President William Ruto announced that the government has successfully delivered 2.5 million bags of fertilizer to nearly 500,000 farmers across Kenya through an innovative e-voucher system.
This digital approach has boosted agricultural productivity by 50% in the last year, removing intermediaries and streamlining the distribution process.
While addressing the Connected Africa Summit at Uhuru Gardens, President Ruto praised the positive impact of technology on Kenya’s agricultural sector and various other industries.
He noted that the e-voucher system for fertilizer distribution has drastically improved efficiency.
“In the last four months, we have distributed 2.5 million bags of fertilizer to close to half a million farmers in Kenya using an e-voucher that has eliminated cartels, roadblocks, and bottlenecks and has made the distribution of fertilizer efficient,” said Ruto.
This streamlined approach has led to a noticeable increase in crop yields, significantly contributing to national food security.
The success of the e-voucher system has also encouraged broader discussions on the benefits of digital infrastructure.
In Embu, for example, market women are now discussing the impact of reliable, free internet on their businesses, allowing them to connect with suppliers more easily.
Additionally, President Ruto spoke about the emerging industries in Kenya that are manufacturing fiber and assembling electronic gadgets such as smartphones and computers.
These industries play a crucial role in creating jobs and supporting industrialization in the region.
The president also highlighted the significant increase in digital access across Africa. “With over 160 million Africans gaining broadband access between 2019 and 2022, and a 115% increase in internet users between 2016 and 2021, we have laid a solid foundation for the digital economy’s expansion and built significant momentum for transformative economic growth,” he stated.
Furthermore, President Ruto acknowledged the role that international and regional cooperation has played in the growth of Africa’s digital economy, emphasizing the potential for future investment in the continent.
He urged the global community and financial institutions to consider Africa’s digital transformation as a valuable investment opportunity.
“I wish to emphasize to the global community, and especially financial institutions and private investors, that betting on Africa’s future now is the best investment decision with unprecedented immediate and long-term benefits,” he added.
