As Artificial Intelligence (AI) investments continue to surge across Africa, Japanese fintech firm Degas Limited is the latest to infuse $100m over the next four years to establish Ghana as Africa’s first AI-powered agriculture hub, expanding a model that has already financed over 86,000 smallholder farmers.
“Our $100 million commitment will scale AI-driven satellite monitoring and precision agriculture techniques so farmers can boost yields, reduce risk, and access fairly priced finance. Ghana has shown that when technology meets a clear national vision, smallholder farmers can thrive,” said Doga Makiura, CEO and founder of Degas Limited, at a meeting with President John Dramani Mahama on the sidelines of the Ghana Presidential Investment Forum.
Degas’ platform combines AI-driven satellite monitoring and agriculture techniques. The results, according to Makiura, are drawing strong interest from Japanese investors.
“Many Japanese partners now consider Ghana’s integrated approach the gold standard for agricultural investment in Africa,” he said. President Mahama’s focus on value-chain integration aligns closely with Japan’s search for credible, scalable partnerships.”
President Mahama, responded: “We’ve already seen incomes double with a 95% repayment rate from the farmers. This investment reinforces our commitment to integrated agricultural value chains that connect farmers to markets, finance, storage, and processing.”
He continued: By leveraging AI and precision technologies, we will improve productivity, enhance food security, and create dignified jobs for youth across rural communities.”
The new capital injection will significantly scale up AI technologies, including satellite monitoring and precision farming techniques, enabling better yield forecasts, optimized inputs, and reduced production risk—all while broadening access to affordable credit.
President Mahama described the commitment as a “strong vote of confidence in Ghana’s vision for integrated, technology‑enabled agriculture.”
He emphasized that the initiative aligns with government strategies to bolster food security, modernize value chains, and create dignified employment opportunities, particularly for the nation’s youth.
Highlighting the model’s international traction, Makiura noted that Japanese investors now regard Ghana’s integrated agricultural approach as a gold standard for the region, reflecting growing confidence in its scalability and credibility.
Under the four‑year plan, Degas will expand its services—including farmer financing schemes, agronomic training, satellite‑based crop surveillance, and partnerships in logistics, input delivery, and market linkages—to reinforce the entire agricultural value chain.
Experts view this collaboration as a potential template for the future of African agriculture—merging data‑driven innovation with traditional farming to tackle challenges like climate variability, supply chain inefficiencies, and rural unemployment.
