Japanese Firm Commits $100m to Make Ghana Africa’s First AI-Powered Agriculture Hub

Japanese agritech company Degas Limited has announced a $100 million investment over the next four years to position Ghana as Africa’s first AI-powered agricultural hub, in a move expected to transform smallholder farming and boost the country’s food security agenda.

The commitment was unveiled by Degas founder and CEO, Doga Makiura, during a meeting with President John Dramani Mahama on the sidelines of the Ghana Presidential Investment Forum.

“Ghana has shown that when technology meets a clear national vision, smallholder farmers can thrive,” Makiura said. “Our $100 million commitment will scale AI-driven satellite monitoring and precision agriculture techniques, enabling farmers to increase yields, lower risk, and access affordable financing.”

Degas’ agritech model, already operational in Ghana, has financed more than 86,000 smallholder farmers across 122,000 acres nationwide. The company reports that participating farmers have doubled their incomes while maintaining a 95 percent repayment rate on loans.

The Degas platform integrates AI-driven satellite imaging with precision farming practices to optimize crop production. Makiura said the model has attracted growing interest from Japanese investors, describing Ghana’s integrated approach as “the gold standard for agricultural investment in Africa.”

“President Mahama’s focus on value-chain integration aligns closely with Japan’s search for credible, scalable partnerships,” he added.

Welcoming the announcement, President Mahama described the investment as a strong vote of confidence in Ghana’s agricultural transformation strategy.

“This investment reinforces our commitment to integrated agricultural value chains that connect farmers to markets, finance, storage, and processing,” the president said. “By leveraging AI and precision technologies, we will improve productivity, enhance food security, and create dignified jobs for youth in rural communities.”

The new funding will scale up Degas’ farmer financing, satellite-enabled crop monitoring, and precision agronomy services. It will also strengthen partnerships in input supply, logistics, and offtake to build resilient local value chains.

Industry analysts say the partnership could accelerate Ghana’s ambition to become a continental leader in smart agriculture, while positioning the country as a preferred destination for agritech investment in Africa.