The City and its green energy growth partner, GreenCape, have hosted the first-ever AgTech Connect, a session bringing together investors, business leaders and government officials for high-impact networking, and an exchange of ideas relating to technologies in the agricultural sector.
With ongoing challenges to agriculture, namely those such as climate change, there is a growing need to develop solutions that will safeguard the industry now, and for future generations.
‘Across Africa, agritech grew 44% year-on-year between 2016 and 2019, and is projected to reach a continent-wide value of $1 trillion by 2030. This presents major opportunities for innovators and investors in Cape Town where there exists an ecosystem of support from organisations, such as the City government and GreenCape,’ said Alderman James Vos, the Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth.
The session saw the gathering identify pathways for growth, investment, and policy support to scale the sector. Agricultural tech solutions developed in Cape Town and surrounds are well-positioned to support the growth and resilience of the African agricultural sector.
Western Cape Agriculture Continues Upward Trend
‘Over the past five to 10 years, the Western Cape’s agricultural sector grew at an average annual rate of 2,5% and 2,7%, reaching R25,6 billion in 2023. The GreenCape Sustainable Agri Market Intelligence Report 2025 indicates that the sector has further maintained its national share at 16% for agriculture and 21% for agri-processing.
To build an industry that can withstand challenges, both known and unknown, we have to encourage bold solutions. For example, drones have become one of the leading solutions for the sector and the market is currently valued at just over R1 billion with forecasts saying that it will more than triple over the next five years. This is why the City funds and works with partners such as GreenCape who help us to understand and realise the investment potential of emerging industries while energising the development of small businesses and job opportunities,’ said Alderman Vos.