Accra is now home to the Timbuktoo Agritech Hub, a new initiative aimed at accelerating agricultural innovation, entrepreneurship, and climate-resilient solutions across Africa.
The hub, launched under the auspices of the United Nations Development Programme in partnership with the Government of Japan, will provide support to startups developing technologies to improve productivity, strengthen food systems, and enhance sustainability.
The launch event brought together government officials, international partners, incubator managers, and innovators from 37 countries, reflecting the initiative’s pan-African scope.
Samuel Nartey George, Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, praised UNDP and partners for mobilizing resources to back African startups. He emphasized that agriculture, while central to livelihoods, faces challenges including climate change, fragmented supply chains, and limited access to finance—issues that require innovative and technology-driven solutions.
“The prosperity of Africa depends on ingenuity, strong institutions, and bold partnerships,” Mr. George said, adding that digital tools and artificial intelligence could help farmers make better decisions, access markets, and withstand climate shocks.
Shaima Hussein, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Ghana, described Timbuktoo as a bold pan-African initiative targeting improved livelihoods for 100 million people. She noted that the Agritech Hub would focus on startups working on climate-smart agriculture, supply chain innovations, and technologies that enhance market access.
Japan’s Ambassador to Ghana, Hiroshi Yoshimoto, highlighted his country’s commitment to Africa’s innovation ecosystem. He proposed integrating Kaizen methodologies to improve startup efficiency and announced a plan to train three million African youth in artificial intelligence and digital skills.
Joanne Manda, Global Head of Timbuktoo, said the hub would help build the necessary infrastructure to support thousands of startups and connect academic research to markets through technology hubs. The initiative also seeks to address talent gaps and support ventures in sectors including fintech, health technology, and agritech.
The broader Timbuktoo initiative aims to mobilize US$1 billion over 10 years, support 10,000 startups, scale 1,000 high-growth enterprises, improve livelihoods for 100 million people, and generate US$10 billion in economic value across Africa.
By establishing the hub in Ghana, the initiative positions the country as a key center for agritech innovation and a launchpad for technologies designed to transform agriculture and strengthen food security across the continent.
