A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Policy, Legal, and Technical Barriers to the Commercialization of AI and IoT-Driven Agricultural Solutions in the East African Community (EAC)
The agricultural sector in East Africa faces critical challenges such as food insecurity, climate change, and poverty, which threaten the region’s economic stability and sustainability. Despite the immense potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to address these issues, the commercialization and widespread adoption of these technologies in the East African Community (EAC) remain hindered by several barriers, including inadequate digital infrastructure, policy gaps, and limited access to data. This study investigates these obstacles while exploring opportunities to accelerate the deployment of AI/IoT solutions in agriculture, offering insights into how these technologies can transform the region’s agricultural landscape.
Using a mixed-methods approach, the research combines qualitative interviews with key stakeholders—including policymakers, farmers, technology developers, and legal experts—with quantitative analysis of infrastructure and adoption trends across the EAC. The findings reveal significant barriers, such as poor internet connectivity, financial constraints, and skill gaps, but also highlight considerable opportunities for innovation, especially in regions with improving connectivity and targeted capacity-building programs. The study makes a novel contribution by providing a region-specific analysis of the challenges and opportunities for AI/IoT integration, and proposes actionable recommendations for policymakers, private sector players, and development partners to scale these technologies. It concludes with a call for further research on the long-term socio-economic impacts and gendered dimensions of technology access in agriculture, underlining the urgent need for collaboration to drive a technology-driven agricultural revolution in East Africa.
I am passionate about leveraging the transformative potential of machine learning and artificial intelligence to address critical challenges in public health and agriculture. My research focuses on utilizing AI-driven solutions to enhance disease surveillance, predictive analytics, personalized medicine, and healthcare delivery in the public health sector. In agriculture, I explore AI applications in precision farming, crop disease detection, yield prediction, and resource optimization. By integrating advanced technologies with practical applications, I aim to drive innovations that improve health outcomes and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
Sat 3 MayDisplayed time zone: Eastern Time (US & Canada) change
09:00 - 10:30 | SEIGS Session 1Symposium on Software Engineering in the Global South (SEiGS) at 201 Chair(s): Michel Chaudron Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands | ||
09:00 18mDay opening | Introduction and objectives for the day Symposium on Software Engineering in the Global South (SEiGS) | ||
09:18 18mTalk | A framework for improving the development of safety-critical systems in the Global South Symposium on Software Engineering in the Global South (SEiGS) Leonard Peter Peter Binamungu Department of Computer Science and Engineering, College of Information and Communication Technologies, University of Dar es Salaam, Godfrey Justo University of Dar es Salaam, Salome Maro University of Dar es Salaam | ||
09:36 18mTalk | A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Policy, Legal, and Technical Barriers to the Commercialization of AI and IoT-Driven Agricultural Solutions in the East African Community (EAC) Symposium on Software Engineering in the Global South (SEiGS) Edison Kagona Cavendish University Uganda | ||
09:54 18mTalk | Artificial Intelligence in Software Startups and Special Challenges in Least Developed Countries: A Case Study of Uganda Symposium on Software Engineering in the Global South (SEiGS) Halimu Chongomweru Makerere University Kampala, Hawa Nyende Makerere University Kampala, Rashidah Kasauli Makerere University Kampala, Joseph Kibombo Balikuddembe School of Computing and Informatics Technology, Makerere University | ||
10:12 18mTalk | Factors Influencing the Successful Deployment of Blockchain and IoT-based Supply Chain Systems in Resource-Constrained Environments Symposium on Software Engineering in the Global South (SEiGS) Oratile Leteane University of Botswana, Yirsaw Ayalew University of Botswana, Tshiamo Motshegwa University of Botswana |