Blockchain for sustainable and inclusive agrifood aystems in Africa: Field evidence and country readiness assessment

This dissertation investigates the role of blockchain technology in fostering sustainable, inclusive, and scalable agricultural development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Motivated by persistent challenges in African agrifood systems—including low productivity, limited market access, weak institutional trust, and environmental pressures—the research examines whether and how blockchain-enabled platforms can address these systemic barriers. The thesis comprises three interconnected chapters, combining theoretical analysis, field- based evidence, and macro-level data assessment. The first chapter presents a comprehensive scoping review using the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) framework to assess the economic, social, and environmental sustainability dimensions of blockchain in agriculture. By analyzing over 200 peer-reviewed sources, the chapter highlights blockchain’s potential to improve traceability, reduce transaction costs, and increase stakeholder trust, while also identifying key barriers such as regulatory gaps, scalability issues, and limited technological literacy among smallholders. The second chapter focuses on farmers' perceptions of blockchain through original fieldwork conducted in Nigeria. Based on survey data from 206 smallholder farmers involved in the AgriFi platform, the study applies regression models (ordinal logistic, probit, and OLS) to assess perceived economic and social benefits. It finds that access to training and extension services strongly influences positive perceptions, while regional differences reveal that integrated, private-sector-led implementations yield greater perceived benefits than government-subsidized models. The third chapter shifts to regional scalability by developing a data-driven readiness index for Sub-Saharan Africa. The index combines 13 indicators across six domains- Digital Connectivity, Institutional and Trust Infrastructure, Farmer Capacity, Infrastructure and Cost, Gender and Inclusion, and Policy Environment - using four weighting strategies (equal weights, PCA, entropy, and institutional surrogates). A Monte Carlo simulation validates the index’s robustness. This chapter offers policymakers and investors a strategic tool to prioritize countries most prepared for blockchain-based agritech deployment. In sum, the dissertation offers a multi-level analysis—from theoretical frameworks to farmer experiences to regional strategy—demonstrating that while blockchain holds real promise for African agriculture, its success depends on aligning technology with institutional readiness, user-centered design, and strategic support systems.