In August 2025, we had the privilege of presenting Agro.io at the Deep Learning Indaba in Kigali, Rwanda, Africa’s largest and most influential gathering of AI researchers, practitioners, and innovators. The Indaba Conference brought together brilliant minds from across the continent and beyond, united by a shared vision of advancing Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Africa’s development.

During the conference our CEO, Mr. Amos Mwendwa, and Co-Founder Mr. Ceasar Waweru, delivered a lightning talk titled:
“The Data Gap in African Agriculture: Why Global AI Models Fail ASAL (Arid & Semi-Arid Lands) Farmers.”

The presentation shed light on the urgent need to design localized AI models that address Africa’s agricultural realities. Global models, built on datasets that often exclude African conditions, fail to serve ASAL farmers who face unique climate, soil, and resource challenges. Agro.io was showcased as a practical response—using AI, Machine Learning, and Data Science to optimize irrigation, predict climate shifts, monitor soil health, and detect pests in real time.

Beyond the presentation, Indaba was a powerful networking experience. We connected with leading researchers, developers, and innovators who are pushing the boundaries of AI across fields such as healthcare, finance, agriculture, and climate resilience. These conversations opened new perspectives on how Africa can build its own AI models, driven by African data, for African challenges.

Out of this network came meaningful collaborations, including an invitation from Dr. Njeri Ngaruiya of Strathmore University, which later led to a guest lecture in her Research Methodology and Technical Writing class. While a smaller step compared to the global stage of Indaba, this highlighted the importance of bridging academia and innovation to inspire the next generation.

The Deep Learning Indaba 2025 was not just about presenting Agro.io—it was about positioning African innovation on the global map. It reinforced our belief that the future of farming, and indeed Africa’s technological future, lies in localized, collaborative, and inclusive AI systems.

As we scale Agro.io and Meraki Hub, we are calling on partners, researchers, investors, and development organizations to join us in building AI solutions rooted in African realities. Together, we can address food insecurity, strengthen climate resilience, and empower farming communities.

👉 Partner with us to scale Agro.io and transform African agriculture via mail: info@agroio.co.ke