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  • Kenya to adopt measures to address high cost of animal feed

    Kenya to adopt measures to address high cost of animal feed

    The government is planning to roll out a Ksh 465 billion National Feed Strategy aimed at reducing the high cost of animal feed.

    The strategy is also baked to help in the lowering livestock production expenses and boosting Kenya’s food security and competitiveness in regional markets.

    Speaking during the opening of the African Feed Conference and Exhibition (AFEC) 2026 today in Nairobi, Head of the Animal Feed and Nutrition Section at the State Department for Livestock Development, Newton Kariuki, said animal feed accounts for up to 80pc of livestock production costs, making affordable, quality feed critical to increasing the production of milk, meat and eggs.

    Kariuki said the government is working with the Association of Kenya Feed Manufacturers (AKEFEMA) and other stakeholders to address persistent challenges facing the feed industry.

    He said the 10-year strategy seeks to expand feed and fodder production, strengthen local feed manufacturing and improve livestock productivity, complementing the Livestock Master Plan, which is guiding livestock investments based on agroecological zones.

    Kariuki noted that Kenya faces a 60 per cent deficit in animal feed raw materials, forcing manufacturers to rely on costly imports that are vulnerable to tariffs and global supply chain disruptions.

    To reduce dependence on imports, the strategy promotes increased local production of key feed ingredients through contract farming while encouraging manufacturers to utilise East African Community duty remission incentives to lower the cost of imported raw materials.

    The government is also establishing a Strategic National Feed Reserve to store hay, silage and fodder during surplus seasons for use during droughts.

    In addition, the One Ward, One Fodder Initiative targets the production of 300,000 metric tonnes of dry matter annually by 2028 across the country’s 1,450 wards.

    Kariuki called for science-based discussions on genetically modified feed ingredients, saying biotechnology could help reduce production costs and improve feed availability while maintaining biosafety standards.

    He also raised concern over adulterated and poorly labelled animal feeds, urging stricter enforcement of quality standards and greater investment in precision feed formulation, digital feed quality monitoring, climate-smart forage production and alternative protein sources such as black soldier fly larvae.

    “Farmers deserve quality feed because consumers deserve safe animal products. What animals consume ultimately finds its way to our tables,” he said.

    Kariuki urged county governments to prioritise feed and fodder production in their development plans, adding that quality feed remains the foundation of a productive livestock sector.

    He attributed the country’s growth in milk production to supportive government policies, commercial investment in the dairy industry, improved breeding programmes, artificial insemination services, subsidised fertiliser that has boosted fodder production and rising demand for dairy products.

    Meanwhile, AKEFEMA Chairman Joseph Karuri said expanding local production of feed ingredients is the most sustainable solution to lowering feed costs.

    He noted that the livestock sector contributes about three per cent of Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product and 40 per cent of agricultural GDP, while supporting millions of livelihoods.

    “Kenya currently produces about 2.5 million metric tonnes of compounded animal feed annually, with poultry accounting for 60 per cent of commercial feed consumption and dairy 29pc,”he added.

    Karuri said more than 80 per cent of critical feed ingredients, including soybeans, sunflower meal and cottonseed meal, are imported, exposing manufacturers to volatile international markets.

    He welcomed the government’s Duty Remission Scheme, which allows eligible manufacturers to import feed ingredients duty-free, but stressed that expanding local production of yellow maize, soybeans, sunflower and canola through contract farming would provide a lasting solution.

    “If we produce these raw materials locally, feed prices will reduce significantly because raw materials account for between 70 and 80 per cent of production costs,” he said.

    Karuri added that poor animal nutrition remains a major constraint to livestock productivity despite the availability of improved breeds and encouraged farmers to improve forage, hay and silage quality while embracing precision nutrition, automation, biotechnology and climate-smart feeding systems.

    House Farm Chief Executive Officer John Muhia said technological innovations are helping manufacturers detect aflatoxins and other mycotoxins before feed reaches the market, improving feed safety and protecting livestock health.

    He urged manufacturers to test both raw materials and finished products before releasing feeds for sale to ensure farmers receive safe, quality products.

    The African Feed Conference and Exhibition has brought together policymakers, researchers, feed manufacturers and development partners to discuss innovations, investment and policy reforms aimed at strengthening Africa’s livestock sector.

  • Government unveils plans to tackle youth unemployment, skills mismatch

    Government unveils plans to tackle youth unemployment, skills mismatch

    The Government has unveiled three policy frameworks aimed at addressing youth unemployment and bridging the skills gap as part of efforts to prepare Kenyans for an evolving labour market.

    Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua launched the National Strategy on Green Skills and Jobs in Kenya, the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Policy, and the National Strategy for the Transformation of the Informal Economy during the opening of the fourth edition of the Skill Up Africa Summit at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) as Kenya marked World Youth Skills Day.

    The two-day summit, organised by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders, was held under the theme “Future Skills, Innovation and Opportunity for Kenya’s Youth.”

