FarmAi Venture seeks Kenyan markets

Togo-based agri-technology firm Farm AI Venture has announced plans to enter the Kenyan market, in what its founder and CEO Clifford Plastid Hoglonou describes as a strategic move to tap into East Africa’s fast-growing digital agriculture landscape.

Speaking during a visit to Nairobi, Hoglonou said Kenya’s dynamic tech ecosystem, well-developed mobile infrastructure and strong culture of agribusiness innovation made it the company’s “natural next home” as it expands beyond West Africa.

“Kenya is the beating heart of agri-tech on the continent,” he said. “Farmers here are digitally aware, the ecosystem is ready for data-driven solutions, and the opportunities to scale are immense. We believe Farm AI can play a crucial role in boosting productivity, lowering risks, and supporting the next generation of farmers.”

Farm AI, founded in Lomé in 2023, uses satellite data, machine learning and predictive modelling to help smallholder farmers make climate-smart decisions—from forecasting rainfall and pest outbreaks to offering tailored crop management advice. The firm also links farmers to financial institutions and insurance providers through digital risk-scoring tools.

Hoglonou noted that as climate uncertainty intensifies, African farmers need affordable and accessible tools that translate complex data into simple, actionable insights. “Our goal is to democratise agricultural intelligence,” he said. “If we can help a farmer in Siaya or Makueni know when to plant, what to plant, and how to avoid losses, then we’ve made a meaningful contribution.”

Kenya’s agricultural sector—accounting for nearly 25 per cent of GDP and supporting millions of households—has in recent years seen rapid adoption of digital platforms for input sourcing, mechanisation, market access and extension services. Industry players say new entrants like Farm AI could deepen innovation in climate analytics, a segment increasingly important as farmers grapple with erratic weather patterns.

Local agri-tech analysts also point to growing investor interest in tools that enhance productivity for smallholders, who form the backbone of Kenya’s food system.

Hoglonou said Farm AI plans to partner with county governments, cooperatives, and agribusiness firms to localise its models for Kenyan crops and agro-ecological zones. Initial engagements, he said, have been promising.

“We don’t want to simply transplant a West African solution into East Africa,” he said. “Our strategy is to co-create with Kenyan experts, farmers and institutions so that the platform truly reflects local needs.”

Beyond decision-support tools, Farm AI is also exploring collaborations with Kenyan universities and start-ups on joint research in remote sensing, sustainable farming, and artificial intelligence.

If all goes as planned, the company expects to roll out pilot programmes in selected counties by mid-2026 before scaling nationwide.

“As Africa’s food systems evolve, Kenya will continue to lead,” Hoglonou said. “We are excited to be part of that journey—supporting farmers, strengthening resilience, and proving that technology can be a powerful ally in agriculture.”

Industry observers say Farm AI’s entry reaffirms Kenya’s position as one of the continent’s most attractive hubs for agricultural innovation, a trend likely to accelerate as global interest in climate-smart solutions grows.Clifford Plastid Hoglonou CEO of Farm Ai