Media Advisory: Africa Conference on Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization

Organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and hosted by the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, the Africa Conference on Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization (ACSAM) invites media to attend this important event.

OFFICIAL OPENING: Tuesday 3 February 9:30am-10:30am

The opening session will feature an address by the Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania Mwigulu L. Nchemba who will launch the Tanzania Agricultural Mechanization Strategy.

Other speakers at the opening morning include:

• Moses Vilakati, African Union Commissioner, Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment
• Beth Bechdol, FAO Deputy Director-General 
• Abebe Haile-Gabriel, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa
• Charles Spillane, FAO Chief Scientist
• Chef Fatmata Binta, FAO Regional Goodwill Ambassador for Africa

OTHER MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

• Ministerial high-level panel with perspectives from across Africa on policies and programmes to support sustainable agricultural mechanization
• Youth special event on mechanization services and job opportunities for youth, and a Youth Masterclass on mechanization hire services as a business 
• Machinery and posters exhibition
• Field visits showcasing sustainable agricultural mechanization in action
• One-on-one interviews available with experts
• Closing session highlighting key outcomes and commitments

WHY IT MATTERS

Sustainable agricultural mechanization (SAM) is a critical driver of Africa’s agrifood systems transformation: boosting productivity, reducing labour intensity and helping farmers adapt to climate change. This reality led FAO and the African Union to launch the Framework for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization in Africa (F-SAMA) in 2018. Recent progress at regional and national levels, including FAO collaboration with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on the Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization for Climate-Smart Agriculture (SAM4CSA) roadmap, and national SAM strategies in several countries, signal growing momentum that could be replicated across the continent to move from policy intent to implementation.

The Africa Conference on Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization comes at a pivotal moment. By convening policymakers, development partners, the private sector, researchers, youth and farmers, the conference will strengthen regional collaboration, support the development of national and regional strategies on sustainable agricultural mechanization, and promote practical, scalable solutions tailored to African contexts. Through high-level dialogue, technical exchange, an exhibition and poster display, youth-focused activities and field visits, the conference will help translate policy commitments and innovation into real-world impact.