CLIMATE CHANGE, AGRICULTURAL TRADE AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES IN AFRICA

CLIMATE CHANGE, AGRICULTURAL TRADE AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES IN AFRICA

KEITH TICHAONA TASHU

The increase in extreme natural phenomena such as heavy rains, floods, droughts and heat waves was evidence of the effects of climate change in Africa. These events were the result of increased greenhouse gas emissions globally and particularly affected Africa, although Africa emitted seven times less than Europe and 15 times less than North America. Increasing emissions were disrupting ecosystems worldwide, as illustrated by rising temperatures and ocean levels, acidification of oceans and even reduced availability of arable land. The aims of this study were to analyse the effects of climate change on agriculture and trade and ways ICT and emerging technologies could improve agricultural production and trade. The study made use of extant qualitative literature research. Findings, conclusions and recommendations were drawn from documentary search of books, government publications, journal articles, working papers and theses. Research findings indicated that, climate change was a threat to both agricultural and non-agricultural development in any economy, but more so to food production in developing countries due to heavy reliance on agriculture. Climate change affected agriculture through various means, such as low or excessive rainfall leading to drought and flooding, climate extremes such as heat waves and changes in average temperatures. Climate change also affected trade through trade deficit, price hikes, availability of workers, health risks and export restrictions, among others. However, Information Communication Technology (ICT) and emerging technologies had the potential of improving agricultural production and trade through e-certification and online markets and the application of artificial intelligence (AI), sensors and agricultural drones, among others in crop production

Zimbabwe Journal of Business, Economics and Management

2026