    Mutua said the new frameworks will support the development of a skilled workforce by promoting green jobs, expanding digital employment opportunities and improving livelihoods in the informal sector.

    He noted that the changing nature of work requires young people to embrace continuous learning and adapt to emerging technologies.

    “The competition today is not about knowledge or information. It is about how you are able to sift through all the information available and use it to enhance yourself,” he said.

    The Cabinet Secretary said the government is strengthening industrial attachments, internships and labour mobility programmes to increase access to employment and ensure graduates acquire practical workplace experience.

    Defending the labour mobility programme, Mutua said overseas employment offers young people an opportunity to gain international exposure and skills that can contribute to national development.

    “Jobs are not just created. Industries have to grow and absorb people. In the meantime, we bridge that gap by sending people overseas to work. They gain skills and come back to help develop our nation,” he said.

    He urged employers to expand internship and apprenticeship opportunities, saying collaboration between government and the private sector is critical to creating jobs and addressing skills mismatch.

    Mutua challenged young people to invest in their personal growth through discipline, innovation and lifelong learning.

    “Nobody owes you anything. The race is yours to run. It doesn’t matter who your father or mother is or where you come from; you can make it if you work hard and build your skills,” he said.

    United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kenya Dr. Garry Conille called for stronger partnerships between governments, employers and development agencies to ensure skills training leads to decent work. He also advocated recognition of competencies gained outside formal education to improve opportunities for workers in the informal economy.

    Principal Secretary for Labour and Skills Development Shadrack Mwadime said the government is working with industry to align training with labour market needs.

    He added that plans are underway to establish incubation hubs in learning institutions to help young innovators refine business ideas before joining the job market.

    The summit brought together policymakers, employers, educators, development partners and young innovators to explore solutions that will enhance employability, entrepreneurship and workforce competitiveness.

  • China develops zero-emission drone for high-altitude environmental research

    China develops zero-emission drone for high-altitude environmental research

    Chinese researchers have unveiled a new all-electric hybrid drone capable of flying at altitudes exceeding 8,800 metres. This was reported by Science and Technology Daily, a partner of TV BRICS.

    This achievement opens up new possibilities for scientific research under extreme conditions known by experts as the “impossible triangle”: extremely low air pressure, extreme temperatures and intense turbulence.

    This breakthrough is attributable to the drone’s unique design. Unlike traditional multi-rotor systems, which disturb airflow, and petrol engines, which emit exhaust fumes that interfere with measurements, this new drone utilises a zero-emission electric hybrid power system. Its fixed-wing cruise flight minimises air disturbance, while a sampling port at the nose allows samples to be collected from undisturbed natural air currents.

    The device has already been put to practical use during an expedition to high-altitude regions. Previously, researchers had only been able to measure end-point results. On this occasion, within 20 minutes, scientists were able to capture the entire process of glacial winds – from their initiation to their propagation – and also identified the areas affected by these winds. The drone collected data on the vertical distribution of pollutants and the impact of glacial winds on the structure of the atmospheric boundary layer.

    As pointed out by Ye Chunxiang, a PhD supervisor at Peking University’s School of Environmental Science and Engineering, the drone effectively “transports” a ground-based laboratory to high altitudes, opening up a new paradigm for three-dimensional atmospheric monitoring.

    The achievement resolves the long-standing challenge of obtaining samples at altitudes above 8,000 metres, a feat that had previously proved difficult for weather balloons, manned aircraft and conventional drones. The new technology will facilitate systematic research into high-altitude ecosystems and improve climate models for one of the most remote regions on Earth.

    Courtesy/Science and Technology Daily & TV BRICS

  • Viwandani MCA, two others deny robbery charges

    Viwandani MCA, two others deny robbery charges

    Viwandani Ward MCA Aaron Kang’ara Wangare, his personal assistant Kepha Muiyoro Wanjiru and Nairobi County official Zablon Kirima Mwangi have all denied robbery with violence charges after being arraigned at Makadara Law Courts.

    The prosecution alleges that the trio robbed three people of cash and other valuables during an incident in Donholm on June 26 this year.

    Police investigations into the incident led to the arrest of the suspects before the case was submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), which approved the charges.

    The case has attracted attention because it involves an elected MCA, his personal assistant, and a county official.

    After taking plea, the court released each of the accused persons on a bond of Ksh1M or an alternative cash bail of KSh500,000.

    The case will proceed to hearing with the prosecution expected to table evidence in support of the robbery with violence charges.

  • Mudavadi lauds the partnership between Kenya and France in advancing Youth Agenda

    Mudavadi lauds the partnership between Kenya and France in advancing Youth Agenda

    The partnership between Kenya and France in advancing youth agenda in the country will provide empowerment opportunities that will create jobs, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has said

    Mudavadi said there is renewed expression in empowering young people with education, innovation, opportunity and the freedom to transform ideas into solutions that improve lives.

    The Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary was speaking at the University of Nairobi when he graced the 146th anniversary of the French National Day (Bastille Day), an occasion that also highlighted the growing partnership between France, academia and Kenya’s innovation ecosystem.

