AI is rapidly becoming a key driver of regenerative agriculture in Africa, helping restore soil health, conserve biodiversity and protect nature in the face of climate change.

Aside from enhancing food security and agriculture’s ecological footprint, AI-enabled regenerative practices deliver tangible financial benefits for farmers. Agritech initiatives use sophisticated AI tools to equip farmers with actionable insights that build resilience and improve harvest reliability. But scaling these innovations requires tailored financial services to bridge an annual USD 180 billion funding gap.[1]

EY’s AI SDG Accelerator backs ventures that foster professional AI-empowered regenerative agriculture, while also improving access to financing. Startups are paired with EY coaches who serve as mentors and organize expert-led workshops. Participants get support on scaling, impact tracking and investment readiness – a striking example of how local innovation and cross-sector collaboration can be harnessed to scale regenerative agriculture across Africa.

[1] ACELI Africa, 12 August 2025, https://aceliafrica.org/what-we-do/opportunity/

Read more:
– Growing Smarter: Accelerating innovation in artificial intelligence and regenerative agriculture
– Sustainability in Financial Services

– Author: Cyril Motte, Partner, Climate Change and Sustainability Services, Ernst & Young AG

– This contribution is brought to you by Ernst & Young AG, a valued silver event partner of Building Bridges 2025