BY SIBUSISEKILE NDLANGAMANDLA
MANZINI– Imvelo Tech has introduced an AI-powered agriculture platform designed to help African farmers improve productivity, access market information and strengthen their resilience to climate change.
The platform was showcased during the 2026 Business Seminar hosted by Piggs Peak iHub and Macetjeni iHub as part of the Eswatini International Trade Fair (EITF) 2026.
Imvelo Tech founder Wamkelwe Mkhabela said the platform integrates different parts of the agricultural value chain, providing farmers with digital tools, market information and knowledge to support their farming businesses.
It includes a climate resilience component, digital learning materials and a knowledge platform that helps farmers access information on modern agricultural practices. Farmers can also advertise their produce on the platform, allowing them to improve their visibility and connect with potential buyers.
Mkhabela said the platform can also help farmers understand prevailing market prices before selling their produce. “Some of the farmers may not know the current market prices. But with the platform, you can actually know that whatever I am producing or whatever I want to sell, it is now this amount in the market,” she said.
The technology has already attracted more than 500 African farmers, including farmers in Eswatini, within its first seven months of operation. One of its key features is an artificial intelligence (AI) assistant capable of communicating in more than 22 African languages, including SiSwati.
The inclusion of siSwati was aimed at making agricultural and climate-related information easier for local farmers to understand and use. She said some Swati farmers struggle with technical terminology used when discussing climate change, climate resilience and modern agricultural practices.
“We need to understand that some of our Swati farmers in Eswatini do not understand the current terminology and the jargon that is used when we are talking about climate change and climate resilience,” she said.
Through the AI assistant, farmers can interact with the technology in SiSwati and access information without relying solely on technical English terminology. The platform demonstrates how artificial intelligence can be adapted to local needs while making agricultural innovation more inclusive.
The Imvelo App was among the innovations showcased during the seminar, which focused on using technology and entrepreneurship to unlock green economy opportunities for youth, SMEs and start-ups.
The platform combines market information, product advertising, digital learning, climate resilience resources and AI-powered language support to give farmers practical tools to strengthen their agricultural enterprises.
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