    “With nearly 80 per cent of our population aged 35 and below, Kenya’s greatest asset is the talent, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of its people. Our responsibility is to create an enabling environment that empowers them to innovate, seize opportunities and realise their full potential.” noted Mudavadi.

    Mudavadi said Kenya’s young population remain at the heart of the Government’s forward-looking agenda of socio-economic transformation.

    He commended the collaboration that is advancing African languages including Kiswahili, through artificial intelligence research, demonstrating that innovation can both preserve our heritage and expand our future opportunities.

    Reflecting on the Africa Forward Summit, which Kenya and France successfully co-hosted in Nairobi in May this year, Mudavadi reaffirmed Kenya’s shared belief that Africa’s future lies in innovation, industrialisation and investment.

    He noted that a significant highlight during the summit was the youth event that shaped discussions around innovation, technology, digitalization, creative economy and employment.

    “It is therefore encouraging that Kenya and France have built a partnership that invests in human capital, including scientific research, technical and vocational training, entrepreneurship and cultural exchange. We are equipping young people with the requisite knowledge and skills to thrive in a technology-driven global economy.” he said.

    The Prime CS pointed out at Presidents William Ruto and Emmanuel Macron’s commitment to finalize the design contract and implementation arrangements for the Engineering and Science Complex at the University of Nairobi.

    Funded by the French Development Agency and both governments, the project will elevate the University as a leading hub for research and innovation in Africa.

    “To the young the opportunities before you extend far beyond national borders. Your ideas, your knowledge and your enterprises have the potential to solve challenges not only for Kenya, but for Africa and the world.” Mudavadi said in his remarks.

    He lauded French Ambassador to Kenya Arnaud Suquet for his focused contribution to deepening Kenya-France cooperation. He said his people-centred leadership and strong engagement with young people have diversified our areas of partnership to include innovation, education, and people-to-people exchanges.

    “My brother Amb. Suquet, even as your tenure comes to an end your legacy will continue to inspire future collaboration between our countries.” Mudavadi noted.

    “Kenya values its enduring friendship with France and remains committed to deepening a partnership that delivers tangible benefits to our people while advancing shared prosperity.” he added.

  • Agricultural technologies of future: automation of agriculture in Global South

    Agricultural technologies of future: automation of agriculture in Global South

    Agriculture is becoming one of the key areas of technological transformation in the Global South. Population growth, climate change, limited natural resources and the need to improve production efficiency are accelerating the adoption of digital technologies, artificial intelligence and automated systems. These technologies help to increase crop yields, use resources more efficiently and improve the management of agricultural production.

    In June 2026, India hosted a meeting of BRICS agriculture ministers – one of the key international forums for discussing the future architecture of the global food system. The agenda included issues such as food security, climate-resilient agriculture, digital farming, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotisation and technological innovation in the agricultural sector.

    According to the Indian government, the BRICS countries account for around 42 per cent of the world’s agricultural land. Against this backdrop, digitalisation is ceasing to be merely an element of piecemeal modernisation and is becoming a driving force behind the transformation of the global food market.

    However, the transition to a new model of agricultural production is driven not only by technological ambitions but also by growing structural pressures on traditional agriculture. Population growth is increasing the strain on food systems, while the potential for extensive expansion of production is limited by shortages of water, land and production resources.

    Climate change is an additional factor. The increasing frequency of droughts, floods and temperature anomalies makes crop yields less predictable and heightens the volatility of agricultural markets. In many regions, extreme weather events are occurring more frequently, requiring new approaches to agricultural management.

    Taken together, these processes are creating a gap between the physical capabilities of traditional agriculture and the structure of global demand. Traditional development models are gradually being supplemented by technological solutions that enable more efficient use of available resources. In this context, technological transformation is becoming not merely a tool for modernisation but one of the key conditions for maintaining food security.

    Digitalisation as the infrastructure of the agricultural economy

    Digitalisation forms the basic infrastructural layer of the agricultural sector’s transformation, in which data becomes a production resource in its own right. Information on soil, climate, humidity, crop yields and logistics forms the basis for decision-making. As a result, agriculture is gradually shifting from an empirical model to a management system based on analytics and forecasting. Digital services and analytics are becoming an important component of value creation alongside traditional production.

    As noted by Mikhail Khachaturyan, PhD in Economics, Associate Professor of the Department of Strategic and Innovative Development of Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, digitalisation is gradually changing the very structure of value creation in the agricultural sector.

    “Internet of Things (IoT) systems and sensors enable more precise control over the use of water and fertilisers, which reduces costs and increases yields. This boosts added value through more efficient use of resources,” he stated.

    According to Khachaturyan, digital platforms are also transforming logistics and the financial infrastructure of agriculture.

    The national strategies of leading BRICS countries include the development of digital agricultural infrastructure as a component of economic and food security. China’s smart agriculture development plan, running until 2028, provides for the creation of a national big data platform, a unified map of agricultural land and the development of basic AI models with independent intellectual property rights. This is shaping a centralised system for the digital management of the agricultural sector.

