Digitization in Agriculture and Food Security in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Digitization is increasingly recognized as a transformative force in Sub-Saharan Africa’s (SSA) agricultural sector, with significant implications for productivity enhancement and food security improvement. This systematic review examines the role of digital technologies in agriculture, focusing on their contributions to food availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability across SSA. The study adopts a systematic literature review (SLR) methodology, drawing evidence from peer-reviewed journals and reports published by institutions such as the World Bank, FAO, IFAD, and the African Development Bank between 2015 and 2025. Findings reveal that digital agriculture interventions, including mobile advisory systems, precision agriculture tools, digital financial services, and e-market platforms, significantly improve agricultural productivity, reduce transaction costs, strengthen market integration, and enhance farmers’ access to financial services. However, adoption remains uneven due to infrastructural deficits, digital illiteracy, gender inequality, and weak institutional frameworks. The review concludes that while digitization holds strong potential to transform food systems in SSA, its effectiveness depends on enabling environments such as infrastructure development, inclusive policies, and capacity building. The study recommends strengthening digital infrastructure, improving literacy programs, and expanding public–private partnerships to accelerate inclusive digital transformation in agriculture.