Farming Smarter, Not Harder: Why Africa’s Extension Systems Need a Digital Reset

In May 2025, Moja Academy joined agricultural policymakers, researchers, and innovators at the 7th Africa-Wide Agricultural Extension Week (AAEW) in Lilongwe, Malawi. The theme—“Rebranding Extension for Enhanced Public/Private Sector Driven Commercialization and Inclusive Food Systems”—could not be more timely.

Across Sub-Saharan Africa, agricultural extension systems are under strain. In Malawi, one extension officer may serve over 4,000 farmers and agripreneurs—eight times the maximum ratio recommended by the FAO. Most smallholders lack access to timely, relevant, and localized guidance on inputs, incubation, and climate-smart agronomic best practices. This gap directly suppresses productivity, limits market access, and constrains financial inclusion.

Moja Academy exists to close this knowledge gap. As demonstrated during AAEW and captured in the Moja-produced short film “Digital Extension with Market Reach,” the platform offers a mobile-first, multilingual, AI-enhanced approach to extension that blends local relevance with digital scale. The short film—featured in Lilongwe as part of Moja’s contribution to the conference—spotlights how public-private collaboration can radically expand access to actionable knowledge and advisory services for underserved farmers and agro-MSMEs.

The stakes are high. Over half of Malawi’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) operate in the agriculture sector. Yet fragmented extension systems, climate volatility, and limited post-harvest support continue to undermine their growth. Moja tackles these issues directly, providing flexible, field-tested solutions for business planning, crop management, and market readiness. Through the “Agripreneurship: Empowering the Future” webinar series, the “Accelerating Agribusiness” WhatsApp Community, and certification programs through Moja Academy, farmers and agripreneurs can engage in peer learning and track their progress toward technical and commercial success all while strengthening and expanding their network and creating new market linkages.

This isn’t just about learning—it’s about transformation. Moja’s approach makes it easier for financial institutions to serve well-informed, de-risked clients. It helps development partners monitor impact more effectively. And it enables government and academic institutions to translate research into results.

Private digital extension platforms like Moja are not a distant innovation—they are a present necessity. By investing in scalable, hybrid models, African countries can close the knowledge gap, empower agripreneurs, and accelerate the shift toward commercially viable, climate-resilient food systems.

The future of extension is here. “Digital Extension with Market Reach” is more than a film—it’s a call to action.