    As part of its Digital Agriculture Mission, India is developing the AgriStack platform – a system comprising digital farmer identifiers, digital land records and geospatial monitoring of agriculture. Government documents state that the system is intended to integrate data on land, crop yields, credit and insurance into a single digital architecture for the agricultural sector.

    At the same time, the BRICS countries are integrating digital tools into their agricultural insurance and risk management mechanisms. In India, government programmes are using satellite data, drones and remote sensing technologies to assess damage, monitor crop conditions and speed up insurance payouts. As a result, digital infrastructure is gradually evolving from a supporting element into a systemic foundation of the agricultural economy.

    Automation as a transition to algorithmic management

    While digital infrastructure enables the collection and integration of information, automated systems are beginning to use it to coordinate production processes in real time. Algorithms help to optimise resource allocation, forecast crop yields, account for climatic risks and improve the effectiveness of production decisions.

    Precision farming technologies are shifting agriculture from a reactive model to a system of continuous monitoring and forecasting. Drones, sensors and satellite systems enable the targeted application of fertilisers and allow for the monitoring of soil conditions and the rapid identification of potential threats, thereby reducing costs and minimising the environmental impact.

    “The robotisation and automation of agricultural processes reduce labour costs and minimise the likelihood of errors, thereby increasing producers’ net profits,” emphasises Khachaturyan.
    A practical example of such a transformation is the experience of the People’s Republic of China, where driverless tractors and combine harvesters are being introduced, along with digital platforms for the remote control of agricultural machinery for small-scale farms. Automation is used not only to boost productivity but also to compensate for structural labour shortages and improve the manageability of agricultural production.

    South Africa is implementing a model of pilot implementation of agricultural technologies, followed by scaling up. The South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), in collaboration with the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), is funding the SASSAM (South African System of Systems for Agricultural Modernisation) project – a digital platform that uses AI to analyse soil conditions, forecast weather conditions and detect pests. The project’s pilot launch took place in February 2025 in the Eastern Cape Province, covering 50 farms, and over the next three years the system is set to be adapted for various types of crops across the country.

    The UAE is developing a model of automated vertical farming, in which algorithms for controlling the microclimate and water supply enable water savings of up to 95 per cent compared with traditional agriculture. Such systems serve as an example of how automation can compensate for natural constraints and a shortage of suitable agricultural land.

    Eloisa Cristina Silva Fernandes, an expert on Brazil’s industrial landscape, the energy transition and sustainable development, an expert at the BRICS Youth Energy Agency, describes this process: “Automation and precision farming technologies have transformed the agricultural sector and the way food is processed and distributed. In the BRICS countries and the Global South, given the specific geographical challenges – water scarcity, the worsening climate crisis and a shrinking labour force – technological innovations such as the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, robotics and Agri-Industry 4.0 are boosting the productivity and sustainability of agricultural systems, meeting the growing needs of these countries and ensuring the efficiency of large-scale food production processes.”

    Automation is gradually transforming not only production but also the agricultural sector’s logistics infrastructure. Algorithms optimise delivery routes, forecast demand and manage warehouse stocks, reducing food losses during storage and transport.

    As automation deepens, the role of the farmer is also changing. From being an independent producer making decisions based on their own experience, they are gradually becoming a participant in a platform-based ecosystem, where a significant proportion of production processes is coordinated by digital systems. As a result, the agricultural sector is becoming increasingly integrated into an algorithmic management infrastructure, where competitiveness begins to depend not only on resources and crop yields but also on the level of technological integration.

    The Financial Infrastructure of Agricultural Automation

    The financial system is gradually being integrated into the agricultural sector’s digital infrastructure. Whereas access to capital used to be determined primarily by traditional indicators – farm size, collateral, and credit history – data and the level of technological integration are now becoming key factors as digitalisation progresses.

    Lending is increasingly based on digital farm profiles generated using satellite monitoring, sensor systems and algorithmic risk assessment models. Financial institutions are now able to analyse not only a borrower’s financial position but also agricultural production parameters in near real time, which speeds up decision-making and reduces uncertainty.

    Parametric insurance models, under which insurance payouts are triggered automatically upon the occurrence of pre-defined climatic conditions – such as droughts, floods or temperature anomalies – help to reduce administrative costs and speed up the compensation process. As a result, digital tools are becoming one of the factors taken into account when assessing farms.

    “Big data analysis helps to make more informed decisions, improving farm management and demand forecasting. This enables farmers to adapt to market changes and optimise their production processes,” notes Khachaturyan.

    The institutional framework for this transformation is provided by the New Development Bank (NDB), established by the BRICS countries in 2014 to mobilise resources for infrastructure and sustainable projects in the Global South. Digital infrastructure, sustainable agriculture and the modernisation of production systems are among the priority areas in the NDB’s strategy. The bank is building a portfolio of projects focused on climate resilience, the development of agricultural logistics, the modernisation of supply chains and the introduction of digital platforms.

