On June 26, 2025, Dr. Stella Kabiri, Lead Specialist for Regenerative Agriculture at the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), participated as a speaker at the international symposium “African Agriculture and the Utilization of Japan’s Newest Technology in the Era of Global Climate Change,” held at the Yayoi Auditorium of the University of Tokyo.

Hosted by AcuPlanta Inc. and co-organized by the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Tokyo, the event brought together a wide range of participants—both in person and online—including ambassadors from African countries in Japan, representatives from JICA and United Nations agencies, researchers, and members of the private sector. The symposium provided a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and collaborative dialogue on the challenges and opportunities facing African agriculture in an era of accelerating climate change.

In her presentation titled “Revitalizing Agricultural Extension in Africa: Current Realities, Challenges, and the Path Forward,” Dr. Kabiri introduced SAA’s ongoing work in regenerative agriculture and extension services in Ethiopia, Mali, Nigeria, and Uganda. She highlighted the evolving role of public extension officers, and shared practical insights into how digital tools and AI are expanding the reach, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of extension approaches. Emphasizing the urgency of building sustainable and inclusive extension systems, she underscored the importance of collaboration among governments, research institutions, development partners, and local communities to create meaningful, long-term impact.

About the Symposium

This symposium was convened in response to the mounting challenges that climate change—described by some as the “era of global boiling”—poses to agriculture in Africa. By drawing on Japan’s scientific and technological expertise, the event aimed to explore new frameworks for addressing these complex issues.

• Date and time: Thursday, June 26, 2025, 1:00 p.m. to 5:20 p.m.
• Location: Yayoi Auditorium, Ichijo Hall, University of Tokyo / Online (hybrid format)
• Organizer: Acplant Co., Ltd.
• Co-organizer: Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo
• Cooperation: JICA, RIKEN, CSRS, Ashinaga Scholarship Society, University of Tokyo One Earth Guardians Development Institution

For more information, please visit the website of the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Tokyo.

Dr. Kabiri's presentation material is available here.