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Data Driven Irrigation: Applying Remote Sensing, AI and Digital Innovations to Guide Investment in Irrigation in Africa - World Bank Special Session

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Session Information

Conveners

World Bank

Session Summary

Irrigation is central to Africa's food security, rural livelihoods, and climate resilience. Yet progress remains uneven. Some regions underutilize water resources, while others overexploit them. Poor targeting of irrigation investments, limited performance monitoring, and weak data-driven decision-making compound these challenges. At the same time, smallholder farmers, who produce 80% of Africa's food, struggle with climate variability and water scarcity without access to evidence-based irrigation guidance.

This session will demonstrate how remote sensing, AI, and digital hydro-informatics are transforming irrigation planning and investment across the continent. Presenters will illustrate how operational platforms, integrating billions of satellite data points with ground-based measurements, socio-economic data, and AI/ML analytics, are being deployed to guide irrigation investment decisions, benchmark scheme performance, and support evidence-based policy planning.

Case studies will demonstrate how:
- Nigeria is benchmarking irrigation performance to target rehabilitation;
- Burundi and Uganda are piloting real-time irrigation monitoring and supplemental mapping tools to strengthen climate-resilient agricultural planning;
- Kenya is using hydronomic zoning, water tower analysis, and farmer-led irrigation mapping to optimize irrigation development;
- Additional cases from Ethiopia, Tunisia, Zambia, and others illustrate a continent-wide shift toward data-driven irrigation.

Designed as an interactive dialogue, the session will blend concise country presentations with a moderated panel and open discussion. Policymakers, researchers, development partners, and practitioners will explore practical lessons, implementation challenges, and opportunities for scaling innovation. The discussion will foster cross-country learning, build partnerships, and highlight how AI/ML-driven predictive analytics and digital irrigation solutions can enable smarter, more sustainable investment in African agriculture.

Programme

Opening remarks: Welcome and Introduction

Presentation: Case studies

  • Nigeria (IPA benchmarking)
  • Burundi (investment prioritization) 
  • Kenya (hydronomic zoning) 
  • Zambia (dashboard) 

Experiential Game and Group work 

  • Using the dashboard to design a new irrigation project
  • Report back 

Panel discussion 

  • Main question: How can remote sensing, AI, and digital tools transform irrigation planning and investment in Africa to ensure cost-effectiveness, equity, and resilience at scale? 

Closing remarks


 

Oct 31, 2025 08:00 AM - 10:00 AM(Africa/Johannesburg)
Venue : Virtual 2
20251031T0800 20251031T1000 Africa/Johannesburg Data Driven Irrigation: Applying Remote Sensing, AI and Digital Innovations to Guide Investment in Irrigation in Africa - World Bank Special Session

Conveners

World Bank

Session Summary

Irrigation is central to Africa's food security, rural livelihoods, and climate resilience. Yet progress remains uneven. Some regions underutilize water resources, while others overexploit them. Poor targeting of irrigation investments, limited performance monitoring, and weak data-driven decision-making compound these challenges. At the same time, smallholder farmers, who produce 80% of Africa's food, struggle with climate variability and water scarcity without access to evidence-based irrigation guidance.This session will demonstrate how remote sensing, AI, and digital hydro-informatics are transforming irrigation planning and investment across the continent. Presenters will illustrate how operational platforms, integrating billions of satellite data points with ground-based measurements, socio-economic data, and AI/ML analytics, are being deployed to guide irrigation investment decisions, benchmark scheme performance, and support evidence-based policy planning.Case studies will demonstrate how:- Nigeria is benchmarking irrigation performance to target rehabilitation;- Burundi and Uganda are piloting real-time irrigation monitoring and supplemental mapping tools to strengthen climate-resilient agricultural planning;- Kenya is using hydronomic zoning, water tower analysis, and farmer-led irrigation mapping to optimize irrigation development;- Additional cases from Ethiopia, Tunisia, Zambia, and others illustrate a continent-wide shift toward data-driven irrigation.Designed as an interactive dialogue, the session will blend concise country presentations with a moderated panel and open discussion. Poli ...

Virtual 2 26th WaterNet/WARFSA/GWPSA Symposium waternet@waternetonline.org
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Media Personnel
,
iClick Systems & Multimedia Ltd
Senior Irrigation Specialist
Prof. Krasposy Kujinga
Programmes Coordinator
,
WaterNet
Dr. Moctar Dembélé
Researcher
,
IWMI
Mr. Sampa Sampa
Sociologist
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