Artificial Intelligence and Agricultural Transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa

David Mhlanga is an award-winning Economist, Researcher, and Higher Education Professional with expertise spanning Africa and Australia. He is the Principal Consultant at EconoWrite Research and Director of the EconoWrite Institute for Policy Innovation & Development (EIPID), leading work on digital transformation, financial technology, and sustainable development policy. He also teaches economics, research methods, and public policy at Monash University and the Australian College of Applied Professions (ACAP). Dr Mhlanga holds a PhD in Economics (North-West University, South Africa), MCom in Economics (Midlands State University, Zimbabwe), and BSc Honours in Economics (University of Zimbabwe). He is also a graduate of RMIT’s Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and the University of Johannesburg’s AI Certification, and was recognised under Australia’s Global Talent Visa Program for Sustainable Development Economics and FinTech. A prolific scholar, he has authored and edited numerous books and published widely on FinTech, digital financial inclusion, AI, and sustainable development. He has received several honours, including the ACAP Excellence in Teaching Award (2024–2025), Monash University’s Purple Letter Award (2023–2024), and University of Johannesburg Research Excellence Awards (2022–2024). His work continues to shape policy and innovation initiatives promoting inclusive, technology-driven development.Emmanuel Ndhlovu is a Research Fellow at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. He holds a PhD (2021), MA (2017) (Cum Laude), and BA Honours (2013) degrees in Development Studies from the University of South Africa. He also holds a BA Honours degree in English Studies (2008) from the University of Zimbabwe. His research interests cover a wide range of topics, including agrarian political economy, food systems, food security, land reform, agriculture and agribusiness, and social policy. Emmanuel is the author of the book Agriculture, Autonomous Development and Prospects for Industrialisation in Africa. He has over 100 publications in the form of journal articles, books, and book chapters, and co-edited 16 books.

• Preface. 1. Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable and Inclusive Agricultural Transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa. Part I: Artificial Intelligence and Resilience in African Agriculture. 2. Artificial Intelligence in African Agriculture Overcoming Challenges and Harnessing Opportunities. 3. Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Efficient Agricultural Co-operative Value Chains A Comparative Study between Rwanda and Tanzania. 4. Using Deep Learning for Early Detection of Cassava Disease Strengthening Food Security for Smallholder Farmers in Ghana. 5. AI-Driven Agri-Industrialisation and the Exclusion of Smallholder Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa Mechanisms and Power Dynamics. 6. Artificial Intelligence, Food Systems, and Sustainability Dilemmas in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Part II: Artificial Intelligence and Gender Issues in African Food Systems. 7. Artificial Intelligence and Women’s Empowerment in Southern African Food Systems Gender, Sustainability, and Transformation. 8. AI in Agriculture and the Gendered Dynamics of Employment in Farming Communities in Zimbabwe and South Africa. 9. The Role of Artificial Intelligence in the Industrialisation of African Agriculture Examining Employment and Gender Dynamics. 10. Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Women’s Empowerment in African Agriculture. 11. Artificial Intelligence and Food Systems in West Africa Opportunities, Challenges, and Policy Pathways. 12. Beyond Access Gendered, Youthful, and Rural Exclusions in Africa’s AI Future. Part III: Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Agriculture. 13. Artificial Intelligence and the Smallholder Woman Farmer Rethinking Gender Equity and Food Security in Southern Africa. 14. Enhancing Sustainability in Agricultural Supply Chains through AI-Powered Inventory Management in the SADC Region. 5. Separating Structural Growth from Climate Variability An Explainable Machine Learning Approach to Maize Yield in Ghana. Part IV: Policy Recommendations and Conclusions. 16. Artificial Intelligence, Agricultural Extension, and Food Systems Change in Post-Land Reform Zimbabwe. 17. Fintech Integration in Agricultural Value Chains A Pathway to Inclusive Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa. 18. Conclusion.