Landry Signé, Realizing Africa's Potential: A Journey to Prosperity

From traditional farming to cutting-edge technology, Africa’s agricultural sector is evolving. Hicham El Habti, President of Mohammed
VI Polytechnic University, will share insights on how research institutions are driving sustainable innovation, improving food security,
and bridging the gap between scientific breakthroughs and real-world farming solutions.

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Africa’s agricultural sector remains heavily dependent on raw commodity exports, with value addition accounting for just 10-15% of total exports. This limits the continent’s ability to fully benefit from global and regional markets for processed goods. Despite decades of efforts to improve subsistence farming, food systems and livelihoods have seen little transformation.

This panel will explore how demand-driven value addition, branding, and storytelling—supported by the right investments and ecosystem partnerships—can drive sector growth, enhance food security, and unlock economic potential. Panelists from across the value chain will discuss key gaps, opportunities, and actionable pathways to create and capture value in Africa’s agricultural ecosystem.

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Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries globally, and while the potential for AI to drive development in Africa has long been recognized, the question remains: is the continent poised to realize this potential? This panel brings together voices in AI innovation, investment, and governance to explore the state of AI on the continent. The discussion will examine how AI is already being applied to solve some of Africa’s unique challenges, from enhancing retail supply chains to improving healthcare delivery. Panelists will also delve into the barriers preventing broader adoption and the ethical considerations of building AI systems for low-resource settings. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of the current state of AI in Africa, the opportunities that exist, and the strategies required to bridge the gap between potential and impact

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