    Support for technology-driven infrastructure projects reinforces the Bank’s role as one of the key financial mechanisms for the transformation of the agricultural sector within the BRICS region and the Global South.

    Models of digital transformation in agriculture in BRICS countries

    Various models of digital transformation in agriculture are emerging within BRICS, differing in the degree of state involvement, the role of private capital and approaches to technological sovereignty. These models fit logically into the agenda of the ministerial meeting in India, where digital farming and artificial intelligence have been identified as key topics for discussion.

    The state-centralised model is being implemented most consistently in the People’s Republic of China. A key element here is control over data and algorithms governing agricultural production. As part of the national strategy, a unified agricultural data platform, agricultural land monitoring systems and national AI solutions for the agricultural sector are being developed. As a result, digitalisation is becoming part of a broader strategy for technological sovereignty, with the state playing a coordinating role in the development of digital infrastructure.

    India is developing an inclusive, platform-based model of digital transformation, tailored to the structure of its agricultural sector, which is dominated by smallholder farms. In contrast to China’s centralised approach, India’s strategy focuses on connecting farmers on a large scale to digital services, financial instruments and market infrastructure. Here, digitalisation serves as a mechanism for integrating millions of small-scale producers into a single economic system.

    “The high proportion of irrigated land allows for the effective implementation of water management systems using the IoT and sensors. This model has great potential for scaling up through national programmes to improve irrigation and reduce water costs,” emphasised Khachaturyan.

    Brazil is developing a market-orientated model of agrotechnological development based on collaboration between the state, academia and the private sector. The state-owned corporation Embrapa reports that there are more than two thousand agrotechnology companies operating in the country, 83 per cent of which use digital solutions and artificial intelligence to improve production efficiency. This model demonstrates an alternative approach, whereby the state creates the conditions for an innovative environment to flourish but does not place digital infrastructure under direct centralised control.

    South Africa is adopting a research-led approach to the digitalisation of the agricultural sector, drawing on state-run research institutes and the phased roll-out of technological solutions.
    A hybrid model is taking shape in Russia, where the digital transformation of the agro-industrial complex relies on state centralisation and a focus on developing its own digital solutions. On the instructions of the Prime Minister, a unified digital platform for the agro-industrial complex, utilising artificial intelligence technology, will be established in Russia by the end of 2026. At the same time, the government has approved a mechanism to reimburse up to 50 per cent of the costs of comprehensive scientific and technical projects covering plant breeding, software and the procurement of high-tech equipment.

    Beyond these models lies a wide range of national strategies. Some countries are adapting the approaches described to their economic structure, whilst others are developing hybrid solutions at the intersection of state regulation and market mechanisms.

    “The common features of the most sustainable models include the use of artificial intelligence, unmanned technologies for monitoring and managing resources, digital platforms to improve logistics and supply chain management, as well as government support and the development of national digitalisation strategies,” emphasised Khachaturyan.

    The spectrum of BRICS+ models

    The expansion of BRICS to include countries with fundamentally different agricultural systems demonstrates the diversity of approaches to the digital transformation of agriculture. Parallel models are emerging, differing in terms of the role of the state, the structure of investment and the degree of technological autonomy.

    The UAE is developing a capital-intensive model in which technological solutions compensate for natural constraints through large-scale state investment. The country has integrated agrotechnological development into its food security strategy, with an emphasis on improving water use efficiency.

    Ethiopia is formulating a strategy for the digital transformation of agriculture, based on international partnerships and the mobilisation of state resources to create basic digital infrastructure for the agricultural sector. This is a “strategic leap” model, in which technological solutions are implemented on top of the existing agricultural system with a view to achieving long-term institutional and productive growth.

    Indonesia is building an industrial and technological model of digitalisation, supported by government programmes. The Indonesian Ministry of Communications and Digital Technology supports national food security through the “Digital Farmer” programme, which aims to transform agriculture using IoT and artificial intelligence technologies. A key element is local technological solutions developed by national start-ups, including precision farming systems that help reduce carbon dioxide emissions and minimise water pollution caused by excessive use of fertilisers. At the same time, the government has allocated US$554.4 million to the development of AI, drones and sensor systems to improve the efficiency of the agricultural sector, reports ANTARA. As a result, a model is emerging in which technological development is linked not only to the import of solutions but also to the establishment of elements of technological sovereignty.

    Iran is developing a model of technological autonomy by creating its own AI solutions for agriculture. For instance, Iranian scientists have developed an artificial intelligence system for monitoring agricultural land, which enables the condition of crops to be tracked and yields to be forecast on the basis of remote sensing.

    Egypt is implementing a comprehensive model for the digital transformation of agriculture. The National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences (NARSS) provides the scientific and technological basis for monitoring agricultural land and introducing analytical tools into the agricultural sector.

    Abed Amiri, a representative of the BRICS Hub and an expert in economic and technological cooperation within the BRICS framework, highlights several key areas of technological cooperation within the group.

