Japanese firm launches AI farming initiative in Ghana with $100m four-year investment

Degas Limited's Strategic Investment in Ghana's Agricultural Sector

Degas Limited has unveiled an ambitious plan to invest $100 million over the next four years, aiming to position Ghana as Africa’s first AI-powered agricultural hub. This initiative builds upon a successful model that has already supported more than 86,000 smallholder farmers across 122,000 acres nationwide.

During a meeting with President John Dramani Mahama on the sidelines of the Ghana Presidential Investment Forum, Doga Makiura, Chief Executive Officer and founder of Degas Limited, highlighted the potential of this investment. “Ghana has demonstrated that when technology meets a clear national vision, smallholder farmers can thrive,” he stated. The CEO emphasized that the $100 million commitment will focus on scaling up AI-driven satellite monitoring and precision agriculture techniques. These innovations are expected to help farmers increase yields, reduce risks, and access fairly priced finance.

According to Makiura, the company’s platform, which combines AI-based satellite monitoring with precision farming, has already doubled farmer incomes while maintaining a 95 per cent repayment rate. This success has attracted significant interest from Japanese investors. “Many Japanese partners now see Ghana’s integrated approach as the gold standard for agricultural investment in Africa,” he added. Makiura also noted that President Mahama’s emphasis on value-chain integration aligns closely with Japan’s search for credible, scalable partnerships.

President Mahama welcomed the investment, describing it as a vote of confidence in Ghana’s agricultural transformation agenda. “This investment reinforces our commitment to building integrated agricultural value chains that connect farmers to markets, finance, storage, and processing,” he said. He further explained that by harnessing AI and precision technologies, the country aims to boost productivity, enhance food security, and create dignified jobs for young people across rural communities.

The fresh funding will support the expansion of Degas’ farmer financing schemes, satellite-enabled crop monitoring, and precision agronomy services. It will also deepen partnerships in input supply, logistics, and offtake to strengthen local value chains. This strategic move is expected to have a lasting impact on Ghana's agricultural sector, fostering sustainable growth and development.

Key Components of the Investment Plan

• AI-Driven Satellite Monitoring: Enhancing crop management through real-time data analysis.
• Precision Agriculture Techniques: Tailoring farming practices to optimize resource use and yield.
• Farmer Financing Schemes: Expanding access to financial services for smallholder farmers.
• Partnerships in Input Supply: Strengthening relationships with suppliers to ensure availability of quality inputs.
• Logistics and Offtake Agreements: Improving the efficiency of transporting and selling agricultural products.

This investment not only reflects the growing recognition of Ghana's agricultural potential but also highlights the importance of leveraging technology to address challenges faced by smallholder farmers. As Degas Limited continues to expand its initiatives, the collaboration between the private sector and government is expected to play a crucial role in driving agricultural innovation and sustainability in the region.