential of individual African countries contributing to the development of digitalization of agriculture; to assess the practices of introducing digital technologies into agriculture in individual African countries; to identify the problems of digitalization of agriculture and suggest directions for the development of this industry. Methodology . The research includes scientific methods of critical analysis of literature, classification, synthesis, grouping, comparison and generalization of corporate documents of industry companies, information and analytical materials of international statistical services of relevant ministries and organizations of scientific publications on the research topic.Results. The development of digital technologies in the food systems of individual African countries has been studied; the degree of implementation of several pilot digital programs in agriculture with limited data on the actual scaling of projects and the degree of government management has been revealed. Conclusions . The problems of introducing digital technologies into African agriculture are considered, such as the digital divide, lack of data privacy and security, insufficient participation of the private sector, and the need for regulatory changes. Recommendations are given on further implementation of digital technologies aimed at increasing productivity, sustainability and inclusivity of food systems.