    “The exchange of agricultural data, the development of joint artificial intelligence models, systems for forecasting crop yields and plant diseases, Internet of Things technologies, agricultural drones and secure platforms for supply chain management. These areas have a direct impact on the efficiency, quality and speed of decision-making and can also narrow the technological gap between BRICS member states,” he said.

    Agritech beyond BRICS+: The Global South

    The technological transformation of agriculture is not limited to the BRICS+ countries. Similar processes are unfolding in other countries of the Global South, where digital solutions are providing a response to structural challenges.

    The technological transformation of agriculture is not confined to the BRICS+ countries. Similar processes are unfolding in other countries of the Global South, where digital solutions are providing a response to structural challenges.

    In Kenya, the development of the digital agricultural sector is centred on government platforms that use satellite data and ground-based sensors for agricultural monitoring and to support farmers’ decision-making. The Ministry of Agriculture is implementing the Kenya Agricultural Observatory Platform (KOAP), which uses satellite data and ground-based sensors to provide farmers with information on weather, soil conditions and optimal sowing times.

    Vietnam is implementing the National Digital Transformation Programme, which aims to develop high-tech agriculture towards smart and precision farming; increase the share of digital agriculture in the economy; create large-scale sectoral data systems on land, agricultural crops, livestock and aquaculture; as well as create a network of integrated aerial and ground-based observation and monitoring systems for agricultural activities.

    Uganda is implementing a programme for the digital transformation of agriculture, as set out in the official strategy E-Governance in Uganda-2025. A key element is the digital e-Voucher System platform, which uses mobile applications to subsidise farmers’ access to high-quality seeds and fertilisers. In parallel, the National Agricultural Information System (NAIS) is being developed – a digital ecosystem comprising modules for crop monitoring, yield forecasting and food security assessment.

    Nigeria is applying its National Digital Agriculture Strategy, which provides for the roll-out of digital platforms to give farmers access to markets, weather data and financial services.

    Eloisa Cristina Silva Fernandes, an expert at the BRICS Youth Energy Agency, describes this transition from a historical perspective: “Whilst innovations such as mechanisation and the use of chemical fertilisers initially permeated the primary sector in the 1960s and 1970s, in the current context we are experiencing a new kind of transformation – now with Agri-Industry 4.0, a set of technological innovations based on data, automation and connectivity.”
    In her view, “the emergence of these new technological cycles and the adoption of digital technologies are reshaping the national production structures of countries, particularly in the Global South.”

    She emphasises, however, that the strategic elements of these transnational value chains – the growing demand for critical minerals needed to produce new technologies and the need for a highly skilled workforce – require particular attention to be paid to the architecture of environmentally sustainable green industrialisation.

    Algorithms and the financial transformation of the agricultural sector

    As agriculture becomes increasingly digitalised, algorithms are beginning to play an ever more significant role not only in production management but also in the financial infrastructure of the agricultural sector. Yield estimation, resource allocation, credit decisions and risk management are increasingly reliant on the processing of digital data from satellite monitoring systems, sensors and digital platforms.

    The financial infrastructure of agriculture within BRICS is gradually being integrated into a single data system. Lending, insurance and the assessment of farms’ creditworthiness are becoming increasingly dependent on producers’ digital profiles and algorithmic data processing.

    The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is developing a platform designed to accelerate lending to rural and low-income borrowers through standardised access to digital data. The platform’s digital infrastructure utilises both financial and non-financial data, including digital land records, geospatial services and satellite data, which are necessary for assessing borrowers and expanding access to finance in the agricultural sector.

    As a result, agricultural technologies within BRICS are shifting from the category of sectoral innovations to the infrastructure layer of the agricultural economy. Algorithms and digital platforms are becoming an integral part of the agricultural finance and production system, while access to capital is increasingly determined by the level of digital integration of farms.

    “Online platforms for trading agricultural produce improve coordination between producers, processors and distributors. This reduces logistics costs and improves access to markets, thereby increasing added value,” emphasised Khachaturyan.

    Competitiveness is increasingly determined by a combination of traditional factors – land and production resources – and the level of adoption of digital technologies, analytical services and modern management methods. In this context, technological architecture is gradually becoming one of the key elements of the agricultural sector’s economic sovereignty.

    The new hierarchy of the global agricultural sector

    The global agricultural market is taking on a new structure in which competitiveness is increasingly determined not only by land resources and production volumes, but also by the level of development of digital technologies, analytical systems and data infrastructure. This trend was reflected in the agenda of the BRICS ministerial meeting in Indore, where digital agriculture and precision farming technologies were identified as key areas of cooperation.

    In this context, three models of countries’ participation in the digital transformation of the agricultural sector can be identified. The first comprises countries developing their own digital platforms, algorithms and technological solutions for agricultural management.

    According to Mikhail Khachaturyan, technological modernisation accounts for the lion’s share of added value, as it controls not only production but also the decision-making infrastructure.
    “Technological leadership can compensate for shortcomings in natural potential. For example, countries with limited land resources can become exporters of high-margin products (such as vegetables grown in vertical farms), while countries with vast tracts of land but lacking innovation will specialise in low-margin crops,” the expert noted.

    The second group comprises countries that are actively implementing modern digital solutions and adapting them to the specific characteristics of their national agriculture. This approach helps to accelerate the modernisation of the sector, boost productivity and lay the foundations for the further development of their own technological capabilities.

    The third group comprises countries where the digitalisation of the agricultural sector is in its early stages. For these countries, the priority is to develop basic digital infrastructure, expand access to modern technologies and train specialists capable of working with new agricultural management tools.

    Thus, a country’s position within the global agricultural system is increasingly determined by a combination of natural resources, the level of technological development and the ability to make effective use of digital tools to enhance the sustainability and productivity of agriculture.

    Automation is becoming one of the key factors in the long-term competitiveness of the agricultural sector. The development of digital platforms, cloud services, data analytics systems and artificial intelligence opens up new opportunities to improve production efficiency, optimise logistics and make more rational use of natural resources.

    As Abed Amiri notes, the development of domestic technological capabilities and the expansion of international cooperation play an important role in this process.

    “The development of their own digital platforms, AI-based solutions and agrotechnological ecosystems could elevate the role of the BRICS countries from raw material exporters to technologically influential players in the global food system,” said Amiri.

    In his view, “if the BRICS countries are able to develop their own platforms in these areas, this will not only boost agricultural productivity but also strengthen their ability to make independent decisions.”

    At the same time, the further development of digital agriculture will require an expansion of international knowledge-sharing, joint technology development and the creation of an open digital infrastructure that takes into account the specific characteristics of various national agricultural systems. It is precisely this combination of innovation, partnership and the exchange of experience that could become one of the key conditions for the sustainable development of agriculture in the countries of the Global South.

    Courtesy/ TV BRICS

  • Judiciary to step up fight against gender-based violence – Koome

    Judiciary to step up fight against gender-based violence – Koome

    Chief Justice Martha Koome has announced a renewed commitment to bolstering the Judiciary’s response to gender-based violence and femicide. She disclosed that a central element of this effort to enhance access to justice for survivors will be the expansion of specialised Gender Justice Courts.

    Speaking after separate meetings with the Judiciary’s Gender Justice Implementation Committee and the leadership of FIDA-Kenya, Koome stated that the Judiciary is transitioning from planning to implementing reforms aimed at delivering faster, more responsive and survivor-centred justice.

    “As Kenya continues to confront the painful realities of gender-based violence and the rising concern over femicide, we are reminded that access to justice must remain at the centre of our national response,” she affirmed.

    Koome outlined key priorities, including the operationalisation of Gender Justice Courts, strengthening survivor-centred services, enhancing the capacity of judicial officers and other justice sector actors, and improving coordination across the justice system.

    “The next phase must now move decisively from planning to implementation. Our priority is to strengthen and operationalise Gender Justice Courts, enhance survivor-centred services, build the capacity of judicial officers and justice sector actors, and deepen collaboration across the justice chain,” she elaborated.

    The Chief Justice also underscored the crucial role of partnerships in tackling gender-based violence, acknowledging that the Judiciary cannot achieve gender justice in isolation.

    During her meeting with FIDA-Kenya, Koome highlighted that collaboration with justice sector institutions, civil society, and development partners would be vital as the Judiciary expands specialised Gender Justice Courts nationwide.

    She noted that partnerships would support judicial training, public awareness, legal empowerment, mediation, and Alternative Justice Systems, while also addressing emerging crimes such as technology-facilitated gender-based violence.

    “Gender justice cannot be achieved by the Judiciary alone. It requires sustained partnerships with all justice sector institutions, government agencies, civil society, development partners, and communities working together to protect the rights and dignity of women, children, and all vulnerable persons,” she asserted.

    Koome confirmed that the Judiciary would continue to pursue evidence-based reforms and transparent communication to strengthen public confidence and ensure survivors can readily access gender-responsive justice.

    She reiterated the Judiciary’s dedication to building a justice system that protects vulnerable individuals and upholds the constitutional promise of equal justice.

    “Together, we can build a justice system where every survivor is heard, protected, and treated with dignity, and where the promise of equal justice under the Constitution becomes a lived reality,” she said.

  • Kenya condoles with Qatar over former Emir’s death

    Kenya condoles with Qatar over former Emir’s death

    Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi on Wednesday extended Kenya’s condolences to the Government and people of Qatar following the death of former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

    After visiting the residence of Qatar’s Ambassador to Kenya, Mutair Al Enazi, where he signed the Book of Condolence, Prime Cabinet Secretary Mudavadi paid tribute to the former Emir.

    He described Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani as a visionary leader whose guidance was central to Qatar’s transformation and emergence on the global stage.

    Mudavadi also reaffirmed Kenya’s solidarity with the people of Qatar during their period of mourning and reiterated the country’s commitment to strengthening the longstanding bilateral relations between the two nations.

    The Prime Cabinet Secretary was accompanied by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale during the visit.

  • The missing infrastructure behind Africa’s green century

    The missing infrastructure behind Africa’s green century

    Africa is being asked to power the global green transition while simultaneously financing its own development under some of the world’s highest borrowing costs.

    As Prime Minister Mia Motley highlighted at COP27, rich countries are able to borrow capital with interest rates of between 1 to 4%, whereas poorer countries, seen as riskier investments, borrow against interest rates of around 14%.

    This is the central contradiction shaping the continent’s economic future. 

    On paper, Africa appears uniquely positioned to lead the next era of green industrialisation. The continent holds approximately 30% of the world’s critical mineral reserves according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and possesses 60% of the world’s best solar resources according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

    Yet despite this potential, Africa receives just 2% of global clean energy investment. The gap between endowment and investment isn’t a market failure but a pricing one, rooted in currency volatility, sovereign-risk perception, and weak regulatory certainty that push African borrowing costs well above those in Europe or North America. 

    Debt servicing compounds the problem. Kenya’s debt-service-to-revenue ratio for example stood at 67.1% in mid-2025, more than double the IMF’s recommended 30% ceiling. Across the continent, the World Bank’s Africa Pulse warns that several governments now spend more servicing debt than investing in the sectors that would let them grow out of it. A “green transition” financed this way isn’t a transition. It’s a deferral. 

    Kenya illustrates both the promise and the contradiction. It generates roughly 90% of its electricity from renewables (geothermal, hydro, wind, and solar) and is Africa’s largest geothermal producer. Yet youth unemployment and underemployment remain acute, and informal work still absorbs the large majority of new jobs created each year (KNBS, Economic Survey 2025).

    Clean power generation, on its own, does not create manufacturing, logistics, maintenance, or enterprise pathways. Without those, a green transition stays narrow and economically fragile, however clean the grid becomes. The global conversation around Africa’s green transition must therefore not become trapped in a dangerous illusion that climate finance alone will solve the problem.

    The deeper point is that Africa’s green transition is a labour-market transition before it is an energy one. Roughly 10 to 12 million young Africans enter the labour market every year (Mastercard Foundation, Africa Youth Employment Outlook 2026), most of them into informal work. “Green jobs” cannot remain a niche climate-circle conversation and must become an economic development strategy.

    With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) providing a framework for regional integration, Africa has an opportunity to build competitive value chains in areas such as electric mobility, battery technologies, climate-smart agriculture, sustainable construction materials, and circular economy industries. 

    Ultimately, the success of Africa’s green transition will not be measured solely by emissions reduced or megawatts installed. It will be measured by the number of decent jobs created, the resilience of businesses built, the competitiveness of industries developed, and the economic opportunities unlocked for millions of young Africans.

    This is the defining challenge before leaders convening at the inaugural GreenWorks for Africa Forum on 12–13 August 2026. The task is not simply to accelerate Africa’s green transition, but to build the governance, partnerships, and investment frameworks that convert the continent’s natural endowments into sustainable industries, quality employment, and shared prosperity.

     

     

    Disclaimer: Views expressed on this article do not represent the position of Kenya Broadcasting Corporation.

     

  • Rwanda extends Premier League presence with record Aston Villa deal

    Rwanda extends Premier League presence with record Aston Villa deal

    Visit Rwanda has agreed to become Aston Villa’s new front-of-shirt sponsor, in what the club describes as the most lucrative sponsorship deal in its history.

     

    The partnership will see Visit Rwanda branding appear on the front of Aston Villa’s men’s, women’s and academy team shirts starting from the 2026/27 season.

    The tourism board will also become the club’s Official Tourism Partner and Official Coffee Provider.

    Visit Rwanda replaces Betano, which had been Villa’s front-of-shirt sponsor for the past two seasons.

    The change comes as Premier League clubs move to voluntarily phase out betting and gambling brands from the front of their shirts starting in the 2026-27 season.

    According to reports from The Athletic, the deal is worth up to £20 million ($26.8 million) annually if performance-related bonus clauses are met, marking a significant increase from what Betano had been paying.

    This is not Rwanda’s first venture into Premier League sponsorship.

    Visit Rwanda spent close to eight years as sleeve sponsor of Arsenal, a deal reportedly worth around £10 million per season in its final years, before it concluded at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

    Arsenal have since replaced Visit Rwanda with HR company Deel as their new sleeve sponsor.

    Aston Villa’s president of business operations, Francesco Calvo, called the agreement “a very exciting partnership” and a sign of the club’s growing international presence.

    Janet Karemera, chief executive of the Rwanda Convention Bureau, said the tourism board is looking to expand its reach to new audiences across the UK and Europe.

    The deal arrives as Aston Villa look to grow their commercial revenue following their 2025-26 UEFA Europa League triumph, which secures them a place in next season’s Champions League.

    The club’s recent accounts showed sponsorship revenue rising 31 percent to £28.6 million, with total commercial revenue up 69 percent to £70 million.